Colonels seek playoff berth in finale vs. Pioneers

A year ago in Todd Wilson’s first year as James Wood High School’s head football coach, the Colonels improved from 2-8 to 4-6.

In 2024, James Wood has again improved by two wins and stand at 6-3 (1-2 Class 4 Northwestern District) heading into its regular-season finale. At 7 p.m. on Friday night at Kelican Stadium, the Colonels hope to win again a take a step that they want to make on a regular basis.

Though it’s not a 100 percent certainty based on variables in other games, James Wood thinks it has a strong chance of qualifying for the postseason for just the second time in 10 years and first time since 2021 if it wins on Friday against Millbrook (3-6, 1-2). What is 100 percent certain is that the Colonels — currently rated ninth in Region 4D — won’t make the playoffs if they can’t beat the Pioneers. The Colonels (24.3) are just behind No. 6 Orange County (25.1, 7-2), No. 7 E.C. Glass (24.9, 5-4) and No. 8 Mecklenburg County (24.8, 6-3).

Wilson is looking forward to the challenge in front of his team, which is coming off a 692-yard performance in last week’s 53-21 win over Liberty.

“We’ve made some good strides from Year One to Year Two,” Wilson said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys, and we’re making sure they understand that they know that the expectation is to win football games and make it into the playoffs. We know we have a tough task Friday. Millbrook hasn’t had the season they wanted to, but they’re a really good football team.”

After advancing to the playoffs the previous two seasons, Millbrook will not make the postseason in 2024.

The Pioneers are without approximately 15 players due to injuries. Millbrook head coach Josh Haymore said the Pioneers might get a couple of linemen back for Friday’s game but didn’t expect any injured skill players to suit up. The Pioneers have been without leading rusher Kyler Jackson for the last three games, and No. 2 rusher Cameron Clark missed last week’s 48-27 loss to Handley.

“Our kids are playing hard, and we want to continue that,” Haymore said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids, and they’re playing together as a team.”

The Pioneers would love to finish the year strong with a win and spoil James Wood’s playoff chances.

“That’s some good motivation,” Haymore said.

James Wood hasn’t been hit as hard with injuries as Millbrook, but the Colonels have often been without key players this season. Wilson said it’s helped with the team’s resiliency and given other players a chance to step in and show what they’re capable of doing.

After shutting out Liberty for more than 30 minutes last week, James Wood feels it’s in a good place defensively. Prior to the Fauquier game on Oct. 18, Wilson said the Colonels made some changes due in part to the team’s injury issues. Miguel Padilla (42 tackles) had been playing linebacker and is now a defensive end. Logan Lafollette (28 tackles) had been rotating in at outside linebacker but is now starting at inside linebacker, and Wilson’s been pleased with the rotation of Ivan Andrews and Jaden Jordan. Wilson said Aidric Yurish’s snaps at free safety have increased, and he’s liked how he’s handled that.

Overall, James Wood’s defense is led by Vincent Salvati (94 tackles), defensive end Jordyn Sweetser (52 tackles, area-best 8.5 sacks, including 2.5 last week) and defensive lineman Dominik Ramirez (48 tackles, five sacks).

Last year, the Pioneers recorded 568 yards (545 rushing) in a 47-23 win over James Wood. The Colonels hope to follow up last week’s success against a Millbrook offense that has scored at least 22 points in six of its nine games despite its injuries. Overall, the Pioneers are averaging 319.4 yards per game. Jahiden Nunez has rushed for 369 yards and three TDs on 30 carries (12.3 average).

“We’ve got to read our keys,” Wilson said. “We did a good job lining up correctly last week, and that’s what we’ve got to do this week. If we misalign, they’re going to exploit it and make a big play. And we’ve got to limit big plays and make tackles.”

James Wood’s offense churned out the yards against Liberty, with running back Kobe Mason and quarterback Owen Neal combining for 378 yards and five TDs rushing. For the season, Mason has 97 carries for 666 yards (6.9 average) and seven TDs, while Neal has carried the ball 89 times for 590 yards (6.6 average) and six TDs. Neal (87 of 153 for 1,220 yards, five TDs and nine interceptions) also leads the area in passing yards.

Wilson feels Neal’s increasing involvement in the running game this year has been a boon for Wood’s offense.

“It poses a little more of a challenge to the defense when you have a running back, and a quarterback who can pull the ball and keep it,” Wilson said. “We’ve let [Neal] run some option stuff, which gives some of our skill guys in the slot receiver position like Kaden McCullough and Xavier Price a chance to get the ball in their hands in the run game.

“Going back to last year and to the beginning of this year and now where we’re at the end of the regular season, we’ve seen some major progression with our offensive line and quarterback. It’s nice to see us get better week in and week out.”

Price has 21 catches for 420 yards and two TDs and Xander Manzo has 14 catches for 329 yards and three TDs for Wood.

Because of the Pioneers’ penchant for solid ball control, Wilson said the Colonels can’t waste opportunities since their possessions will likely be limited.

“We’ve got to sustain drives and score when we have the ball, or at least flip the field position,” Wilson said.

Millbrook’s defense is led by linebackers Chris Bradford (101 tackles) and Trey White (73 tackles). The Pioneers are giving up 29.3 points and 319.4 yards per game.

Notes: The West Point Parachute Demonstration Team will land on the field at 6:50 p.m. prior to Friday’s game. It will also make an appearance before Saturday’s game between Virginia and Pittsburgh at the Panthers’ Acrisure Stadium. ... James Wood senior swimmer Joe Warnagiris will be presented with a state championship ring for winning the 200 individually and 100 breaststroke at last winter’s Class 4 meet. Warnagiris is the first boy or girl in Frederick County history to win a swimming state title.

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