Colonels hope to bounce back

October 1, 2010

By Robert Niedzwiecki
The Winchester Star       

WINCHESTER- There's one philosophy that's more important than any other when a team suffers a loss like the James Wood High School football team did to Warren County last week.

Get back to the basics.

"We haven't been blocking well the last couple of weeks," Colonels coach Mike Bolin said. "We need better tackling too."

The Wildcats were certainly better in both essential areas during their 19-0 win over James Wood, and as a result, the Colonels (2-2) find themselves in an unusual position. James Wood has multiple losses after its first four games for the first time since 2005.

So with next week's Northwestern District opener against Sherando looming on the horizon, it's important for the Colonels to achieve machine-like efficiency tonight against Brentsville (1-3) at 7:30 tonight at Lambert Field in Nokesville. Warren County doubled up James Wood in yardage, and the Wildcats rushed for 229 yards on 49 carries while holding the Colonels to 95 yards on 31 carries.

If the days leading up to the game are any indicator, the Colonels shouldn't have a repeat. Though injured quarterback Matt Copley is a game-time decision after not playing last week, the team is getting healthier, and the players appear focused.

"We had a good week of practice," Bolin said. "The guys performed well."

Bolin said the biggest key for the Colonels will be to get their running game clicking again. After 202 yards on the ground in its first two games, James Wood has compiled just 122 yards per game in the last two.

"We want to run the ball, and we're going to have to do it as best we can," Bolin said. "If we fire off the ball, we should have the opportunity to pick up some yards."

Brentsville struggled mightily with Handley's offense last week, surrendering 267 rushing yards and 404 yards of total offense.

On defense, the Colonels will take on a Tigers attack that runs the double wing and spread gun, and will try to use their speed to get around the edge with sweeps when they're not using their power running game.

"We're just looking for a solid effort," Bolin said.

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