James Wood at Musselman (W.Va.)

When: Tonight, 7

Where: Musselman High School's Waldeck Field, Bunker Hill, W.Va.

Records: James Wood (2-0); Musselman (1-1)

Last week: James Wood beat Loudoun Valley 19-6; Musselman lost to Sherando 49-21

Last year: James Wood won 28-7

Preview: Coming off back-to-back home wins to open the season, the Colonels will take their act on the road to face a Musselman team that was hammered by Sherando last week.

The two squads are familiar with one another, having played each of the past two seasons - James Wood won 28-7 last year and 35-14 in 2009 - and coach Mike Bolin knows what to expect from the host Applemen.

"They're a well-coached team and extremely physical," Bolin said. "They'll be one of the most physical teams we face all year."

Physicality has been a specialty for James Wood through the first two games of the season, with the offense wracking up 447 yards on the ground and the defense forcing six turnovers.

"They're big and they're strong and they win with their defense," said Musselman voach Denny Price.

Price said that his team needs to clean up the mistakes that cost the Applemen against Sherando (four turnovers), but if they can play error-free ball they should be able to stay in the game - especially if Josh Ferguson can continue on his torrid pace.

The Musselman junior tailback is a threat to score at anytime on special teams (he's already scored twice on punt returns and once on a kickoff return) and will be a focal point for the James Wood defense all night long.

"He's a phenomenal player, probably one of the fastest kids we'll see all year," Bolin said. "A lot of their offense and the majority of their special teams go through him.

"It's tough to bottle up an athlete like that, but you just can't give up the big play. That's what we've been preaching all week."