Colonels, Pioneers look for first district win

October 21, 2011
By Robert Niedzwiecki
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER- When looking at the first four games of the 10-game Northwestern District slate, Millbrook coach Reed Prosser said it's really not surprising that the contests have been so close.

"The district this year is really even, and there doesn't seem to be anybody that's head and shoulders above the rest," Prosser said. "I think because our district's so small, and the coaching staffs have remained pretty consistent.

"Everybody knows each other so well, that the records don't even matter. The kids know what they're going to do, [the opponents] know what they're going to do. Nobody's going to blow each other out."

The Millbrook-James Wood series definitely speaks to that. It's tied 4-4, the home team hasn't won since 2005, and only one of the past six meetings has been decided by more than seven points. The Colonels won 17-14 last year on an overtime field goal by Chandler DeHaven (7 of 8 on field goals this year, with a long of 40 yards).

This year's contest will take place at 7 tonight at the Colonels' Kelican Stadium, and both squads - currently sitting in seventh (Millbrook) and eighth (James Wood) - could definitely use a win. Millbrook (3-4, 0-1 Northwestern) has to run the table if it hopes to at least earn a share of the district title again, because the Sherando-Skyline winner next week is guaranteed at least three district wins.

James Wood (2-5, 0-2 Northwestern), which cannot win the district title, just wants a win. Losers of five straight, the Colonels will finish with their first non-winning regular season since 2005, a run of prosperity that was second only to Sherando among local schools.

That being said, the Colonels - who are coming off a bye - have more reason for optimism than they've had in a long time.

Two weeks ago, James Wood trailed 21-7 against Sherando with three minutes left, but the Colonels executed a 70-yard touchdown drive, recovered an onside kick, then drove 47 yards to the Warriors' 5 with 14 seconds left.

James Wood couldn't get the tying touchdown, but the Colonels finished with a 349-309 yardage advantage against a Sherando team that has outgained each of the other four teams it's beaten this year.

"I think we learned a lot from the game, and we can also build upon what we did and do better [tonight]," said James Wood senior quarterback Jake Lewin, who threw for 202 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Warriors. "We did great with fighting back, we did great pass-blocking, we passed the ball well, we caught the ball well and we ran the ball well."

The Colonels finished so strongly that it would have been understandable if they wanted to play again as soon as possible, but James Wood coach Mike Bolin said the Colonels definitely needed the break.

It was a good opportunity for the Colonels to clear their heads, focus on themselves, and concentrate on playing at a higher tempo. And it was a great opportunity to think about one of their Frederick County rivals more than they're accustomed to.

"We used that week to really focus on Millbrook, the things they do, the things that they do well, and the things that we can exploit," Bolin said. "Our kids are excited to play Millbrook. Since the first day of practice last week, they've really been focused."

On the flip side, the Pioneers needed to play last week. Two weeks ago they suffered a frustrating 26-20 loss to Skyline in which they committed four turnovers, and an impressive drive that tied the game at 20 with 1:19 left turned into a footnote when they had an extra point blocked and the Hawks followed with a 74-yard touchdown drive.

But the Pioneers were dominant in out-gaining Brentsville 439-257, receiving strong performances from the running game (214 yards) and passing game, as Justin Neff threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns.

"I thought we ran the ball out of spread sets very well," Prosser said. "Traditionally when we're in gun, we don't run the ball a whole lot. I thought we did a really nice job of doing that, and I thought Justin threw the ball really well. His decision-making has been pretty good, and he's feeling more and more comfortable in our offense."

The trio of Logan Rodeffer (497 yards, four touchdowns), Justin Anderson (366, four) and Garrett Williams (161, one) is about 200 yards short of the 1,220 that Jordan Hartman compiled through seven games last year, but Neff said they've definitely played a big role in helping his development.

He knows if James Wood stacks the box, he'll have to take advantage.

"That will make it easier to pass, but it's all about being balanced," Neff said.

Both offenses seem to be operating at a high level in the air and on the ground coming in - Bolin thought Lewin's passing performance against Sherando was the Colonels' best in years.

But obviously, neither is perfect, and both coaches just hope that their defenses are ready to take advantage when they're not.

The 2011 Northwestern District season is definitely showing it doesn't take much to swing a game, and both coaches almost immediately went to turnovers when talking about what it's going to take to win. James Wood's turnover ratio is plus-7 this year, Millbrook's is plus-3.

"We've got to control the line of scrimmage, we've got to limit turnovers, and we've got to get a couple takeaways," James Wood coach Mike Bolin said. "I think the team that turns it over less is going to win this football game. Whether it's us or Millbrook, I think whoever holds on to the football better is going to come out on top at the end."

Prosser made a big point about taking care of the ball following the loss to Skyline, and the Pioneers didn't have any turnovers against Brentsville.

"It's cliche, but it's all turnovers," Prosser said. "It really is. Turnovers and making plays. If you take advantage of your opportunities and make plays, then you'll probably be successful, particularly in a big game. Even [with Handley and Sherando], the team that made the most big plays won."

- Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.