James Wood holds off Millbrook for 1st district victory

October 22, 2011

By Robert Niedzwiecki
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER- After time expired, James Wood coach Mike Bolin slapped one player's hand excitedly, then wrapped up senior linebacker Mark Bean in a hug.

The Colonels aren't used to waiting seven weeks to feel this good.

"It's huge," said Bean, who recorded two of James Wood's three interceptions in Friday's night's 14-7 Northwestern District win over Millbrook at Kelican Stadium. "We all came out and played fired up.

"We never stopped. We played with guts."

James Wood (3-5, 1-2 Northwestern) came up big time and time again in ending its five-game losing streak.

Colonels quarterback Jake Lewin (113 yards, one touchdown) hit each of his top three receivers for completions during the game, and defensive excellence was a constant.

In addition to the three turnovers - one of which set up an Aaron Clark (32 carries, 105 yards) 2-yard touchdown run with 10 seconds left before the half that made it 14-0 - James Wood held Millbrook (3-5, 0-2) to just 163 yards.

The Colonels gave up their lone touchdown on a Millbrook drive that started at the James Wood 31 with 5:06 remaining. But they snuffed out the Pioneers' ensuing drive by forcing them to turn the ball over on downs after just 16 yards, prompting Bolin to spin and pump his fist and allowing the Colonels' offense to run out the clock with 1:11 left.

"We were fundamentally sound," Bolin said. "The defensive linemen were reading their keys, they were making their reads, they were being aggressive, and they weren't getting blown off the ball.

"The linebackers did exactly what we needed them to do, both in the passing and run game."

The secondary also did its part too, with Chad Potter picking off a pass at the Colonels' 4-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Both coaches thought turnovers would play a big role, and James Wood's defense twice gave the Colonels' offense a chance to add to the team's 7-0 lead at the end of the first half.

The Colonels couldn't take advantage of Mark Bean's acrobatic interception with 2:28 left, but they cashed in on his fortuitous one that first bounced off teammate Tanner Rutherford before falling into his arms.

Two plays later, Potter caught a 37-yard pass down to the Pioneers' 2, which led to Clark's touchdown just before the half.

"That was big at the end of the first half to get that down there and score," Bolin said.

Millbrook coach Reed Prosser thought James Wood's ability to make key passing plays in the first half might have played the biggest role in James Wood's win.

In addition to the pass to Potter, Lewin also threw an 18-yard touchdown pass on third-and-15 to 6-foot-3 Mel Savarese, who reached up between two defenders in front of the goal line before turning and scoring with 11:10 left in the second quarter.

Still, it was a big pass play in the second half that might have decided the game. After Justin Anderson's 7-yard touchdown run with 5:06 left made it 14-7, the Pioneers finally had a chance to steal momentum.

James Wood took possession, and on first-and-10 from its own 35, Lewin hit T.J. Bruce on a 40-yard fade to the left. The possession ended with a blocked field goal, but the Colonels ran two minutes off the clock and dramatically changed field position.

"[Offensive coordinator Josh Copp] reminded me that [the play] had been there all night," Bolin said. "It was open, and we took a chance. We knew on first and second down they were really stacking the box."

The Pioneers had one final chance after taking over at their own 20, but a delay of game penalty forced them into fourth-and-9 with 1:17 left. Millbrook quarterback Justin Neff (9 of 25) then threw too high for Boomer Kaczmarzewski (six catches, 70 yards).

Prosser could only shake his head when he was asked about his penalties (12 for 82 yards).

Ultimately, he just thinks his team wasn't able to take advantage of its opportunities.

"I thought the entire second half, we played well," he said. "We had chances to make plays, and we didn't make plays. That's the story of the game. If we're dropping passes, not blocking people we're supposed to block, or blowing coverage ... we need to not do that."

Bolin said the Colonels just needed a win and added it felt good to get one against a quality team, and Lewin hopes it's just the start of a successful run.

"Hopefully this sparks more wins," Lewin said. "This is a big win against a good team, and it took a lot of effort. It's just awesome. I think [the season] is going to turn out good for us."

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