November 12, 2011
By Fred Jeter
Special to The Winchester Star

POWHATAN- James Wood's Colonels traveled a rocky path with six losses en route to the Region II playoffs.

Upon arrival here, 30 miles west of Richmond, those bumps in the road became a full-fledged barricade.

The visitors were unable to corral Indians' tailback Ray "Touchdown" Brown, suffered seven turnovers and lost 44-6.

It signaled the end of a 4-7 Wood campaign.

"What can I say, they beat the stuffing out of us," said Wood coach Mike Bolin. "They capitalized on their opportunities, and we didn't on ours."

Brown rushed for a school record 333 yards and scored five touchdowns on sprints of 60, 43, 45, 20 and 70 yards.

On the season, the 177-pound senior has 1,752 yards and 27 TDs.

Next up for Powhatan (9-2, with eight straight wins) is a Region semifinal game versus Louisa.

There were red eyes aplenty afterward as Bolin addressed his Colonels.

Speaking from the heart, Bolin applauded his seniors for their "blood and guts" and warned his underclassmen, saying "we've got work to do." He was more blunt speaking to the press.

Bolin was obviously irritated that Brown was still carrying the ball and dancing in the end zone in the fourth quarter, well after the outcome was decided.

"They can do what they want to do," said Bolin. "They have a different philosophy than us . what were they up by, forty?"

As for all the turnovers, including four straight to open the second half, he said:

"Coming into this game we were a plus 10 on turnovers . now it's about even, I guess."

Bolin didn't think he could run effectively on the larger Indians. The game plan was to air it out - despite temperatures dipping into the 30s - with mobile quarterback Jake Lewin.

The senior had some success, completing 15 of 30 for 206 yards, often throwing on the run. But he threw three interceptions and was knocked out of the action with an injury late in the game.

"Jake is a good person and a good quarterback," said Bolin. "He's going to have a successful life. I can't say enough about him."

This marks the fourth time in the last five years Wood has lost in the first round of the playoffs.

By contrast, Powhatan is a Group AA juggernaut.

Under coach Jim Woodson (239-74-1 since 1985), Powhatan won the 2003 State title and was second in 2005.

This season his squad has averaged more than 40 points per game and is hitting on all cylinders. Powhatan shifted this year from the Southside to the Jefferson District, without breaking stride.

Early on, Bolin knew he was facing an uphill challenge.

"Watching them on film, I couldn't find a weakness," he said.