Currently third in the Region 4D ratings, James Wood football’s postseason positioning is still up in the air, as it stands just 0.11 points ahead of No. 4 George Washington.
Although the Colonels don’t yet know their seeding, it’s hard to imagine they won’t add one last regular-season victory to their total against a Fauquier team that’s been outscored 425-77 this season. George Washington, meanwhile, will visit undefeated Class 3 Magna Vista on Friday.
The Colonels are looking to win nine games for the first time since they went 10-1 in 1980.
The Falcons are coming off a 55-14 loss to Sherando, where they scored their most points in a loss this fall. James Wood bested Fauquier on the road, 59-13, last season in the regular-season capper.
Quarterback Owen Neal threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more in that contest, and he’s maintained his explosive production this season for a Colonels’ offense that’s only scored under 48 points once, which came in its 35-28 loss to Sherando.
Neal has completed 120 of 175 passes for 2,620 yards, 27 touchdowns and three interceptions this season while taking 89 carries for 790 yards and 21 additional scores.
Aidric Yurish’s 49 catches for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns and Xavier Price’s 32 catches for 765 yards and 14 scores at receiver have further powered the Colonels’ offense, and running backs Jackson Ledford and Dane Tews and wideouts Jackson Lang and Parker Kerns have all contributed consistently to round out a lineup that averages 547.3 yards from scrimmage per game.
The Colonels are coming off a 49-14 win over Handley in which they outgained the Judges 507-330. Handley ran 61 plays compared to James Wood’s 47.
James Wood’s defense has limited opponents to 18.8 points per game and 242.7 yards per game. Linebackers Ledford (97 tackles), Logan Lafollette (74 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Anthony Salvati (81 tackles) have been steady, while defensive backs Price (36 tackles, kick return for touchdown) and Cannon Edgerton (50 tackles, punt return for touchdown) have made plays in multiple phases of the game.
Fauquier is led by quarterback Cameron Kubinski and receivers Waymond Edwards and Kevin Newman. Running back Bradley Moore showed some glimpses against the Warriors, finding the end zone on his fourth rush of the game after not carrying the ball until late in the second quarter.