Since James Wood ended its run of 24 straight losing seasons in 2006, there have been a lot of moments for the Colonels to celebrate over the ensuing 20 seasons.
During that time, James Wood competed in 10 playoff games, highighted by a 2009 Region II, Division 4 first round win over Loudoun County on Handley’s brand new artificial turf when the game was moved there because of rain.
But none of those 10 playoff contests were at Kelican Stadium. Friday’s Region 4D quarterfinal with Salem will be, and the Colonels would love nothing more than to give their fans a chance to witness James Wood’s first playoff win since that 2009 win over Loudoun County.
In its first home playoff game since 1980, No. 4 seed James Wood (9-1) will host No. 5 Salem (9-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday at Kelican Stadium.
James Wood coach Todd Wilson hopes the school’s students will help create an enthusiastic environment.
“I know a lot of the alumni have been talking about it,” Wilson said. “We’re looking forward to having a big crowd here of James Wood supporters, but we also know that Salem does a great job of traveling, and they’ll have their fans here, also.”
Indeed, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more passionate fan base than Salem’s. The Spartans are tied for third in Virginia High School League history with 10 state championships, with their last coming in the spring 2021 COVID season.
After missing the playoffs last year with a 5-5 mark that snapped a string of six straight seasons of double-digit wins, the Spartans have bounced back in a big way this season. Salem is averaging 47.7 points and allowing 12.7 points per game. The Spartans’ only defeat (41-22) is to 9-1 Class 5 Patrick Henry-Roanoke.
Salem had only one First Team All-Region 4D selection on offense last year, and it’s a safe bet that 5-foot-9, 190-pound senior running back Jordan McCadden will earn that distinction again this season.
McCadden — who has offers from NCAA Division I East Carolina and North Carolina Central — has recorded 2,050 yards and 30 touchdowns on 12 yards per carry out of Salem’s offense, which will run split back, I, power I, pro formations, twin formations, and one- and two-tight end sets. All five starting linemen for Salem are at least 6 feet tall and 260 pounds.
“[McCadden] is really good,” Wilson said. “He’s strong. He’s powerful. He’s going to be one of the best backs, if not the best back, we’ve seen all year. He’s a physical, downhill runner, but his lateral movement is really good. Jump cuts, and things like that.
“We’ve definitely got to get multiple hats to the point of attack and be sure tacklers. We’ve done a pretty good job of that for the most part this year. A point of emphasis for us in practice will be getting 11 hats to the ball.”
The Spartans also have three productive fullbacks who have combined for more than a dozen rushing scores.
Though Salem relies mostly on its running game, the Spartans have a strong quarterback in freshman Pearce Oliver, who replaced starter Tanner Overstreet seven weeks ago following a season-ending injury.
“You’ve got to stop the run game, but they also have some really good skill guys at wide receiver,” Wilson said. “They have a young quarterback who’s doing a really good job of managing the offense and taking opportunities. He throws the deep ball really well.”
Though James Wood’s offense is historic, the Colonels’ defense has been impressive in own right. Though James Wood gave up a combined 84 points to Millbrook and Sherando, the Colonels have still only allowed 17.6 points and 229.6 yards per game.
The Colonels are led by linebackers Jackson Ledford (111 tackles, 15 for a loss), Anthony Salvati (85 tackles) and Logan Lafollette (81 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks), defensive lineman Heston LaRue (28 tackles, 9.5 sacks) and Caleb Bispo (25 tackles, nine TFL, two sacks) and defensive back Cannon Edgerton (50 tackles).
Patrick Henry is the only team to score more than 17 points against Salem. That will likely change this week, but Wilson said the Spartans do have a strong group that plays out of a 4-3 defense.
“Defensively, their guys are physical,” Wilson said. “They run to the ball and try to keep everything in front of them, and they have the skill set to do that.”
Salem’s defense includes junior Jake James, an All-Region 4D lineman on both sides of the ball year and the reigning Class 4 heavyweight state champion in wrestling.
James and his teammates will have their hands full this week. The Colonels are averaging 57.2 points and 544.1 yards per game and 12 yards per play. They’ve surpassed 60 points five times, 70 twice, and have only been held under 48 once.
Senior quarterback Owen Neal repeated as Class 4 Northwestern District Offensive Player of the Year after passing for 3,002 yards and 33 TDs against three interceptions and rushing for 800 yards and 22 TDs on 90 carries.
Aidric Yurish (54 catches, 1,124 yards, nine TDs) and Xavier Price (34 catches, 833 yards, 16 TDs) lead the receiving corps and Ledford (72 carries, 717 yards, 11 TDs) and Dane Tews (44 carries, 479 yards, five TDs) aid Neal in the running attack.
“We’ve seen some film of what [Salem’s] done against other teams with offensive sets that are similar to us,” Wilson said. “They don’t typically come out of what they do defensively. They’ve been running a similar defense all year long. I don’t look for them to come out and try to completely change their defense just for one game against us.
“We’re just going to have to do a good job of getting open in space and utilizing space where we see it on film, and just try to attack those spots.”
— Contact Robert Niedzwiecki at rniedzwiecki@winchesterstar.com
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