James Wood vs. Millbrook - Game Preview
Pioneer RB Calvin Rodney is the reason Millbrook bosts a powerful running game in 2008. The Pioneers hope to ride Rodney to a crucial Northwestern District victory over James Wood Friday night...
Photo By: Jeff Schryver\Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Junior QB Trae Tinsman fires a pass to one of his sure handed receivers in a recent game. Tinsman will air it out Friday night against Millbrook, and hopes to guide his Colonels to a big District victory...
Photo Courtesy of James Wood Football
Millbrook Pioneers (2-1) @ James Wood Colonels (2-1)
When: Friday September 19th, 2008
Kickoff: 7:00pm
Media Coverage:
Gameday Radio Network
Live Coverage Begins at 6:45pm
Online at GamedayMagazine.com
Broadcast Team:
Tom Whipple (Play by Play)
Bruce Bornarth (Color Commentary)
WINCHESTER, VA - Northwestern District play begins Friday night, and there is no bigger game in the area than this one. Both the Pioneers and the Colonels are searching for their identity, as pre-season expectations have fallen a bit short, just 3 games into the campaign. Millbrook returns most of the team that propelled them into the playoffs in 2007, the 1st for the program, and they opened 2008 with a re-match of their 1st round game with the Briar Woods Falcons. In that game, the Pioneer offense was stung by 2 key Briar Woods interceptions for touchdowns, which was the difference in the 27-13 road loss. They bounced back respectfully, however, by outscoring Spotswood on the road, 35-21, then blanking the Dominion Titans in their home opener last week, 38-0. RB Calvin Rodney is, again, the go-to man, and he racked up 127 yards, and a touchdown, on only 14 carries. Brother Clayton shares the load, both on the ground, and from the air, giving QB Andrew Oates an additional weapon in his arsenal.
The Colonels also return many key players from last year's play-off team that took the Sherando Warriors to the mat in the 1st round of the 2007 2nd season, and were riding high to start the season, rattling off 2 victories...an overtime thriller over Clarke County (24-23), and Washington\WV (31-0)...until last week when a hungry Loudoun County high school came to town. In that game, the offense was only able to muster 189 total yards, compared to the Raiders' 377. It was a nip-tuck game throughout, until 2 straight scores by Loudoun County, and a Raider safety in the 4th, that seemed to take the wind out of the Colonels' sails. Senior WR Taylor Wingfield is QB Trae Tinsman's favorite target, and junior LB Brent Lockhart is pivotal in a stingy Colonel defense.
Both teams need this game to keep collective psyches high, and to keep pace with a resurgent Handley team, and the perennial powerhouse, and 2007 AA State runners-up, Sherando.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Presented By: Action Concrete Supplies
James Wood Offense vs. Millbrook Secondary
Trae Tinsman likes to throw to Taylor Wingfield, but does spread the wealth to 3 other very good receivers. Pioneer linebackers and defensive backs all have to pay attention to the assorted pass receiving corps, as well as what Tinsman does with his feet. He will run out of the pocket and hurt you if the defense does not react accordingly. Double covering Wingfield has proven to be successful in past games, but that will leave someone else open to hurt you...Advantage: James Wood
Millbrook Running game vs. James Wood Front 7
Calvin Rodney combines a bruising running style with exceptional speed. If the Colonels do not wrap up properly, and gang-tackle him, he will keep marching his offense right down the field. Brent Lockhart, Jared Broughear, Danny Cooper, and Kelsey Shannon are beasts on D, and will need to bring their "A" game, and force Millbrook to beat you through the air...Advantage.....James Wood
Millbrook Defense vs. James Wood Kicking Game
PK Andrew Lloyd has only made 2 of 4 field goals this season, but they were both from beyond 40 yards. Keep the Colonels deep and you don't run the risk of losing by the leg....Advantage...Millbrook
Special Teams
Lloyd has 7 kicks into the end zone this season, eliminating any team from beating the Colonels via Special Teams returns. This is a little scrutinized statistic, but you ask any coach...this is an important weapon for your defense. Pioneer kicker, Rodney Hall, hasn't been tested yet on his deep FG ability, and has missed extra points...Advantage...James Wood
KEYS TO VICTORY:
Presented By: The Fractured Prune
FOR JAMES WOOD
- Contain Calvin Rodney on the Ground
- Mix up the Offense and Keep the Pioneers Guessing on Defense
- Special Teams Play
FOR MILLBROOK
- Find Balance On Offense
- Swarm to the Ball on Defense
- Win The Time Of Possession Battle
GAME OUTLOOK:
Although it's early in the season, a victory for either team is big, as it starts their District season off in the win column. Handley and Sherando are on the horizon, and will be tough games, but the ever valuable Playoff Points will need to be garnered when possible...like this Friday night. Both teams are coming off playoff seasons in 2007, and a return trip is the goal for both teams.
Although both teams only have one loss, it's key to note when they occurred. Millbrook took their hit in the 1st game of the year, and has won 2 straight, since. The Colonels took the win in their 1st 2 games of 2008, although their 2nd one, over Clarke County, was a hard fought, overtime contest, their lone loss came at the hands of an arguably up-and-coming Loudoun County Raiders last week. So momentum would appear to be on the side of the Pioneers.
Home field advantage will be the key in this game.
Projection: James Wood 27 - Millbrook 24
WEATHER FORECAST:
Friday (24 hours): Partly Cloudy at Game Time. Highs in the low 70s, and Lows in the low 50s.
