Gameday Notebook - NWD (3rd Ed.)
The Handley defense played almost flawlessly against Sherando, and this Friday's game against Skyline will test them again.
Photo By: Marc Gold
Calvin Rodney will have to be successful running the football this Friday if the Pioneers are to get back on track in the district race.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver Photography
Coming off the big win against Sherando, Jeremiah Wilson will look to keep the Judges perfect in the district against a tough Skyline team Friday night.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver Photography
WINCHESTER, VA - As we sit at the midpoint of the 2008 season some teams have shown they are contenders, while others are just a step behind. Last week's wins by both Skyline and Handley have turned things upside down in the Northwestern district. We now begin to enter the home stretch of the season, and we still do not have a clear view of who can win the district and who else may make a playoff run.
Tigers Grab 1st Win
Brentsville got in the win column last week as they traveled to play Warren County. The Tigers' defense played well in the game, limiting the effectiveness of Marty Haley. Haley had missed the Sherando game due to injury, but did manage to find the end zone yet again in the game against Brentsville. The game played out like a chess match, with the Tigers scoring first after recovering an onsides kick. Back would come the Wildcats, leaning on Marty Haley to find the goal line. Midway through the game Brentsville would be forced to punt to Jeremy Vogt, who returned yet another punt for a touchdown, giving the Wildcats the lead. Brentsville would fight back and tie the game with just minutes left to play. Warren County lined up for a field goal attempt with only :02 on the clock to win, but it was the Tigers' Chris Spinks who would come up with the play of the game blocking the field goal attempt and forcing overtime. The Wildcats would be unable to score on their possession, and Brentsville would steal the win with a David Hammond touchdown run.
James Wood Powers over Central
Trae Tinsman started the game last Friday quickly for the Colonels, connecting with receiver Jordan Dallmann for a 61-yard strike on just the 3rd play of the game. Andrew Lloyd made the score 10 - 0 in favor of the Colonels, when he hit from 38 yards away. James Wood kept the pressure on, blocking a punt for a touchdown on the next possession for the Falcons. Lloyd would add yet another field goal with just :05 left in the first half to make the score 27 - 0 in favor of the Colonels. James Wood finished the game with over 275 yards of total offense and stays perfect in the district.
Hawks Soar Past Pioneers
It was both Cliff Woodard and Andrew Thorne leading the Hawks to the big win last Friday night. The Hawks, only a second year program, remain perfect on the year after defeating the Pioneers 28 - 21. The combination of Thorne and Woodard gained over 350 yards for the Hawks in the game. Millbrook could not get the stops when they needed to in the game, allowing Skyline to score on quick drives in the first half. Millbrook did do a good job of not quitting and continued to fight back in the second half, limiting the Hawks to just a field goal, while scoring twice to get the game close in the fourth quarter. Andrew Oates would finish the game with almost 150 yards passing, 110 of which he got in the 4th quarter. Calvin Rodney added 102 yards on 17 carries and a score.
Judges Rule against Warriors
The Battle of Winchester was one of the best games in the entire region last Saturday afternoon, as the Warriors and Judges hooked up for a battle. Not many people would give the Judges a chance against Sherando, but only one thing mattered when the teams took the field, Handley believed in themselves. The Judges defense kept pressure on Ross Metheny all day long, sacking the quarterback twice and forcing him to throw on the run numerous times. Sherando would score first when Metheny found Dalton Boyd from 22-yards out to put the Warriors on top, however, a missed extra point would prove disastrous for Sherando. Handley answered immediately when Brian Tavenner found Robert Galloway for a 46 yard TD pass and the Judges took a 7 - 6 lead into halftime. The second half was the Jeremiah Wilson show, as the Handley running back scored twice and picked off Metheny to set up the game's final drive and the win for Handley. Wilson finished the game with 142 yards rushing and two scores. The interception by Wilson was the first of the year off Metheny. It is the first time Handley has beaten the Warriors since 2005.
The Week's Schedule
Millbrook (2 - 3 ; 0 - 2)
At
Brentsville (1 - 3 ; 1 - 0)
Handley (3 - 1 ; 1 - 0)
At
Skyline (5 - 0 ; 2 - 0)
James Wood (4 - 1 ; 2 - 0)
At
Warren County (2 - 3 ; 0 - 2)
Central (1 - 4 ; 0 - 2)
At
Sherando (3 - 1 ; 1 - 1)
**Central at Sherando will be broadcast live on The Gameday Radio Network**
Northwestern District Game to Watch
Handley at Skyline, 7:30PM
The Judges are coming off a huge win over Sherando, and the Hawks just took out the Millbrook Pioneers. Both teams enter the game undefeated in district play, and the winner will have the inside line to taking home the title at season's end. This game will be a shootout and whoever has the ball last may walk away with the win. Skyline has been potent through the air, while Handley has done it on the ground this season.
The biggest match-up in the game is the Skyline offense versus the Handley defense. If the Handley defense that limited the Sherando Warriors last week shows up it could be a tough challenge for the Hawks, but if the Handley defense that allowed Park View to steal a win appears again it could be another big offensive night for the Hawks. The front defensive line for the Judges is one of the biggest in the region, led by Elijah Washington and the Hawks will have to give Nathaniel White time to look downfield if Skyline is to be successful.
Gameday Prediction: Handley 28 - Skyline 20
