Gameday Notebook - NWD (4th Ed.)
The Handley Judges will look to stay perfect in district play against the Central Falcons this Friday night.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver Photography
Sherando's Dalton Boyd had a career game last week against Central, and will need to do it again against the Skyline Hawks.
Photo By: Marc Gold
Quarterback Andrew Oates needs to step up this week against an improved Warren County team if the Millbrook Pioneers want to stay in the playoff hunt.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver Photography
WINCHESTER, VA - We have officially reached the midpoint of the 2008 football season. In this edition of the Gameday Notebook we will take a look at some of the storylines after the first half of the season. We will for the first time look at the top performers from last week's action, look ahead to this Friday night's action, and finally look at the one game we feel is the "one to watch". So, sit back and get your fill of the Northwestern District with yet another installment of the Gameday Notebook.
The Skyline Hawks have been one of many surprises this year in the district. The Hawks sit at 5-1 and are only in their 2nd full season of competition. They currently lead the district in scoring with 153 points thru 6 games (25.5/game). Cliff Woodard, Kieren Caison, Nathaniel White, and Andrew Thorne have all started 2008 on a roll and have led the Hawks to this fast start.
The Handley Judges and James Wood Colonels are in a virtual tie for 1st place in the district race. Handley goes into this week's action with a 2-0 district record, while James Wood has a 3-0 district record. These teams have both suffered losses to teams from Loudoun County, but have rebounded to put themselves in their current positions. Brock Lockhart for James Wood and Jeremiah Wilson for Handley have run the ball effectively, helping their respective teams so far in 2008.
Sherando suffered their first regular season loss since 2005 two weeks ago against Handley and sit behind both the Judges and Colonels in the standings. It is unfamiliar territory for Coach Hall and the Warriors, but look for Sherando to be in the mix when the dust settles the weekend of Nov. 7th. The Sherando defense has done its part so far this year, allowing only 9 points per game.
Warren County's Tony Tallent has his program moving in the right direction, and the Wildcats have scored 127 points this season which is a far cry from last year's 49 total points in 10 games. The Wildcats are still a very young team and may be one year away from becoming one of the better teams in the Northwestern District.
Last Week's Results
Central (1-5; 0-3) 7
At
Sherando (4-1; 2-1) 47
Millbrook (3-3; 1-1) 33
At
Brentsville (1-4; 1-1) 23
James Wood (5-1; 3-0) 35
At
Warren Co. (2-4; 0-3) 26
Handley (4-1; 2-0) 16
At
Skyline (5-1; 2-1) 12
Last Week's Top Performers
Passing
Ross Metheny, Sherando: 16-21 for 241 yards; 3 TD, 1 INT
Nathaniel White, Skyline: 17-22 for 236 yards; 1 TD, 1 INT
Matt Sherfey, Central: 11-23 for 171 yards; 1 TD, 2 INT
Austin Schwarz, Warren Co.: 10-13 for 145 yards; 3 TD
Andrew Oates, Millbrook: 7-14 for 120 yards; 1 TD
Rushing
Jeremiah Wilson, Handley: 29 carries for 126 yards; Punt Return TD
Brandon Shiley, James Wood: 10 carries for 106 yards
Gage Steele, Warren Co.: 17 carries for 105 yards
Receiving
Dalton Boyd, Sherando: 6 catches for 123 yards; 3 TD
Andrew Thorne, Skyline: 4 catches for 100 yards
This Week's Schedule
Handley (4-1; 2-0)
At
Central (1-5; 0-3)
Brentsville (1-4; 1-1)
At
James Wood (5-1; 3-0)
Warren Co. (2-4; 0-3)
At
Millbrook (3-3; 1-1)
Sherando (4-1; 2-1)
At
Skyline (5-1; 2-1)
Northwestern District Game to Watch
Sherando at Skyline, 7:30PM
Sherando goes into Friday's contest off a win over Central, while Skyline is looking to bounce back after falling to Handley. This game has all the possibilities of becoming a shootout between Sherando's Ross Metheny and Skyline's Nathaniel White.
Sherando's offensive weapons include Metheny (784 yards passing; 10 TD), Roger Smith, Jr. (690 yards rushing; 12 TD), Derrick Dehaney (242 yards receiving; 3 TD), and Dalton Boyd (222 yards receiving; 5 TD). If the Sherando offense gets going they are hard to stop. Sherando has the ability to score quickly through the air or grind a game out on the ground.
Skyline has offensive weapons of it's own with Nathaniel White (603 yards passing; 7 TD), Andrew Thorne (515 yards receiving; 8 TD), Cliff Woodard (503 yards rushing; 6 TD), and Kieren Caison (380 rushing yards, 213 passing yards; 9 Total TD). In their previous games Skyline has been able to stretch the field with their passing game and put pressure on opposing secondaries.
This should be one of the best games in their entire area this Friday night as the teams meet for only the second time ever. Sherando won last year's meeting 61-0 and the much improved Hawks will be looking to get revenge in this year's game.
Gameday Prediction: Sherando 21 - Skyline 20
