Warriors, Colonels Set To Clash Friday
Sherando has won 9 meetings between the schools since 2000. However, in last year's playoffs the Colonels came closer, almost knocking off the Warriors.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver / Gameday
Dalton Boyd has been a major contributor in the Warriors passing game, grabbing 6 touchdowns in the last 4 games.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver / Gameday
Junior quarterback Trae Tinsman has quietly been having a solid season. He has compiled 646 passing yards with 8 touchdowns so far this season.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver / Gameday
SHERANDO VS JAMES WOOD
WHERE: Arrowhead Stadium at Sherando High School
WHEN: Friday October 17th, 2008
KICKOFF: 7:00pm
PREGAME: 6:30pm
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Gameday Radio Game of the Week
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BROADCAST TEAM:
Justin Waddle (Play By Play)
Andy Hayes (Color Commentary)
Kevin Reed (Color Commentary)
WINCHESTER, VA - Yet another exciting week in the Northwestern district is about to take place. The game with the most weight in the district race is between the 5-1 Sherando Warriors and the 6-1 James Wood Colonels. Sherando sits at 3-1 in district play, one game behind the Colonels who come into the game at 4-0 in district play.
It is hard to separate these teams because they both have 1 loss in 2008. For James Wood it was a surprise loss at home against the upstart Loudoun County program 23-20. The Sherando Warriors have their lone loss to rival Handley 21-19. They both have already played Central and Warren County in district play, and both teams grabbed wins. James Wood outscored the two squads 69-32, while Sherando outscored them 102-14.
James Wood started '08 with wins over Clarke County and George Washington, WV. After the Loudoun County loss the Colonels have run off 4 straight wins including 16-6 over Millbrook. Sherando started this year with 3 straight wins before the setback against Handley. They have since won their last two games by scoring an average of 45 points per game, including a 44-20 win over Skyline last Friday night.
This game has been lopsided over the past 8 seasons with the Warriors winning all 9 match-ups. The Colonels have been getting closer and closer over the past two seasons, and will come into Arrowhead Stadium Friday night looking to get back into the win column against Sherando. So, you are saying "enough already" and I will respond by agreeing to break this one down even more:
KEY MATCH-UPS:
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Warriors Running Attack vs. Colonels Front Seven
Whether Coach Hall calls upon Roger Smith, Jr. or Kadeem Blackwood the Colonels will have their hands full containing the rushing attack of the Warriors. Smith, Jr. is averaging over 145 yards per contest and has recorded 15 touchdowns this season. The Colonels are giving up an average of just 122 yards per game on the ground. The Warriors have had the luxury of allowing the running game to control the clock, and have been able to make games shorter because of their success on the ground. James Wood will have to find a way to get 8 or 9 guys into the box, but if they do that then they have to contend with the pass. This dilemma is another reason the Warriors have been successful this season. ADVANTAGE: SHERANDO WARRIORS
James Wood Special Teams vs. Sherando Special Teams
Both teams sport big footed kickers. The Warriors look to junior Lukas Stump to help them in the kicking game, while the James Wood Colonels rely on Andrew Lloyd. Even though Stump has missed a couple of games this season due to injury, when he is healthy, he is one of the best kickers in the district. Stump is a perfect 2-2 on field goal attempts with a long of 34 yards. He also averages 58.8 yards per kickoff. On the other side for the Colonels is Lloyd. Lloyd pulls double duties by both kicking and punting. Lloyd is 4-10 on field goals including a long of 47 yards, and no attempts less than 30 yards this season. Lloyd also sports a punting average of over 40 yards. If the game comes down to field goals it could be these two trying to outdo each other. ADVANTAGE: JAMES WOOD COLONELS
KEYS TO VICTORY:
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FOR SHERANDO:
- Open Running Lanes For Ground Attack
- Contain Lockhart And Make Tinsman Throw
- Get The Crowd In The Game Early
FOR JAMES WOOD:
- Pound The Football & Keep Sherando Offense Off The Field
- Get Pressure On Metheny With Front 4
- Utilize Andrew Lloyd's Kicking Abilities
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
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SHERANDO:
- Roger Smith, Jr.: 880 rushing yards and 15 TD's
- Ross Metheny: 914 passing yards, 12 TD's, and 3 INT's
- Dalton Boyd: 253 receiving yards and 6 TD's
- Kadeem Blackwood: 390 return yards and 2 TD's
- Nick Merchant: 53 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss
- Cephus Williams: 24 tackles, 1 sack, and 7.5 tackles for loss
- Dimitri Luck: 17 tackles and 3 INT's
JAMES WOOD:
- Brock Lockhart: 333 rushing yards and 6 TD's
- Trae Tinsman: 646 passing yards, 8 TD's, and 4 INT's
- Jordan Dallman: 244 rushing yards, 256 receiving yards, 4 total TD's
- Harlan Robinson: 245 return yards
- Danny Cooper: 67 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 4.0 tackles for loss
- Jared Broughear: 47 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 6.0 tackles for loss
- Doug Stonier: 17 tackles and 2 INT's
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
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SHERANDO RECORDS SINCE 2000
2000: 4-6
2001: 3-4
2002: 2-5
2003: 4-6
2004: 8-2
2005: 10-3 (STATE SEMI-FINALS)
2006: 10-1 (REGIONAL QUALIFIER)
2007: 13-1 (STATE RUNNER-UP)
2008: 5-1 (YTD)
JAMES WOOD RECORDS SINCE 2000
2000: 2-8
2001: 0-7
2002: 2-5
2003: 0-10
2004: 1-9
2005: 1-9
2006: 7-3
2007: 8-3 (REGIONAL QUALIFIER)
2008: 6-1 (YTD)
HEAD TO HEAD:
Sherando has won the previous 9 meetings between the schools since 2000. The Warriors have outscored the Colonels 252-109 in those contests. In fact James Wood has only been within 10 points in 3 of those games, including last season's regional playoff game at Sherando. In that game it took a Ross Metheny to Derek Crosen touchdown completion to take the win away from the Colonels.
GAME RESULTS SINCE 2000
2000: Sherando 21 - James Wood 13
2001: Sherando 45 - James Wood 22
2002: Sherando 21 - James Wood 9
2003: Sherando 20 - James Wood 7
2004: Sherando 40 - James Wood 6
2005: Sherando 27 - James Wood 3
2006: Sherando 29 - James Wood 22
2007: Sherando 28 - James Wood 13
2007: Sherando 21 - James Wood 14 (Regional Playoffs)
AGAINST THE COMPETITION:
Sherando comes into the game this week outscoring their opponents 251-65. They are averaging 41.8 points per game offensively, and the Warriors defense is only allowing 10.8 points a game. James Wood is averaging 32.5 points per contest on offense this season, while the Colonels defense is giving up 16.3 points per game. James Wood has outscored their opponents 195-98.
X'S AND O'S:
Coach Bill Hall has compiled an impressive 51-13 record since taking over the Warriors program in 2003. The Warriors are 5-0 against James Wood since Bill Hall has been the head coach. James Wood head coach Mike Bolin has the Colonels off to a 6-1 start in his first season at the helm. The Colonels are currently undefeated in the Northwestern district this season.
THE BILL HALL FILE:
- Has led the Warriors to 3 consecutive playoff appearances...
- The Warriors have won an average of 9 games a season since 2003...
- Sherando has won the past two Northwestern district titles...
- Was named the Group AA All-Gameday Coach of the Year in 2007...
- Since 2004, the Warriors have only lost 3 Northwestern district games...
THE MIKE BOLIN FILE:
- In his first season as head coach for James Wood...
- Was offensive line coach under Walter Barr since 2004...
- Has the Colonels off to their 3rd consecutive 6-1 start...
- Signature win this season 16-6 over Millbrook
EXPERT PROGNOSTICATION:
Last season these teams met twice, with the Warriors winning both. The regional semi-final game was one of the best over the last 9 seasons with the Colonels pushing the Warrior to the limit. Even though the Warriors were able to pull out the victory with some last second heroics, the game gave James Wood a glimpse that the Warriors were a beatable team. The cast of characters has changed somewhat for both squads; however, neither has forgotten last year's match-ups. The Colonels come into Arrowhead Stadium looking to upend the Warriors and snuff out their playoff hopes, while keeping themselves alive in the Northwestern district title race.
This week the records are not important, 6-1 for James Wood and 5-1 for Sherando. All that will matter this Friday night is who walks, or should I say limps out of Arrowhead Stadium with the "W". I mean it when I say "limp", because this game is sure to be physical and rough on both squads. Whoever can make the play or plays that turn the tide in this one will be victorious and keep their season alive for another week.
After much thought and review of the two programs and their players I am ready to put myself out on a limb and predict the outcome of this one. Somebody may choose to use this as bulletin board material before Friday's game, and to that I say, go for it, because when it comes down to it I want to see the best of both teams and another great football game on Friday night.
PREDICTION: SHERANDO 31 - JAMES WOOD 20
WEATHER FORECAST:
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Friday October 17th, 2008
Mostly Sunny. Highs in the low 60's and lows in the low 40's.
