The Duke’s Preview: Warren County vs James Wood

9/25/26 Front Royal, VA- Warren County welcomes James Wood to Wildcat Country for tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill on The River 95.3, Fox Sports 1450, TheRiver953.com and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show followed by kick-off at 7 pm.

Both teams are coming off their biggest games of the season so far in Week 4.

James Wood went to Sherando for a battle of unbeaten cross-county rivals and came up just short after fumbling at the 2 yard line on a potential game tying score.

Warren County travelled to Kettle Run and came home with one of the biggest upsets in program history, 35-28 against Kettle Run in overtime to spoil the Cougars homecoming.

Now they will both need to turn the page for a matchup which includes two of the most explosive offenses in the Valley.

James Wood’s offense enters the matchup averaging 54 points per game and over 500 yards of total offense behind Sr QB Owen Neal

Neal does it all for James Wood, whether it’s dropping dimes down the field or rushing for hard fought yards between the tackles.

While Owen Neal has established himself as the top QB in the region, but you may be surprised to see how similar WCHS QB Bryce Bergmann and Neal’s stats are when comparing them side by side.

Neal enters the ball game as the area leader with 1,084 passing yards on 54/75 attempts, 11 TDs, and 1 INT.

Bergmann is just behind him with 956 yards on 54/79 attempts, 10 TDs, and 1 INT.

The next closest QBs in yardage are Skyline’s Brently Grindle with 775 yds then Handley’s Triston Darling with 547 yards.

Look for Bergmann and Neal to continue to distance themselves from the pack as the season progresses.

Both QBs have deep receiving corps and good OL play to allow time for their receivers to get open down field.

James Wood has three receivers with over 12 catches and 270 yards and the group is led by Aidric Yurish with 22 receptions, 415 yards, and 4 TDs,

WR Xavier Price had the best game of his career vs Warren County last year and finished with 5 receptions for 5 touchdowns and 238 yards.

The Cats are much improved from last year’s club that only won 2 games, but have they improved enough to defeat a team that won 72-6 last year?

Warren County will enter the matchup with as much confidence as a Wildcat team has had under Coach Josh Breeden after knocking off Class 3 Powerhouse Kettle Run, but James Wood will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after falling to Sherando last week.

I look for Warren County and James Wood to exchange scores through the first half and don’t be surprised to see the Cats leading early as they enter the game with momentum in front of what should be a great Hall of Fame Night crows.

But eventually, James Wood’s advantage with depth and the additional size that comes with being a Class 4 school will be too much for the Wildcats that are dropping down to Class 2 next season, James Wood 49- Warren County 41.

For a preview of all the Week 5 matchups and a look back to last week, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast HERE.

The Duke’s Preview: Strasburg vs Warren County

9/11/26, Front Royal, VA- Warren County (1-0) welcomes Strasburg (2-0) to town for tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting at 6:30 pm on The River 95.3, Fox Sports 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

The Wildcats will enter the contest off a Bye Week and plenty of time to prepare for an angry Rams squad coming off a loss.

Warren County is 1-0 after a season opening thrashing of Rock Ridge, 58-12.

Senior QB Bryce Bergmann led the way with 4 TD passes, 3 of those to senior WR Troy DeHaven.

But now the Wildcat offense will face a much tougher opponent in Strasburg.

The Rams defense actually shutout Broadway in the 8-7 loss with the Gobblers only touchdown coming in the form of a late pick-six.

Strasburg will now look to rally this season like they did last year after an early loss to Broadway before turning things around and winning the school’s first State Championship.

In last year’s matchup vs Warren County, Quincy Williams was sidelined due to injury, but this go round he is expected to be at full strength.

Williams is coming off a 177 yard, 4 TD performance against Skyline followed by a 131 yard, 1 TD game last week.

With a healthy season and a few playoff games, the Strasburg career rushing record of 5,307 yards set by Frankie Shoemaker (stat via Until It Was Ours by Ryan Sonner) could be within reach.

Warren County’s defense led by the Texan Tackling Machine LB Frank Nelson and two-way standout Kaiden Clowser, scoop and score vs Rock Ridge, will need to contain Williams and read their keys against Strasburg’s T-Formation to keep this game within reach.

Strasburg has dominated this rivalry in recent years, but Warren County is hoping to have a turned a new leaf with Coach Breeden now establishing his culture and coming off what he claims is the program’s best offseason since his arrival.

We will see tonight how much ground the Wildcats have made up, but the Rams still seem to be a program farther along and they will be seeing red after experiencing another heartbreaking loss to Broadway.

Warren County will be able to connect on a few explosive plays, but Strasburg will dictate the pace of the game and win at the line of scrimmage.

Rams out pace the Cats, 34-22.

For a preview of all the Week 3 matchups and a look back at Week 2, listen to the latest Sports Dogs Podcast HERE.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Warren County

1/22/26, Front Royal- Skyline hosts cross-town rival Warren County in tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill with varsity boys basketball coverage starting around 7:15 pm for the estimated 7:30 pm tip-off on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

The schools faced-off in our first broadcast of the season which saw Skyline win 73-60, but both teams have grown tremendously since the opening matchup.

Following the loss, Warren County has won seven of their last ten and are on pace for the program’s best season in over 10 years.

Coach Mario Gil has helped build up the Cats from a team that had won 8 games over the previous two years and a 6-17 season in year 1 to their current record of 9-6.

The next step to prove the tides are shifting for Warren County would be to knock-off Skyline which has maintained a decisive the edge on the hardwood through the entirety of Coach Harold Chunn’s tenure and years prior.

Warren County is led by the trio of Bryce Bergmann (6’3″), Adrian Craig (6’2″), and Ethan Bare (6’4″) and their length could cause problems for a smaller Skyline team.

While lacking a Marlon Jackson or Dwayne Tucker in the post, Skyline still holds all of the talent needed to make another run at the Region 3B Championship and beyond.

The Hawks are coming off a road loss to Region 3B favorite Meridian but had previously won four of the last five.

Skyline has a deep roster with scorers at all levels and athletes who play bigger than listed like Zayden Burks, Andre Ford, and Cameron Kerns.

Led by Ford with 18, all three reached double figures in the first matchup with Warren County, but it took a third quarter surge to separate from the Cats.

While Warren County may have been happy to hang with Skyline early in the first matchup, the newly confident Wildcats will want to finish the job this time.

Seniors Kerns, Ford, and Day-Shawn Haley will refuse to leave the court against Warren County for (most likely) the final time as losers, and I look for the Hawks to feed off the home crowd and find a way to win in the closest matchup in recent years, Skyline 54-Warren County 52.

For more local sports coverage, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.

For Josh Kirby’s interviews with coaches Mario Gill and Harold Chunn, click here.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Warren County vs Skyline

12/12/25, Front Royal, VA- Warren County boys basketball hosts Skyline in tonight’s Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week courtesy of Brickhouse Bar and Grill on Fox Sports Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at roughly 7 pm following the conclusion of the JV matchup.

The hardwood edition of the River Rivalry will feature two teams still looking to find their footing in the early stages of the season.

Skyline had a late start to the season due to the most successful football season in school history, but as Vince Lombardi said, “Winning is a habit”.

The Hawks basketball roster features many of the same stand-out athletes as the Region Runner-Up football team including the top running back in Virginia Zayden Burks, All Region Linebacker Andre Ford, All Region QB Day’Shawn Haley, and a few others.

After the long post season, the Hawks came out a bit rusty against Fauquier before surging past the Falcons in overtime.

Skyline needed to overcome a 12 point 4th quarter deficit to secure the win.

Andre Ford’s 11 point 4th quarter and Cameron Kerns 6 point overtime period led the way for a comeback in the Hawks lone game.

Warren County has already played four regular season games and look to have taken a step forward in their second year under Head Coach Mario Gill.

The Wildcats are 2-2 with wins over Kettle Run and Liberty, two teams they went a combined 1-3 against last year.

Warren County returns last year’s leader in scoring, rebounding, and steals in 6’4″ Ethan Bare, the leader in assists and 3p% Adrian Craig, and 6’3″ guard Bryce Bergmann.

Freshman Makari Robinson stood out as a wide receiver for Warren County.

His athleticism and 6’3″ frame should transition nicely to the hardwood.

Skyline has a few exciting additions as well including former JV standout Mark Jefferies.

While both teams are still coming together in the early stages of the season, Warren County’s four regular season games together and confidence found after a few wins should help them battle against a Skyline team that has had their number in recent years.

Skyline has already shown in their lone game, they know when it’s time to lock-in and play ball like they did in the 4th quarter and OT against Fauquier.

The Hawks won’t need the nudge of 12 point deficit to show some fire against a cross-town rival and I look for them to come out with their signature defensive pressure to force the Cats into some early mistakes.

Hawks will start to pull away late, but don’t be surprised to see this game tied-up at halftime, Skyline 55-Warren County 45.

For an interview with WCHS Coach Mario Gill from Josh Kirby, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Skyline vs Warren County

Tonight’s High School Basketball Game of the Week features cross-town rivals Warren County (0-2) and Skyline (2-1) on Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at 7:15 pm for the 7:30 pm tip.

Skyline will look to regroup after a surprising 56-42 loss to Fauquier on Wednesday.

Fauquier has improved recently and closed out last season winning 6 of their last 8 while winning their first three games this season, but with all of the returning talent at Skyline, this was a game the Hawks should have won.

In Skyline’s season opener against Millbrook, the Hawks claimed a win but did not look as fluid offensively or defensively as recent years.

Dwayne Tucker faced early foul trouble which may have forced the defense out of their traditionally aggressive nature, but with Skyline’s depth, they were able to maintain a lead for the majority of the game.

The Hawks showed their trademark defense against Clarke County in the second win of the season and forced 23 turnovers to end Clarke County’s 12 game home win streak.

Skyline will need to bring their A game against Warren County tonight as the Wildcats have battled in their first two games under Coach Mario Gill.

Coach Gill brings with him local coaching experience as an assistant at Sherando under Garland Williams and at Frederick Community College.

As a player, he was a first team All-State selection in Oregon and played in Junior College and Division II University of Alaska- Anchorage.

While the Cats enter winless, they have competed and kept themselves in ball games through their first two outings.

Key returners include sophomore Bryce Bergmann and junior Ethan Bare, who both look to have taken another step forward this offseason.

The duo will likely take turns leading Warren County in scoring and that has been the case so far with Bare contributing 21 points and 13 rebounds in game 1 while Bergmann scored 17 in game 2.

I predict Skyline will have a “get-right game” against Warren County in front of a packed Andrew Keller Court to get back to their winning ways, 86-65.

Warren County may be able to hang with Skyline early, but the Hawks will pull away late and throwdown a few dunks along the way.

Check back on Saturday for The Duke’s State Championship Preview as Strasburg takes on Graham in Salem!

The Duke’s Preview: Warren County vs Millbrook ft Coach Josh Breeden

Millbrook hosts Warren County in tonight’s Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and the River App with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm kick-off.

The Pioneers are coming off a dominant 40-0 win over Harrisonburg and did so without star running back Kyler Jackson.

Jackson torched the Wildcats defense for 146 yards and two touchdowns in last season’s 44-12 win.

If Jackson is unable to go, the Pioneers have a committee of backs who performed well against Harrisonburg including Julius Brown (14 carries, 69 yards, two touchdowns), Elijah Brown (3 carries, 49 yards, TD), Rome Johnson (7 carries, 22 yards, TD).

Millbrook benefitted from a short field frequently and saw a special teams touchdown from kick returner Cameron Clark, while Warren County’s special teams struggled last week against James Wood and often set up the defense with their backs against the wall.

The Wildcats had a punt blocked and two tackles for loss during punts that helped James Wood secure the 21-0 victory.

Warren County’s offense never got going under quarterback Bryce Bergmann and attempted a switch to Gavin Dodson as the primary ball handler later in the game to some success.

It may not matter who is taking snaps, if the Wildcat’s inexperienced offensive line including five new starters does not adjust quickly.

Warren County’s defense must stop the single wing offense for the first of two outings over the next three weeks.

Millbrook and Warren County’s opponent after the bye week, Clarke County, both run versions of the offense.

Second year Wildcat’s Head Coach Josh Breeden has some experience in the offense under former coach Jerry Sarchet in Warren County three years ago.

Coach Breeden made some adjustments in practice this week, and Warren County will battle to keep things close but may simply be outmatched by the Class 4 school with nearly twice the roster depth.

Millbrook should run their way to another victory over Warren County and may not even attempt a pass in the process if Coach Josh Haymore has his way.

I predict a Millbrook victory full of revving motorcycles behind the endzone, 42-12.

To listen to my discussion with Warren County Head Coach Josh Breeden, click here.

The Duke’s Hoops Preview: Warren County vs Skyline

The high school boys basketball regular season concludes tonight with Skyline hosting Warren County on 1450 WFTR, theriver953.com, and the Tune In Radio App at 7:20 pm.

It will be Senior Night at Skyline High School and two of those seniors have stepped up their game of late.

Colby Wood played one of his best games of the season against Meridian to lead all scorers with 23 points, helping the Hawks knock off the top team in the region.

Caden Thorne has shot the three-ball more efficiently lately which has helped keep defenses honest, allowing more space inside for junior forward Dwayne Tucker.

While Skyline’s offense starts with their senior guards, Warren County’s offense has been led by a freshman down the stretch.

Bryce Bergmann has been filling up the scoring column, reaching over 20 points in the Wildcat’s last two games.

Warren County has already improved their record from last season, as well as raising their scoring average and lowering their points allowed, and with the emergence of Bergmann, should be very excited about the future of the program under head coach TJ Atlee.

Skyline started off the season rockier than previous years but have seem to find their stride as the season progressed to maintain aspirations for another playoff run.

The Hawks will look to put away their cross-town rivals early to provide some rest for their key players before the playoffs begin next week, but Warren County kept the game competitive early in the last matchup before fading.

Skyline’s depth and experience on Senior Night in front of a packed gym will give them the edge to continue their win streak against Warren County, 79-54.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.