The Duke’s Preview: James Wood vs Millbrook

10/9/26, Winchester, VA– Millbrook hosts cross-county rivals James Wood to kick-off Homecoming weekend in 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 app starting with the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show at 6:30 pm followed by kick-off at 7 pm.

Millbrook has struggled so far this season and enters the matchup at 1-5 but have been in each ball game in the second half with the exception of last week vs Sherando.

Pioneers fell to reigning Class 3 State Runner-Up Kettle Run 24-20 and still undefeated Loudoun Valley, 39-37.

Millbrook is still the only team to keep Loudoun Valley within one score this season, and the 5-0 Vikings have beat their other opponents by an average of 28.75 points per game.

The Pioneers led by Coach Nick Manuel will need to have that “giant hunting” mentality tonight against James Wood and one of the highest scoring offenses in the state NATION.

The Colonel (5-1) offense is led by Owen Neal, Virginia’s leader in Passing Yards (1,749), Total Yards (2,246), Total Points (204), and Total TDs (34).

Neal also ranks 2nd in the Nation in Total Points and 3rd in Total Touchdowns… yes, in the NATION.

Joining Neal out wide are Virginia’s leaders in receiving yards Aidric Yurish (715 yds) and receiving touchdowns Xavier Price (9 TDs).

The Colonels offense keeps their foot on the gas until the game is well out of reach and have averaged 54.5 points per game, but the unsung heroes of this team lie on the lines.

Neal, Price, and Yurish would not have the opportunity to lead the state without the offensive line providing plenty of time to push the ball down field.

The experienced offensive line is led by senior Lane Herring and junior Donny Ramirez.

In our first look at James Wood in the win over Warren County, the defensive line really shined with 2 sacks by Caleb Bispo and the group created pressure that forced an Interception snagged by Parker Kerns.

Millbrook will need to maintain a strong rushing attack and may need to drop into max protection on deep passing plays to counteract this James Wood defensive line.

The Pioneer rushing attack is the number one way Millbrook can try to keep this a game like they have against some other powerhouses.

In those games, Millbrook was able to move the ball well on the ground with starting RB Carter Kinley and power back Jude Cusick.

Kinley is the only running back in Frederick County/Winchester to reach 135 carries at this point in the season and the only other back over 100 carriers is Sherando’s Jaylen Tasco-Murray (114).

So Kinley is used to carrying the rock 30 times a game and that will need to be the recipe for Millbrook tonight to keep Owen Neal and that Colonel offense off the field.

And if the Colonels lock in on the run, QB Ben Furbee has plenty of arm strength to push the ball down the field to the speedy Rome Johnson  (25 receptions, 296 yards) and 6’4″ Nick McKenney (16 receptions, 220 yards).

Defensively, the Pioneers are led by the area’s top tackler Jude Cusick (75 tackles, James Wood’s Jackson Ledford is 2nd with 55) and one of the top DL in the region Karl Moutemy (39 tackles, 5 sacks).

Both teams boast strong special teams units and have two of the best kickers in the Valley in Draven Hernandez (43-45 in PATs) and freshman John Woshner (9/13 PATs, 5/7 FGs).

McKenney doubles as the punter for Millbrook and averages 30.4 yards per kick while the Colonels have only punted twice this season.

One of the main reasons James Wood does not punt is because they excel at explosive plays.

When Millbrook and many other run heavy teams get behind the chains, that can end the drive.

If James Wood gets behind the chains, Yurish, Price, Kerns, and Jackson Lang all average nearly 20 yards per catch while Neal and Ledford average nearly 10 yards per carry.

James Wood’s explosive offense will keep the points coming and Millbrook will eventually fall behind when they cannot answer score for score.

James Wood evens the all-time series at 12-12 and wins spoils Millbrook’s homecoming, Colonels 56- Pioneers 21.

For a recap of all Week 6 games and a preview of all Week 7 games, listen to the latest Sports Dogs Podcast HERE.

The Duke’s Preview: Skyline vs Central

10/2/26, Front Royal, VA- It’s Homecoming Week at Skyline High School as the Hawks host the Central Falcons in the Hike Kidz Foundation Game of the Week c/o Brickhouse Bar and Grill with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show followed by the kick-off at 7 pm on The River 95.3, Fox Sports 1450, TheRiver953.com, and The River 95.3 app.

Skyline enters the matchup at 1-3 while Central is 0-4, but both teams still have plenty of time to make a playoff push as they reach the midway points of their seasons.

Skyline faced an early gauntlet including a reigning State Champion, State Runner-Up, and a Class 4 opponent on the road.

The Hawks faced a similar path last year which left them battle tested and ready to rattle off 9 straight wins before falling in the Regional Championship game.

In addition to the tough path, early season injuries left them without key contributors like All State Running Back Zayden Burk, starting OL Ryan Held, and up-and-comer James Hopkins.

Injuries have plagued Central since the beginning of the season as well, and the Falcons just got back RB Chris Brown last week against North Hagerstown.

After missing the first three games, Brown emerged following Central’s bye week and took his first carry 81 yards to the house.

The senior running back and linebacker rushed for 181 yards on the night, while North Hagerstown was held to just 129 total yards.

Eventually, turnovers and special teams mistakes piled up to allow the Hubs to score 21 unanswered second half points, often on short fields.

North Hagerstown also adjusted well to the Central offense and limited Brown’s production in the second half.

As the Falcons have struggled to open up the passing game following the departure of Noah Moss (graduation), Central must find a way to create a more balanced offense down the stretch to keep the running lanes available for Brown.

Skyline appears to have found their quarterback of the future and right now in Brently Grindle.

As he continues to improve each week, defenses will have to account for the passing game on top of Burks game-breaking ability.

Grindle is the only underclassman in the area to rank in the top three in passing yards (775), passing touchdowns (8), and completions (46/77) and throwing just 2 INTs.

He trails just Owen Neal (James Wood) and Bryce Bergmann (Warren County) in those categories.

Central’s passing attack on the other hand has accumulated just 94 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

Skyline’s more balanced approach will help them keep the Falcons defense guessing and don’t be surprised to see Zayden Burks have his first BIG game of the year tonight.

Burks ran wild 260 yards and 3 TDs in last year’s 42-40 win over Central, while all of the Falcons biggest contributors in that game have moved on.

Skyline pulls away in the second half to start the Homecoming Weekend with a win, 42-26.

For a preview of all the Week 6 matchups and a look back to Week 5, check out the Sports Dogs Podcast HERE.

Sports Dogs Podcast: Week 6 preview, Week 5 recap

It’s now October, when the leaves start changing color, the air gets a little cooler, and it’s “go-time” for our area teams.

Listen HERE on The River 95.3 online, iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon.

In this episode, The Dogs:

  • look back on Week 5 as Sherando and James Wood roll and other local teams stumble
  • look to Week 6 including the Game of the Week- Skyline vs Central
  • rank the Power Five
  • name our Player of the Week!

Oh, and kudos to the community effort to send one of our area greats, Zayden Burks, to a prestigious football showcase at IMG Academy!

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

Sports Dogs Podcast: HS Football Week 3 Recap, Week 4 Preview

“Identity” is the common thread that runs through this week’s podcast as teams start to figure themselves.

Listen HERE to the latest episode where the Sports Dogs:

  • Recap Week 3
    • Strasburg’s crazy comeback
    • Clarke’s first W
    • Domination from Wood, Handley, and Sherando
    • and some tough losses
  • Look ahead to Week 4 (already?)
    • Battle of Behemoths- Strasburg (Class 2 Champs) vs Rapp (Class 1 Champs)
    • James Wood vs Sherando
    • Skyline vs Handley
    • Millbrook vs Meridian
    • East Rock vs Clarke
    • Warren County vs Kettle Run
  • Players of the Week
    • Randy’s gunslinging QB
    • Ryan’s elite RB
  • Power Five rankings including some shake-ups

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

The Duke’s Preview: Skyline vs Strasburg featuring Coach Roller interview

Week 1 is finally here and our first Friday Night Lights Game of the Week features two teams with promising returning players, experienced coaches, and question marks at the game’s most significant position, quarterback.

Skyline is led by Head Coach Heath Gilbert on the sidelines and senior running back Aidan Vaught between the lines.

Coach Gilbert is switching the defense up this year to a 3-3 stack to better fit the team’s athletes.

That could hurt them against teams that like to pound the run like Strasburg does out of their classic T-formation.

All eyes will be on Vaught when Skyline’s offense is on the field.

He switched back to his more natural position of running back this season, but while playing quarterback last year, he amassed over 2,000 total yards and 17 touchdowns on his way to earning 1st Team All Region 3B All-Purpose.

Strasburg is lead by All State offensive lineman and linebacker Colby Shaw.

Shaw was one of the areas leading tacklers with 145 last season.

Head Coach Mark Roller’s Rams are coming off a strong season including a Bull Run District Championship.

The former Strasburg QB and long time head coach has to replace his son, All Region performer Ryan Roller, at QB this season.

He will look towards sophomore Brayden Hough who beat out another sophomore, Harper Sherman.

Hough was thrown into the fire during the Regional Championship loss to Central when Roller went out with an injury, but with more time to prepare, should have more control over the offense.

Skyline’s quarterback battle saw the more athletic Nick Mrad beat out the more experienced Nate Ballard.

Neither quarterback should be asked to do too much unless one of the team’s falls behind substantially as they will both look to pound the ground game.

I predict a very competitive contest between two teams who will try to keep their game plan simplified for their new QBs.

I look for Strasburg to emerge victorious tonight due to their strong run game and the way their offensive formation could exploit the weaknesses of Skyline’s 3-3 stack, 23-14.

Tune in to the action on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450 WFTR, theriver953.com and the Tune In Radio App.

For my interview with Coach Mark Roller, play below.

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