Ryan recognizes athletes from around the Shenandoah Valley who committed to play football at the collegiate level during last week’s National Signing Day. The solo Sports Dog also discusses some of the area’s top uncommitted prospects from this year’s senior class. Then Skyline High School’s Isiah Maxwell and Heath Gilbert reflect on his accomplishments during Skyline’s NSD event.
The Handley Judges (8-1) head down Route 7 to take on the Millbrook Pioneers (3-5) in the High School Football Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, and streaming on The River 95.3 app and theriver953.com with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.
While Handley has a lot ahead of them including a looming showdown against Sherando with playoff seeding and the Apple Cup on the line, they can’t over look Millbrook.
When two Frederick County/Winchester teams matchup, the familiarity and hometown rivalry can overcome any perceived imbalance based on wins and losses.
Millbrook plays tough and physical football, but has been plagued by injuries this season and were missing 16 student-athletes against Sherando last week.
Most notably, the losses have came in the backfield with leading rushers Kyler Jackson and Cameron Clark missing multiple games this season.
Clark returned last week against the Warriors but was unable to finish the game.
The running game will be crucial to maintain possession of the ball and keep Handley’s high-powered offense off the field.
The Judges average 49.6 points per game without even playing the starters for the majority of second halves this season.
The backfield combination of senior running back Hassan Akanbi and freshman quarterback Triston Darling have taken the Valley by storm this season.
Akanbi averages 13 yards per carry and joined Skyline’s Zayden Burks as the lone running backs in the 1,000 yard club this season.
Darling and Akanbi both have reached the endzone 17 times a piece on the ground with Darling adding another 9 passing touchdowns to his total.
Handley’s explosive offense has allowed them to build leads quickly like the 49-0 advantage at halftime against Liberty last week.
If the Judges jump ahead of Millbrook early, the heavy rushing style of the Pioneers has had a difficult time overcoming leads.
Coach Jake Smith will have his team ready to avoid the “look ahead” game and set up a winner take all matchup with the Warriors next week, Judges 49-16.
To listen to my interview with Handley’s Coach Jake Smith, click here.
For a breakdown of all of this week’s games, a look back at last week, and much more, listen to the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.Â
It’s Homecoming Week in Warren County where the Wildcats (1-5) host the Handley Judges (5-1) in the High School Football Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, and streaming at theriver953.com and the River app with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.
Handley brings one of the most potent rushing attacks (303 yards per game) in the Valley to Front Royal on Friday night led by the due of running back Hassan Akanbi and quarterback Triston Darling.
Akanbi has been dynamic in the Judges backfield for some time now while Darling has taken the region by storm during his freshman season.
Both ballcarriers average over 13 yards per carry and have combined for 24 rushing touchdowns and nearly 1500 yards.
If defenses lock-in on the run, Darling can win through the air.
He is coming off his best passing game of his young career and was named the Sports Dogs Player of the Week after finishing 9/13 with 182 yds and 3 touchdowns through the air to go with his 116 yards and touchdown on the ground.
Warren County’s defense has been the strength of the team this season and has shown the ability to slow down some of the area’s top offenses.
Frank Nelson, a transfer from Texas, has shined at the linebacker position this season and looks more comfortable each game leading the defense as just a sophomore.
The Wildcat’s offense has struggled stringing together first downs which leaves the defense on the field longer than Coach Josh Breeden and Co. would like.
Breeden and his staff will look to open up the playbook a bit more this week to try to create some more ways to get his playmakers like Gavin Dodson, Michael Hooper, and Blaise Skube in space.
In the last three games, Skube has shown his big play potential with two touchdowns over 40 yards.
As many games due, this one will come down to the play in the trenches where Handley has a massive advantage in size and experience.
Handley’s offensive line is led by the Offutt brothers along the left side including senior Jaishaun (6’4″ 315 lbs) and junior Jaiquan (6’3″ 305 lbs).
Jaishaun committed to Division-I Wake Forest University before the season started and has accumulated nearly 20 D-I offers.
The combination of talented ballcarriers and an offensive line that could pass for a college team will be too much for the Wildcats and dampen the Homecoming celebration, Judges 56 – Wildcats 6.
To listen to my interview with Warren County Head Coach Josh Breeden, click here.
For the latest Sports Dogs podcast covering all of this week’s games and more, click here.Â
Tonight’s High School Football Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and the TuneIn Radio App features the 61st matchup between James Wood (2-2) and Handley (1-3).
This is one of the most anticipated games in the area every year thanks to one of the oldest rivalries.
This year’s installation will feature two head coaches looking to make their first mark in the rivalry.
Handley’s head coach Dan Jones is in his first year with the program after coaching at Sherando last season.
Todd Wilson has served on the Colonel’s coaching staff as the offensive line coach for the last 4 years before taking over the head job.
Coach Jones will bring with him a Handley offense that has explosive potential from numerous spots on the field.
Running Back Manno Lusca enters the game as one of the area’s leading rushers with 380 yards, 9.2 yards per carry, and six touchdowns, but he is just one of many players who could go the distance at any time.
Hassan Akanbi possesses track athlete speed and has already taken one catch 99 yards to the house this season.
Breylon Miller looks the part of a future Division I athlete at 6’6″ 218 lbs. and has stats to back it up.
Miller is second in receiving yards in the area with 264 yards off 12 receptions with two touchdowns.
James Wood’s defense looks to be up to the task, already having faced some of the best offenses in the area.
The Colonel’s limited the an explosive Brentsville offense to just one second half touchdown and forced two turnovers in that half.
They also contained last year’s state runner-ups, Kettle Run, on the first three drives forcing two turnovers and a turnover on downs.
Two leaders on that opportunistic defense include defensive back Justin Gwinner, the area’s leader in interceptions with 4, and linebacker Zack Smith, the area’s leading tackler with 46.
They will need to keep the explosive Handley offense in front of them and force a few turnovers to come away with the victory.
Handley must focus on efficiency inside the red zone and execution on special teams.
Last week the Judges were stuffed on numerous opportunities in the red zone.
I look forward to another great installation of this rivalry which gave us a classic game as recently as last season when Handley came back from trailing 16-0 early and a 10 point deficit with 3:47 remaining to come away with a 37-30 win in overtime to clinch a playoff birth.
This will be another close game but Handley’s playmakers should help the Judges prevail on the road, 27-20.
Press play below for my interview with James Wood Head Coach Todd Wilson.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
