Sports Dogs Podcast: High School Football Week 1 recap, Week 2 preview

In this episode, The Sports Dogs are barking a day early due to the shortened week for many schools.

Check out the episode HERE featuring:

  • Week 1 recaps including:
    • Strasburg vs Skyline in the first Game of the Week
    • Big wins by Sherando, James Wood, and Handley
    • A heartbreaker for the Pioneers
  • Week 2 previews of:
    • Game of the Week-Millbrook vs Heritage
    • Rematches of Broadway vs Strasburg and Loudoun County vs Sherando
    • Handley’s new game change and more..
  • The first Player of the Week nominees including Millbrook’s Carter Kinley and James Wood’s Jackson Ledford
  • an updated Power Five rankings
  • and more…

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

The Duke’s Preview: James Wood vs Handley

The longest running rivalry in Frederick County-Winchester renews tonight with James Wood hosting Handley in the Dave’s Diversified Services Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sport Radio 1450, TheRiver953.com and The River 95.3 app with coverage starting at 6:30 for the 7 pm kick-off.

Both teams enter the matchup with some of their best squads in years and the game looks to be one of the most competitive in the series after a string of Handley wins including last year’s 57-16 win, the most lopsided in 63 total contests.

This year’s iteration looks to be a return to some of the more exciting versions of the rivalry like the infamous “Lights Out” game and more recently, the last James Wood win in 2018 which featured a 14 point comeback and overtime.

Handley enters Kelican Stadium with a 7-1 record and the lone loss coming to reigning Class 3 Runner-Ups Kettle Run.

The Judges boast one of the area’s top defenses and held Sherando’s powerful rushing attack which averaged over 225 rushing yards per game to just 30 in the 14-7 win.

Handley’s defense is led by the linebacker duo of Jo-Jo Johnson (58 tackles, 2.5 sacks)  and Trent Gomez (47 tackles, 2 sacks) who benefit from a talented defensive line anchored by DT Carson Green (5’9″ 305 lbs).

Offensively, Handley has shown a balanced attack with Duncan Hensler under center.

Hensler does best when simply getting the ball to his playmakers like Will Yoder (31 receptions, 462 yards, 6 TDs) and has stepped in nicely for injured Triston Darling.

Darling was in uniform and on the sideline against the Warriors last week, and if he can return to the lineup at any point this season, the Judges offensively ceiling would be hard to top in the Region.

Jamir Washington has continued to improve as the lead back and is coming off his best game of the season with 193 hard earned yards, bringing his season total to 827 with 7.9 ypc and 5 TDs.

James Wood’s leading rusher is also their quarterback, the area’s passing leader in yards (1,766) and touchdowns (19), Owen Neal.

Neal is the heart and soul of this Colonels team and would love nothing more than to keep their rivals from celebrating with the Barr-Lindon Apple Cup on their home field.

The JR QB and his squad have had to simmer on the one point loss to Liberty for two weeks while preparing for the Judges.

Prior to the loss, the Colonels had won 6 of 7 and appeared on pace for one of the best season’s in recent history before the surprising loss to then .500 Liberty.

James Wood will look to get back on track at home in this pivotal game for the Apple Cup (Handley’s with a win, Sherando’s with a James Wood win) and playoff standings in Region 4D.

Handley is currently 3rd and would host a home game while the Colonels are 5th and just 3 power points away from being on the outside looking-in.

Neal will look to his stellar receiving corps to go toe-to-toe with the Handley defense.

James Wood’s receivers include the area’s receiving touchdowns leader in Xavier Price (11) and yardage leader in Aidric Yurish (648).

Kaden McCullough is also dynamic with the ball in his hands and is the kick return leader averaging 36.1 yards per return.

The Colonels defense will need to step-up and get pressure on Hensler as they give up 264 passing yards per game and the Judges QB only trails Owen Neal in passing touchdowns with 17.

While the Colonels DBs have given up some big plays, they can make them as well with Xander Manzo and Xavier Price snagging 3 INTs each.

Both offenses appear to be relatively even in this matchup, but the advantage in this game goes to the Handley defense which has not allowed more than one offensive touchdown for five consecutive games.

James Wood averages 41.5 points per game and has not been held under 20 all season so they should score more than once, but I don’t think it will be enough to beat a Handley team that has shown they can win in a variety of ways.

I look for Handley to prioritize ball control again this week and the Judges to pull away late, 34-18.

For a preview of the rest of the Week 10 matchups, a look back to Week 9 and more, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.

The Duke’s Preview: Skyline vs James Wood ft Coach Heath Gilbert

Skyline hosts James Wood in their home opener for 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 95.3 app with coverage starting at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm kick off.

This will be James Wood’s second trip into Front Royal this year after knocking off Warren County 21-0 in week 1 thanks to some great defense and special teams.

Last week, the Colonels defeated Brentsville in a 16-15 thriller.

The defense once again held strong when it mattered most and senior defensive lineman Jordyn Sweetser secured his second fumble recovery of the season but this one he took to the house.

Special teams shine once again with a clutch kick by Aidan Bell to take the lead and then a host of Colonels bursting through the line to block Brentsville’s potential game winning kick.

James Wood sophomore quarterback Owen Neal has the ability to keep his team in any game and has shown tremendous arm talent in just his second year of high school action.

Against the Tigers, he connected with junior wide receiver Xander Manzo for two deep balls including a 91 yard touchdown strike.

Skyline has the team speed to contain players like Manzo and rip off a few big plays themselves.

Six different Hawks recorded explosive plays of over 20 yards in the week one battle against Strasburg.

Skyline fell behind two scores before halftime after two back-breaking personal foul penalties cleared the way for the Rams.

The Hawks made some adjustments after the half and first year varsity contributor Day’shawn Haley took the edge and scored from 32 yards out on the opening possession, but Strasburg squashed the rally with back-to-back touchdown drives.

After an early bye week, Skyline has had plenty of time to study James Wood’s film and work on the miscues of week 1, but James Wood’s defense combined with the talented arm of Neal make them a dangerous opponent for any team.

Both offenses have explosive potential, but James Wood’s defense appears to have an edge based on their performance over the first two weeks.

Linebacker Vincent Salvati already has 22 tackles and a sack through his first two games while Sweetser leads the area in sacks with five.

That defensive core will help the Colonels to improve to 3-0 for just the second time since 2009, 31-26.

To listen to my interview with Skyline Head Coach Heath Gilbert, click here.

To hear the latest Sports Dogs Podcast previewing all of the Week 3 matchups and looking back at week 2, click here. 

The Duke’s Preview: Skyline Coach Heath Gilbert

Skyline High School Head Football Coach Heath Gilbert joins Ryan Rutherford ahead of the week 3 matchup between his 0-1 Hawks and 2-0 James Wood Colonels. Join Ryan and Randy for the High School Football Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com, and The River App at 6:30 for pregame coverage before the 7 pm kick-off.