The Duke’s Preview: Warren County at James Wood

James Wood High School welcomes Warren County High School in tonight’s Dave’s Diversified Services High School Football Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and The River 95.3 app starting with the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show at 6:30 pm followed by the 7 pm kick-off.

Both teams are coming off big home losses and the Colonels will look to bounce back after a strong start while the Wildcats are still searching for their first win.

James Wood began their season 3-0 before last week’s 49-20 loss to Sherando.

In the Colonels three wins, the shotgun offense shined led by third year starter at QB Owen Neal and averaged over 41 ppg.

Neal has found success with any of his talented receiving corps led by Aidric Yurish (9 rec 272 yds 2 TDs), Xavier Price (7 rec 156 yds 1 TD), and Kaden McCullough (5 rec 118 yds 2 TDs).

The junior QB is not afraid to tuck it and run or call his own number as he has racked up 223 rushing yards and 6 rushing TDs on the ground.

Warren County’s Frank Nelson (17 tackles 1 INT) will need to bring his A game to contain Neal while the Cats DBs led by Nick Harlow at safety and Kaiden Clowser (1 INT) at corner will need to keep the Colonels deep threats in front of them.

The best defense may be a good offense to keep Neal off the field.

Warren County still has Blaise Skube leading the backfield and he is averaging 6.7 yards per carry in his senior campaign.

Warren County’s offense also features Harlow at WR where he has had multiple highlight reel catches this season and is second in the area behind Handley’s Will Yoder with 278 yards and 4 Touchdowns.

The James Wood defense will come out with a chip on its shoulder after giving up 49 points to Sherando last week and should feed off the energy of the Homecoming crowd.

Xander Manzo and Xavier Price patrol the backend with 2 INTs a piece while newcomers at LB Jackson Ledford (35 tackles) and Logan Lafollette (29 tackles 3 sacks) have stepped up after the graduation of Vincent Salvati.

James Wood should have too much fire power for Warren County to handle and big plays will eventually add up, Colonels win 41-13.

For a preview of all Week 5 matchups, a look back at Week 4, our Power 5 rankings, and Player of the Week, listen to the Sports Dogs Podcast here.

The Duke’s Preview: Warren County vs Strasburg

Strasburg High School (1-1) hosts Warren County High School (0-1) in the Dave’s Diversified Services Game of the Week on The River 95.3, Fox Sports Radio 1450, theriver953.com and The River 95.3 app with the Tana Hoffman Pregame Show starting at 6:30 pm for the 7 pm kick-off.

Both team’s are itching to get back out on the field after an early bye week for the Wildcats and a tight loss to Broadway for the Rams.

Warren County’s Week 1 matchup against Rock Ridge came down to the final play with the opposing kicker draining a 40 yard field goal for the win.

The Wildcat’s offense looked improved in the loss compared to last season and included a 22 point 2nd quarter.

Warren County would not score after that quarter as the offense tapered off so sustaining that success will be key.

WR Nick Harlow stood out in the second quarter with two receiving touchdowns.

Harlow’s second score could have made an appearance on “You Got Mossed” after the Senior rose up over his defender for the contested catch.

Warren County’s offense appears to be a bit more advanced this season with more pre-snap movement and Wildcat formation opportunities for RB Blaise Skube.

Strasburg’s defense led by Sr linebacker Nathaniel Turner and an experienced defensive line will be up to the test and ready to get the taste of last week’s loss out of their mouth in front of the hometown fans.

The 28 point output by Broadway last weekend was not up to typical Strasburg standards as the Rams only opponent to eclipse that mark last season were the State Champions from Graham.

Strasburg seemed to make some good adjustments and allowed just one second half score while limiting star WR Uriah Rutan to just one catch.

The defensive front led by 2nd Team All State Sr. Jacob Stickley and one-man wrecking crew Sr. Hutson Conrad (6’4″ 250 lb.) appear to have the biggest advantage on the field when they go up against Warren County’s inexperienced offensive line.

The Wildcats have great potential, especially Soph OT Aiden Dunseath, but without a single senior, they will have to learn to play at the Varsity level on the fly.

The advantage on the trenches carries over to Strasburg’s offense as well thanks to experience including two All State selections (Britton and Gage Gutierrez).

Coach Josh Breeden’s defense will have to figure out the Strasburg T-formation but did have two weeks to prepare thanks to the bye week.

Leading the rushing attack is Quincy Williams who has over 300 rushing yards in just two games and was the Sports Dogs Podcast Week 1 Player of the Week.

Brady Knight continues to improve at the position after playing TE last season and wracked up 85 yards vs the Gobblers.

Chasing around those backs for Warren County is the Texan Tackling Machine Frank Nelson and Edge Nehemiah Carter.

Nelson looked very aggressive and physical against Rock Ridge while Carter’s versatility and athleticism shine to help him maintain the outside.

I look for both teams to come out fired up after losses and for Warren County to try some trickeration early in the game to try to get Strasburg on their heals.

The Rams have started a bit shaky in two straight weeks before settling down for strong second halves so the Wildcats will look to exploit that.

Strasburg should be able to use their experience and the homefield advantage to weather an early storm and get some momentum.

Coach Lamb and Co. will want to see 4 quarters of football from his squad for the first time this year and I think he will for a big Rams win, 36-14.

For a preview of all the area Week 3 games, a recap of Week 2, and more, check out the latest Sports Dogs Podcast here.