Sherando faces huge test in Kettle Run
Running back T.J. Washington, who has rushed for 619 yards, and the Sherando Warriors (5-1, 2-0 Class 4 Northwestern District) take on Kettle Run (7-0, 3-0) in a battle for first place in the district at 7 p.m. tonight in Nokesville.
Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star
Long before last week’s Sherando-Martinsburg (W.Va.) game, people were counting down the days until its arrival.
Tonight’s 7 p.m. clash between Sherando and Kettle Run in Nokesville might be producing the same level of anticipation. But as far as the Class 4 Northwestern District race and the Region 4C power ratings, it carries a lot more weight.
The Warriors (5-1, 2-0 district) and Kettle Run (7-0, 3-0) are the only two remaining undefeated teams in the Class 4 Northwestern.
The winner of the district crown figures to finish pretty high in the final Region 4C ratings. (The top six teams in the region make the playoffs, though it will be expanded if a district winner doesn’t finish among the top six teams in the region. District winners receive an automatic region berth.) Sherando is currently rated fifth, and a win over No. 1 Kettle Run would provide a big ratings boost after last week’s 50-45 loss to Martinsburg dropped the Warriors from fourth to fifth.
It won’t be easy beating the Cougars, who have already beaten Millbrook (5-2) and Handley (5-2) and are coming off a 35-6 win over Fauquier.
But the Warriors — who beat Kettle Run 35-14 last year — are ready for the task after facing their first sustained challenge of the season following a five-game stretch of blowouts.
“[The Martinsburg game is always] beneficial for us, win or lose,” Sherando coach Bill Hall said. “It’s the type of environment you want to be in terms of how you need to compete. It gives you feedback on the areas you need to improve on. You can’t simulate what’s basically a playoff atmosphere and the adversity that you’re going to place.”
The 50 points that Sherando allowed against the Bulldogs was just three fewer than the Warriors had permitted in their first five games combined. And the 550 yards gained by Martinsburg were well over half of the 942 yards allowed by Sherando through five games.
“After watching the film, film’s one of those things where it’s usually not as bad as you think or as good as you think,” Hall said. “I thought we did a lot of things well in that game.
“We were kind of a block away here and there on offense, and defensively, we just didn’t finish tackles the way we need to. We haven’t seen a lot of athletes who play the way [Martinsburg does] in space. I knew there was going to be some adjustment because obviously, our scout team doesn’t look like that. We learned through experience, and we had a good week of practice.”
Kettle Run boasts an impressive group of athletes, including 6-foot-2, 195-pound receiver Shannon Ferguson. The senior caught three touchdown passes totaling 105 yards in the win over Fauquier and has 31 catches for 552 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
“[Ferguson] and [Levi Carver] are both really good receivers,” Hall said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re executing our coverages and make sure we’re on the same page with our checks.”
Quarterback Gabe Chumley completed 18 of 23 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns last week. That came on the heels of a 224-yard, two-TD performance against Millbrook and a 174-yard, three-TD effort against Handley.
“He’s similar to his brother,” said Hall, referencing former Kettle Run starting quarterback Casen. “His brother was a great competitor and I think he’s comfortable with making any throw. He’s got a good arm and he’s a savvy football player.”
Kettle Run also can turn to a strong ground game led by Ridge Scott. He rushed for 84 yards and a TD against the Falcons last week. The Cougars rushed for 171 yards in their win on a wet field against Millbrook two weeks ago and the field could still be wet tonight because of the rain expected to come through Thursday.
The Cougars’ 4-2-5 defense might be even more impressive. They’re holding opponents to 10.3 points per game (one win came by forfeit) and held Millbrook to a season-low 22 points when they played them in Winchester two weeks ago.
“Their front is big,” Hall said. “They’re well coached, and they play assignment football.”
Sherando’s offense is led by quarterback Hunter Entsminger (53 of 78 for 1,119 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions), running back T.J. Washington (61 carries, 619 yards, 9 TDs; 16 catches, 252 yards, 3 TDs) and wide receiver Nick Mazza (16 catches, 447 yards, 7 TDs).
For the Warriors, getting off to a fast start could be key.
Sherando was able to hit on some big running plays last week with Washington (51 yards) and JoJo Doleman (58 yards). But with the Warriors playing behind much of the night, their running backs only had 15 carries in the game. Hall said after the contest he felt like the Warriors could move the ball on the ground against Martinsburg, but falling behind made it difficult to use the running attack.
“Obviously, if you can be close or ahead, it keeps more options open in terms of your call sheet and what you want to do,” Hall said. “When you drop behind like we did early [against Martinsburg], we had to be more aggressive.”
Running back T.J. Washington, who has rushed for 619 yards, and the Sherando Warriors (5-1, 2-0 Class 4 Northwestern District) take on Kettle Run (7-0, 3-0) in a battle for first place in the district at 7 p.m. tonight in Nokesville.
Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star
Long before last week’s Sherando-Martinsburg (W.Va.) game, people were counting down the days until its arrival.
Tonight’s 7 p.m. clash between Sherando and Kettle Run in Nokesville might be producing the same level of anticipation. But as far as the Class 4 Northwestern District race and the Region 4C power ratings, it carries a lot more weight.
The Warriors (5-1, 2-0 district) and Kettle Run (7-0, 3-0) are the only two remaining undefeated teams in the Class 4 Northwestern.
The winner of the district crown figures to finish pretty high in the final Region 4C ratings. (The top six teams in the region make the playoffs, though it will be expanded if a district winner doesn’t finish among the top six teams in the region. District winners receive an automatic region berth.) Sherando is currently rated fifth, and a win over No. 1 Kettle Run would provide a big ratings boost after last week’s 50-45 loss to Martinsburg dropped the Warriors from fourth to fifth.
It won’t be easy beating the Cougars, who have already beaten Millbrook (5-2) and Handley (5-2) and are coming off a 35-6 win over Fauquier.
But the Warriors — who beat Kettle Run 35-14 last year — are ready for the task after facing their first sustained challenge of the season following a five-game stretch of blowouts.
“[The Martinsburg game is always] beneficial for us, win or lose,” Sherando coach Bill Hall said. “It’s the type of environment you want to be in terms of how you need to compete. It gives you feedback on the areas you need to improve on. You can’t simulate what’s basically a playoff atmosphere and the adversity that you’re going to place.”
The 50 points that Sherando allowed against the Bulldogs was just three fewer than the Warriors had permitted in their first five games combined. And the 550 yards gained by Martinsburg were well over half of the 942 yards allowed by Sherando through five games.
“After watching the film, film’s one of those things where it’s usually not as bad as you think or as good as you think,” Hall said. “I thought we did a lot of things well in that game.
“We were kind of a block away here and there on offense, and defensively, we just didn’t finish tackles the way we need to. We haven’t seen a lot of athletes who play the way [Martinsburg does] in space. I knew there was going to be some adjustment because obviously, our scout team doesn’t look like that. We learned through experience, and we had a good week of practice.”
Kettle Run boasts an impressive group of athletes, including 6-foot-2, 195-pound receiver Shannon Ferguson. The senior caught three touchdown passes totaling 105 yards in the win over Fauquier and has 31 catches for 552 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
“[Ferguson] and [Levi Carver] are both really good receivers,” Hall said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re executing our coverages and make sure we’re on the same page with our checks.”
Quarterback Gabe Chumley completed 18 of 23 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns last week. That came on the heels of a 224-yard, two-TD performance against Millbrook and a 174-yard, three-TD effort against Handley.
“He’s similar to his brother,” said Hall, referencing former Kettle Run starting quarterback Casen. “His brother was a great competitor and I think he’s comfortable with making any throw. He’s got a good arm and he’s a savvy football player.”
Kettle Run also can turn to a strong ground game led by Ridge Scott. He rushed for 84 yards and a TD against the Falcons last week. The Cougars rushed for 171 yards in their win on a wet field against Millbrook two weeks ago and the field could still be wet tonight because of the rain expected to come through Thursday.
The Cougars’ 4-2-5 defense might be even more impressive. They’re holding opponents to 10.3 points per game (one win came by forfeit) and held Millbrook to a season-low 22 points when they played them in Winchester two weeks ago.
“Their front is big,” Hall said. “They’re well coached, and they play assignment football.”
Sherando’s offense is led by quarterback Hunter Entsminger (53 of 78 for 1,119 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions), running back T.J. Washington (61 carries, 619 yards, 9 TDs; 16 catches, 252 yards, 3 TDs) and wide receiver Nick Mazza (16 catches, 447 yards, 7 TDs).
For the Warriors, getting off to a fast start could be key.
Sherando was able to hit on some big running plays last week with Washington (51 yards) and JoJo Doleman (58 yards). But with the Warriors playing behind much of the night, their running backs only had 15 carries in the game. Hall said after the contest he felt like the Warriors could move the ball on the ground against Martinsburg, but falling behind made it difficult to use the running attack.
“Obviously, if you can be close or ahead, it keeps more options open in terms of your call sheet and what you want to do,” Hall said. “When you drop behind like we did early [against Martinsburg], we had to be more aggressive.”
