WINCHESTER — James Wood football’s offense was humming for much of last season.
The Colonels, who finished 7-4 for the second straight year, set program records by averaging 41.5 points per game and scoring 456 total points. On defense, James Wood also showed improvement, allowing 23.5 points per game after giving up 30 on average in 2024.
Although the team has experienced consistent success, it has also faced obstacles against local competition.
The Colonels have lost to Sherando in the Region 4D quarterfinals in each of the past two seasons and its four-year varsity players are a combined 0-8 versus the Warriors and Handley thus far in their careers. James Wood hasn’t defeated Sherando since 2021 and last bested Handley in 2018.
James Wood head coach Todd Wilson, who’s entering his fourth season, said although the Colonels certainly want to earn a postseason victory, they have to focus on the here and now if they want to return to that stage.
For now, Wilson is primarily concerned with building upon the team’s recent scrimmages against Hampshire on Saturday and Skyline on Thursday, while also helping his players improve day by day.
“[Right now] we’re really thinking about what we need to do to get better overall,” Wilson said. “You’re starting to see some of [our] offseason hard work pay off. The guys have really committed themselves to getting bigger and stronger, and that’s really what is kind of showing right now. They’ve known the system, we’re running pretty much a lot of the same stuff that we ran before. Now they’re just a little bit older, a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger.”
Looking to flip the script against local rivals, James Wood will boast impressive continuity this fall, rostering 15 seniors while returning eight offensive players and eight defensive players with starting experience.
Senior quarterback Owen Neal is the most notable returner, as he’ll start for the fourth straight year following an extremely productive season that earned him Region 4D, Class 4 Northwestern District and Winchester Star Offensive Player of the Year honors.
In 2025, Neal completed 128 of 199 passes for 2,633 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing 139 times for 912 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Neal has built-in chemistry with returning starting wideouts, fellow seniors Aidric Yurish and Xavier Price. Both made the All-Region 4D First Team last season, as Yurish caught 46 passes for 1,077 yards and eight touchdowns, while Price added 32 receptions, 756 yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, 48 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Wilson said Neal, his top weapons and the rest of the offense aren’t taking their high-scoring output for granted.
“All of them are working on their craft to get better,” Wilson said. “Whether it’s all the offensive line, the receivers blocking, the running back group in pass protection. We’re really coaching them up hard, and they’re receptive to that.”
Wilson also added that he’s expecting Neal to bring the same approach and attitude he brought last season. He said Neal doesn’t care if he has to throw, run or hand the ball off to help the team win, and noted that he hopes Neal continues to protect the ball at a high level.
“He’s a team guy, and for him to take the next step, it’s just continue doing what he’s doing,” Wilson said. “One thing he did really good last year was [have] ball security. He did not turn the ball over very much at all, and that had continuously improved from his freshman year to his junior year. The only way for him to get better from last year to his senior year is basically not to have any, which is obviously a very tall task.”
James Wood did lose receiver Kaden McCullough to graduation, but added senior Parker Kerns, Neal’s standout baseball teammate, as a new starting wideout.
Additionally, junior Jackson Lang and sophomore Jackson O’Connor will see time at wide receiver after the duo helped the Colonels’ JV team go undefeated in 2025. Lang played quarterback for JV, but also saw varsity time at receiver last season.
At running back, James Wood will rely on juniors Jackson Ledford and Dane Tews and sophomore Weston Smith. Ledford has the most varsity experience at the position, having ran 19 times for 180 yards and three scores last season, while Tews will take on a new role after converting from wide receiver. Senior Jeremiah Hodel (83 carries, 596 yards, seven TDs) is focusing on his college courses and will not play football this year.
Wilson said Smith, who excelled for the Colonels’ JV team last fall, is someone he’s hoping can develop into a key contributor.
“Once he gets the varsity speed and things like that under his belt, we’re looking for him to get a lot of reps at running back,” Wilson said.
James Wood’s offensive line will consist of senior left tackle Lane Herring (Second Team All-District), junior left guard Brian Snyder, senior center Timber Hough, junior right guard Donny Ramirez and senior right tackle Sawyer Farr.
Wilson noted that senior Hayden Probus and junior Matrim Ray are also competing for playing time on the offensive line, and he commended Hough for his willingness to change positions following the graduation of All-Region 4D Second Team center Colton Knisley.
The Colonels’ defensive line will be led by All-Northwestern District First Team defensive end Heston LaRue, who recorded 60 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble as a junior last season. He’ll be joined up front by Ramirez and seniors Caleb Bispo and Isaiah Gagnier.
Ledford will play a pivitol role at linebacker after leading the Colonels with 106 tackles last season. His efforts earned him All-Region 4D Honorable Mention and All-Northwestern District First Team honors. Wilson said Ledford is one of the team’s most important vocal leaders.
Senior Logan LaFollette (Second Team All-District) also returns following an 80-tackle, five-sack season, while juniors Anthony Savati, Caleb Poniris and Tews and senior Cam Daniels round out the linebacker room.
In the secondary, Price returns at cornerback after totaling 36 tackles, four interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2025. He’ll be joined at the position by Lang, O’Connor and Poniris, who Wilson said will be used in multiple areas.
Additionally, Yurish and junior Cannon Edgerton are competing for playing time at free safety. Yurish made 32 tackles and recorded a pair of interceptions last season.
James Wood will hope this unit can fill the void of cornerback Xander Manzo (three interceptions) and safety McCullough (88 tackles, two pass breakups).
On special teams, freshman kicker Draven Hernandez will have tough shoes to fill following the graduation of Aidan Bell, who recently made the University of Virginia’s football roster.
Wilson said Hernandez has a strong leg, but acknowledged it’ll be a work in progress as he acclimates to the high school level. Wilson also said the team’s competition for kick and punt returning duties is still ongoing.
This season, Wilson will be assisted by offensive coordinator Joey Yurish, defensive coordinator Richard Davy, defensive analyst Brian Thomas, offensive and defensive line coach Jared Neal and wide receivers and defensive backs coach Dante Tibbs.
As the Colonels enter a pivitol season for its senior class, Wilson said the team’s focus is on maintaining good habits and staying ready for each opportunity to take the field.
“We just need to stack good days after good days, stay healthy, and just continue to get better and play mistake-free football,” Wilson said. “If you play mistake-free football, you don’t turn the ball over, you score points and force some turnovers … that will help you win football games.
“We’re taking things one week at a time and just trying to do all the little things to get better.”
James Wood will host Clarke County in its season opener on Aug. 28.
— Contact Joe Tuman at jtuman@winchesterstar.com
Follow him on X @jtuman21