Welcome!

This blog should be easy to maintain tonight as our area has only two playoff teams left and only one -- Clarke County -- is in action tonight. The Eagles (9-2) are making the long trek to Gretna for the regional final at 7 p.m.

The Daily's MVP, Tim Tassa, is navigating his way through bumper-to-bumper traffic to cover the game, and will be shipping me updates as often as possible. So stay here with me throughout the evening to keep up on Clarke County's upset bid.

3:28 -- Good afternoon. Think of some sports-related topics of conversation to pass the time. With only one game, updates may seem scarce, so we might as well talk about something.
4:55 -- Tassa is inching toward Lynchburg with less than two hours before kickoff in Gretna. If you didn't get a chance to check out Tassa's preview for this game, click here
6:44 -- Tim Tassa's first report from Gretna: The Hawks' pregame music consists of Mambo #5, Smashmouth and Backstreet Boys. This is a good sign for the Eagles faithful.
7:25 -- A short and sweet update from Tassa: Gretna 7, Clarke County 0. End of 1st.
7:29 -- Sam Shiley breaks off a long touchdown run to tie the score, 7-7.
8:02 -- Apparently Tim Tassa is having cell phone issues out in the middle of nowhere (Gretna). It is Gretna 21, Clarke County 13 at the half.
8:55 -- Gretna has blown the doors open on this contest in the second half. Gretna 37, Clarke County 13. In all likelihood, Handley will be our final area team in the playoffs heading into tomorrow.
9:27 -- Final score from Gretna, 51-27 in favor of the Hawks. Check out Tassa's gamer in tomorrow's issue of the Daily. And get to the Handley Bowl for the regional final between the Judges and Monticello. The entire Daily crew will be there. If the Judges go down, it's time for basketball!

First and foremost, my apologies for my extended absence. It's been a busy time in sports at the Daily, which has included postseason coverage for volleyball, cheerleading and football, as well as dealing with the departure of Craig Juer from the sports staff. Craig is now living it up in Philadelphia, presumably on a steady diet of cheesesteaks (I have pictures to prove it).

So here we are on the first day of postseason football. There are four teams left, with a maximum of three able to survive the first of four playoff weekends. Tonight, Clarke County hosts Appomattox and James Wood travels to Potomac Falls. We will have a staffer at both sites, including art in Saturday's issue of the Daily accompanying the recap of Clarke County's game.

Additionally, Tim Tassa is en route to Richmond for the state volleyball semifinals at VCU's Siegel Center. He'll also be passing along updates starting with their 5 p.m. tip.

Stay on this page and comment often.

Games tonight:
Appomattox at Clarke County, 7:30 p.m.
James Wood at Potomac Falls, 7:30 p.m.

3:16 -- Tommy Keeler has arrived in the office here in Strasburg. I'm about to send this bundle of fun to Potomac Falls for the James Wood game. TK was bemoaning the fact that he had to drive, but I quickly reminded him of the undesirable desk duty I fulfill every night. That didn't seem to sway him, so I reminded him that Tim Tassa is on a three-hour (one way) trek to Richmond for volleyball, and that I could still switch him assignments. He now seems content to get paid to watch football and call it a night.
4:22 -- About 30 minutes from the start of the Group A state volleyball semifinals between Strasburg and Wilson Memorial at VCU's Siegel Center in Richmond.
5:02 -- TK has departed and we are about 2 1/2 hours from the start of the football postseason, but the Rams' volleyball match is about to get under way in Richmond. Stay here for updates.
5:33 -- Strasburg jumps out to a 1-0 lead over Wilson Memorial in the Group A state volleyball semifinals. The Rams won Game 1, 25-15.
5:50 -- Up 9-6, Strasburg welcomed Wilson Memorial to the match, who played dominant in evening the match score at 1-1. Score of Game 2: 25-16 in favor of Wilson.
6:10 -- The Rams are playing like a team destined to defend a state title. Strasburg now leads the match, 2-1, after a convincing win in Game 3. One more and the Rams will return at 5 p.m. tomorrow for another shot at a championship.
6:19 -- FYI, Game 3 was 25-10 in favor of Strasburg. Wilson leads Game 4 as the match flirts with a decisive Game 5.
6:34 -- Strasburg wins Game 4, 25-23, to advance to tomorrow's Group A state championship match against the winner of Gate City-Auburn. That match will take place at 7 p.m. tonight.
7:26 -- Jeremy Stafford has checked in from Berryville and Tommy Keeler from Potomac Falls. Both are ready to go, and TK had a couple of hot dogs, so he's guaranteed to be less moody.
7:32 -- Potomac Falls will get the ball first.
7:35 -- Appomattox QB Kenny Scott raced 70 yards on the second play of the game to put the visitors up, 7-0, on Clarke County.
7:45 -- Clarke County ties Appomattox at 7-7. Sam Shiley rushed eight times for 35 yards and capped a drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to even the game in Berryville.
7:52 -- Lots of punting in the James Wood/Pot Falls game. Potomac Falls winning the battle of field position and are currently in the red zone.
7:55 -- Clarke still knotted up at 7-7. Jeremy Rhoads came up with a sack to force a turnover on downs. The Eagles are driving.
8:00 -- Eagles take the lead, 13-7, on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Zach Shiley to Tyler Morley. Earlier in the drive, Morley (Yes, Morley) hit Caleb Hartsock with a 29-yard pass.
8:07 -- Apparently everyone is going to throw for Clarke County. Sam Shiley has hit Scott Douglas on a long touchdown pass to make it 20-7 in favor of the Eagles.
8:11 -- Danny Cooper with a touchdown catch to give the Colonels a 7-3 lead.
8:17 -- Damp conditions impacting the Colonels and Panthers, with multiple fumbles and slow, deliberate offenses the story in the first half. Still 7-3, James Wood, who has the ball.
8:18 -- Appomattox creeps back into the game with a 5-yard touchdown run by Joe Reed. After the missed PAT, Clarke County leads 20-13.
8:25 -- Potomac Falls returns a fumble 47 yards for a touchdown.
8:26 -- Potomac Falls 10, James Wood 7. Almost halftime.
8:28 -- Three interceptions in a matter of 30 seconds in the Clarke County game. Zach Shiley threw a pick, then came up with an interception on a pass by Appomattox QB Kenny Scott, and then Zach Shiley threw another pick himself with 12 seconds left of the half.
8:33 -- Wow. As time expires in the first half, Appomattox QB Kenny Scott hits wide receiver Neal Thomas for a 52 yard touchdown. The two-point conversion is no good. Clarke County 20, Appomattox 19. Halftime.
8:50 -- Some stats from halftime at Clarke County: Sam Shiley has 43 yards rushing on 12 carries; Zach Shiley has 61 yards passing and 1 TD with 2 INTs; In the James Wood/Pot Falls game, both teams have 106 yards of total offense at the break.
8:53 -- James Wood ready to start the second half down 10-7. The Colonels get the ball.
9:01 -- Clarke County spends nearly half of the third quarter on a scoring drive, capping it with a 1-yard run by Grant Shaw to make it Eagles 27-19 with 5:02 on the clock.
9:04 -- Appomattox QB Kenny Scott has left the game with an injury.
9:10 -- Another field goal -- this time from 37 yards -- puts Potomac Falls up 13-7 in the third quarter.
9:13 -- Clarke/Appomattox game reaches the fourth quarter, still 27-19. Appomattox QB Kenny Scott has returned.
9:18 -- James Wood knocking on the door with a chance to take the lead with a touchdown and PAT.
9:20 -- Trae Tinsman hits Danny Cooper for the second time tonight for a touchdown pass that ties the score at 13-13 with the PAT pending.
9:21 -- James Wood 14, Potomac Falls 13.
9:28 -- James Wood's Andrew Lloyd hits a 40-yard FG to put the Colonels up 17-13 in the fourth quarter.
9:34 -- Potomac Falls scores to take the lead on a short touchdown run.
9:51 -- See dirtman's updates in the comments section. Thanks for the help!
9:35 -- A late interception seals the win for Clarke, 27-19.
9:35 -- Potomac Falls contemplates going for 2, but will kick the PAT.
9:36 -- And they miss the PAT anyway. Potomac Falls 19, James Wood 17. This has all the makings of a game-winner by Andrew Lloyd.
9:45 -- Pot Falls trying to milk the clock and prevent Lloyd's leg from becoming a late-game factor.
9:50 -- Panthers have first down inside the five-yard line with time winding down. The Colonels' season is hanging by a thread.
9:52 -- Pot Falls scores a touchdown. An extra point will make this a two possession game.
9:53 -- Potomac Falls 26, James Wood 17.
9:55 -- Just received the Strasburg/Wilson volleyball game story from Tim Tassa in Richmond. Will be right back.

Tonight's Games:
Handley (7-1, 5-0) at James Wood (8-1, 6-0), 7 p.m.
Sherando (6-2, 4-2) at Millbrook (5-4, 3-3), 7 p.m.
Central (1-8, 0-6) at Brentsville (1-7, 1-4), 7:30 p.m.
George Mason (1-7, 0-3) at Clarke County (7-2, 3-0), 7:30 p.m.
Strasburg (1-7, 0-2) at Madison County (6-2, 1-1), 7:30 p.m.
Manassas Park (2-6, 2-1) at Berkeley Springs (W.Va.), 7:30 p.m.
Riverheads (6-2, 3-0) at Buffalo Gap (8-0, 3-0), 7:30 p.m.
Page County (3-5, 1-2) at Stonewall Jackson (3-5, 0-3), 7:30 p.m.
Wilson Memorial (2-6, 0-3) at Luray (4-4, 2-1), 7:30 p.m.

Final scores:
Handley 17, James Wood 10
Millbrook 24, Sherando 17
Brentsville 47, Central 20
Clarke County 41, George Mason 6
Buffalo Gap 21, Riverheads 14
Page County 16, Stonewall Jackson 7
Wilson Memorial 24, Luray 13
Madison County 35, Strasburg 16

4:24 -- Running down the games...
• Game of the Week -- Handley at James Wood
-- Tommy Keeler, who mans both the Handley and James Wood beats, will head out shortly to one of the most anticipated prep football games in recent memory. Handley can clinch a share of the Northwestern District title a win, but James Wood can with the league outright with a victory since it is the Colonels' final game of the season. Both teams have lost one game, but each is undefeated in league play.
• Sherando at Millbrook
-- Tim Tassa is heading to Winchester to cover this game that is sort of a "play-in game" for the Group AA playoffs. Millbrook is 5-4, but a win over Sherando will likely push the Pioneers into the postseason. On the other side of the ball, however, is Sherando. The Warriors are 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the district, but a loss this week may push the Group AA state runners-up from 2007 out of the playoffs.
Another story line from this game will be the status of Sherando quarterback Ross Metheny. The U.Va.-bound quarterback did not play last week after sustaining a knee injury in the Warriors' loss to James Wood on Oct. 17. He did not practice all of last week or this week, and rumors have swirled about the community and message boards. There is speculation, although unconfirmed from anyone in the know, that Metheny underwent knee surgery and is out for the season. Per his own policy, Bill Hall does not discuss the status of injured players until after the season. However, if Metheny is on crutches on the sidelines tonight, that will be a clear indication that there was some validity to the rumor mill this week.
• Page County at Stonewall Jackson
Craig Juer is going to Quicksburg for the final time (He is leaving the Daily on Nov. 7) to see if the Generals can notch their first Shenandoah District victory of the season.
• George Mason at Clarke County
And finally, Jeremy Stafford will be providing updates from Clarke County High School as the Eagles look to finish the regular season perfect in the Bull Run District. The visiting Mustangs have struggled mightily this season, going 1-7 overall and 0-3 in league play.
6:27 -- The first update has nothing to do with football at all. Tommy Keeler reports from the Handley/James Wood game that Matthew Stanmyre, a former Daily sports reporter, has appeared in the press box in Winchester. Stanmyre now works for the Washington Post. Haywood would be proud.
6:57 -- Handley gets the ball first.
6:59 -- Metheny in street clothes -- and on crutches -- but is out for the coin toss.
7:00 -- It's important to note that this is the first time that Metheny has been on crutches since injuring his knee against James Wood on Oct. 17. Simply speculation, but this could mean that Metheny did, in fact, have knee surgery this week. Rumors have circulated that Metheny underwent knee surgery at U.Va. this week, but Sherando coach Bill Hall, Metheny and other coaches refused to comment.
7:05 -- Millbrook will get the ball first against Sherando.
7:20 -- Handley jumps out to a 7-0 lead on a 2-yard run by Jeremiah Wilson.
7:21 -- Millbrook 7, Sherando 0. 4:17 to go of the first. Calvin Rodney scores on a six-yard run. The Pioneers just pounded the Warriors on a lengthy 16-play drive. An early lead, a ridiculous ball control offense and no Metheny could be the perfect formula for the homestanding Pioneers.
7:25 -- Handley 7, James Wood 0. End of 1st.
7:29 -- Millbrook 7, Sherando 0. End of 1st. Note: Tim Tassa was the only one who picked the Pioneers to win.
7:31 -- Tim Tassa reports that Sherando has played only Corey Rice, a junior, at quarterback in place of Ross Metheny tonight. "He's made a couple of nice passes on the first possession," according to Tassa.
7:34 -- Sherando's Roger Smith scores on the ground to tie the score at 7-7 early in the second quarter.
7:37 -- Corey Rice was 4-of-4 passing for 51 yards on the first drive for Sherando. Smith scored on a five-yard run.
7:38 -- After a 40-yard pass from Zach Shiley to Tyler Morley, Sam Shiley scores on a 33-yard run to give Clarke County the early lead over George Mason.
7:49 -- Schoolboard, any chance Warren County pulls off the upset tomorrow night?
7:50 -- Handley increases its lead to 10-0; George Mason puts the ball on the ground and the Eagles pick up a fumble recovery.
7:53 -- Sam Shiley breaks off another long TD run, this time for 27 yards as Clarke County takes a 14-0 lead. The Eagles are in good shape to finish the season at 8-2 and perfect in the Bull Run District.
7:55 -- Cody Fazenbaker nails a field goal to give Millbrook a 10-7 lead; Stonewall Jackson/Page County is scoreless at the end of the 1st.
7:56 -- Schoolboard, if you read my picks column today, I talked with Central coach Mike Yew about Coach of the Year candidates in the Northwestern District and the Daily's coverage area. I was a bit narrow-minded, thinking about the unbeatens in the Northwestern District, but Yew hinted that Heath Gilbert would get serious consideration, and perhaps his vote, at the postseason district meetings. Has Gilbert done the best job in our area this year, all things considered, or are you not as surprised with the Hawks' success considering you are a little more in tune with what kind of talent they had coming up the pipe?
7:58 -- Millbrook 10, Sherando 7. Halftime.
7:59 -- Handley 10, James Wood 0. Halftime.
8:00 -- Sam Shiley with 76 yards rushing in the first quarter.
8:01 -- Cody Fazenbaker's field goal at the end of the first half was from 22 yards.
8:01 -- Page County jumps out to a 6-0 lead over Stonewall Jackson on a 14-yard touchdown pass by Dakota Wolf.
8:03 -- Handley's field goal was 28 yards by Graham Sharples; James Wood's Andrew Lloyd missed a 27-yarder of his own. Odd. Also, the Colonels have three turnovers so far.
8:04 -- Jeremy Rhoads, younger brother of Chandler, rushes for 32 yards to set up a 49-yard run by -- who else? -- Sam Shiley to give Clarke County a 21-0 lead.
8:05 -- Page County 9, Stonewall Jackson 0. Second quarter.
8:10 -- Tommy Keeler reports that Graham Sharples just missed a 48-yard field goal. Total yardage: Handley 100; James Wood 96.
8:14 -- Umm, Sam Shiley. He is good. 138 rushing yards, 4 TDs. Eagles 27, Mustangs 0.
8:20 -- Sam Shiley runs for a 42-yard touchdown run, his fifth score, with 3:11 to go of the first half. So far he has 180 rushing yards, 5 TDs, took care of the 50/50 drawing and rescued a cat from a nearby tree in between possessions. Crazy.
8:21 -- Sherando's Dalton Boyd with a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG touchdown reception from Corey Rice. 74 yards on the play, Sherando 14, Millbrook 10. 3rd quarter.
8:31 -- Two updates in one: Trae Tinsman scores on a one-yard run to pull the Colonels with 10-7 against the Handley Judges. Neil Bishop catches a 37-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Oates to give Millbrook a 17-14 lead over Sherando.
8:34 -- Page County 16, Stonewall Jackson 0.
8:39 -- Central Falcons down 13-6. Mike Yew's team is fighting. Fighting for their coach, who has the last name of Yew. Heck, I'm compelled to nickname them something with "Fightin'" and....maybe a last name of a coach? I just can't decide.
8:40 -- Millbrook 17, Sherando 14. End 3rd.
8:42 -- Tim Tassa says that Millbrook is just dominating total yardage and time of possession.
8:43 -- Schoolboard, don't bail on your pick yet. James Wood 10, Handley 10. 3:03 left of the third quarter. A 30-yard field goal by Andrew Lloyd ties it.
8:45 -- I agree wholeheartedly, Schoolboard. And in fact, the two things he mentioned can be linked most of the time. If you are dominating total yardage -- unless every score is 80 yards or more -- you have time of possession, too. But that doesn't mean you are finishing off drives, executing in the red zone, making intermediate field goals, etc. Good point.
8:52 -- Sherando knocking on the door. Eric, are you a Redskins fan?
8:53 -- I blame the Falcons' struggles on the lack of fight. If only they had a nickname with "Fightin'" in it.
8:55 -- Sherando 17, Millbrook 17.
8:56 -- Sherando's Lukas Stump connects on a 37-yard field goal to tie the game. 4:28 left of the game. Pioneers ball.
8:57 -- And Bernie makes his long-awaited debut from the Bayou.
8:59 -- Millbrook knocking on the door. Are the Warriors' playoff hopes going to be dashed? Just under two minutes remaining...
9:00 -- Handley's Jeremiah Wilson rushes for a 22-yard touchdown to put the Judges up 17-10 with 6:52 left of the game.
9:01 -- Bernie's witty one-liners. Check. Remembering simple passwords. Fail.
9:05 -- Millbrook takes the lead...
9:06 -- Clarke County now up 41-0.
9:07 -- Millbrook 24, Sherando 17. 35 seconds left. Let's see what Corey Rice has.
9:08 -- James Wood with six turnovers (see: comment section)...man. I'm not an astute football mind, but I'd say that's damaging to their hopes of winning.
9:12 -- Millbrook intercepts Corey Rice. Time for the Victory Formation.
9:14 -- Millbrook 24, Sherando 17. Millbrook improves to 6-4 overall; Sherando falls to 7-3. The Joe Gibbs comment is killer.
9:15 -- Page County 16, Stonewall Jackson 7.
9:16 -- I'll have Millbrook/Sherando and James Wood/Handley stats very soon.
9:21 -- Don't stop commenting, I'm just swamped here. I'll post stats from games and othe results as soon as I receive them.
9:26 -- Handley 17, James Wood 10. Geremi Long intercepts a pass at the three-yard line with four seconds left to seal the victory. Handley takes an 8-1 record overall and a perfect mark in the district into its season finale next weekend against Brentsville. James Wood ends its season at 8-2, 6-1. Handley has at least a share of the district title, and can sew it up with a win over the Tigers. Both teams will make the playoffs. Thanks to Tommy Keeler for the call. It sounds like absolute madness in the background. Also, kudos to Eric for the updates in the comments.
9:39 --STATS TIME!
• Handley at James Wood
-- Jeremiah Wilson: 23 carries, 118 yards, 2 TD
-- James Wood led in first downs, 18-9
-- Judges outrushed the Colonels, 185-40
-- James Wood outpassed Handley, 280-32
-- Trae Tinsman: 20-43, 280 yards
-- James Wood rushing attack: 25 carries, 40 yards
-- Total turnovers: 10 (James Wood 7, Handley 3)
9:50 -- Page County 16, Stonewall Jackson 7. Final. All four Daily staffers picked the Generals. Womp, womp.
10:54 -- OK, things are starting to settle down now while my four writers work hard on their game stories. Sooo, I think it's...
STATS TIME!
Sherando at Millbrook
-- First downs: Millbrook 17, Sherando 8
-- Sherando: 25 carries, 42 yards as a team
-- No fumbles lost; Only one turnover
-- Millbrook held the ball for 11 more minutes than Sherando
-- Corey Rice: 9-14, 150 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT in place of the injured Ross Metheny
-- Andrew Oates: 14-16, 158 yards, 1 TD
-- Sherando's Dalton Boyd had 3 catches for 84 yards
-- Millbrook's Neil Bishop had 2 catches for 74 yards
11:01 -- Central coach Mike Yew called in to report the Falcons fell, 47-20.
11:17 -- Clarke County's Sam Shiley finishes with 190 yards on 12 carries. And don't forget about the five touchdowns. In the first half. Solid.

List your picks in the comment section.

Methinks Marshall University will have a hefty lawsuit pinned against them in the near future. Here's a clip of Houston wide receiver Patrick Edwards running full speed through the end zone in an effort to catch an overthrown ball. Edwards runs out of the back of the end zone and collides with carts associated with the Herd's marching band.

Please watch. There's a slow-motion replay around the 1:15 mark.

Edwards, a freshman and the team's leading receiver, suffered a compound fracture and underwent surgery in Huntington, W.Va. He had a rod placed in his leg, although doctors expect him to make a full recovery and be ready for next season.

There will be a Q&A with a local coach in Friday's issue of the Daily. That coach will also be standing in for me and making my picks this week.

A hint: F_ _ _ T _ N Y _ _ S

Tonight's Games:
Brentsville (1-6, 1-4) at Sherando (5-2, 3-2)
Millbrook (4-4, 2-3) at Central (1-7, 0-5)
James Wood (7-1, 5-0) at Skyline (6-2, 3-2)
Clarke County (6-2, 2-0) at Manassas Park (2-5, 2-0)
Stonewall Jackson (3-4, 0-2) at Buffalo Gap (7-0, 2-0)

3:24 -- Running a little behind today after a late return from last night's WVU-Auburn game in Morgantown, W.Va. If you want to test your prognostication skills in the weekly "We're the Experts?" football picks, please see the other blog post titled "We're the Experts? -- Week 9 Picks" and post your picks in the comment section. Thanks!
5:40 -- A light night in terms of game coverage here at the Daily. Only the three full-time sports reporters will be out on assignment. Craig Juer gets Brentsville at Sherando; Tommy Keeler will head to Woodstock as the Fightin' Yews host Millbrook; and Tim Tassa draws our Game of the Week -- James Wood at Skyline. As always, yours truly is stuck on desk, putting together our six-page section, editing stories and updating this blog as often as possible. Commenting and updating with scores is encouraged and welcomed.
6:46 -- Nearing kickoff for the next-to-last regular season Friday night. Sigh. This season was went by too quickly, although missing two consecutive Friday nights for my wedding/honeymoon probably helped. And while this week could have a huge impact on district races and postseason aspirations, it's hard not to look ahead to Halloween a week from tonight. Handley at James Wood? Sherando at Millbrook? Skyline at Warren County? Stonewall at home...Clarke County at home? It seems the best will be saved for last this season. What a night we have in seven days, but for now, let's focus on the five area games (three of which we are covering) tonight.
6:59 -- One minute before kickoff of the Sherando-Brentsville game, and Craig Juer reports from Stephens City that U.Va.-bound quarterback Ross Metheny is in street clothes on the sidelines.
7:02 -- With Metheny out, Sherando will start 6-foot-1 junior Corey Rice at quarterback, but may also lean on dynamic freshman Jalen Brisco behind center. Brisco is the younger brother of Markeith, who played running back for the Warriors' 2007 state finals team last season. Markeith now plays at Norfolk State.
7:12 -- Well, that's a way to eliminate concerns over not having Metheny at QB. Sherando's Dalton Boyd takes the opening kickoff for a touchdown, giving the Warriors' a 7-0 advantage over the Brentsville Tigers.
7:16 -- Tim Tassa says Skyline is wearing their "Notre Dame greens" tonight. Tassa and I were the only ones to back the Hawks against Northwestern District leading James Wood tonight.
7:24 -- Craig Juer says Metheny's knee injury is preventing him from playing this week. Metheny sustained the injury in last week's 17-14 loss to James Wood. Metheny is not on crutches and does not have a visable limp. My opinion: Considering Brentsville is ... not very good, Metheny was just held out since it was assumed they wouldn't need him. That assumption is probably correct.
7:26 -- Boyd's kick return was 73 yards to start the game.
7:33 -- An 8-yard touchdown run by Roger Smith puts Sherando up comfortably, 14-0, with a few seconds remaining of the first quarter.
7:34 -- Another interesting development, this time in Woodstock. Calvin and Clayton Rodney, Millbrook's dynamic twin brother duo, is not playing tonight. Tommy Keeler's explanation: "Not sure why." Hopefully we'll find out soon.
7:41 -- Skyline needs to play mistake-free football in order to beat James Wood at home tonight. So what do the Hawks promptly do? Make a mistake, fumbling on the first possession and setting up a Trae Tinsman one-yard touchdown run. Colonels 7, Hawks 0, 6:07 left of the first quarter.
7:47 -- Millbrook 6, Central 0. A 27-yard strike from quarterback Andrew Oates to Bryan Tavers. 6:44 left of the first quarter.
7:51 -- Roger Smith scores again for Sherando, who now leads 21-0 with just under six minutes to go until halftime.
7:57 -- Skyline's Nathaniel White connects with Terrell Mathews on a 20-yard pass for a touchdown to pull the Hawks within 1-point, 7-6, in the second quarter. The Hawks missed the PAT.
8:04 -- Sherando 29, Brentsville 0. Almost halftime. Roger Smith scored his third touchdown of the half from three yards out. On the PAT, the snap was mishandled and Derrick Dehaney ran in the two-point conversion.
8:10 -- Trae Tinsman to Jordan Dallman for a 60-yard touchdown pass. James Wood 14, Skyline 6.
8:13 -- Halftime info from Stephens City: Roger Smith, 23 carries, 143 yards, three touchdowns.
8:15 -- Both Calvin and Clayton Rodney are in street clothes, but no word on the situation. Central now leads, 7-6, with 5:17 left of the second quarter.
8:16 -- Again reiterating an earlier point: Skyline has lost three fumbles in the first half versus James Wood. That's just not going to cut it if the Hawks want to be the kind of team that can win on any given night in the Northwestern District.
8:29 -- Trae Tinsman to Jordan Dallman ... again. This time for 30 yards to give the Colonels a 21-6 lead in the final minute before halftime. Is it too late to change my pick to James Wood?
8:32 -- Tim Tassa attributes much of James Wood's first-half success to blanket coverage of Skyline wide receiver Andrew Thorne, who has zero catches at halftime. Thorne leads the area in receiving yards (780) and touchdowns (12).
8:38 -- Central leads 7-6 at the half. Buffalo Gap is cruising against Stonewall Jackson, 22-0.
8:40 -- Roger Smith scores for the fourth time, again from three yards out. Sherando 36, Brentsville 0. 5:52 left of the 3rd.
8:51 -- After a Brentsville touchdown, Roger Smith scored for the fifth time on the night, a four-yard run with 1:40 left of the third quarter that put the homestanding Warriors up 43-7. Smith entered the game with an area-best 15 touchdowns. With Handley's Jeremiah Wilson and Warren County's Marty Haley facing off tomorrow at the Handley Bowl, Smith also takes the lead in rushing yards for one night.
8:56 -- Millbrook finally regains the lead with 7:27 left of the third quarter. Pioneers 13, Falcons 7. This is typically where the Fightin' Yews start to come unglued, but let's see how they respond. Last year Central nearly defeated Millbrook on its home field.
8:59 -- Where at the comments from the football fans tonight? Did leaving the blog in TK's hands for two weeks scare everyone off? Understandable, but I miss the back-and-forth between the readers. I know people are reading and refreshing to catch the latest updates, but commenting is encouraged. Just not from you, Bernie Bayou.
9:06 -- Oh, who am I kidding? I cannot deny Bernie Bayou.
9:07 -- And just as I feared, the Fightin' Yews begin to struggle. A 41-yard Oates-to-Neil Bishop touchdown connection puts the Pioneers up 20-7. And I weep.
9:12 -- Sherando wins 46-7, wrapping up scoring on a Lukas Stump field goal. James Wood stretches its lead to 27-6 on a Brock Lockhart touchdown run. Millbrook extends its lead to 28-7 with 2:46 left of the third quarter on a 32-yard touchdown run by Allen Silver. And I just had a chocolate milkshake from Arby's. Who's the real winner here? Me.

Try your hand at the "We're the Experts?" weekly football picks. Just list your selections in the comments section below.

HIGH SCHOOLS
Brentsville at Sherando
Millbrook at Central
James Wood at Skyline
Clarke County at Manassas Park
Stonewall Jackson at Buffalo Gap
Warren County at Handley

COLLEGES
N.C. Wesleyan at Shenandoah
James Madison at Villanova
Virginia Tech at Florida State
Virginia at Georgia Tech
Texas Tech at Kansas
Boston College at North Carolina
Oklahoma State at Texas
Michigan State at Michigan
Georgia at LSU
Penn State at Ohio State

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
Buccaneers at Cowboys
Chargers at Saints
Giants at Steelers
Colts at Titans

Tonight's Games
James Wood (6-1, 4-0) at Sherando (5-1, 3-0)
Skyline (5-2, 2-2) at Brentsville (1-5, 1-2)
Central (1-6, 0-4) at Warren County (2-5, 0-4)
Clarke County (5-2, 1-0) at Madison County
Manassas Park (1-5, 1-0) at Strasburg (1-6, 0-1)
Riverheads (4-2, 1-0) at Stonewall Jackson (3-3, 0-1)
Saturday's Game
Millbrook (4-3, 2-2) at Handley (5-1, 3-0)

SCOREBOARD:
James Wood 17
Sherando 14

Central 14
Warren County 30

Manassas Park 27
Strasburg 12

Riverheads 20
Stonewall Jackson 10

Skyline 26
Brentsville 7

Clarke County 32
Madison County 14

11:38 a.m. -- It's early, especially after last night's deadline frenzy involving the ALCS. The Rays' historic meltdown in the final seven outs cause a little havoc, forcing me to stay at the office until well after 1 a.m. But here I am, ready to go on Friday after a two-week hiatus. I hope Tommy Keeler served you well in my absence.
3:23 -- Less than four hours until kickoff. When I left the Daily two weeks ago for vacation, the Northwestern District was wide open. Sherando and Handley were preparing for the battle, and Skyline was still flirting with an undefeated season. The landscape has changed somewhat, especially with the Judges' impressive wins over the Warriors and Hawks, but there is still plenty of intrigue. Tonight is James Wood at Sherando, a game identified by the Daily sports staff in the preseason as a battle of the top two teams. In unpublished preseason rankings, the Daily sports staffers unanimously voted Sherando No. 1; James Wood was tied with Millbrook for No. 2. Handley, now the top dog, was a distance fourth. That's why we play the games, though.
6:06 -- Quite a busy night on desk. Here are the assignments: Craig Juer gets the marquee game, James Wood at Sherando, which is scheduled to start in just under an hour. Tommy Keeler will skirt down to Quicksburg to see if Stonewall Jackson can overcome the loss of Colton Koontz and pick up a crucial Shenandoah District win over Riverheads. Tim Tassa will make the short trip to Front Royal for the battle between Central and Warren County. And the lone part-timer, Jeremy Stafford, will catch the Mansassas Park at Strasburg contest. If any readers come across info from these contests or the games we are not covering (Skyline, Clarke County), then feel free to comment and pass that info along. That's what this blog is for.
6:25 -- Former Northern Virginia Daily sports writer Matthew Stanmyre has a piece on James Wood kicker Andrew Lloyd in today's Washington Post. Check it out here
6:50 -- Almost time for kickoff in Stephens City. Obviously, much of the area's focus tonight is on James Wood at Sherando. The Warriors have dominated this series this decade, but the last three matchups have been closely contested. Sherando won the regular-season matchup, 29-22, in 2006, then won last season, 28-13, in the regular season before holding off the Colonels in the playoffs, 21-14. James Wood controls its own destiny in terms of winning the Northwestern District, but loses that power with a loss tonight.
7:08 -- We are under way in Stephens City -- finally. Sherando gets the ball first.
7:17 -- Sherando, James Wood exchange punts. Dirtman, your predictions are in the comment section of the blog post title "Week 8 Picks -- We're the Experts?" That's where most are.
7:36 -- Still scoreless in Stephens City as other area action gets under way. A huge pass play for the Colonels puts them in the red zone. Sherando, to this point, has been plagued by penalties. Odd.
7:38 -- James Wood quarterback Trae Tinsman sneaks in from the 1-yard line on 2nd down for the touchdown. Colonels 7, Warriors 0. 8:53 left of the 2nd quarter.
7:44 -- A pair of updates: Riverheads 6, Stonewall Jackson 0, 4:49 left of the 1st; Strasburg 6, Manassas Park 0. The Rams take the lead on a 70-yard touchdown run by Bub McKelvey.
7:48 -- The Fightin' Yews! take a quick 14-0 lead. Matt Sherfey hit Hoyle Laughlin for the first touchdown, then after recovering the kickoff, Sherfey connected with Thomas Cooper for another score with 9:01 left of the opening quarter.
7:50 -- Sherando ties it up with James Wood, 7-7.
7:51 -- Riverheads 6, Stonewall Jackson 0. End 1st.
7:54 -- Sherando's score was a 16-yard touchdown pass by Ross Metheny. Still 7-7, but the Colonels are knocking on the door again.
7:57 -- A field goal by Andrew Lloyd puts the Colonels on top, 10-7.
7:59 -- Jeremy Stafford reports that Strasburg's Sheldon Stickley has been injured making a tackle. Will update when we have more information.
8:00 -- Skyline leads Brentsville, 13-0.
8:01 -- Dylan Dawson scores from three yards out as Stonewall Jackson takes a 7-6 lead with 8:02 left of the first half.
8:06 -- Manassas Park ties it up, 6-6, after the PAT fails.
8:07 -- A barn burner in Front Royal, as a Marty Haley touchdown for Warren County ties the score at 14-14. More Fightin' Yews! chants would help, I bet.
8:12 -- A mess of penalties for Sherando inside the 20-yard line just before the half resulted in no points for the homestanding Warriors. Penalties just devastated Sherando in the first half. James Wood 10, Sherando 7. The Colonels receive the ball after intermission.
8:15 -- Manassas Park scores on a 22-yard pass and adds the PAT to take a 13-6 lead over Mark Roller's squad.
8:27 -- A late field goal puts Stonewall Jackson up 10-6 at the half. The Generals' defense is all over Riverheads, allowing just four yards on the ground and 53 yards total. Dylan Dawson has 56 yards at halftime.
8:31 -- Warren County 14, Central 14. Two rushing touchdowns by Marty Haley helps the Wildcats tie up the game. Score is at halftime.
8:36 -- McKelvey with 93 yards rushing -- no passes -- at halftime as the Rams trail 13-6.
8:50 -- James Wood is simply dominating Sherando. Trae Tinsman hits Jordan Dallman down the middle for a touchdown and now leads 17-7 with 3:21 left of the third quarter.
8:57 -- Sherando strikes back, with Ross Metheny connecting with Derrick Dehaney for a touchdown.
8:58 -- Riverheads takes a 13-10 lead late in the third quarter.
9:06 -- Mike Yew's bunch falls behind on a 24-yard field goal by Jeff Moxie. Warren County 17, Central 14.
9:12 -- Riverheads doubles up Stonewall Jackson, 20-10, with 9:07 left in the game.
9:09 -- A bad snap on a punt by Sherando results in great field position for James Wood -- who still leads -- with time ticking away.
9:17 -- Sherando trails by 3 points with less than five minutes left and is driving to tie or take the lead.
9:25 -- James Wood comes up with a big interception in the red zone with Sherando trying to take the lead. Devon Stonier with the pick. He returned the interception inside the 5-yard line. 1:50 left of the game.
9:26 -- Thanks to dirtman for the Clarke County updates!
9:33 -- Manassas Park scores to make it 27-12 with 4:36 left.
9:35 -- Sherando stops James Wood on the 1-yard line on 4th down, then Ross Metheny hits Dalton Boyd to put the Warriors in position to tie or win -- again. Under 30 seconds to play...
9:35 -- Japeth Chunn with an 81-yard touchdown reception to put Warren County up 24-14. Central's Matt Sherfey has left the game with an injury.
9:36 -- Sherando's Lukas Stump misses a 35-yard field goal as time expires. James Wood 17, Sherando 14. Wow. Just...wow.
-- Now 30 unanswered points by Warren County as Marty Haley scores again on the ground. Wildcats 30, Falcons 14.
10:54 -- The final we have are now listed at the top of this blog. Notable stats so far: Sherando's Ross Metheny finished the losing effort with 403 yards on 28-of-45 passing. Derrick Dehaney caught half of those balls for 186 yards.

Just for giggles, let's see how the readers of the Northern Virginia Daily stack up against the sports staffers. Surely there's someone out there who has a bit more skill than us. We don't think too highly of ourselves. If you don't have an account, take a second to sign up and log in, then paste your picks below. There are no prizes.

Come back on Friday night and participate in the Daily's Live Blog.

HIGH SCHOOLS
Millbrook at Handley
James Wood at Sherando
Skyline at Brentsville
Central at Warren County
Clarke County at Madison County
Manassas Park at Strasburg
Riverheads at Stonewall Jackson

COLLEGES
Shenandoah at Greensboro
Virginia Tech at Boston College
North Carolina at Virginia
Wake Forest at Maryland
Vanderbilt at Georgia
Ohio State at Michigan State
Kansas at Oklahoma
Missouri at Texas
LSU at South Carolina

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
Chargers at Bills
Saints at Panthers
Ravens at Dolphins
Browns at Redskins