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By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

BERRYVILLE--From Zach Shiley to Grant Shaw to Sam Shiley and now back to Zach — it hasn't mattered who has been the quarterback for Clarke County this season.

The Eagles have played musical chairs at signal caller, even changing schemes and formations to adapt, but the offense has kept rolling.

Tonight, Clarke County hosts Appomattox in the Region B, Division 2 semifinals with all the benefits of a completely healthy offense, plus one extra blessing that was disguised amongst the injuries — the ability to use any number of different formations during the game.

The season started with Zach Shiley winning the quarterback spot, but he suffered a broken right fibula against Luray in the third game of the season.

Clarke County coach Chris Parker moved Shaw from wide receiver to quarterback for the next game, a loss to Eastern View. Parker then decided to move Zach's twin brother, Sam, from running back to quarterback, and changed the Eagles' offense from the spread to the single wing.

"We had actually talked about running [the single wing] in the preseason," Parker said. "A couple of our coaches knew something about it from other teams in the area running it. The key to running it is that you have to have guys that can run it, and we have guys that can run it."

The Eagles (8-2) won three straight with Sam as the signal caller in the single wing. Not only did he have to learn a new formation, but Sam had never thrown a pass in a game before.

"I was kind of thrown into the fire. The Riverheads game was my first one ever at quarterback," Sam said. "The single wing wasn't too hard to learn. It's mostly just run to the left, run to the right, run up the middle. You try to hit the holes hard."

After missing four games, Zach returned and guided the Eagles to three more wins to end the regular season. With Zach healthy, Sam at running back and Shaw out wide, Clarke County has been able to use both formations during its games to keep teams off balance.

Zach said it took a little time to get used to the single wing, but he feels comfortable with it now.

"I tried to learn as much as I could when I was injured," he said. "It feels awesome being back. I think with me being back it just adds another dimension to the offense."

The Shileys have combined to throw for 704 yards and six touchdowns. Sam has also rushed for 1,130 yards and 14 TDs on his own.

The Eagles may need all of their weapons on offense going against Appomattox, as the Raiders have a high-powered offense (33.8 points per game) of their own.

Appomattox (8-2) is led by junior quarterback Kenny Scott. He leads the team in rushing with 1,256 yards and has 18 rushing TDs. Scott has also thrown for 553 yards and three touchdowns.

"They have a lot of speed," Parker said. "We have to be able to contain their speed. [Scott] is one the fastest athletes we've seen this year."

Sophomore running back Joe Reed also has 1,057 yards rushing and eight touchdowns for the Raiders. Appomattox has suffered two losses this season, but they came to Group A powers William Campbell and Gretna.

For the Eagles, it will be their first home regional playoff game since 1991. Clarke County lost last year to Goochland in the regional semifinals.

"I'm really looking forward to this game. It's exciting knowing we will be at home," Sam said. "This team has shown so much heart and character this season. I have all the confidence in the world in everyone on this team."

Bolin's 'JamesWood Olympics' helps players relax on bye week

WINCHESTER — Coming off a loss to Handley, and with an extra week to get ready for the playoffs, James Wood coach Mike Bolin decided to keep his team loose in an unorthodox manner.

Instead of monitoring three days of practice in which his players took out their frustrations on each other, Bolin introduced the James Wood Olympic Games. Bolin had the players divide into 10 teams and held different events over three days. Some of the events included 70-yard suicides, 150-yard bear crawls and a game called speed ball, which is similar to ultimate Frisbee but with a football.

"I just wanted to do something to get their minds off things," Bolin said. "I think we all had fun."

"It ended up being our conditioning," said senior Danny Cooper, who was captain of the second-place team. "He tricked us, but it made doing conditioning more fun. Some the events were really hard."

Bolin's squad resumed its normal practice schedule this week in preparation for the dynamic offense of Potomac Falls (9-1) tonight.

The Panthers are led by senior quarterback Greg Woodlief, who has thrown for 1,481 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has also carried the ball for 519 yards. His primary targets are receivers Chad McMichael (32 receptions for 646 yards and 7 TDs) and Tarrell Owens (23 receptions for 478 yards and 4 TDs), and tight end Christopher Pelto (14 receptions for 179 yards and 2 TDs). The Panthers also have a strong running game led by tailback Michael Baker (157 carries for 1,343 yards and 15 TDs).

It is the first-ever playoff appearance for Potomac Falls. Panthers coach Scott Woodlief, Greg's father, has been at the school for three years and said it's taken time for everyone to come together.

"We have 21 seniors. I've been coaching most of these players since they were 10th-graders. I think they know the system better now," Scott Woodlief said. "I think Greg is meshing well with the receivers, now that we've been here three years."

Potomac Falls is averaging 40.5 points per game this season, but James Wood is no stranger to powerful offenses. The Colonels have faced some of the top offenses in the area this season and held them in check, including holding Sherando to just 14 points and Skyline to 6.

"We have to be able to take away either their running game or their passing game. If we let them run and pass, we're going to be in for a long night," Bolin said. "I feel like we've done a good job on defense all year. We haven't really given up a lot of points to anybody all season."

It's the second consecutive year the Colonels have made the playoffs, after losing to Sherando in last year's regional semifinals. James Wood is excited to be back this year, but the team has bigger goals.

"After last year we know what to expect now," Cooper said. "It was a good experience last year. It feels great to be in the playoffs again, but now we want to win one."

R Millbrook ready for redemption

WINCHESTER — After a slow start this season, the Pioneers weren't sure if the playoffs were within their grasp. But as the season unfolded, the team was able to qualify and get a chance to avenge an earlier loss to Handley when the two teams meet on Saturday.

"With our game against Handley there's only two words that need to be said — second chance," Millbrook quarterback Andrew Oates said. "We've been working really hard and we feel like we deserve this second chance. If we play as hard as we did last time, I think the scoreboard we'll say something different this time."

The Pioneers (6-4) lost to the Judges, 28-26, on Oct. 18. Millbrook had more yards in the game, including 227 on the ground, than the Judges (9-1). Millbrook turned the ball over twice, had trouble finishing drives and drew 12 costly penalties.

Millbrook came back strong after the loss, picking up two crucial wins over Central and Sherando to make it into the playoffs. One key to the Pioneers' turnaround this season has been the offensive and defensive lines.

"Anyone who knows anything about football knows games are won and lost up front on the offensive and defensive lines," Millbrook coach Reed Prosser said. "I think we're playing much better on the lines right now. At the beginning of the season we had an inexperienced offensive line. They've worked hard and now we're seeing the fruits of their labor."

With the importance of the last two games, the Pioneers feel like the playoffs have been going for several weeks.

"Coach Prosser has been telling us that once we get into the playoffs people will be worried to play us because we have nothing to lose," Oates said. "We played the last two games just like they were playoff games. Hopefully we'll get four more wins."

*Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com

Regional semifinals

No. 3 Appomattox (8-2)at No. 2 Clarke County (8-2)

When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Who to watch: Appomattox, Junior QB Kenny Scott (30-for-74 passing for 553 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs; 149 carries for 1,256 yards, 18 TDs); Soph. RB Joe Reed (119 carries for 1,057 yards, 8 TDs). Clarke County, Junior QB Zach Shiley (23-for-47 passing for 277 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs); Junior RB/DB Sam Shiley (23-for-35 passing for 427 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs; 195 carries for 1,130 yards, 14 TDs; 21 tackles, 6 INTs).

No. 3 James Wood (8-2) at No. 2 Potomac Falls (9-1)

When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.

Who to watch: James Wood, Junior QB Trae Tinsman (62-for-137 passing for 1,140 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs); Senior RB/DB Jordan Dallmann (72 carries for 330 yards, 1 TD; 17 receptions for 417 yards, 6 TDs; 41 tackles, 3 INTs). Potomac Falls, Senior RB Michael Baker (157 carries for 1,343 yards, 15 TDs; 8 receptions for 143 yards, 2 TDs); Senior QB Greg Woodlief (78-for-152 passing for 1,481 yards, 16 TDs, 11 INTs; 97 carries for 519 yards, 3 TDs).

No. 4 Millbrook (6-4) at No. 1 Handley (9-1)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Who to watch: Millbrook, Senior QB Andrew Oates (102-for-184 passing for 1,585 yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs); Senior RB/LB Calvin Rodney (170 carries for 787 yards, 10 TDs; 69 tackles); Senior TE/LB Clayton Rodney (25 receptions for 316 yards, 3 TDs; 90 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs). Handley, Junior RB/DB Jeremiah Wilson (164 carries for 1,265 yards, 18 TDs; 40 tackles, 3 INTs); Junior RB/LB Leonard Grant (73 carries for 506 yards, 6 TDs; 101 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT).