By Tim Tassa -- Daily Staff Writer

WOODSTOCK — There's nothing fancy about James Wood's punt return team.

Actually, there is seldom a return.

Forget innovative blocking schemes or sideline walls for skill players. The Colonels go after the punt and seek the big play at the line. On Friday, in their 34-6 victory over Central, they blocked two — one of which went for a touchdown — proving their way is just as effective as the flashier alternative.

"We try to block every punt; we bring pressure every time," said head coach Mike Bolin, who is 4-1 in his first year as head coach. "We tell our kids to fair catch it and we'll take it from there. We've been burned too many times on bad snaps — the ball rolling around back there and nobody back there to pick it up."

The Colonels' special teams, which feature one of the top kickers in the state, has been stellar this season, and Central — particularly its punt team — fell victim. James Wood had blocked three kicks in its previous two games, managing its first against the Falcons with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter.

With a 10-0 lead, Devin Stonier broke through the line of scrimmage and sent punter J.J. Armentrout's kick backwards. The ball was scooped up by his brother, Doug Stonier, during the ensuing scramble and returned 3 yards for a touchdown.

"Unlike some teams who just want to cover the punt and get a better return, we just feel like if we get pressure on them we're going to cause something to happen," said Devin, who was happy to share a touchdown celebration with his brother. "That's exactly what we aim for: either blocked punts or fumbled snaps."

Before the Colonels' persevered through intermittent heavy rain to achieve a 27-0 lead at halftime, the game plan was to improve an area that hasn't been as successful as their punt block — the passing attack.

After completing 0-of-6 attempts in last week's win against Millbrook, quarterback Trae Tinsman delivered a 66-yard strike on James Wood's third offensive play of the game.

Looking down the right sideline, Tinsman threw a fade to Jordan Dallmann, a 6-foot-3-inch wide receiver, who snagged the ball from over top of a defender and raced in for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

"We saw that when we first came out on the first play — we saw the mismatch. I threw it up there and Jordan made a great catch. I give him credit for that," said Tinsman, who completed 7-of-11 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

"I just ran up there, and when Trae threw the ball I just jumped up and grabbed it," said Dallmann, who finished with two receptions for 66 yards and added 34 yards on the ground.

Prepping for rain, Tinsman said the team dunked footballs in a bucket of water this week in practice, knowing they would come out and throw. And for the Colonels' second offensive touchdown and a 24-0 lead, Tinsman found Taylor Wingfield for a 20-yard touchdown score on a ball that was tipped in the end zone.

"Their first score really set the tone for them," said Central head coach Mike Yew, whose team fell to 1-4. "Hats off to them, they've got a good ballclub, they're going to make some noise in the Northwestern [District]. We just have to keep fighting and get ready for Sherando next week.

*Contact Tim Tassa at ttassa@nvdaily.com