Prep football notebook: Stonewall's Koontz hit with injury in practice

By Tommy Keeler Jr. and Jeremy Stafford -- sports@nvdaily.com

Stonewall Jackson running back Colton Koontz breaks away for a touchdown during the first half against Strasburg on Sept. 26. Dennis Grundman/Daily file

Every team scours the roster for its own Colton Koontz, that workhorse who seems to play bigger than his frame first implies.

As a tailback at Stonewall Jackson last season, Koontz squeezed 546 yards and seven touchdowns out of 59 rushes and a 5-foot-5, 155-pound frame. Koontz's junior campaign ended, though, when he broke his ankle five games into the season.

Now a senior, Koontz once again broke his ankle when he was tackled on the first play from the line of scrimmage in the Generals' first practice with full pads.

For once, it seems that Koontz's focus and drive, his unyielding effort, has become his Achilles' heel.

"A freak accident," explained Stonewall coach Dick Krol. "It wasn't a devastating tackle, that's for sure. But you know, he's one of those kids who keeps moving, and sometimes when you try to get the extra yardage, you get into trouble, and I think that's what happened.

"That's part of the game."

Koontz is just one cog in what should be a strong and experienced Stonewall backfield with seniors Dylan Dawson and Jordan Laughlin both returning.

Dawson rushed 141 times for 732 yards and seven touchdowns, while Laughlin stretched his 49 rushes into 203 yards and two touchdowns.

Krol said that he might even move senior tight end Ethan Hirsh to fullback, his former position, in the wake of Koontz's injury.

Koontz should be healthy enough to return to the gridiron in six to seven weeks, placing his comeback sometime around midseason.

NEW FACES: Millbrook lost several key players to graduation, including quarterback Andrew Oates, running back/linebacker Calvin Rodney and tight end/linebacker Clayton Rodney. The Pioneers had 67 players come out for the team this year, and Millbrook coach Reed Prosser said he's pleased with how many of the younger players have progressed so far.

"We have a whole lot of talented players," Prosser said. "We just have so many young players that don't have a lot of varsity experience on Friday nights."

One of the key players stepping into a starting role for the Pioneers is quarterback Curtis Daily. The junior was Oates' back-up last season, but didn't throw a pass.

"Curtis Daily has done an excellent job for us," Prosser said. "He's put in a lot of hard work in the spring and the offseason and it shows."

COLONELS RELOADING: James Wood lost quite a few solid players on defense, including Kelsey Shannon, Jared Broughear and Jordan Dallmann. James Wood coach Mike Bolin said that, despite the losses, he expects the defense to be strong again this season.

Bolin said junior linebacker Joel McGreevy and junior defensive back Tripp Lewis have been impressive so far. Junior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Justin LaMaster may also make a big impact this season for the Colonels.

"We lost six starters on defense," Bolin said. "We lost some really good players, but I think we have some good players stepping in behind them."

The Colonels don't have as many worries on the offensive side of the ball, where they return six starters. Senior quarterback Trae Tinsman is back, along with senior running back Brock Lockhart.

James Wood lost kicker/punter Andrew Lloyd, who will greyshirt at Virginia Tech, to graduation, but another Lloyd may take his place. His younger brother, Zach Lloyd, is competing for the kicking and punting duties and will also see playing time at wide receiver.

Senior wide receiver Harlan Robinson and senior running back Brandon Shiley (210 yards rushing last year) are also expected to be key contributors on offense this season.