Football: Tuscarora Suffers First Home Loss Ever

By Owen Gotimer
Heritage High School student journalist

Leesburg (Nov. 1, 2010) - James Wood High School’s Cory Schrock ran for three touchdowns and Matt Copley threw for two as the Colonels dominated the scoreboard against Tuscarora Friday night, 42-7, to send the Huskies to their first ever home defeat.

Tuscarora looked good early on as junior quarterback Tyler Dietrich hit Chris Holoman for a 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter to knot up the game at 7-7. The Huskies’ biggest problem was that they allowed James Wood to score on three of their first four possessions and went into the half down 28-7.

The second half didn’t bring a better story for the Huskies as James Wood continued to be uncontrollable on the ground. While the Colonels averaged just over eight yards a carry, the Huskies saw the complete opposite end of the spectrum, averaging a mere three yards a carry. After allowing 285 yards rushing, Tuscarora finally fell to James Wood, 42-7.

The Colonel’s defense proved to be too overpowering for the Husky offense as Tuscarora was dropped at or behind the line of scrimmage 16 times.

Still, the explosive defensive line and linebackers for James Wood weren't the only factors in Tuscarora’s downfall; it was the hands of their receivers as well. The trio of Tuscarora quarterbacks, Dietrich, junior Edwin Mends, and freshman Chad Carrera, were 17 of 36 throwing for 184 yards but those numbers could have easily been closer to 27 of 36 for 270 yards if all the catchable balls had been hauled in. With those redefined numbers the Huskies probably would’ve had a shot at being in the football game.

Even with this loss, the Tuscarora football team has nothing to be ashamed of, finishing their regular season home schedule 4-1. With a win against Woodgrove High School next Friday night at WHS -- a team Tuscarora beat to start the season -- the Huskies would improve to 5-5 overall in their inaugural season.

Top Players:
JWHS, Cory Schrock – 96 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs
JWHS, Matt Copley – 126 passing yards, 2 passing TDs
THS, Tyler Dietrich – 98 passing yards, 1 passing TD
THS, Chad Carrera – 4 of 8 passing for 73 yards
JWHS, Noah Cundall – 2 sacks for losses of over 10 yards

Team Stats:
Tuscarora
Passing – 17 of 36 for 184 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing – 25 carries for 75 yards

James Wood
Passing – 5 of 8 for 126 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing – 33 carries for 285 yards, 4 TDs