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Preview: Winton Woods at Northwest

Winton Woods RB Miyan Williams (photo by Mitchell Cooke/TriStateFootball.com)

For Northwest Friday’s U.S. Marines Battle of the Gridiron Series battle against Winton Woods is this game is the biggest of the year. The Knights faithful have had this game circled on their schedules the day they came out. The Warriors were Division II state runner-up a year ago, getting everyone’s best shot has become a weekly occurrence.

WINTON WOODS WARRIORS (3-1) at NORTHWEST KNIGHTS (1-3)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m at Knights Stadium
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: A trio of juniors highlight the skills positions for the Winton Woods. The workhorse of the squad is RB Miyan Williams. He is on pace for his second straight 1,000-yard season with 567 yards (9.0/carry) and eight touchdowns rushing. In his first year as starter, QB Isaiah Andrews has been solid and should see things getting easier as the season progresses. His favorite target has been the explosive WR Demeer Blankumsee who is averaging 24.6 on eight receptions of which three have gone for scores. Jack-of-all-trades senior WR Raequan Prince has 390 all-purpose yards on 29 touches with touchdowns receiving, rushing and on a kickoff return. The defense is also led by seniors DE Anthony Booker, DB Kymetrius Gates and LB Melvin Pleasant. Booker has one-and-a half sacks. Pleasant has two sacks and three fumble recoveries. The Warriors have a real weapon in K Yeri Velasquez. He has three field goals and 27 points.

Injuries have slowed Northwest. Several Knights including seniors QB Dae’Mon Cherry, ATH Isaiah Loveless and freshman RB Cameron Goode have yet to click, all together. When that happens things will turnaround on that side of the ball. The unheralded Cherry is the leader of this club. Sophomore LB Diego Neri is on his way to being special. By this time next year, Neri will be entertaining major college offers.

TEAM TRENDS: After scoring just three points in its opener versus La Salle, Winton Woods has put up 42, 52 and 59 points in the last three weeks. The scheduled gets extremely difficult for the Warriors after Friday night. The final five teams on Winton Woods’ slate are currently accommodating a combined 18-3.

Points have been hard to come by for Northwest who is averaging just 11.25 points per contest. Much of that has to do with the level of competition. The Knights have lost to three teams that are a combined 11-1 to date.

WINTON WOODS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: This is a game that should be won in the trenches. The Warriors speed and size should be the difference in this affair. How soon Williams gets rolling will let everyone know just how serious Winton Woods is taking this challenge from the Knights.

NORTHWEST’S KEYS TO VICTORY: This will be a good barometer to see how good the Knights are athletically. The skills positions must make things happen. That goes for all of those players not just a couple of them. The offense needs to gel and sustain some long drives. It will be a huge plus if the Northwest special teams can limit opportunities for Prince and Velasquez.

Prediction: WINTON WOODS 42, NORTHWEST 13

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