Woodstock
Friday night’s 42-14 thumping of Vermont Division III nemesis BFA-Fairfax was all but over in a flash, as Woodstock needed only three plays for its first touchdown and led, 29-0, by the end of the first quarter.
The Wasps improved to a perfect 7-0 and are outscoing opponents by an average score of 48-11.
Bill Wood, who doubles as a track and field standout at Woodstock, showcased his shiftiness with 118 yards and three touchdowns on just five carries, including scoring runs of 10, 46 and 34 yards — all in the first quarter.
“He’s fast,” said Woodstock coach Ramsey Worrell, not hiding an I-know-that’s-obvious grin. “We have different guys who step up every night and tonight was his night.”
Fullback Ezra Astbury finished with 84 yards and two scores and quarterback Luc Issa connected on his first three passes for 76 yards, the last an 8-yard scoring throw to Daniel Robinson.
Issa looked sharp in connecting twice over the middle to junior tight end Caleb Webb, once for 40 yards to set up Wood’s first touchdown and the other for 28 to get out of a second-down-and-long following a false start penalty.
It’s a facet of the offense Woodstock thought it would utilize more, but hasn’t needed to thanks to the production of Astbury, Wood and Robinson, who’ve combined for more than 2,000 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground.
“We had thought we would need (the passing game) much earlier in the season, and Luc worked very hard to improve his passing and reading of defenses,” Worrell said. “We also know it still may have to be a big part of the offense going forward.”
Woodstock’s defense was impenetrable in the teams’ first meeting since the Bullets’ win in the 2014 quarterfinals. BFA-Fairfax (3-3; 3-2 D-III) mustered just 37 yards and two first downs in the first half as quarterback Dylan Lumbra threw incomplete on his first seven passes — three broken up by Wood, including an interception — and running backs Nick Place and Andrew Gomo were smothered.
As dashing as Woodstock was offensively, the Wasps were just as quick to the ball on defense.
“Coming into the season, we knew we had a lot of speed that we would need to be able to take advantage of,” Worrell said. “And I’m not just talking about the backfield. It’s all 11 guys on the field that can run fast.”
Woodstock clicked defensively despite an array of adjustments because of injury. Outside linebackers Patrick Potter and Caden White were both hurt last week against Poultney-Mount St. Joseph, prompting shuffling that included sending defensive linemen Cole Wescott and Andrew Buch-Groff to linebacker.
“I thought it was a solid defensive performance, considering the injuries,” said Astbury, who shifted from his normal inside linebacker spot to the outside. “For Cole and Andrew to do what they did, moving back when they’re used to playing on the line, that was impressive.”
Woodstock and rival Windsor, who as per custom will square off in the regular season finale next week, have been on a collision course to be playing for first place and the top seed in the upcoming D-III playoffs.
The heavily anticipated matchup takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday in Woodstock, but both teams had penultimate games to focus on this weekend. Windsor hosts Missisquoi today.
“We couldn’t look past BFA tonight, and for a team with 25 players, I thought they were a good team,” Worrell said. “We’ve taken a lot of pride this year in taking it one week at a time and not overlooking anybody.”
Wood also acknowledged taking each opponent seriously, but admitted he was extra motivated Friday night knowing there were likely observers from Windsor in attendance.
“I really wanted to get those touchdowns and let them know what’s coming to them,” the gregarious Wood said. “They’re next.”
Extra Points: The Wasps were awarded a safety when the Bullets snapped the ball through the end zone on a would-be punt attempt in the first quarter. … Wood was 4-for-6 on PATs, one miss going wide and the other blocked by BFA-Fairfax’s Ben Bruso. … Bruso also accounted for nearly half of the Bullets’ total offense on an 89-yard touchdown run against Woodstock’s reserves with 1:26 remaining. QB Lumbra also scored on a rush during BFA’s previous drive. … Potter, who caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Issa earlier this season, is likely out for the year with his knee injury sustained last week, coaches said. They’re hopeful White may return against Windsor. … Former Windsor standout Cody TanCreti, who went on to play at Castleton University, is now a Woodstock Elementary School physical education teacher and Wasps assistant.