Unbeaten Woodbridge prepares to play Bruins
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By HUGH RIST
For the News & Messenger
Published: October 16, 2008
A Bruins defense that has yielded an average of 2.6 yards per carry and 116 yards per game to its opponents will face the area’s most prolific rusher in the Vikings’ De’Antwan Williams, who has gained 1,221 yards.
On the positive side for Forest Park, nearly all of its secondary will return from a team that lost a narrow 17-12 decision to Woodbridge last season.
The Bruins (1-0 in district play, 3-3 overall) have allowed an average of just 16.3 points per game this season, despite having one of its best defensive players, Tunde Bakare, out with an elbow injury for two games.
Bakare, also a weapon at running back for the Bruins, returned in a big way last Friday, catching four passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns in Forest Park’s victory over Freedom.
Woodbridge (1-0, 6-0) has shown more offensive balance this season with quarterback Frank Buckley throwing for 643 yards. The Vikings posted 50 points to open Cardinal District play last week.
So the question for area football fans is: Will the irresistible force be stopped by the stout Forest Park defense?
Bruins coach Charlie Chandler said the fact that Forest Park has faced a couple of talented running backs in Brooke Point’s Chase Barnett and Freedom’s Deon Jones could be a slight advantage.
“I think our kids will be up for this game. It’s Woodbridge and they’re facing the Rocket. I think Jones is a punishing back, similar to Williams,” Chandler said. “You combine the speed of Barnett and the toughness of Deon, and I think you have Rocket. He’s a hard guy to stop and he’s definitely the real deal. I think our guys will be ready. The main thing is we have mostly everyone healthy and when we do, our defense is very strong. They’ve done a good job when they’ve had to.”
Chandler said he was unsure whether Miguel Marshall, who suffered an ankle injury three weeks ago and has not played since, will be able to play tonight. Once again, health may take away one of the Bruins’ chief weapons.
“Someone else has to step up if Miguel can’t go,” Chandler said. “We have a lot of weapons on offense and defense and we want to set the tone early. We have to execute and avoid turnovers and drops (passes) if we are going to win.”
Meanwhile, Woodbridge coach Keith King said the Vikings are very aware that Forest Park’s record belies its talent.
“As coaches, we kind of think that the only reason Forest Park hasn’t been better than they are is because of injuries. Charlie has done a great job over there and we expect a real challenge,” King said.
With Woodbridge undefeated this season and having advanced to the state title game a year ago, the Vikings have had to become accustomed to having a “target on their backs,” King said.
“I think from the kids’ standpoint, they think it’s kind of neat that other teams are always out there gunning for us. Of course, us coaches would rather that we were the underdog. But we always expect a tough game from Forest Park and I wouldn’t expect anything different (tonight),” King said.
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