Northwest’s Callahan prepares for Einstein’s pressure

Churchill’s base set includes a fullback, tailback and two wing backs around quarterback Jonathan Lee, but Dove saw his most offensive action of the season against the Wildcats, running out of a power formation that Allen believes better plays to the team’s strengths.

Dove and Harris both line up deep in a fullhouse set that also features a fullback and just one wing back set wide. The Bulldogs can pound the line of scrimmage with either Dove or Harris or run the option to the outside.

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Preview: Hylton and Woodbridge face off in what should be a physical, low-scoring Cardinal district game.

“It’s a very versatile formation,” Allen said. “It allows us to either go into physical or finesse mode without changing the formation.”

Around Montgomery

Sherwood junior Elijah Spottswood did not have a good first half last week against Springbrook. He dropped an interception in the first quarter from his cornerback post, and then he fumbled a punt return. In the second quarter, he was burned for a 50-yard passing gain, which set up a Springbrook field goal.

But on the ensuing play, at the end of the second quarter, Spottswood found redemption. He returned the kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown to give Sherwood a 28-3 lead going into halftime, and then he took the opening kickoff of the second half 90 yards for a touchdown in the 47-3 win.

“It kind of brought life back to me. It’s crazy. You feel a lot better, from how I was playing,” said Spottswood, who also gets carries at tailback for Sherwood (5-2). “Special teams is a third of the game, so it has to be perfected.”

The two scores gave Spottswood three kickoff returns for touchdowns this season. He calls the special teams unit a “secret weapon” for the Warriors, although the secret might be now out following last week’s performance. Sherwood already boasts a strong kicking game behind senior Jake Ryder, who Sherwood coach Mike Bonavia says is the best kicker he’s ever coached. Ryder has scored 32 points for the Warriors this season and perhaps more importantly, has had just one kickoff returned in seven games.

And now Spottswood has emerged as a threat for Sherwood’s special teams. Despite making a handful of early mistakes last Friday, Bonavia counts Spottswood as his most dependable, if not dangerous player on all three units.

“He’s one of the guys that has really improved and stepped up,” said Bonavia, whose team meets Paint Branch (2-5) Friday. “Elijah has been such a multi-faceted playmaker for us... He’s just so dangerous.”

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