Woodgrove’s Josh Sweet carries the load at running back; Westfield improves to 4-0

For the second time in three weeks, Woodgrove handed the ball to junior running back Josh Sweet 32 times on Friday night; and for the second time in three weeks, Sweet rewarded his coaches with a monster game.

The 5-11, 214-pound, first-year starter rushed for 253 yards and all three of his team’s first-half touchdowns in a 40-0 blowout at Dominion. The 40-point output was Woodgrove’s lowest of the season, as the Wolverines have outscored their five opponents 258-28.

Sweet has been the catalyst, particularly in the first half where he has scored 12 of his area-best 15 rushing touchdowns. Through five games, he is second in the area with 912 rushing yards, 13 behind Robinson junior Joe Wilson.

“He’s just one of those guys. He’s a really powerful runner, he’s got really good vision — but he does it all,” first-year Woodgrove Coach Mike Skinner said. “I’ve been around some pretty good backs, and he’s as good if not better than all of them. He’s pretty special.”

While Sweet is earning weekly accolades, his success begins up front with an tight-knit offensive line featuring Timothy Siler at left tackle, Dan Charmo at left guard, Chase Smith at center, Dylan O’Connor at right guard and Stephen Root at right tackle. Thanks to its deepest roster to date, Skinner has the luxury of only playing them one way, which enables them to stay fresh while opposing defenses wear down.

As for Sweet, who is on pace for 218 carries this season and is just two behind Wilson (111) for the most in the area, Skinner would prefer an average workload of 20-22 carries — even if that means limiting his touches in big regular season contests. The Wolverines face their toughest tests of the season to date over the next two weeks when they host perennial playoff contender Loudoun County (3-1) and visit two-time defending state champion Briar Woods (5-0).

“The goal for us is to make sure he’s there for us at the end of the season,” said Skinner, who led Centreville to a state championship in 2000. “It’s something that I monitor, and at Centreville, I did limit their carries.

“It’s not worth ruining the whole season for two games.” . . .

Heritage shook off consecutive deflating overtime defeats with a resounding 29-0 victory against winless Park View. Two weeks ago, the Pride led Dominion 28-14 in the fourth quarter but lost 34-28 in overtime. Last week, they led in regulation before falling at Potomac Falls in triple-overtime, 23-20.

This time, the Pride’s prevented any late drama while the offense awoke after a scoreless first half to give Heritage its second win of the season and first in the Dulles District. Sophomore quarterback Michael Galvan hooked up with Justin Bethea for a 77-yard touchdown pass and Nick Wright’s interception return for a touchdown put the game out of reach. . . .

Briar Woods won its area-best 19th straight game on Friday with a 49-3 victory against Potomac Falls, but while the Falcons’ balanced offense keeps chugging along, the defense continues to be the team’s foundation for success.