Wootton Travels to Blake Looking to Extend Win Streak

Sitting above .500 for the first time this season, the Patriots football team has the opportunity to accomplish another feat for the first time since 2008 when they travel to Blake High School to face the Bengals this evening.

Not since that season, which featured Wootton’s last playoff birth and only one since 1991, have the Patriots managed to win three consecutive football games. While head coach Eddie Tolliver likes to focus on one game at a time, he recognizes the importance of such a streak.

“I really don’t look ahead towards the playoffs but it would be a good win for the kids,” the second-year head coach said. “Having three wins in a row and a 4-2 record six games in would really give us some momentum going into next week.”

But in order to get there, Wootton will have to beat a 3-2 Blake team that is desperate for its first win in the Montgomery 4A East division.

Tolliver again downplayed the situation of the game, insisting his players focus on their own game instead.

“You can’t get caught up in the hype of the situation, divisional games and all that,” he said. “To me, all that is a distraction. We want the kids to really focus on what we do and work it to perfection.”

And while the current two-game winning streak is nice, the Patriots have been far from perfect. In last week’s win over Walter Johnson, the high-powered offense could only muster seven points. Luckily, Tolliver said, the defense buckled down and held WJ to three.

During this week’s practices, Tolliver said he worked with his group to get back to basics, citing too many false start penalties, trouble with timing routes, and protecting quarterback Chris Papadopolous. 

In addition, the Patriots’ coach worked with his defense to prepare for Blake’s triple option look, he said. After giving up 98 points over the first three games, the defense has progressed to where they finally trust each other, Tolliver said, adding that they’ll get a boost from the return of junior linebacker Ralph Bernardo.

“I think over the last two weeks, the defense has really gelled,” Tolliver said. “We’re really starting to settle in and understand where we need to be.”

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Who: Wootton (3-2 overall, 2-1 division) at Blake (3-2, 0-2)

What: Varsity Football

When: Tonight at 6:30

Where: Bengal Field, 300 Norwood Road, Silver Spring MD 20905