Playoff football: Bayside-Woodside preview

Woodside hosted its first ever playoff football game last week when the Wolverines crushed Maury 56-15.

Wolverines coach Danny Dodson was thrilled with the school’s first postseason victory this decade but didn’t get too excited.

“We want to do a little more than just make the playoffs,” Dodson said. “And the kids have played incredibly each week.”

The same also could be said about Bayside. The Marlins hadn’t won a playoff game since 2000 before they beat Landstown 21-2 last week.

Bayside coach Darnell Moore is trying to lead the Marlins to their first Eastern Region title since 1992. Bayside and Woodside meet in the Eastern Region Division 6 semifinals at 7:30 p.m. today at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.

“They have good size, they run the ball well and can throw the ball,” Moore said. “We have to put our guys in position to make plays.”

Quarterback Aaron Evans, the Peninsula District Offensive Player of the Year, leads Woodside. Evans has 1,283 passing yards and 1,088 rushing yards, making him the second player in district history to both pass and rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

The Wolverines also have other weapons in running back Marquis Frazier, and receivers Kedric Solomon and Brandon Burton. Last week, the trio totaled six touchdowns.

“We run a traditional wing-T, but we also run a spread,” said Dodson, who was an assistant under former Western Branch coach Lew Johnston. “For years, I worked with him on it, and he’s given me some pointers.”

But Dodson knows Bayside is going to be tough challenger.

“They have a really good linebacker in (Henry) Coley, but he’s not the only one,” Dodson said. “Offensively, they can run the ball and throw it well. And up front, they seem very physical. So it’s one of the best teams that we’ve played in awhile.”

Dodson said the key to the game is minimizing Bayside’s big-play capability. This season the Marlins have had six plays of 60 yards or more.

“I think if we can do that and keep possession of the ball,” he said, “then I think we’ll have a good chance.”

Bayside vs. Woodside, 7:30 p.m. at VB Sportsplex

Bayside Marlins

Record 10-1

Playoff history Bayside won the Eastern Region title in 1992. Since then the Marlins have gone 3-3 in postseason, including last week’s win over Landstown.

Key players RB Lamar Jordan leads the Marlins with 1,190 yards and 13 TDs. QB Deion Stitt has thrown for 1,670 yards and 17 TDs. LB Henry Coley (91 tackles) was the Beach District Defensive Player of the Year.

Did you know? Bayside coach Darnell Moore won two Group AAA Division 5 state titles with Wilson in 1989 and 1991.

Woodside Wolverines

Record 10-1

Playoff history Woodside has never won an Eastern Region title. Before last week’s win over Maury, the Wolverines were 0-3 in the playoffs this decade. They lost to Phoebus in 2004 and the last two seasons to Oscar Smith.

Key players QB Aaron Evans, the Peninsula District Offensive Player of the Year, has 1,283 passing yards and 1,088 rushing. He’s just the second Peninsula District player in history to pass and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.

Did you know? Woodside coach Danny Dodson, a former Western Branch assistant coach in 1998, borrowed former Bruins coach Lew Johnston’s spread wing-T offense.

Jami Frankenberry says Woodside, 20-14.

Larry Rubama Bayside, 28-26.

Chic Riebel Woodside, 14-8.