JV Football Takes Down Broadway 26-7

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By David Wagner

The Western Albemarle JV football team opened the 2015 season with a solid 26-7 win over Broadway High School at Warrior Field August 26. The defense led the way for the Warriors, allowing only 65 yards of total offense and one touchdown. On offensive, freshman quarterback Jack Weyher, freshman running back Jack Lesemann and sophomore running back Matthew Simmons provided most of the production, as the Warriors took control of the game from the opening possession and never looked back.

The Warriors received the opening kickoff and went on a nine-play, 56-yard touchdown drive. Lesemann started it with a 21-yard power run to the Broadway 35-yard-line. Four plays later, Weyher scampered 11 yards for the first down on third and nine and soon after, on fourth and 6, he capped the drive off with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Leseman. Freshman placekicker Harley Davies added the extra point kick to give Western a 7-0 lead.

The Warriors’ defense met Broadway’s opening possession like a stonewall, forcing a three-and-out. Western started its next drive at the Broadway 44 yard line and five plays later they were in the end zone for their second touchdown of the game. Simmons ran 27 yards to the 11 yard line and soon scored on a 4-yard run. Davies added his second extra-point kick and Western led 14-0.

On Broadway’s next possession, the Warriors took advantage of a turnover. Sophomore linebacker Sebastian Crescimanno scooped up a fumble and rumbled 20 yards to the Broadway 13 yard line. On the next play, Weyher out-ran the Gobbler defense around the left end for a 13-yard score. Western was up 20-0.

The Warriors forced another three-and-out and then the two teams traded turnovers before Broadway got their first real break of the game. Western decided to go for it on fourth and 2 at their own 40-yard line, but the Broadway defense held and won great field position. Broadway running back Justin Collier promptly raced 40 yards to put Broadway on the scoreboard. Seizing some momentum, Broadway forced another turnover on Western’s next possession and took over at the Warrior 37 yard line with 5:01 to play in the first half. Once again, the Western defense forced a three and out. After two incomplete passes and a sack, the Gobblers faced fourth and 17 at the Warriors’ 44 yard line. Broadway tried to fool the Warriors with a fake punt but failed and turned the ball over on downs. Weyher threw an interception two plays later, but the Warrior defense remained tough and forced their fourth three-and-out of the half.

Weyher got back on track. On first down he carried the ball for 16 yards into Broadway territory. Then he found Lesemann for a 10-yard completion and on the next play Simmons ran 27 yards for his second touchdown, giving the Warriors a 26-7 lead at the half.

The second half was marred by penalties and proved to be much less exciting than the first half. The Warrior defense forced punts on all four Broadway possessions, allowing zero total yards of offense in the half. Clay Landis, Trev Awkard, Lesemann, Crescimanno, Connor O’Dea, Harland Shifflett and Jacob Jordan all had a sack or a tackle for loss. The Western defensive front spent much of the evening in the Broadway backfield and never let the Gobblers get anything going.

Outside of the 40-yard TD run, the Warrior defense gave up only 25 yards of total offense. That’s virtually unheard of, even at the JV level. If the defense continues to be stingy and the talent at the skill positions on offense improves as it should, this could be a special JV squad.

The team will play at home versus Monticello Tuesday, September 22, at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m. versus Powhatan.

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