By David Wagner
After starting the season 2-and-1, then losing their first two district games by a total of eight points (24-21 versus Monticello and 12-7 versus Powhatan), the Warriors’ junior varsity football team finished the year in spectacular fashion, winning five in a row to qualify for the JV Championship game.
Following the Powhatan loss, in which a game-winning touchdown pass was called back for holding, the Warriors reeled off wins over Orange County, Louisa County, Fluvanna County, Charlottesville and Albemarle. The win over Albemarle catapulted the Warriors into the title game.
On Halloween night at Western, the Warriors hosted the Albemarle Patriots with the winner advancing to the championship.
Most of the first half was a back and forth defensive struggle. But late in the second quarter the Warrior offense got on track. Following an Albemarle punt, the Warriors got great field position at the AHS 43 yard line. After a sack and a 7-yard pass by Wyatt Hull to Wyatt Thomas, the Warriors called a time out with 1:50 to play in the first half. Coming out of the time out, the Warriors struck with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Hull to Michael Asher. Harley Davis kicked the extra point and Western led 7-0.
On the first play of the next drive quarterback/defensive back Hull intercepted an Albemarle pass, giving the Warriors great field position again at the AHS 46. Next Hull went deep down the left side to Asher for a 46-yard touchdown pass that put Western on top 14-0. The two touchdowns came only 30 seconds apart, giving Western momentum and confidence.
The Warriors received the second half kick-off and went right back to work. Hull capped off an 8-play, 83-yard drive with a 45-yard TD run. Davis added the extra point and the Warriors led 21-0.
Albemarle answered on their next possession with an eight-play, 68-yard drive of their own to cut the Warrior lead to 21-7. Cooper Cramer scored from four yards out on a run. Cramer had five carries for 30 yards and a touchdown on the drive for the Patriots.
After a botched field goal attempt on their next drive, the Warriors forced an Albemarle punt and took over at the AHS 30 yard line and iced the game. Running back Thomas started the drive with a 7-yard run and finished it with a 6-yard touchdown run. Hull ran for 22 yards on three carries in between the Thomas runs. Davis drilled his fourth extra point of the night and the Warriors, up 28-7, cruised to victory.
For the game, Hull finished with 101 yards rushing and a touchdown on 19 carries. He also had an interception and was four for five passing with 151 yards and two touchdowns. Asher had a huge night receiving with three catches for 144 yards and two TD’s. Thomas added 28 yards rushing on seven carries with a touchdown.
The big win put the Warriors in the championship game Monday, November 7 at Powhatan. Powhatan claimed the top spot in the district and gets the right to host the title game. In the regular season match-up between these two teams, the Indians came out on top 12-7 at Western. It was a slugfest to the end. The Warriors appeared to go up 13-12 late in the game when Hull hit Asher for a 48-yard TD pass, but it was called back for holding. This should be a great re-match and a highly competitive game. The Warriors confidence is high riding a five game winning steak that just might be the edge they need to come out on top!
