Strong seniors lead Warriors

Western Albemarle’s senior leadership paved the way for a decisive 49-0 season-opening shutout over visiting Waynesboro on Friday, and head coach Ed Pierce hopes the trend continues.

The Warriors (1-0) got huge contributions from senior quarterback Stephen Schuler, as well as from two classmates, running back Cody Davis and wideout Dom Losco. The trio combined for five of the team’s seven scores on the night.

“I think all of the seniors really worked hard in the offseason,” admitted Schuler. “I think we’re all comfortable with the system, so it makes it a little easier for us. We come out, we know what we’re doing, and we’re all good friends.”

Schuler led a nearly flawless Warrior attack and wasted no time doing so. Western scored on its first five possessionss and held a 35-0 lead after the opening quarter.

“Our seniors are the heart and soul of this team,” said Pierce. “Part of that is experience, and part of that — I feel like these guys feel like they’re on a mission to accomplish something special and I hope that happens.”

Schuler finished with three touchdown passes on 9-of-13 passing for 110 yards and also led the Warriors in rushing with 50 yards.

“We’ve tried to establish both a run game and a pass game,” Schuler said. “We try to roll out a little more than we did last year just because I can with the O-line doing a great job getting out there and making sure the holes are open.”

Davis had 47 yards rushing on just five carries, including touchdown scampers of one and ten yards. Davis and junior Adam Diehl will split time at running back this season, and Davis touched on the team’s relaxed attitude.

“Our team’s a lot more laid back this year — we’re kind of a swagger team,” said Davis. “We’ve got a lot of seniors, a lot of team chemistry, we’ve been working together for three years now.”

Losco also visited the end zone twice in two minutes, and accounted for 15 Western points in the opening 8:20 of the contest, as he also handles kicking responsibilities. The senior wideout and linebacker finished with 46 receiving yards on a team-high five catches.

“We learned a lot about our team, what we can do and what we can run,” Losco said. “I feel like we’re going to be very successful this year.”

On the other side of the ball, senior linebacker Hunter Mitchell had a big night, recovering two fumbles, and running one back for a score from 35 yards out. Nose tackle AJ White had a successful return to the field after a year’s absence, as he also recovered a fumble that led to another Western score.

The Warriors participated in the first-ever Central Virginia 7-on-7 passing league earlier this summer, and Schuler explained how it paid dividends in Friday’s big win.

“I think it helped a lot, it helps with timing,” said Schuler. “It gave us an extra few weeks to work with the receivers and also helps running with schemes, being able to read defenses.”