Western remains perfect

PALMYRA — Western Albemarle combined an explosive offense with some timely stops on defense to get past a pesky Fluvanna County team in its Jefferson District opener on Friday night.

The Warriors, who stayed unbeaten with the victory, got an impressive performance from quarterback Stephen Schuler, who threw for four touchdowns and ran for another in the 34-21 win.

But Western coach Ed Pierce knows there are things his team can improve on.

“We’ve got to become a more disciplined football team and a more consistent football team. [I’m] not taking anything away from Fluvanna. they came out with a great fight tonight,” Pierce said. “Coach Redd has done an amazing job in a short period of time preparing these guys and putting them in a position to succeed.”

The Flucos came out strong to open the game, forcing the Warriors to go three-and-out on their first series, then blocking the ensuing punt.
Chris Denby recovered, and after three running plays, on fourth down Ryan Foster took to the air, connecting with YaYa Anderson on a beautiful 24-yard pass in the left corner of the end zone.

The Flucos’ lead was short-lived, however, as it took just two plays for Western to score. Schuler hooked up with Christophe Drapanas for a 60-yard TD strike to tie the game.

Fluvanna was forced to punt on its next drive, and the Warriors, riding the arm of Schuler, marched back down the field. Schuler found Dom Losco for the 27-yard pass play, and Western took a 14-7 lead.

The visitors added another touchdown in the second quarter to build their lead to 21-7 by halftime.

Fluvanna had a couple of opportunities to score, but could not capitalize.

In the second half, the Flucos’ defense again came up with a big play, as it blocked another Western punt. Fluvanna recovered at the Warriors’ 33-yard line and took six plays to score as Foster hooked up with Anderson again, this time for an 11-yard TD.

But that was as close as the Flucos would get.

Western scored again on its following possession, as Schuler connected with Tyler Ward from six yards out. Schuler helped himself out on the drive, scampering 46 yards on two carries to help set up the pass play. The senior quarterback found five different targets on the night and was the team’s leading rusher as well.

The Warriors’ defense came up with a fumble recovery on Fluvanna’s ensuing drive to take control. Western added to its lead with another TD in the fourth quarter (1-yard run by Schuler).

Foster scored from six yards out as Fluvanna cut into the lead with 4:26 to play, but it was too little, too late.

“We made some plays when we needed to, then gave up some big plays when we needed to, but I think Western’s offense had a lot to do with that,“ said Fluvanna first-year coach Rodney Redd. “[We’ve got to work on] playing more mistake-free football and making easy plays when we have the opportunity.“

Western (4-0, 1-0 JD)  puts its unbeaten record on the line at home against a very good Louisa County team next Friday. Fluvanna (1-3, 0-1) visits Monticello.