White gets out of the woods

What a difference a year makes.

One year ago, A.J. White was academically ineligible to play football for Western Albemarle’s varsity team. He was forced to watch every game from the sidelines.

Now, with his grades in order, White has earned a spot in the starting lineup and has been named one of the Warriors’ captains.

Western Albemarle coach Ed Pierce said White’s dedication to football and the team was remarkable.

“I don’t think he missed a practice. [The coaches] said all the time, there’s no way we would do that. There’s no way I’m going through a camp, then 2 1/2 to 3-hour practices, knowing I can’t play.” Pierce said. “[It showed] his commitment, sense of team and responsibility, his affection for these guys. I think he felt like these are my friends, my teammates, guys that I can help get better even though I can’t play. And he did that.”

White, a senior, absorbed every minute of practice, making the most of his time off.

“Even though I wasn’t on it, I wanted to be a part of it,” White said. “I had been working hard since summer and I just felt, if they would allow me, I’d keep on practicing with them. It helped me out in the long run because it made me better this year. I know what it’s all about now.”

And it is only fitting that White is the heart of the defensive line as a nose guard.

“It’s not one of the prettiest positions,” admitted White, a 6-foot, 300-pounder. “Most of the time you’re getting double-teamed or crab blocked, so either way you’re going home with a bruise on you.”

In addition to bringing up his grades, White, 17, hit the weight room hard in the offseason and trimmed down.

“He’s got really good feet, he’s quick and he’s smart,” Pierce said. “Obviously he’s got a great work ethic. I think the fact that he realizes [he’s] anchoring that defensive line, he takes that responsibility very seriously. And everything he does he does very passionately.”

But his leadership may be even more important to the team than his athletic ability.

“He kept the team very motivated,” said senior safety Cody Davis. “He always had motivating speeches and everything he did out here, even though he couldn’t play, he was very emotional, like he was going to play.”

It was one of those speeches that made a lasting impression on Pierce.

White can be comedic off the field, but when it comes to football, he is all business. It is there that he provides inspiration, and his upside potential bears no limits.

“One of my favorite moments of last year was towards the end of the season he took one of the huddles,” Pierce recalled. “He said, ‘Guys, you have no idea how much it hurts not to be able to play and you’ve got a chance to do something special. Don’t take that for granted.’ And I was blown away. He’s got that side of him that’s very mission-oriented.”

White’s biggest mission to date will be helping the Warriors get past Waynesboro tonight in their season opener.

“[I’m looking forward to] going out and competing against other people, instead of the same people on my team,” White said. “It’s good to see some new faces out in front of you.”

You can bet that White will relish every minute and his enthusiasm will take Western Albemarle a long way. But for now, that way is a 7:30 p.m. kickoff to open the high school football season.