By Allen Kha / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
Albemarle headed into its bye week two weeks ago winless and searching for consistency, still stung from its 3-0 start.
Against Commonwealth District newcomer Orange County Friday evening, the Patriots notched their first win, and perhaps found a panacea for their ills — a little bit of trickery, a few big plays, and a lot of having fun — en route to a 55-6 victory.
Albemarle started the game promisingly, forcing a turnover on the Hornets’ opening drive and responding with a quick touchdown march.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Patriots attempted an onside kick, which bounced through the hands of Orange’s Quinton Brooks and into the arms of a pile of Albemarle players. Senior quarterback Lee Carneal then threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to David Seago to give the Patriots a 14-0 lead with 7:25 left in the first quarter.
“We needed that momentum. That kick was scripted and something we’ve been practicing,” Albemarle coach Mike Alley said. “Tonight was about finding consistency and getting off to a fast start. Lee [Carneal] was great this evening.”
The Hornets — without their most proven player Tyler Seal — drove down the field for the remaining part of the first quarter and scored early in the second to bring the score to 14-6, but struggled from there. The Patriots racked up seven plays of 20 yards or more in the first half — including a 74-yard touchdown run by Micah Rivers on the first play after Orange’s touchdown drive — on the way to a 42-6 lead at halftime.
“We had the first drive going and then fumbled, and [we] let them go down the field and score, Orange coach John Kayajanian said. “The game turned early on us and it was tough for us to climb out.”
As fog began to settle in over Albemarle’s field, the Patriots continued their offensive blitz in the second half. Carneal scored early in the third quarter on a 46-yard touchdown run, and junior running back Niko Troche got in on the act late in the third quarter when he scored on a 56-yard touchdown run.
“The receivers were open and the running backs were explosive tonight, so that’s what made it possible,” Carneal said.
The greatest highlight of the second half, however, came late in the third quarter after Troche’s touchdown run. With the entire Albemarle sideline smiling and howling “Julio,” Patriots senior fullback Julio Raimundo-Valladares — who recently moved to Charlottesville from El Salvador and just picked up football — notched his first career minutes and tackle on the ensuing kickoff.
The Patriots ended the evening with a season-high 501 total yards on offense — Troche led the way with 153 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries — and innumerable laughs on the sideline.
Troche, in fact, was jovial to the point of speechlessness.
“I didn’t really know what to say on the radio [WINA’s post-game show], I was just speechless,” Troche said. “Tonight was fun though, to see both Micah and me have good games. Hopefully this is momentum for the rest of the season.”
It was clear that the win had a huge impact on the Patriots’ psyche after a rough opening three games.
“Tonight really showed us that high school football is about the human element… winning comes along with that and consistency,” Alley said.
Albemarle faces a stiffer challenge next week, however, traveling to play Mountain View. Orange heads to Brooke Point next Friday.
