The stage seemed like it was set for another down-to-the-wire battle between Albemarle and Western Friday night. Each defense pitched a shutout last week, and both run-first offenses should have been well-suited for cold and breezy conditions after sunset.
Instead, by a lopsided 36-0 final score, the Warriors delivered another emphatic defensive performance, while the Patriots’ offense was left searching for answers after failing to crack the scoreboard for the second time in three weeks.
“We sort of found ourselves three weeks ago, and these kids have made a decision (about) what they want this team to be like,” said Western coach Ed Redmond. “Certainly, the defensive effort tonight was outstanding against a good football team. Our guys played together and with great emotion.”
The Warriors held the Patriots to 156 total yards, including 50 or fewer on the ground in each half. Meanwhile, Western amassed 285 rushing yards, with senior Austin Shifflett leading the way with 192 and three touchdowns on 24 carries. His first touch of the game went for 71 yards and the Warriors’ first points.
“They had wrapped me up but I got a good push from behind, not sure from which lineman, bounced it outside and then it was off to the races,” said Shifflett.
Albemarle countered with what proved to be its best drive of the game, marching 50 yards in seven plays. Junior quarterback Jake King connected with freshman wideout Nolan Pitsenberger for a 32-yard pickup on an early third-and-7, but his next pass in the redzone was tipped and intercepted by Shifflett from his linebacker position.
“We got good pressure and the ball kind of came out of the quarterback’s hands funny,” said Shifflett, who nearly came up with a diving pick on Albemarle’s first play of the game. “This time I was able to dive and come down with it.”
The Patriots’ defense shook off the big-play score and both sides traded punts and turnovers-on-downs until midway through the second quarter. Western’s offense took over near midfield and methodically covered 51 yards over six-and-a-half minutes. Shifflett accounted for all but eight of them and converted two fourth downs, including a 1-yard score on fourth-and-goal.
“I think a huge difference between week one and now is out O-line,” said Western tight end Carson Tujague. “We’re getting a big push and our running backs are just getting downhill. We’re getting yards and killing the time, and it’s great for our defense as well.”
Western immediately positioned itself to expand its lead when King’s pass attempt to open the ensuing possession was deflected by multiple defenders before junior linebacker Joshua Williams secured the pick at the AHS 15. A holding penalty derailed the Warriors’ series, but Embry Pulich delivered a 33-yard field goal to put Western up 16-0 at the break.
“We’re doing some good things, but right now we’re struggling to put points on the board,” said Albemarle coach Brandon Isaiah. “That puts a lot of strain on our defense, because they’ve been playing really good football.”
Albemarle’s misfortunes continued early in the third quarter. The offense went three-and-out, and then the punt was mis-hit and caught by a Western lineman and returned to the AHS 16. Three plays later, Shifflett made it 23-0 with an 8-yard touchdown.
Albemarle continued to fight and the offense moved the chains, but its next two series ultimately ended on downs near midfield. Western junior Kaden Morrow got in on the ground attack later in the third, breaking a 47-yard run to setup a 2-yard touchdown plunge for Dakota Howell.
Western added their final touchdown midway through the fourth quarter when Nathan Simon lofted an 11-yard pass to Tujague.
“We were able to run the ball effectively, especially down on the goal line, and when you do that it creates opportunities in the pass game,” Redmond said.
The Patriots gave freshman Amaje Parker reps at quarterback in the fourth, and the left-hander fired a 21-yard pass to Joshua Jones and scrambled three times for 17 yards. However, just as they sacked King twice in the third quarter, the Warriors got to Parker for a sack-fumble to seal the shutout.
Eb McCarthy led the Patriots with 74 yards on 19 carries. King completed 7-of-14 passes for 53 yards. William Townsend made three catches for 15 yards. Albemarle (2-2) will look to bounce back when it hosts Charlottesville (0-5) in another rivalry game next Friday.
Western (3-1) returns home to host Louisa County (4-0) in a de facto Jefferson District title game.
“It’ll be a good one,” said Redmond, whose squad’s only loss this spring came in overtime after Monticello erased a 10-point deficit in the last 10 minutes of the fourth quarter. An upset would provide a huge boost to the Warriors’ playoff chances in a stacked Region 3C.
