Western Albemarle’s run game this season has been pretty much whatever Kent Henry can pick up between pass plays or when the play breaks down.
But Friday night against Monticello, the Warriors’ ground attack found new life behind a big night from Oliver Herndon in a 63-42 win over Charlottesville.
“The offensive line was just blocking for me and the holes were open,” Herndon said. “It opens up the passing game, and we haven’t been able to do that in the past.”
Herndon rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries as part of a 213-yard effort on the ground that included more extensive use of a jet sweep wrinkle that put the ball in Steven Hearn’s hands in a role usually played by injured wideout Nic Drapanas. Hearn picked up 42 yards on six touches and made the Warriors that much tougher to defend.
“I thought Oliver ran well and we finally got our option game going with Kent and Oliver,” said Western coach Ed Redmond. “I thought our offensive line was outstanding tonight, they really blocked hard.”
In the process, Western bounced back from a 31-21 loss to Monticello last week and with the Mustangs’ loss across town at the hands of an Albemarle squad Western edged out earlier this year, maintained a spot in the 3A West’s top five.
Herndon got his night started on the right foot when he returned the opening kick 88 yards for a touchdown. What followed was the stadium lights blinking out, leaving the crowd largely in the dark. After the lights were turned back on, Charlottesville answered with a kick return for a touchdown of their own as Malik Bartee raced in for the equalizing score. Just a minute into the game there’d already been two kick returns for a touchdown and a power outage.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen back to back kickoff (returns) in a game ever that I’ve coached,” Redmond said. “But I was glad to see Ollie break it.”
Herndon, Hearn and Henry’s efforts on the ground — Henry picked up 62 yards and a touchdown of his own — helped open things up for the Warriors’ prolific passing attack. Henry went 12 for 15 for 297 yards and five touchdowns in another sterling performance. He worked Dylan Curry into the mix more this week, finding him three times for 29 yards including a pair of touchdowns. Curry hauled in one on of those scores on fourth and goal that helped Western stay comfortably ahead of Charlottesville.
“You just want your defense to make plays to put the game away and they’re very athletic,” Redmond said. “I hate to say it, but no lead is really safe against Charlottesville. We just have to keep working.”
Western’s defense struggled to contain Charlottesville as the game wore on, with Chris Thurston creating on the ground and through the air. He threw for 127 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 118 yards and four scores while averaging 10 yards per carry. His ability to create when the play broke down was crucial to keeping the Black Knights within striking distance.
“All year they’ve been like that, it’s never really been an effort thing or that we’re worried they’re not putting forth the effort,” said Charlottesville coach Eric Sherry. “I couldn’t be prouder of the effort, these kids won’t give up on it.”
The Warriors host Powhatan next week as part of a two-game home stand to close out the year and includes Fluvanna in Crozet November 8. Charlottesville hits the road to face the Flucos next week before wrapping up the regular season against Powhatan. A pair of wins would likely put the Black Knights in the playoffs.
