Western Albemarle football’s Robert Sims’ senior night — always an emotional venture — carried a little bit of extra weight.
On Friday against Fluvanna, Sims, a receiver-turned-quarterback-turned receiver in Western’s last few games, returned to his natural position and put on one of the best performances of his career in the home finale of a season that began with the tragic death of his mother during preseason practice in August. With members of his extended family including his grandparents on hand to celebrate and support him, Sims was a force to be reckoned with against the Flucos in a 43-9 victory.
“I told my family that every chance I got, I was going to make plays,” Sims said. “I’m just happy that it went our way and we came off victorious.”
Sims contributed in all three phases of the game, registering a rushing touchdown, a long fourth-down conversion on a fake punt to keep a key Western drive alive and a pair of interceptions, the second of which he took for a school-record 102 yards to paydirt.
It was Western’s first Jefferson District win of the season and one they had to have if they wanted any shot at making the playoffs. Sims is a big reason they got it done, and he’s been a steady hand for the Warriors in what’s been a frustrating season at times.
“Robert is the kid who will do just about anything we ask him to do,” said Western coach Ed Redmond. “I think that’s the biggest compliment I can give a player. We ask him to do something and he doesn’t even blink an eye. He’ll say, ‘I’ll do whatever it takes, Coach.’ “
With Fluvanna threatening just before halftime, Sims intercepted an Ethan Graves pass in the end zone late in the second quarter, reversed field, then sprinted down the Western sideline as his teammates urged him on. Graves had the best shot at him at the Fluco 40, but Sims easily escaped the quarterback’s tackle attempt and continued untouched all the way to the end zone.
That allowed Western to open up a 29-9 lead going into halftime, but it wasn’t the only pivotal play Sims was involved in in the first half. Following a Derek Domecq rushing touchdown and then a 22-yard field goal from Fluvanna’s Kevin Alvarenga to get the Flucos on the board midway through the second quarter, Fluvanna’s defense ostensibly held the Warriors to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession. But Sims took the snap and though he appeared to roll out for a rugby punt, he took off running instead.
Fifteen yards later the Warriors had a fresh set of downs, and four plays later they added to their lead on a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jack Weyher from Domecq, who returned at quarterback before giving way to Sims in the fourth after taking a hard hit, to Jack Weyher to make it 16-3.
“Derek has a little more experience at quarterback, he’s taken snaps now for two years,” Redmond said. “Both are tremendous young men–we’re certainly very proud of Robert for the job he’s done the past two weeks.”
Fluvanna got a 69-yard catch and run from Prophett Harris to cut the lead to 16-9, but on Western’s next drive, Domecq linked up with Weyher again, this time from 30 yards out, and Sims’ return accounted for the halftime margin.
Harris’ catch was the last big play for the Fluco offense. The Warrior defense took over in the second half, refusing to allow Fluvanna a first down until the final drive of the game with the win well in hand.
“I’m really proud of our effort tonight and all our seniors have given to this program,” Redmond said. “I think they’ll tell you the opposite–that this program has given to them, that’s something they can take with them down the road as they grow and move on and become husbands and fathers.”
Aidan Saunders got into the scoring act for Western late in the third with a 29-yard touchdown run and Sims padded his stats with a 40-yard dash with 11:13 to go in the fourth, putting an exclamation point on an emotional night. Domecq finished with 11 yards and two touchdowns through the air on 6-for-15 passing while rushing for 77 yards and a touchdown.
The loss was as detrimental to Fluvanna’s playoff chances as it was helpful to Western’s. Before the game, the Flucos came in ranked No. 8 in Region 3C, which also includes the Warriors. Western started the day ranked No. 10 out of 12 teams in a region in which the top 8 make it. The teams will undoubtedly change positions when new rankings come out.
Fluvanna’s road gets no easier–they meet district-leading Louisa next Friday in a must-win game. Western will finish its regular season with a road clash against archrival Albemarle.
