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Western Albemarle emerged from halftime in a precarious spot: a second wide receiver had been forced to slide over and serve as the team’s No. 3 quarterback early in the second quarter, during which home-standing Charlottesville pulled within a one-score margin. The Knights would receive the third quarter kickoff with realistic hopes of a Senior Night upset.
Instead, the Warriors’ defense stepped up and shut down the triple-option attack, yielding zero second-half yards until a last drive in the game’s final minute. No. 2 quarterback Henry Kreienbaum returned behind center, and senior running back Oliver Herndon propelled the offense with 17 second-half carries for 113 yards. Western’s first three possessions yielded 16 points, more than enough to secure a Jefferson District title-clinching 30-13 victory.
“I thought our whole defense was very sound tonight,” said Western coach Ed Redmond. “Anytime you face an option team that has the playmakers that Charlottesville has, you’ve really got to be disciplined and play assignment football. We played on the line of scrimmage well, and I thought our guys tackled well.”
With Kreienbaum starting a second game in place of Sam Hearn, Western established its ground attack on the game’s opening series. The Warriors drove 65 yards on 11 rushes, capped by Kreienbaum going 18 yards on third and one and crossing the goal line just before the Knights’ secondary stripped the ball loose. Three plays after a Charlottesville fumble at midfield, Kreienbaum showed himself a competent passer, too, as he rolled to the left and found senior receiver Michael Vale for a 47-yard score.
“I rolled out and saw they were coming hot off the outside,” Kreienbaum said. “I looked out to Mike because I’ve played with him for so long and felt comfortable with him making a play if I put it up in the air. I just threw it up for him and he made the play.”
A second fumble foiled the Knights’ next drive as it reached the red zone, but the defense forced a quick three-and-out, and an eight-yard punt offered another chance. Senior Rashad Brock cashed in with a 13-yard run in the first minute of the second quarter to make it 14-7. Kreienbaum rolled his right ankle on Western’s next offensive play, forcing Redmond to move to plan C for the offense: sophomore Derek Domecq.
“Last week going in to Fluvanna, we got him a lot of reps because we felt like we needed two guys ready,” Redmond said. “He just stepped in and did a great job. We got some critical first downs in the second quarter, kept the sticks moving, kept the clock running.”
Herndon took handoffs on the next eight snaps, as the Warriors successfully worked clock and controlled field position for the rest of the half. Domecq completed his only pass attempt, a 9-yard gain to Victor Becerra, and gained 29 yards on four keepers in the quarter.
“We thought we had a chance,” said Charlottesville coach Eric Sherry. “At halftime we thought we were in pretty good position. But Western didn’t miss a beat with the backup to the backup. They got a workhorse with Herndon and a really good offensive line. They’re built for the playoffs.”
Trailing just 14-7, rather than engage in a field position battle, Charlottesville’s first two drives of the third quarter ended with losses on fourth downs near midfield. After the first, Kreinenbaum, taped up and back at the helm, traded rushes with Herndon to cover 38 yards in eight plays and open a 20-7 lead. The next time, starting at the Knights’ 44, Herndon setup first and goal at the 10 after four rushes. After changing ends to start the fourth quarter, Domecq added three more points with a 26-yard field goal.
Still down two scores at 23-7, Charlottesville’s next possession was doomed by an errant first-play snap costing 14 yards. Western got a hand on the ensuing punt to once again setup the offense in very favorable field position. Herndon picked up 42 yards on five rushes before Kreienbaum scored on a four-yard keeper with 6:36 to play.
“I stole his touchdowns,” said Kreienbaum. “Oliver drove it down, and the o-line blocked really well.”
Senior Deandre Bryant returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to give the Knights’ offense first and goal at the 10; however, the Warriors’ defense would not yield, stopping quarterback Rahkeem Davis at the one on fourth down. Likely mindful of what transpired two weeks ago in the Jungle, Kreienbaum and Herndon exited after picking up a first down with 2:28 remaining.
Brock took over as quarterback for the Knights final drive and picked up 31 yards on five rushes, scoring from two yards with 10 seconds left. He finished with a team-high 68 yards on 24 carries. For Western, Kreienbaum finished 5-of-6 passing for 57 yards and a touchdown. He added three more on the ground, as he ran 12 times for 57 yards. Herndon finished with a game-high 180 yards on 33 carries.
Western (8-1, 6-0) hosts Albemarle (6-3, 4-2) next Friday night with the top seed in 3A West bracket still very much in play.
“It’s nice [to clinch the District], but we want to beat Albemarle,” Herndon said. “It’s a huge rivalry game and we’re focused on that.”
Charlottesville (3-6, 1-5) heads to the Jungle to face late-surging Louisa (5-4, 4-2).
