The Western Albemarle football team is said to be in a rebuilding year after losing the central Virginia record-breaker Kent Henry and 21 other contributing seniors, but their past two games have proved otherwise. Under the leadership of captains Michael Mullin, Josh Meeks, Logan Sprouse and Matt Wozneak the Warriors are off to a 2-0 start, beating Spotswood 23 – 15 and Waynesboro 33 – 22. With junior Sam Hearn under center, the Warrior’s offense has not disappointed. However, Hearn isn’t the only player making things happen on the field. Oliver Herndon, the Warrior’s starting running back, has been a key player on the Warrior attack. Herndon has two touchdowns under his belt and a total of 289 yards. Wide receiver Henry Krienbaum has filled in for the loss of the senior heavy receiving crew. Krienbaum is second in the Jefferson District with 3 touchdowns, and first with 197 yards in the air.

On the defensive side of the ball, Western’s defense has proven to be tenacious. The defensive line and linebacker crew is heavy with seniors and captains. Junior Osiris Crutchfield is a quarterback’s nightmare at the defensive end position. Crutchfield tacked a blocked punt onto his stat line in the season opener against Spotswood High School, and continues to sack the opposing quarterbacks. The Warriors look forward to a long stretch on the road starting with their first away game against Fort Defiance on Friday September 12th.