Big plays got the job done for Western Albemarle’s football team team Friday night, with a Darren Klein pick six and a Robert Sims kick return for a touchdown helping power a 41-12 season opening win over Broadway Friday.
Klein picked off a pass and raced 80 yards to paydirt to push the Warriors’ lead to 14-0 with just 8:07 left in the first quarter, and Western built a 34-12 lead by halftime with Sims going to the house from 85 yards out early in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ offense picked up largely where it left off late last season, with Derek Domecq going 9-for-13 for 259 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 79 yards and a score on six touches. He also got in on the big play act with touchdown tosses of 70 yards and 47 yards to Jack Weyher and Sims. Weyher finished with 101 yards on three catches while Sims had 83 yards on a pair of receptions and Klein had 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Tai Atuaia led the defense with eight total stops including 2.5 tackles for a loss. Jack Lesemann and Luke Tenuta each had sacks while Sims, Weyher and Clay Nowlin joined Klein with an interception each for four total team picks. The Warriors had five total takeaways with a fumble recovery rounding out the effort.
The Warriors get a week off before taking on a major challenge against Lord Botetourt, one of the top Group 3A squads, on the road.
