Sometimes it’s just impossible to explain how a rivalry game turned out as it did.
In the fourth quarter, why did a fake punt called from one team’s own 40 yield a completion, while the other side’s fourth-and-two gamble at their own 39 end with a drop? Did colored lines for a different sport along-but-inside the back of an endzone contribute to an apparent game-tying touchdown pass being ruled incomplete? How did the team who missed four field goals and saw two lost fumbles converted into 14 points manage to win?
If you’re familiar with how the cross-county showdowns between Albemarle and Western Albemarle generally go, then such queries probably seem par for the course.
“I think any time we get together, it always goes down to the end,” said Western coach Ed Redmond. “It’s a shame somebody had to lose that game. I told the kids this week it was going to take four quarters, and it took four and then some.”
Western led for a total of four plays on the night; fortunately for them, those were the final four during Albemarle’s possession in overtime. When Albemarle sophomore quarterback Jake King’s pass to the right side of the endzone deflected off an open receiver and fell to the turf, the Warriors claimed a 28-21 victory, their third straight.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt my stomach move that way,” said Western quarterback Carter Shifflett. “It’s one of those things you dream of as a kid, winning in overtime. We had a game like this against Monticello and I ended up not making the play, and we battled back today. I’m just so proud of our whole team. Playoff-wise, momentum-wise, morale-wise, it just helps so much.”
The Warriors tallied the winning touchdown as Austin Shifflett covered 10 yards in two plays to open overtime. The junior running back amassed 174 yards on 30 carries, both game-highs.
“We knew the hole was there, I just had to get there on time,” said (Austin) Shifflett of the call on second down from the 3-yardline. “That time, you could’ve fit a truck through that hole. Dakota Howell lit up the middle linebacker and McKel Brumfield just led a charge right through there.”
On the other side, Albemarle senior Mahki Washington led a two-headed ground attack with 17 rushes for 104 yards. Unfortunately, his evening ended with 42 seconds left in the third quarter after suffering an injury at the end of a 34-yard rumble down to the Western 1. Although King snuck in on the next play to put AHS up 21-14, the impact on the Patriot offense was clear: they managed a net total of nine yards rushing in the fourth quarter and overtime after racking up 153 over the first three quarters.
“It comes down to being disciplined and executing, and when it came down to it, [Western] was able to execute,” said Albemarle coach Brandon Isaiah. “When you have these kinds of games, the margin of error is very small, so my hat’s off those guys. I think it says a lot about Coach Redmond’s program and those kids.”
Western knotted the game at 21-21 on Carter Shifflett’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Breaker Mendenhall with 9:08 left in regulation. After being shut out in the first half, Mendenhall made four catches in the second half for 58 yards and two scores.
“Just man-on-man, go up and make a play after Carter puts the ball where it needs to be,” said Mendenhall of the jump ball battle with the AHS defensive back. “I had a bad first half, so I knew I had to bounce back.”
The catch capped a seven-play, 65-yard drive which was kept alive with a 13-yard fourth down completion from Carter Shifflett in punt formation to Joe Burch.
“Sometimes you’ve gotta roll the dice,” said Redmond of the fake punt. “We have several things in our special teams when we need them. I thought we needed some elevation, something to inspire us a little bit. We executed perfectly, but even if we don’t get it, it was the time for that call.”
Neither squad scored again in regulation, although both had opportunities. Albemarle fumbled on the second play of its ensuing possession and junior Ty Awkard recovered for Western at the AHS 27. The Warriors moved into the redzone but an airmailed shotgun snap on third down forced a long field goal attempt, which came up short. On their next series, the Patriots opted to keep the offense on the field for fourth-and-2 at their own 39 with 1:28 remaining. King fired to an open receiver beyond the sticks, but he couldn’t complete the catch.
“Fourth down in our territory was a gamble of mine, and I believe in my guys,” said Isaiah. “They make the play nine times out of then, but tonight was just one of those nights where we just weren’t able to come up with those plays.”
Western picked up one first down as the clock ticked down in the final minute. Shifflett launched a pass to Garrett Livermon at the goal line, but he couldn’t make the grab. A last-second 43-yard field goal fell short and wide, thus granting Isaiah’s squad a reprieve from the turnover-on-downs.
Without Washington to feed in overtime, King rolled wide on first-and-goal before sophomore lineman Smith Callaghan forced him out for a three-yard loss. Sophomore Ebenezer McCarthy, the perimeter threat in the Patriots’ ground attack, picked up seven yards on second down, setting up two final plays from the 6. On third down, King tossed a back corner fade to Robert Jones, who made the grab but was ruled out of bounds. On fourth down, King rolled right and had two receivers on the right side of the endzone, but his pass caromed off hands and fell to the turf.
“Our scheme didn’t change because they had so many weapons,” said Redmond of the Warriors’ final defensive stand. “Number 6 (Washington) is their bruiser, but to be honest with you I don’t think our kids even knew [he was out]. They were just so focused on trying to get stops.”
AHS drew first blood after Western lost a fumble at its own 39 on an errant third down shotgun snap. Washington ran four times for 34 yards before McCarthy scored on a 10-yard run. The Warriors answered right back with a five-play, 60-yard drive. Austin Shifflett picked up 27 yards, while Carter Shifflett completed his first pass of the game on the final play of the first quarter for 21 yards to Livermon before cashing in on a 12-yard keeper.
The Patriots claimed a 14-7 halftime lead thanks to a 10-play drive that drained most of the final five minutes of the second quarter. Washington and McCarthy traded carries while King completed three passes, also his first attempts of the game. Jones caught one for 13 yards to convert a fourth-and-six, and senior Torry Green leveraged his height and wingspan to pull down a 15-yard touchdown.
After an extended halftime for homecoming court introductions, Western marched 61 yards on its first possession of the third quarter to tie the game at 14. The drive included a pair of fourth-and-one conversions. Mendenhall caught his first pass of the game on a flanker screen and turned it into a 20-yard touchdown.
“I just think our ability to be cohesive kept us in the game,” said Redmond. “Our grit and toughness mentally kept us in there.”
Carter Shifflett led the Warriors with 189 total yards, including 97 on 20 rushes and 92 through the air (completing 6/11 attempts). His counterpart, King, completed 7-of-11 passes for 95 yards. Jones caught four for 67 yards. After Washington, McCarthy tallied 77 yards on 10 rushes.
Albemarle (2-6, 2-2) travels to CHS (0-9, 0-5) for another cross-town rivalry game next Friday, while Western (4-4, 3-1) heads to the Jungle to battle Louisa (8-0, 4-0).
