Western Albemarle seemed loaded with offensive weapons coming into this year, and it only took week zero to prove that assessment just might be spot-on.
Western coach Ed Pierce unleashed three of those weapons in a big way against Waynesboro during a season-opening 49-0 romp over the Little Giants Friday night. Cody Davis, Dom Losco and Stephen Schuler had a hand in at least two touchdowns each as Western rolled to a 1-0 start.
Losco served as a jack-of-all-trades for Western, and it appears he’ll fill that role all season. He accounted for two receiving touchdowns, one from five yards out and another that went for 21 yards, booted a number of extra points and saw a lot of time on defense.
“The kid is just a freak athletically,” Pierce said. “He makes everything look really easy. He’s an amazing receiver, he’s a punter, he’s a kicker, and he’s a linebacker. I told the kids at camp, you can literally play him at any position.”
Losco has worked hard to develop a strong connection with Schuler and improve his route running with the help of Western assistant Max Hadwin, a new addition to Pierce’s staff. That gives the Warriors yet another option in the passing game, where Tyler Ward and several other talented players have also established themselves.
Of course, the Warriors’ defense made things easy on those offensive weapons in the win. Western’s defensive unit put together an impressive stretch during the first half, forcing four turnovers in a span of six offensive plays by the Little Giants.
Hunter Mitchell got the defensive explosion started with a 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown, and A.J. White followed with a fumble recovery of his own on the next Waynesboro offensive play that led to a Davis touchdown run.
Mitchell then scooped up yet another fumble just three plays later, falling just short of another touchdown on the three-yard line. Schuler punched it in from there with a rushing touchdown a few plays later, and Davis capped the dominant sequence with an interception on Waynesboro’s next offensive possession. Just like that, Western was in control and up 35-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Mitchell Parks, as usual, led the Warriors in tackles with 10 solo stops. The junior appeared to be in on nearly every play for the Warriors.
Schuler posted a 9-for-13, 110-yard outing with three passing touchdowns and a rushing tally. He piled up 50 yards rushing on just four carries.
Western will likely face a stouter test next week when Turner Ashby comes to town. That’s when the Warriors’ strong senior core will need to prove that Friday was no fluke.
