August 12, 2011

Back in the spring, the VHSL cited the Western Albemarle football team for a minor infraction for holding an out-of-season practice. The punishment was a loss of a week or practice time and a scrimmage game. But this incident has actually brought the team closer together, and helped the focus in preseason camp.

"This truly turned out to be a blessing because we have had a chance to get more prepared than we otherwise would have been," said head coach Ed Pierce. "We're farther ahead than we've ever been since I've been here."

The Warriors feel they have overcome the sanction placed upon them by the VHSL, and this season they'll have also have to overcome the loss of first-team All-Jefferson District quarterback Abbott Wallenborn.

"Quarterback is definitely a difficult position and he played it pretty well," said senior Zack Robb. "That's probably our biggest loss so far."

A welcome addition for the Warriors will be their new turf field. Coach Pierce says it should give his team a distinctive home field advantage.

"Being a spread team in particular it helps us quite a bit," said Pierce.

The Warriors will play their first regular season game on the new turf field September 9th when they host Liberty.