Still, after five long weeks of practices, the team still has high expectations for its season. “Our goal this year is to get better and make it to the playoffs,” said Junior Taquan Lewis. Meanwhile, having a team with a brotherly attitude makes the game more enjoyable, win or lose.
“Being with these guys every day makes me feel like I have a second family,” said Senior Dashon Tibbs. Sharing team quotes helps build unity. According to Senior Joey Shaheen one quote often shared at practice is “Flucos what is your profession? AHHOO, AHHOO, AHHOO!”
With hopes for this being a turn-around season for the Flucos, team members are keeping their heads up and striving for a win this week against Spotsylvania.
Junior varsity football
Traveling to Goochland on Aug. 29, the team hoped for a win and a rebound from its performance the previous week. However, a losing score of 28-8 led to some soul-searching. “I could’ve blocked better. My goal is just to be better than last year,” said 8th grader Tyler Gregory.
The team continues to practice daily, have a voluntary moment of silence before every game, and seeks a turnaround early in the season. They faced Spotsylvania on Sept. 5, with many of the junior varsity players also playing a freshman game the following night. “This is just extra practice,” said player Gavin Patrick.
Whatever the outcome of individual games, the team vows that by the end of the 2012 season, the junior varsity Flucos will be more than prepared for what’s to come in their future as football players.
Cheerleading
Junior varsity and varsity cheerleading began their long hours of practicing and training in early August. Both teams have been preparing to pump up the Fluco crowd at football games. “We’ve already come a long way this season, and I think when competition comes around we’re going to do really well,” said Junior Mary Gomola.
The varsity team is preparing for its first competition on Sept. 27, while the junior varsity team (which does not compete) focuses on cheering for games and preparing for its turn in the spotlight. “As a younger team I think we do really well, and by the time we make it to varsity we will be really prepared,” said Sophomore junior varsity cheerleader Kate Almarode.
Golf
With an early season start to Fluco golf, the team is already half-way through its season. On Aug. 30, they faced Monticello at home, but ultimately fell to their competitors.
“Our team is progressing, [but] we just need to be more consistent,” said Junior Dylan Garrett. “There is still plenty of time to get the season turned around, and to begin preparing for next year’s season,” Garrett said, adding “My biggest goal is just to beat Western.”
The team’s next match was scheduled for Sept. 4 away against Goochland.
Varsity volleyball
The Lady Flucos varsity volleyball team has set high expectations for this season. After a rough start at a tournament three weeks ago, they have turned it around drastically, beating Madison County High School on Aug. 28 and Liberty High School on Aug. 30 with scores of 3-1 and 3-0, respectively. “We want to make it to the district championship,” said junior Emily Haden who plays outside hitter. The Lady Flucos believe that Western Albemarle and Powhatan high Schools will be their biggest rivals this season. Sophomore Maddy Kline, who plays outside hitter, said, “We’ve become really close.” The team huddles outside of the locker room door and chants before every game.
Junior varsity volleyball
The junior varsity volleyball team is looking forward to this season and what it may bring. “We want to win,” said freshman Annaliese Kennedy. Kennedy, who plays outside hitter and setter, believes that this season is going to go well for the Lady Flucos. The team has already improved quite a bit but is working on putting more consistency into its performance. After suffering a 2-0 loss at Madison County on Aug. 28, they beat Liberty 2-1 on Aug. 30. Meanwhile, in a tournament on Sept. 1, they lost to Spotsylvania High School 2-0, but then beat Goochland High School soon afterwards.
The Lady Flucos have become much closer as a team. “We do different handshakes before going out on the court,” said Kennedy.
Girls’ cross country
After finishing second in the Ragged Mountain Cup at Panorama Farms on Aug. 28, the Lady Flucos cross country team is excited for the rest of the season. Despite multiple injuries to top runners, having one runner not return and another graduate, they still have high expectations for this season. “We want to defend our district title, finish top three in the region, and make it to states as a team,” said junior Nicki Douma.
At last week’s meet, Douma finished third, sophomore Devon Burger finished fourth, senior Stephanie Bossong finished eighth, and junior Brooke Haislip finished 24th. “We do well under pressure,” said Douma. The team is incredibly close, and before meets they like to sing on the bus and eat.
Boys’ cross country
With senior Chris Markham coming in fifth and sophomore Travis Moe placing 13th at last week’s Ragged Mountain Cup meet, the Fluvanna boys’ cross country team is looking forward to what this season may bring. For finishing in the top 25, Moe and Markham both received t-shirts, while Markham also received a watch for finishing in the top five.
“I want under a seventeen minute 5K,” said Moe, who believes that this season is going to be pretty successful for the Flucos. Moe also added that Western Albemarle High School and Monticello High School will be their biggest rivals this year. Despite having a young team, Moe sees lots of potential in freshman Jonathan Corbin, freshman Thomas Dunlap and sophomore Austin Early.
