By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
Fluco Coach Mitchell Pace said that he was “proud of his team’s offense and defense” and proud of his team’s “toughness” after the Flucos dominated the Warriors from Western Albemarle by a 32-3 score on Oct. 6. This was a Fluco Homecoming game to be proud of. The win gives the Flucos a 4-2 record, a huge improvement over 2022.
This game started as if it would be an even battle. The Flucos took the opening kick-off and drove down field on the ground for a touchdown. Most of the running yardage was gained by junior running back Logan Wade. On a run up the middle, Wade burst through Warrior defenders for a 35-yard gain to the Western Albemarle 18. Three plays later senior running back Marcus Dickerson plowed into the end zone for the first score of the game. The Flucos converted a two-point conversion and led 8-0.
Western then took the ball near mid-field and moved it toward the Fluco goal, with the help of two five-yard penalties on Fluvanna. With the ball at the Fluco nine, and fourth down and six, the Warriors elected to go for three. Their field goal attempt was good and the score was 8-3 with 3:20 left in the quarter. It looked like the game could be close. The Fluco again moved the ball quickly down field, but on the first play of the second quarter they fumbled it away to the Warriors at the Warriors eight-yard line. The Warriors chose to go to the pass, deep in their own territory, and the Flucos stormed in to record a sack for a safety. The Flucos were up 10-3 and they never looked back.
The Flucos moved the ball again after the free kick, due to the safety, but turned it over to Western Albemarle on an interception. On their third play after the interception, the Warriors went with a long pass. The Fluco’s senior defensive back Kenneth Cueller made a pretty over the shoulder interception. The Fluco offense was back on the field at the Fluvanna 48. Facing a fourth down at the 38 Fluco sophomore quarterback Will Lambert threw to senior running back Richard Price who carried the ball to the seven. Two running plays put the ball in the endzone. A two-point conversion try was successful and the Flucos led 18-3, with 2:16 left in the half. Fluco junior linebacker/tight end Benny Denby then stepped up with an interception, followed by a 39-yard reception, but the Flucos were hurt by a holding penalty and were forced to punt. The score at intermission was 18-3.
Because it was Homecoming Friday, the intermission was extended as all of the homecoming court was introduced and the class kings and queens paraded across the field with their escorts.
The Warriors took the ball at the start of the second half, but the Flucos forced a punt. The Flucos started at their 19. After a first down, the Flucos faced a fourth down in their own territory. Rather than punt, Coach Pace decided to run for the first down and Dickerson delivered, carrying the ball for a first down at the Fluco 38. After an encroachment penalty on the Warriors, the ball was at Warrior’s 49. A pass to senior wide-out Chazz Barksdale-White took the ball to the 22. The Flucos scored from there on four runs. The two-point conversion attempt was thwarted, and the Flucos led 24-3 with 3:17 left in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was highlighted by a three-yard plunge for a touchdown by senior running back Aiden Ray. A successful two-point conversion made the score 32-3 and that was the final score. The Fluco offense and defense had strong play from its linemen, led by senior captains Linwood Perkins and Christian Lambert.
The Flucos now travel to Orange County on Oct. 13. They then host Louisa County and Goochland County on Oct. 18 and 25. Their final regular season game is Nov. 3 at Monticello High.
