Football

As the season continues, the Flucos are at a 0-7 record, but they hope to finish the season with at least two wins since that would enable them to go to the playoffs, something the Flucos haven’t done since 2004. Asked how he thinks the team will recover from recent losses, junior Chase Payne said, “We’re gaining our injured players back and we’ve regained our family atmosphere, so that should help us finish out our season.”

Traveling through the season, the team is constantly introducing new material and moving players to new positions. For the game against Albemarle on Oct. 16, the Flucos placed Mark Grooms at quarterback once again. “It was spontaneous to return to quarterback, because I’ve been playing running back, but I’m always up to return to quarterback,” Grooms said. Despite this move, however, the Flucos could not prevent their staggering loss of 35-0 to the Albemarle Patriots.

Each week, the Flucos attempt to adapt to their opponents by trying new defenses as well as offenses. For example, in the Albemarle game, the Flucos tried a 5-2 look on defense and a majority pistol look on offense. “We’ve put in new defenses that will correspond to each team we play. Although we lost last week [to Albemarle], we stopped the run game very well. We just need to work with our DB’S (defensive backs),” said junior Dylan Walker. The Flucos will continue to fight and hope to come out with at least two wins, if not three, so that they can secure their spot in the playoffs.

Cross Country

On Oct. 14, the Flucos’ cross country team geared up to face Waynesboro as well as Monticello. With the boys’ team placing 3rd of the three and the girls’ team placing 1st, both teams continue to improve their performances. “Everyone is working really hard and practices have been more focused on our course [since] that’s where Districts will take place,” said junior Griffin Bullock. Girls’ Coach Rose Brogan agrees that the team needs to maintain their focus. “With the girls winning by four points [at the last meet], we know it’ll be close, so we have to keep working hard.”

That District meet will be held at the Fluco course at Pleasant Grove on Oct. 24. Boys’ team member Keegan Campanelli recently shared his thoughts on how the team has gotten to this point inn the season. “The team and I have all worked hard at practice. Our sweat and blood has contributed to our successes we’ve had throughout the season, as it will continue to help,” he said.
With the end of the season rolling up fast, there is still Districts, Regionals, and the State meet to come. With a different conference, and new competition this year, the team is going to have to work even harder to accomplish their goals. They will be able to check their progress at their next meet at home against Waynesboro on Oct. 14.

Golf

Clarification: The Oct. 8 golf article inadvertently omitted the names of some players on this year’s squad. Freshmen Drew Pace, Joseph Pace, and Matt Snead should have been listed as among those returning for the 2016 campaign. All three played all season on the team, with both Drew Pace and Joe Pace competing in the 2015 Conference 29 tournament.