NORFOLK, VA (WAVY) — When it comes to complete offensive weapons, few in Virginia are better than Norfolk Academy senior running back Will Foley. But becoming one of those weapons feels like second nature to Foley when the lights turn up on Friday nights.
“Nothing beats coming out in front of a big crowd on Friday night — nothing like it,” Foley said. “I mean it’s like a playground for me. It’s a run play almost every time.”
In Friday night’s win over Fork Union Military Academy, Foley got off to a hot start, racking up two touchdowns before exiting the game with a tweaked shoulder. It was all a cautionary measure for Norfolk Academy head coach Steve Monninger and the training staff. They expect him to be ready to go for Friday’s game against Atlantic Shores.
“Will’s one of those guys that, when the adrenaline kicks in, nothing’s going to stop him. We’re not concerned at all,” Monninger said. “He’s pretty special. He’s one of the best to come through Norfolk Academy in my 14 years here. He can handle it all. The best thing about him on top of all that is mentally he has a really good grasp of X’s and O’s, which is great.”
During his last ride with the Bulldogs, who have exceeded outside expectations with their 3-1 start, Foley wants to bring a private school championship banner back to Norfolk Academy, and help cement his legacy, along with his teammates of the 2024 Bulldogs.
“I mean, it would be unbelievable,” Foley said. “We would prove all the haters wrong.”
That quest continues Friday when the Bulldogs take on Atlantic Shores at home. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.