Daijiworld Media Network - Virginia

Virginia, Nov 25: Virginia’s Union High School was gripped by anxiety even as its football team secured its 12th consecutive win and advanced to the regional finals. Head coach Travis Turner, who had led the Bears through an undefeated season, went missing days before the crucial game, casting a shadow over the team’s triumph.

Turner, 46, a physical education teacher and the school’s head football coach, has been missing since Thursday. Virginia State Police stated that he was last seen wearing a grey sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses. Special agents were sent to his home in Appalachia that evening as part of the early stages of an investigation, but officials clarified that Turner was not being sought for arrest. Before officers arrived, he had already left the location and has not been seen since.

A large search operation involving drones, K-9 units and rescue teams continued through the weekend, but authorities have yet to find him. Wise County Public Schools confirmed that a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation reported to the division, adding that it is standard procedure and not an indication of guilt. The district declined to comment further due to the ongoing law-enforcement matter.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, community members gathered in prayer, with Pastor Bryan Gunter urging unity during the crisis. The Bears, determined to stay focused, went on to secure another victory. Senior running back Keith Chandler said the team reminded itself to face adversity together and push ahead as brothers, even as uncertainty loomed over their missing coach.