Scotty Lathrop read Facebook posts all week about how he was going to be shut down during the season opener at St. Charles.

The blasphemy had filtered into motivation for Warrenton’s senior quarterback by the time Friday night rolled around.

The Warriors proved their GAC North naysayers wrong, gashing the Pirates for 450 yards during a 41-0 dismantling.

“The kids were firing on all cylinders and hit everything,” said assistant coach Steve McDowell. “It’s just a good feeling to get that first win the way we did.”

It was the largest margin of victory for the Warriors in nearly a decade, and the most thorough performance is just as long.

“Probably since going back to the 2001 season, it’s been that long since we’ve had that great of a performance on both sides of the ball,” said McDowell, who has been with the program since 1992.

Whatever premonitions were made about Lathrop prior to the game quickly went by the wayside, as he rushed for 174 yards and four touchdowns on just 10 carries. He added another 190 yards on seven of 11 passing.

“He just had an incredible night, running and throwing the football,” said McDowell.

The Warriors needed one play on offense to sink the Pirates and it came in exclamatory fashion. Lathrop raced 70 yards on Warrenton’s first play from scrimmage, putting his team ahead 6-0.

“That really got everyone else picking up their game also,” said McDowell.

Junior Nick Todd closed out the quarter with a nine-yard scoring scramble, and Austin Black added a two-point conversion run.

With senior veteran Nick Reese sidelined by an ankle injury on offense, Black was forced to pick up the slack.

He rushed for 49 yards on 11 carries, bullying his way up the middle, while also blocking for Lathrop.

Warrenton’s offense was so effective that it enabled Moore to use his reserves during the entire second half.

“Our offensive line did a great job getting holes for Austin and had great pass protection for Scotty all night long,” said McDowell. “I’ve got to commend those big guys up front, because they did a great job.”

The Warriors struck three more times during the second quarter, putting themselves ahead 35-0 by halftime.

Lathrop scored on a one-yard run midway through the period. He added another touchdown, scampering in from seven yards out with 1:24 left in the half.

Warrenton was able to regain possession quickly enough to fire again before intermission. Lathrop hit Todd on a 24-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds remaining.

Burdened by an insurmountable deficit, the Pirates struggled through three-and-out situations on most possessions.

“We played a pretty good aggressive defensive game,” noted McDowell.

Lathrop put the finishing touches on Warrenton’s 1-0 start in the GAC North with a 63-yard touchdown run with 9:20 left in the third quarter.

The dominant lead provided the opportunity for several varsity newcomers to gain early experience.

Senior Derrik Chapman ran for 17 yards on five carries and also recovered a fumble.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was sophomore linebacker J.J. Filipek, who recorded a team-high seven tackles. Two weeks ago, coaches weren’t even certain Filipek would be playing at the varsity level.

“He has really responded,” said McDowell. “He just gets after it and his motor goes 100 miles an hour. He was all over the field against St. Charles.”

The Warriors’ depth at the skill positions shined, as six different players split carries. Five receivers recorded at least one pass.

Todd hauled in three catches for 97 yards, while Black grabbed two receptions for 27 yards.

The Warriors will debut on their new turf field this Friday, with a grand opening and ceremony at 7 p.m. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

“We’re ready to get after it this Friday and open this place up,” said McDowell. “Hopefully we don’t get distracted with all the festivities and focus on the 48 minutes we have to perform.”