The Union High School football team is continuing their pursuit of the Virginia High School League Region 2D title after advancing to the semifinals on Saturday, November 29, just nine days after their head coach, Travis Turner, disappeared without a trace.
The Bears defeated rival Ridgeview High School in the quarterfinal game 21-14, seemingly able to block out the national news noise in the wake of their couch’s disappearance and child pornography allegations. Defensive coordinator Jay Edwards stepped in to help lead the team to victory, keeping the students’ hopes of an unbeaten season alive.
When asked about the team’s missing coach, school officials have refused to comment other than to acknowledge that charges have been filed against “a staff member who has been on administrative leave.”
Turner, 46, went missing on November 20, as agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were headed to his home.
While they were en route, agents were informed that Turner had fled the premises.
Turner was charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, the Virginia State Police revealed on Tuesday, November 25. An arrest warrant was obtained for Turner on Monday, November 24.
Additional charges against Turner are still pending as the investigation remains open. Turner is now classified as a “fugitive.”
Turner has coached at Union High School since 2011, where he also works as a physical education teacher.
After Union’s win over Graham High School in the VHSL Region 2D semifinals on November 22, Turner’s players discussed the process of moving on in his absence.
“We talked in the huddle and we said, ‘Listen boys, we’re going to have to handle adversity here,’” senior running back Keith Chandler told WCYB. “We stick together as brothers here and we should come out with the victory.”
Senior tight end and defensive end Carlos Anderson told the Bristol Herald Courier, “I think we were going to play no matter what. We were ready for this game. We’ve been ready since summer and we just had to go out and execute.”
Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, addressed the allegations made against her husband on November 25.
“None of that is true,” Leslie told the Daily Mail. “He’s a good dad and a good husband and we want him home. That’s it.”
Leslie added, ”I don’t know anything. I don’t know anything. I’m sorry.”
When asked to address the rumor that her husband was seen entering the woods near their home carrying a rifle, Leslie said, “I was told not to comment.”
Turner’s attorney issued a statement about the pornography and solicitation charges on Tuesday.
“We remain prayerful for his safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance,” attorney Adrian Collins said on behalf of the Turner family. “We trust God to bring truth and clarity in His time. Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process — not through speculation or rumor.”
The statement continued, “We ask the public and media to show compassion, accuracy, and respect for the family’s privacy.”
