The Union High School football squad remains steadfast in their quest for the Virginia High School League Region 2D crown, having clinched a spot in the semifinals on Saturday, November 29. This achievement comes merely nine days after their head coach, Travis Turner, mysteriously vanished.

The Bears triumphed over their rivals from Ridgeview High School in a hard-fought quarterfinal match, emerging victorious with a 21-14 scoreline. Despite the swirling national attention regarding their coach’s sudden disappearance and the allegations of child pornography, the team managed to remain focused. Defensive coordinator Jay Edwards stepped up, guiding the players and preserving their hopes for an undefeated season.

In light of the situation involving their absent coach, school representatives have chosen to remain tight-lipped, only confirming that legal charges have been filed against “a staff member currently on administrative leave.”

Travis Turner, aged 46, vanished on November 20, coinciding with a planned visit by Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents to his residence.

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.”

Leslie Caudill Turner, the wife of missing high school football coach Travis Turner, supported her husband just days before he disappeared. Before Union High School, where Travis coached, played Lee High School in the Virginia state regional quarterfinals on November 15, Leslie offered her words of encouragement.  “Game day! Good luck to my guys today […]

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.”