The William Byrd football team will finally get to play a home game this
Friday. The Terriers have their home opener with Christiansburg after playing two
scrimmages and their first two games on the road, including wins over Liberty
and Hidden Valley.
“The first four weeks of scrimmages and games have been on the road,
and I have been very pleased how our players handled that,” said Byrd coach
Brad Lutz. “Our entire football family is very excited about coming back home to
play our first home game of the season. Our fans and community are a huge part
of the football experience and we will need their support on Friday night.”
The Terriers were 7-0 at home last year, including two playoff wins, as
they finished the season 12-2. One of those losses was to Christiansburg, 14-10 in
Christiansburg the third week of the season. Byrd ripped off 10 straight wins after
that loss and Christiansburg went on to finish 8-4 and reach the Region 3D
semifinals, ending their season with a seven point loss at Magna Vista.
Demon coach Alex Wilkins stepped down after the season and was
replaced by Matt Herron. Christiansburg opened this season with a 27-24 win at
Floyd, then lost their home opener to Abingdon last week, 31-28.
“Christiansburg has a very talented roster with a lot of size and
athleticism,” said Lutz. “Offensively, they are capable of generating a lot of
explosive plays. Defensively, they tackle well and have a lot of team speed. They
have played two very tough opponents this season, and their starters have played
eight very competitive quarters of football.”
Meanwhile, the Terriers have yet to be tested. They opened with a 51-6
win over Liberty in Bedford against a team that is in midst of a 29 game losing
streak. Last week at Bogle Stadium they shut out Hidden Valley, 65-0. In two
games thus far the Titans have been outscored 155-0, including a 90-0 loss to
William Fleming to open the season.
The Terriers left nothing to chance in south county last week, jumping to a
big lead in the first quarter. Jamez Toler had the first two scores on 61 and five
yard runs and Jerrett Shepherd then scored on a two yard run.
Byrd made it 35-0 at the half as Toler scored again on a 10 yard run and
Ethan Haston caught a 30 yard TD pass from Cannin Lutz. Connor Whitehead
converted all five extra points and the lead was enough to keep the clock running
continuously in the second half.
Coach Lutz cleared the bench in the second half and everyone who suited
up got in the game. Jamez Toler, Jalen Toler and Purcell all scored second half
touchdowns and Izayah Brown finished off the scoring with a 33 yard interception
return.
Cannin Lutz only had to pass seven times in this game, completing four
for 73 yards and two scores. Jamez Toler had nine carries for 130 yards and four
TDs and brother Jalen had six carries for 31 yards and a score. Purcell and Haston
each had a TD catch.
On defense, Jonathan Rosser had 10 tackles with three for losses and a
sack. Maurice Burnette had five tackles for losses and two sacks while Brown had
the “pick six” and a fumble recovery. Haston and Tate Kotz also had
interceptions.
“Our staff was pleased with the progress we showed against Hidden
Valley,” said Lutz. “Offensively, we had limited total offensive plays but we were
able to work on details of the offense. Defensively, we forced three turnovers and
tackled really well. All our players were able to get game reps, so that was
another benefit from Friday’s game. With that said, our starters have not played a
full game yet so that is a concern going into this week’s game.”
The jayvees also shut out Hidden Valley, 54-0, and the middle school
made it a sweep with a 48-6 win over Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy
on Monday.
