The William Byrd defense came up big on a two-point try in overtime as
the Terriers emerged victorious in Moneta last Friday. Byrd won in overtime, 21-
20, in the traditional football “War on 24” rivalry with Staunton River.
This one went down to the wire. Byrd had the only score before halftime
when Cannin Lutz found senior tight end Aiden Kelly with a five yard TD pass in
the first quarter. Connor Whitehead converted the extra point kick and Byrd led 7-
0 at the half.
After a scoreless third quarter the Terriers increased their lead to 14-0 on a
two yard run by Jerrett Shepherd early in the fourth quarter. The Terriers had a
chance to make it a three-score game when the Eagles fumbled the ball in their
own territory with Byrd recovering. However, the Eagles held and a 45 yard field
goal attempt was no good, giving the home team hope
Staunton River battled back and was able to tie the game in regulation. An
80 yard drive cut the lead to 14-7 with about five minutes remaining. The Eagles
then forced a punt and were able to tie the game with just over a minute to go,
forcing Byrd’s first overtime game of the season. A week prior the Terriers scored
in the last minute of a 10-10 game to avoid overtime with Franklin County.
Staunton River won the toss and elected to play defense first, as is usually
the case.
“I think it’s important to play defense first in overtime, so you know
exactly what you need to do to win the game,” said Byrd coach Brad Lutz.
The Terriers were able to score on a seven yard pass from Cannin Lutz to
Ethan Haston on second down. Whitehead’s kick made it 21-14 with the Eagles
getting their chance at the 10 yard line.
Staunton River moved the ball to the one on two plays, then punched it over to
make the score 21-20. Eagles’ coach Shaun Leonard decided to go for two and try
to win it right then and there. That didn’t surprise Byrd coach Lutz as his regular
defense remained on the field.
“They have a senior dominated team that runs the football extremely
well,” said Lutz. “When they scored, there was no doubt they were going for
two.”
River put the ball in the hands of Macon Ayers, who had scored the game-
tying touchdown. His off tackle run resulted in a pile of bodies pushing both
ways, and when the dust cleared Ayers was inches short of the goal line and Byrd
had a big district win. Jonathan Rosser, Justyn Rozenboom, Maurice Burnette,
Blake Anderson, Jerrett Shepherd and Jahdai English were all part of the pile that
kept the ball out of the end zone on the two-point attempt.
Statistically, Shepherd led the rushers with 74 yards on 15 carries. Cannin
Lutz completed eight of 16 for 70 yards. Haston and Kelly had TD catches and
Tate Kotz had 36 yards in receptions.
On defense Anderson led the team with 10 tackles while Burnette had nine
with one for a loss and three quarterback pressures. Kotz had nine tackles, Rosser
had eight with one for a loss and a forced fumble and Rozenboom had seven tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and a recovery. Haston finished with six tackles and three pass breakups in the backfield.
It was a big win for the Terriers, who breezed to their first five wins but
have had four close ones in the past four weeks. They opened the district season
with a close loss to Fleming, then fell short at Lord Botetourt in a game that went
to the final seconds. Likewise, a game with Franklin County went to the wire
before Byrd prevailed and last Friday it was a nail-biter in overtime.
“Our players gained a lot of confidence winning a close game, in that
fashion, against a quality opponent like Staunton River,” said Coach Lutz. “Our
schedule includes seven potential playoffs teams, so each week has been a
challenge and an opportunity to grow as a team.”
This week is another tough district game as the Terriers conclude the
regular season with a home game against Northside. The Vikings are feeling good
after shutting out Lord Botetourt, 17-0, last week.
“Northside is a very talented, athletic team,” said Lutz. “Their roster is full
of very experienced players. They are a confident football team and have played a
tough schedule. They are battle tested and coming off a huge win.”
Northside is 5-4 and on the rise. The five wins are the most for the Vikings
since 2019 and they look like a playoff team. They’re currently fifth in the Region
3D rankings at 21.4.
Byrd is fourth at 23.8 and if the current rankings stay the same after this
week the Terriers would play Northside again to open the playoffs, in Vinton, on
November 15. Christiansburg is sitting sixth at 21.0 and they’ve completed the
regular season at 5-5. If Byrd wins Friday the Blue Demons could pass Northside
for fifth place.
Also, Byrd is virtually tied with Lord Botetourt for third place and that
could flip this week. The Cavaliers host Franklin County this Friday and that
won’t be an easy game for them.
Byrd’s jayvee team defeated Staunton River last week, 28-8. The Terriers
are 8-1 and wrapped up the jayvee season Nov. 7 at Northside’s Hickam
Field.
