The Virginia High School League announced the Class 3 All-State football team
last week and William Byrd High School was well-represented after reaching the state
semifinal for the second year in a row. The Terriers had two players named to the first
team and two more on the second team.
The two first team selections from Byrd were both on the defensive side of the
ball, and both are seniors. Maurice Burnette was named on the defensive line and
Jonathan Rosser is a first team selection at linebacker.
Two Terriers made the all-state second team, and both are on offense. Senior
B.J. Cheatwood was named on the offensive line and junior Cannin Lutz is the second
team all-state quarterback.
Undefeated state champion Liberty Christian dominated the first team with five
selections, including running back Gideon Davidson who was named the Class 3
Offensive Player of the Year. Thomas Jefferson senior defensive back Rashaud
Cherry is the Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year and Kettle Run head coach Charlie
Porterfield was named the Class 3 Coach of the Year.
The all-state football team consists of 32 players. Only those players
selected to the all-region first-team are eligible for selection to the all-state team.
The all-state selection committee is comprised of eight coaches, with two from
each region.
First teamers from William Byrd on the All-Region 3D team include Lutz,
Cheatwood and junior receiver Tate Kotz on the offense. Burnette and Rosser were first
team all-region on defense along with senior Ethan Haston at defensive back. Burnette
and Rosser were named Co-Defensive Players of the Year and Byrd coach Brad Lutz
was named Region 3D Coach of the Year after leading the Terriers to the region
championship for the second year in a row.
Second Team All-Region 3D players from Byrd on the offensive side of the ball
are senior Cyrus Adams at center, senior Jerrett Shepherd at “all-purpose” and Gray
Matthews, a freshman, at runningback. Byrd also had two second team all-region
players on defense, senior Blake Anderson at linebacker and Kotz at punt return.
Region 3D also named “Honorable Mention” selections and Byrd had five,
Shepherd at punter, Haston at kick return, senior Greg Stiltner on the defensive line,
Kotz in the secondary and sophomore Conner Whitehead at placekicker.
On the All-Blue Ridge District team Burnette was named Co-Defensive
Lineman of the Year along with Gavin Walker of Lord Botetourt. Joining Burnette on
defense on the All-BRD first team are Rosser, Haston and Shepherd at both All-Purpose
and punter. First team all-district players from Byrd on offense are Lutz, Cheatwood and
Shepherd, again at All-Purpose on the offensive side of the ball.
Second team All-BRD players on offense are senior Nick Bustamante on the
offensive line, sophomore Thomas Purcell at tight end, junior Jamez Toler and Shepherd
at running back and Haston at both receiver and kick returner. Byrd had four players
make second team all-district on defense, Anderson and senior Jadai English at
linebacker and Shepherd and Kotz at defensive back.
Nick Leftwich of Blue Ridge District champion William Fleming was named
the BRD Coach of the Year, Malachia Coleman of the Colonels was Offensive Player of
the Year and LB’s Walker was Defensive Player of the Year.
