By Sports Editor Brian Hoffman
They say “to the victor go the spoils” and when you go 12-2 you deserve some spoils.
The William Byrd football team had their best representative in many years when the
Virginia High School League All-Class 3 state football team was released last week. Byrd had
three players named to the All-State first team and one second team selection.
First team Terriers included junior B.J. Cheatwood (#65) on the offensive line and on defense
senior linebacker John Kiker (#9) and senior lineman Doniven Davis (#55) were chosen. Quarterback Israel
Hairston (#4), a senior, was named to the second team on offense.
In Region 3D Byrd swept the top prizes as Hairston was named Offensive Player of the
Year and Kiker and Davis were named Co-Defensive Players of the Year.
Byrd coach Brad Lutz was named the Region 3D Coach of the Year.
First team all-region selections from Byrd included Hairston at quarterback and
Cheatwood on the line on offense. First teamers on defense are Davis and Kiker along with
Hairston at defensive back.
Second team all-region from Byrd include four on offense, senior Brayden Andrews at
runningback, senior Dominic Dulak at receiver, senior kicker Bricen Lancaster and senior kick
returner Walter Barrows. Defensive second team Terriers are junior Maurice Burnette on the
line, junior linebacker Jahdai English and junior defensive back Jerrett Shepherd.
Honorable Mention All-Region 3D went to junior Cyrus Adams on the offensive line,
Lancaster at punter and junior Jonathan Rosser as “all-purpose.”
On the All-Blue Ridge District team Hairston was the Most Valuable Offensive Back and
Offensive Player of the Year while Cheatwood was named the Most Valuable Offensive
Lineman. On defense Kiker was Most Valuable Defensive Back and Defensive Player of the
Year with Davis taking Most Valuable Defensive Lineman. Lutz was named BRD Coach of the
Year.
First team All-Blue Ridge offense went to Cheatwood and Adams on the line, Hairston at
quarterback and Lancaster at kicker. Defensive first teamers are Davis on the line, Kiker at
linebacker, Hairston and Shepherd in the secondary, Lancaster at punter and Rosser as “all-
purpose.”
Named to the All-Blue Ridge District second team offense were senior Julian Pantoja at
center, junior Nick Butamante on the line, receivers Dulak and senior Cooper Minnix and
Barrows was second team at both kick return and “all-purpose.”
Defensive second team All-BRD Terriers include Burnette on the line, linebackers
English, Rosser and senior Lane Shoemaker and Dulak at punt returner.
Liberty Christian Academy junior running back Gideon Davidson is the Class 3 Offensive Player
of the Year, and Lafayette senior defensive end Peter Cook is the Class 3 Defensive Player of the Year.
LCA head coach Frank Rocco is the Class 3 Coach of the Year. Liberty Christian defeated Byrd in the
state semifinals, then went on to win the state championship at Liberty University with a 28-14
win over Lafayette on December 9th .
