Despite losing to Franklin County in Rocky Mount last Friday the William
Byrd football team is still in a good position for the coming Region 3D
tournament. Byrd can clinch a first round home game with a win this week and
possibly move up a spot in the rankings.
After last Friday’s 24-21 loss to the Eagles in Rocky Mount the Terriers
are 6-3 and tied for third place in the Region 3D power point rankings. The top
eight make the playoffs and the top four get first round home games.
Magna Vista is first with a 9-0 record and a 26.22 rating. The Warriors
still have to play a very strong GW-Danville team this Friday but even with a loss
they’ll likely be the top seed in the region. Playing a Class 4 team like George
Washington is good for extra points even if Magna Vista does not win.
After that it gets tricky. Lord Botetourt, Northside and William Byrd are
all 6-3 with LB having a 24.0 rating and Northside and Byrd both at exactly
23.67. Northside plays Botetourt in Daleville this Friday so one of them is going
to lose. If Byrd can win at home against Staunton River the Terriers will likely
clinch the third seed. If Botetourt wins Friday the Cavaliers will clinch second
place.
Carroll County is currently in fifth place. The Cavaliers are 7-2 but have
played a weaker schedule and have a 23.33 rating. They finish up at home against
Class 2 James River.
Friday’s game at Vinton’s Patterson Stadium will be a big one. Byrd needs
a win for region position and it’s also “Senior Night” for the Terriers. Staunton
River is currently in ninth place in the Region 3D rankings, one spot out of the
playoffs, and a win over Byrd would give them a shot at getting in. Also, this is a
border rivalry with kids who know each other and are playing for Route 24
“bragging rights.”
“They are a tough, physical team who is getting better every week,” said
Byrd coach Brad Lutz of the Eagles. “Coach(Clay Feazell) has done a good job
with their team this year, and it will be another tough opponent for us.”
Byrd has been on the see-saw in recent weeks. After a huge win over
Northside on October 10 they were blown out by William Fleming, 55-7. The
next week they bounced back with a thrilling 42-41 win over Lord Botetourt and
last week they dropped a close one to Franklin County. Fleming’s 46-0 rout of
Botetourt last week clinched the Blue Ridge District regular season championship
for the Colonels with a 4-0 district record but Byrd, LB, Franklin County and
Northside are all 2-2 in BRD games.
“The Blue Ridge District is strong from top to bottom in football, so I
don’t believe there have been any upsets in our district this year,” said Lutz.
“Franklin County is a 5A school that has a lot of size, speed and talent. Their
record does not reflect their potential. Our district schedule is really tough, and
playing two 5A teams is a great way to prepare for the playoffs.”
Last Friday’s game in Rocky Mount went back and forth. Byrd scored first
on a 47 yard TD pass to Jamez Toler but the Eagles answered and it was 7-7 after
the first quarter.
Byrd regained the lead in the second period on a 51 yard catch and carry
from Cannin Lutz to Gray Matthews. Franklin tied the game with a score at 14-
14, then took a three point lead into halftime on a 40 yard field goal that would
prove to be big.
The Terriers took the lead again when Toler returned the second half
kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, and Connor Whitehead’s kick made it 21-17.
Franklin County answered with an 81 yard TD pass for a 24-21 lead and that was
the final with a scoreless fourth period.
Matthews finished with 54 yards rushing and 51 yards receiving for the
Terriers. Cannin Lutz was five for nine passing for 104 yards, including three to
Toler for 50 yards.
Defensively, Justyn Rozenboom had a dozen tackles with five for losses.
Maurkese Burnette had eight tackles and Stephen Byars, Davion Wade and Jamari
Toler had seven tackles each. Titus Beatty had a sack and two tackles for losses.
Byrd’s jayvee team finished up their season last night with a 6 p.m. game
against Staunton River in Moneta.
