By Debbie Adams
With only three home football games scheduled in this pandemic year, the March 27 game against Northside was packed with activities: it was Senior Night (in the afternoon), Homecoming/Senior Court, and the Fallen Soldier Tribute Game all in one—“a lot going on and a lot to celebrate.”
Prior to the game, William Byrd honored students in the Class of 2021 who are members of the football team, cheerleading squad, and Marching Terriers band. Students were introduced and escorted on the track by family or friends as their names were called.
Members of the football team graduating this year included El’Amin Shareef (#1) who was escorted by his mother Talethia Shareef and his grandmother Denise Stanley. Shareef began his varsity football career as a freshman at Byrd. He plans to play college football next year.
Hunter Harris (#5) was escorted by his parents, Shannon and Stacey Harris. He has been part of the William Byrd football program for six years and plans to attend Liberty University.
Dylan Hatfield (#7) was escorted by his parents, Fred and Carla Hatfield. He has played football for William Byrd for five years and plans to attend Virginia Tech next fall and play baseball.
Ethan Tinsley (#9) was escorted by his parents Mitzi and Tony Thornton. He has played football for Byrd for four years. He plans to attend Randolph Macon College, major in Business and Criminal Justice, and play football.
Tyler Dean (#22) was escorted by his parents Steve and Michelle Dean. He has played football for Byrd for two years. He plays to attend Virginia Tech and play baseball.
Jeff Williams (#23) was escorted by his parents Jeffrey and Karen Williams. He has played football at Byrd for one year. He plans to attend Virginia Western Community College.
Hayden Lyle (#32) was escorted by his parents Jamie and Krista Lyle. He has been in the William Byrd football program for six years. He plans to attend Bluefield College to major in Criminal Justice and play baseball.
Isaac Fix (#35) was escorted by his parents Mark and Liz Fix. He has played football at Byrd for five years. He plans to attend Davidson College to major in physics and play baseball.
Donald McCadden (#42) was escorted by Lisa Stover. He has played football at Byrd for four years. He plans to join the United States Air Force.
Nick Reedy (# 44) was escorted by his mother Angie Reed and grandmother Mary Flowers. He has played football at Byrd for six years. He plans to attend trade school after graduation or Virginia Western Community College.
Bryson Lutz (#50) was escorted by his parents Brad and Christy Lutz. He has played football at Byrd for two years. He plans to attend Emory and Henry College and play football.
Tyler Roseberry (#51) was escorted by his parents Amanda Biggs and Cory Roseberry. He has played football at William Byrd for two years. He plans to enroll in the electrician program at Virginia Western Community College.
Hunter Flynn (#65) was escorted by Bill and Karen Sankbeil. He has been a part of the football program at Byrd for two years. He plans to join the Police Academy after graduation.
Blake Sankbeil (#66) was escorted by his parents Bill and Karen Sankbeil. He has been part of the football program at William Byrd for five years. He plans to attend Emory and Henry College.
Tanner Smith (#77) was escorted by his parents Chris and Kelie Smith. He has played football for Byrd for one year. He plans to join the United States Marine Corps.
Senior cheerleader Haleigh Bush was escorted by her parents Keith and Theresa Bush. She has been a member of the squad for the past two years. She is also a member of the Vocal Ensemble and Choir and has plans to attend Hollins University.
Emily Hale has been a cheerleader for WBHS for five years and Captain for three of those years. She was escorted by her parents Michelle Hale and James Hale. She is also a member of DECA. She plans to attend Virginia Western Community College and major in Business Management. She also plans to train to become a professional wrestler.
Senior Class members of the band included Erin Kirtley escorted by her parents Patricia and Ryan Brannon. She has been a member of the Marching Terriers for five years. She is also a member of the Beta Club. She plans to attend Old Dominion University and major in history.
Tyler Oliver was escorted by Heather Hartberger. He has been playing in the band for three years and plans to attend VWCC to major in Liberal Arts.
Nick Colvin was accompanied by James and Tresica Colvin. He has been a band member for seven years. He also plays varsity soccer. He will be attending South Florida to major in International Studies.
Dillon Peters was escorted by his sister Ashley. He has been a member of the band for seven years and is also a member of the Beta Club. He plans to major in Business Management at Virginia Tech.
Makenzie Harris was escorted by parents Chad and Amy Harris. She has been a member of the band for seven years, and woodwind Captain this year. She plans to attend Emory and Henry, majoring in social work and psychology.
David Smith was escorted by his parents Shannon and David Smith. He has been a member of the band for seven years and is also a member of the Leo and DECA Clubs.
Katelyn Morgan was escorted by her parents Tonya and Jason Morgan. She has been a Marching Terrier for four years. She plans to attend VWCC.
Faith Parrish was escorted by her parents Daniel and Tara Parrish. She has been a member of the marching band for three years. She is also a member of the Beta Club, the Knitting Club, and Terrier TV. She plans to attend Radford University and major in Biology.
Landon Young was escorted by his parents, Amie Widener and Michael Young. He has been in the band for seven years and is also a member of the Habitat Club. He plans to major in Business at VWCC.
Katie Wheeler is the daughter of Bill and Karen Wheeler. She has been a band member for seven years. She is also a member of the Leo Club. She plans to major in nursing at Radford University.
Julie Wang is the daughter of Liling Cheatwood and Wen Wang. She has been a band member for seven years. She is a member of the Academic Team, Terrier TV, Sketches, and the tennis team.
The Terrier team was escorted to the field by members of the Virginia State Police, the Christian Motorcycle Association, and the Empty Tomb Ministry, and led by bagpiper Aric Bower. A gigantic American flag was on display thanks to Nate Sorreno from U. S. Crane and Rigging.
In 2019, under Coach Brad Lutz, the William Byrd football team established a tradition of honoring fallen soldiers who gave their lives while protecting our country and serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are continuing the tradition this year as they play to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Each game this season has been dedicated to those heroes.
On June 12, 2010, Army Spc. Brian “Bucky” Anderson was killed in Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his vehicle using an improved explosive device. Anderson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. His Gold Star mother, Margaret Anderson joined the team on the field before the game and was thanked for “the sacrifice your family has made.”
On February 26, 1991, William Byrd graduate Army Lieutenant Terry Plunk was killed while clearing land mines in Al-Salman Airfield, Iraq. Plunk served with the 27th Engineering Battalion, 20th Engineering Brigade. He was also a graduate of VMI.
The Terriers’ uniforms this season bear the names on the back of Anderson, Plunk, or Army Specialist Clarence Adams, a teammate of Coach Lutz, who died serving in Iraq in 2004.
The Terriers were able to play the first quarter of the game until it was postponed due to lightning. The Senior Court ceremony planned for half time was then moved to March 29.