The Virginia High School League football playoffs are here and it promises to be another exciting five weeks of action. Lord Botetourt will open the Region 3D playoffs at home Friday against Northside at 7 p.m.
Botetourt is the third seed in the tournament after defeating Franklin County in the regular season finale last Friday, 42-7, in Daleville. The Cavaliers go into the playoffs with a 7-3 record.
Other first round matchups in the region find top-seeded Abingdon (9-1) hosting eight-seeded Bassett (5-5), second-seeded Magna Vista(8-2) at home against seventh-seeded Christiansburg (5-5) and fourth-seeded William Byrd (8-2) taking on fifth-seeded Staunton River (5-5). If the Cavaliers win Friday they would advance to a region semifinal against the Magna Vista-Christiansburg winner.
Botetourt’s first round match is an intriguing one. Just two weeks ago the Cavaliers lost to the Vikings at Northside, 17-0. It was Northside’s first win over LB in eight years and just the second in the past 12 years. The win all but clinched a spot in the playoffs for the Vikings. It’s no secret the border rivals have no love lost between them and the Cavaliers are anxious to get another shot at Northside.
“We’re all anxious to get another chance to play them,” said Lord Botetourt coach Jamie Harless. “It’s always good to get a second chance.”
Photos by Jim & Regina Devinney
The Cavaliers bounced back from the loss to Northside with a big win over Class 5 Franklin County last Friday to end the regular season. It was Senior Night and the Cavaliers made sure it was a good one. The Cavaliers led 35-0 at the half and played with a running clock after intermission.
Quinten Jones rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns for the Cavaliers. Tristan Overbay carried 15 times for 89 yards and three scores and Angel Rigney also had a TD run. The Eagles scored a fourth quarter touchdown to avoid a shutout.
Lord Botetourt’s jayvees also beat the Eagles and finished 8-1.
This Friday the Cavaliers will honor Lord Botetourt graduate and school athletic Hall of Famer Zack Kelly at halftime of the football game. Kelly is a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball team.
