The Lord Botetourt and James River football teams played a benefit game in Springwood last Friday night in the last tune up for the regular season. This Friday, it counts for real.

The benefit game was essentially a scrimmage, but the score was kept on the board and LB outscored James River 55-0. The most important thing was that there were no serious injuries and both teams got some game footage to look at as they prepare for season openers Friday night.

“We’re nicked up a little bit, but that’s football,” said River coach Jake Phillips. “It was a good experience. Everyone got some playing time and we were able to see what they’d do in game situations.”

LB coach Jamie Harless substituted liberally.

“I got to see what I wanted to see,” he said. “We look at it as just another evaluation, regardless of the outcome.”

This week LB will open at home against Harrisonburg, while James River takes to the road against Chatham. Read all about both county teams in a special fall sports preview section in this week’s Fincastle Herald.