The Lord Botetourt football team is looking to snap a two-game losing streak and build some momentum for the playoffs when the Cavaliers host Northside Friday night. It will be “Senior Night” for 16 LB players.
This is a big game with the Region 3D playoffs just a week away. Lord Botetourt is currently ranked second in the VHSL ratings with a 24.0 power point rating and a 6-3 record. However, Northside and William Byrd are right on LB’s tail as both are also 6-3 and rated an identical 23.67. If Northside beats LB and Byrd wins at home against Staunton River, the Cavaliers could fall all the way to fourth, hindering their chances for home field after the opening round games.
The Cavaliers would just as soon put last week’s game behind them. Fleming’s Zhiy Steelman rushed for 312 yards and four touchdowns as the Colonels downed LB in Daleville, 46-0, on Halloween night.
“That Steelman has NFL talent potential,” said LB coach Jamie Harless. “We’ve seen some good running backs and I think he’s the best. He has a better burst than (current New England Patriot) Treveyon Henderson.”
Photos by Jim & Regina Devinney
Fleming clinched the Blue Ridge District season title with the win. In the last three weeks they beat William Byrd, 55-7, and shut out Northside and LB.
Botetourt will try to bounce back this week against Northside. The Cavs have won 11 of the past 13 games with the Vikings. Last year Northside won the regular season game but LB beat them in the playoffs, 43-41. This should be a good one Friday as Northside has their best team in years.
“They’re fast and they get after you on defense,” said Harless. “And they play hard.”
