The Lord Botetourt Cavaliers defeated Staunton River last Friday, 70-7, to claim the Blue Ridge District football trophy. Now they’ve set their sights on bigger game as the Region 3D playoffs open this Friday night against Hidden Valley at Bogle Field, behind Cave Spring Middle School.
Botetourt is the fifth seed in the eight-team region tournament. The Cavaliers are 6-3 and have won five straight games after opening the season 1-3. Coach Jamie Harless has seen great improvement as the Cavs swept five Blue Ridge District opponents in the second half of the season to win the BRD championship.
“I’ve seen more growth in this team than in any team I’ve been associated with in 22 years of coaching,” he said. “The difference between where we started out and where we are now is phenomenal. Their character has really developed. They began to understand that true character is not being selfish and playing for each other.”
Meanwhile, Hidden Valley has been heading in the opposite direction. After winning their first six games the Titans have lost three of four to end the regular season, including blowout losses to Patrick Henry, 44-7, Christiansburg, 61-20, and Salem, 42-14. Their only win since October 1 was a 35-0 shutout of winless Blacksburg.
Hidden Valley’s bye came on the last week of the season, so the Titans have had two weeks to rest up and prepare for Lord Botetourt. Harless doesn’t think that’s necessarily an advantage.
“Rest is a relative term,” he said. “When you have momentum, like we do, you want to play. If ‘Big Mo’ is sitting on a horse you don’t want to get down off it.”
“Big Moe” ran over Staunton River last week in Daleville. The Cavaliers scored 56 points in the first half against a team that looked worn out, playing their fourth game in 14 days.
“I told coach (Staunton River’s Shaun) Leonard his kids look exhausted,” said Harless. “They’ve had to deal with some tough circumstances over there.”
This Friday’s game will be a contrast of styles for sure. The Cavaliers will have a big size advantage on the line and will try to run the ball down the Titans’ throats. Meanwhile, Hidden Valley relies on the passing attack with quarterback Sam Dragovich and his top receiver, Ashton Carroll. The Titans rolled up big passing numbers early in the season but Dragovich threw four first half interceptions against Salem when the Spartans got in his face.
“We’re going to have to pressure him,” said Harless. “He’s a real good athlete and throws the ball accurately, but it’s a little tougher with big guys coming after you.”
Other first round games find sixth seeded Magna Vista at third seeded Bassett, seventh seeded Northside at second seeded Abingdon and eighth seeded Staunton River at Christiansburg, the 9-1 top seed. The LB-Hidden Valley winner will almost certainly make a trip to Christiansburg next week.
Friday will mark the 10th straight year Lord Botetourt will participate in the playoffs, and this is Harless’ 10th year as coach. LB has a 17-9 playoff record during that span but the big prize has still eluded them as Botetourt is 0-3 in state championship games.