Brothers Jerry and Hunter Rice received post-season honors when the All-Southern Conference football teams were announced. Jerry earned first team all-conference honors as a place kicker and Hunter was named to the All-Freshman offense.
Jerry, who went by Trey when he played for Lord Botetourt’s football and soccer teams, was named to the coaches’ first team and the media second team. A sophomore, Rice converted 17 of 19 field goals on the season and was perfect on 39 extra point kicks. Jerry led the SoCon in most field goals made and was second in field goal accuracy at 89.5 percent, finishing the season hitting nine straight field goals.
Rice had six field goals of 40 or more yards, including a career-long 49-yarder against Chattanooga on October 9. He was five-for-five in field goals against Chattanooga and hit a 37-yarder for the game winner in overtime, earning him SoCon special teams player of the week honors.
Younger brother Hunter Rice, a freshman at VMI, was one of just seven players named to the All-Southern Conference freshman offense. Hunter played in all 11 games, seeing action at running back and special teams.
Hunter finished third on the team in rushing with 289 yards and seven touchdowns, which was second most on the team. He rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns in his first college start at Mercer on October 16.
Rice was a two-way player during his days at Lord Botetourt and was a defensive anchor at linebacker. This season at VMI he was credited with 11 tackles, all but one solo, on special teams play.
A third Lord Botetourt product, Evan Eller, also played for the Keydets this season. The sophomore defensive back was credited with 27 tackles during the season, including 13 solos. Evan had eight tackles in VMI’s 31-23 win over Wofford in Lexington on September 25.
