Liberty Christian improves to 3-0 in 56-26 win over Franklin County
Williams Stadium, Lynchburg, VA – Liberty Christian Academy and Franklin County squared off in a week 3 match up that brought plenty of excitement. In warmups it was evident that both teams had size and were ready to hit. Warmups also showed this game was going to be won by who could endure the physicality for the entire contest. LCA quickly showed that their line on both sides of the ball is what would allow them to put up an offensive showcase, while on defense every yard was going to be earned, not given. 
LCA would seemingly win this game with ease, but head coach Frank Rocco knows his team must get better. “For us to be a team that is going to be reckoned with down the road we have got to become much more complete.”
Franklin County Head Coach Jr Edwards kept it simple, “We learned tonight.”
Franklin County and LCA captains meet at midfield
First Quarter –
LCA opened the game with the ball on their own forty-four-yard line. Immediately LCA look liked a well-oiled machine smoothly driving 56-yards with RB/CB 1 Jaylin Belford rushing for a 10-yard touchdown.
Belford had 37 yards on the opening possession and LCA jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead with 8:18 left in the 1st quarter. Franklin County could only gain one first down after taking the LCA kick off to the LCA forty-two-yard line. Franklin County turned it over on downs and LCA started their 2nd possession with the ball on their own twenty-eight-yard line with 4:52 remaining in the 1st quarter. The first quarter ended with LCA driving deep in Franklin County territory ball on the Eagles six-yard-line.
Liberty Christian’s hard nosed defense
2nd quarter –
The beginning of the 2nd quarter saw LCA have a touchdown run called back because of a chop block. The next play QB 7 Davis Lane threw a 20-yard touchdown to Jaylin Belford but not so fast! Another penalty flag was down this time holding on the offense. It was 3rd and goal ball on the Franklin County thirty-five-yard line LCA with their back against the wall, but the well-oiled machine did not malfunction. 
On 3rd and goal Davis Lane was able to scramble and pick up 10 yards. Coach Rocco showed faith in his offense going for it on 4th and goal from the twenty-five-yard line and it paid off. This time Davis Lane found Jaylin Belford for a 25-yard Touchdown reception to make the score 14-0 with 10:03 remaining in the half.
Eagle QB 6 Eli Foutz tightens up the game with a scoring run
The Eagles did not tuck their wings but soared on the next drive flying down the field on a long drive and scoring on a QB sneak from QB 6 Eli Foutz. The extra point was blocked making it 14-6 with 5:37 remaining in the half.
Belford catches a 25-yard TD on fourth down in the second quarter
OL/DL 50 Zach Rice and RB/WR/DB 1 Jaylin Rice celebrate a score
Jaylin Belford nearly took the ensuing kickoff to the house but was tackled by the last defender for Franklin County at the LCA forty-five-yard line.
LCA’s Belford gets the scoring started
LCA would churn out another long 55-yard drive with Davis Lane running it in from 1-yard out to make it 21-6 with 1:12 remaining in the half. The score would remain 21-6 heading into the halftime break.
LCA QB 7 Davis Lane scores from a yard out
Franklin County WR 13 Jamerise Holland makes the TD grab for the Eagles
Third Quarter –
Franklin County would start the 2nd half with a 55-yard drive that was kept alive by a 4th down run and a 3rd down pass interference on LCA. Eli Foutz found WR 13 Jamerise Holland for a 23-yard touchdown but after a failed two-point conversion the score was 21-12 with 7:38 remaining in the quarter. On the kickoff Jaylin Belford would make a house call going 89-yards for the touchdown making it 28-12 with 7:23 remaining in the quarter. Franklin County’s next possession didn’t last long quickly going 3 and out giving the ball right back to the red-hot bulldogs. LCA would go 70-yards while taking over 5 minutes off the clock ending in a crisp touchdown pass from Davis Lane. LCA lead 35-12 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
LCA Co-captain RB/WR/DB 1 Jaylin Belford gets loose
Fourth Quarter –
Franklin County opened the 4th quarter with RB 27 Jahylen Lee ripping through the LCA defense in route to a 47-yard touchdown after converting the two-point conversion the score was 35-20 with 11:47 remaining in the contest.
Eagle RB 27 Jahylen Lee finds room to run behind good blocking
LCA would take over at their own forty-yard line, but the first play of the possession Jaylin Belford would rip off yet another explosive play this time a 60-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 42-20 with 11:28 remaining.
LCA answers Franklin County’s score with Belford toting the rock
Franklin County would continue to hang around scoring off a 56-yard touchdown pass from Eli Foutz to Jamerise Holland. The two point try was no good and the score with 9:55 remaining was 42-26.
Eagle QB 6 Eli Foutz dumping the ball off
Franklin County would attempt an onside kick, but LCA recovered on the Franklin County forty-five. The next possession saw Davis Lane show off his athletic ability with two long runs the second resulting in a 15-yard rushing touchdown. 49-26 with 7:17 remaining. The following kick off was a short kick that hopped in favor of LCA and would be recovered by LCA. The very next play 2 RB Justis Belford would go up the middle untouched for a 55-yard rushing touchdown making the score 56-26 and essentially putting the nail in the coffin of a Franklin County comeback. In the end LCA would win 56-26 improving to 3-0 while Franklin County falls to 0-2. – Josiah Elmore
Offense:
Rushing: LCA – J. Belford 23/225, 2 TDs, D. Lane 6/66, 2 TDs, J. Belford 2/48, TD
Franklin County – J. Lee 14/61. TD, E. Foutz 8/32 TD
Passing: LCA – Lane 9/10, 114, 2 TD,
Franklin County – Foutz 6/17, 147, 2 TD
Scoring:
1st Quarter –
8:18 J. Belford 10-yard rushing TD
2nd Quarter –
10:03 D. Lane 25-yard TD pass to J. Belford
5:37 E. Foutz 2-yard rushing TD
1:12 D. Lane 1-yard rushing TD
3rd Quarter –
7:38 E. Foutz 23-yard TD pass to J. Holland
7:23 J. Belford 89-yard kick return TD
1:03 D. Lane 35-yard TD
4th Quarter –
11:47 J. Lee 47-yard rushing TD
11:28 J. Belford 60-yard rushing TD
9:55 E. Foutz 56-yard TD pass to J. Holland
7:17 D. Lane 15-yard rushing TD
7:05 Justis Belford 55-yard TD