Fleming wins battle of Blue Ridge District unbeatens 28-14 over Byrd
Jefferson Highfill Field, Vinton, VA – They needed to change the Blue to the Black & Blue Ridge District on this night, as two very good football teams squared off in Vinton. Early on it was the Fleming defense and Colonel RB and Syracuse commit, Malachi Coleman making a statement. Fleming turned the Terriers over on their first drive with pressure from DL 56 Jaylen Green and 34 Jamari Hale.
The rush forced a quick throw and DB 8 Tyshawn Henderson picked it off at the Terrier forty four. One play later, RB 3 Coleman (18/219,3TDs turned the corner on a pitch and took it the distance for a 6-0 lead. The PAT was blocked by DE 13 Jonathan Rosser. Fleming’s next trip with the ball was another one play series, with Coleman breaking up the middle for an 83-yard TD run. The 2pt attempt failed and Fleming was up 12-0 with 4:29 left in the quarter.
“I was just proud of our team all around.“ – Fleming Coach Nick Leftwich
| William Fleming | William Byrd | |
| 1st Downs | 7 | 11 |
| Rushes/Yards | 34/258,3TDs | 27/49 |
| Passing – Yards | 3/7,18,TD | 16/26,150,2TD |
| Total Yards | 276 | 199 |
| Punt/ Avg yards | 4/37 yd avg | 2/31 yd avg |
| Penalties -Yards | 4/35 | 6/40 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Score | 28 | 14 |
Byrd answered with a 14 play drive. Byrd QB 9 Cannin Lutz (16/26,150,2TDs,INT) hit WR 11 Tate Kotz (4/74,2TDs) on a 33-yard, jump ball for the score. The PAT made it 12-7. Byrd’s defense got into the act next, forcing a fumble and getting the ball back on the Colonel twelve. Fleming’s defense bent but didn’t break, holding Byrd on downs at the four yardline. Byrd had one more chance before half but a 48-yard FG try sailed wide.
Offense:
Rushing –
William Fleming – Micah Coleman 18/219,3TDs, Davion Faulkner 5/22, Jycer Preston 7/14, Kamharie Steelman 2/3, Team 2/0 William Byrd – Jamez Toler 18/59, Jalen Toler 1/1, Conner Lutz 4/(-15), Jarrett Shepherd 3/2, Kam McKee 1/2
Passing-
William Fleming – Jycer Preston 3/7,18,TD William Byrd – Cannin Lutz 16/26,150,2TDs,INT
Receiving-
William Fleming – Za’Mondre Spinner 1/12, K’Ron Ferguson 1/6,TD, Kamharie Steelman 1/0 William Byrd – Tate Kotz 4/74,2TDs, Jarrett Shepherd 4/46, Landon Martin 4/33, Jon Rosser 2/7, Thomas Purcell 1/9, Kam McKee 2/18, #7 1/9
Punting –
William Fleming – Davion Faulkner 4/37 yds avg William Byrd – Jarrett Shepherd 1/40, Cannin Lutz 1/23
Returns –
William Fleming – Micah Coleman 2/54, Kamharie Steelman 1/12, Davion Faulkner 1/5 William Byrd – Tate Kotz 2/25, Landon Martin 1/11, Jalen Toler 1/10, Jarrett Shepherd 1/10, Jamez Toler 1/2
Scoring
1st Quarter:
WF 6-0 Micah Coleman 44-yard TD run; PAT blocked
WF 12-0 Micah Coleman 83-yard TD run; 2-pt try failed
2nd Quarter:
WB 12-7 Tate Lotz 33-yard TD catch from Cannin Lutz; PAT Connor Whitehead
3rd Quarter:
WF 14-7 Safety on blocked punt by Davion Faulkner through back of end zone
WF 21-7 Micah Coleman 2-yard TD run; PAT Alejandro Rodriguez
WF 28-7 K-Ron Furguson 6-yard TD catch from Jycer Preston; PAT Alejandro Rodriguez
4th Quarter:
WB 28-14 Tate Lotz 24-yard TD catch from Cannin Lutz; PAT Connor Whitehead
Fleming’s special teams made the play at the start of the second half. Byrd was forced to punt from their own 10-yard line, FB/LB 5 Davion Faulkner blocked the punt back through the end zone and Fleming was now up 14-7. On the ensuing Byrd free kick back to Fleming, Coleman returned it 53 yards down to the Byrd five. A few plays later, on fourth and goal, Coleman ran a toss pitch 2-yards to make it 21-7 after the PAT. Both teams added one more score to get us to the final score. Fleming Coach Nick Leftwich was pleased to get this tough win, “I was just proud of our team all around.“ – Cap’n Crunch
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Wlm Fleming | 12 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 28 |
| Wlm Byrd | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
