Wk 12 RNK 2024 staunton River @ William Byrd

Byrd goes to the air to take out Staunton River 20-0 

“Our kids played hard, clean, and good assignment football on both sides of the ball. Every day, every minute of our prep this week was better.”

– William Byrd Coach Brad Lutz

Jeffferson Highfill Field Vinton, VA – Following on the heels of an exciting 21-20 OT Byrd win in their first meeting a few weeks ago, expectations were high for this first round playoff rematch. This time around, Byrd never let it get that close.

Staunton River received the opening kickoff, but Byrd DB 5 Ethan Haston picked off a Golden Eagle pass at the 36-yardline. Two plays later, Byrd WR 11 Tate Kotz (5/115,2TDs) hauled in a perfect strike from QB 9 Cannin Lutz (10/15,193,3TDs passing) to get the Terriers on the board. The PAT was no good and Byrd led 6-0. 

The Golden Eagles looked to answer. QB 1 Patrick Chewning (4/11,44,INT), and RB 5 Brady Barns (12/53; 1/18 rec) led River on a promising drive, but Byrd’s defense turned the Eagles away on fourth down. The Terriers turned that momentum into another TD connection. This time QB 9 Lutz found WR/DB 1 Kam McKee to extend the lead to 13-0 at the end of the first quarter. Again Staunton River went on another drive deep into Terrier territory on the play of Barns and RB 2 Macon Ayers (7/21, 1/8 rec). But once again, when the Terrier defense needed to, they kept the Eagles out of the end zone. Byrd added one more third quarter score to make it 20-0 on the night.

The combination of Lutz and Kotz was again on display, connecting through the air. Byrd Head Coach Brad Lutz talked about preparing for the playoffs after the game, “Our kids played hard, clean, and good assignment football on both sides of the ball. Every day, every minute of our prep this week was better.” Both teams played hard in this one. Staunton River finishes 5-6, and William Byrd (9-2) will now go on to face Abingdon next Friday.  – Wilson Andrake