Wk 14 RNK 2024 L.C. Bird @ William Fleming

Bird out defends Fleming 10-7 in a 5C Region Final defensive standoff

“Very proud of our young men. They fought and never gave up on each other.”

– William Fleming Coach Nick Leftwich

Miller Field, Roanoke, VA – L.C. Bird and William Fleming got to the Region Finals with offensive prowess, but Friday night it was the defenses for both squads that stood tall.

In a game that witnessed Fleming turn the ball over 4 times (2 fumbles and 2 INTs) and only one offensive touchdown, a 14-yard pass from QB 4 Jycer Preston (12/20,122,TD,2INT) to WR/DB 9 K’Ron Furguson (9/93,TD rec), the defense ruled. The Skyhawks were held to a 19-yard field goal after benefitting from a Colonel fumble recovered by OLB 4 Daishawn Robinson in the first quarter. It was Fleming’s second fumble in their first two drives.

That 3-0 Bird lead held up until just before half, when Preston’s fourth down pass attempt deep in Bird territory was intercepted and returned 79 yards for a ‘pick 6’ by DB 2 Sirpaul Cheeks. The Skyhawks 10-0 lead would prove to be all the points the visitors would need to advance to the state semifinal game against Briar Woods.

Fleming RB/DB 3 Micah Coleman ended his illustrious career as a Colonel with 19 carries for 65 yards on the night. The Syracuse commit will now move on to playing his football on Saturdays. QB 4 Preston was a steady and consistent force all year long. And that Colonel defense which held opponents to 17 points per game all year long was at times dominant. Against Bird, the Colonels defense was led by RB/WR/DB 12 Zhiy Steelman with 9 tackles, LB 8 Tyshawn Henderson with 8 and a TFL, and T/DE 70 Jamari Hale also chipped in with 8 stops. RB/LB Daedae Faulkner (6Tkls) forced a fumble and TE/OLB 23 Qasim Jackson recovered it.

William Fleming finished 11-2 this year and has made a remarkable transformation under Coach Nick Leftwich. The Colonels have gone from the middle of the Blue Ridge District to reaching the Region Finals two years in a row and three out of the last four. Coach Leftwich loves this team and what they accomplished this year. “Very proud of our young men. They fought and never gave up on each other.” He went on to thank his Seniors, “We look forward to what the future holds for those young men.”  – Crunch Staff

	1	2	3	4	Final
L.C. Bird	3	7	0	0	10
Wlm Fleming	0	0	0	7	7