Wk 16 LYN 2024 LCA – Kettle Run

3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

LCA makes it ‘back to back’ state championships with 42-6 win over Cougars

“(Down the stretch) we really played our best when we needed to play our best.”

-Liberty Christian Academy Coach Frank Rocco

Williams Stadium Lynchburg, Va – In a battle of two unbeatens in the 3A state championship, Liberty Christian jumped on Kettle Run early and never let up in route to their second state title in a row. 

Offense: 

Rushing – 

LCA – Gideon Davidson 14/182,3TD, Justis Belford 2/12, Jayden Cowart 3/9, James Deyo 2/7,TD  Kettle Run – Haydynn Bell 7/28, Colton Lubbe 3/8, Colton Quaker 3/6, JT Taylor 1/2

Passing- 

LCA – Tyler Jackson 6/9,114,2TD, James Deyo 0/1,0  Kettle Run – Jacob Mulhern 20/33,168,4INTs

Receiving- 

LCA – Dalton Nesselrotte 2/54,TD, James Deyo 1/19, Roman Aronson 1/14, Gideon Davidson 1/14,TD  Kettle Run – Colton Lubbe 6/61,TD, JT Taylor 6/35, Zach Roth 5/45, Carter Bernatzky 1/11

Punting – 

LCA – Dalton Nesselrotte 1/24  Kettle Run – N/A

Kicking – 

LCA – Meija Ibarra 6/6 PATs  Kettle Run – Tim Furness 0/1 PAT (blocked)

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Scoring

1st Quarter: 

LCA     Dalton Nesselrotte 53-yard TD reception from Tyler Jackson; Meija Ibarra PAT (11:43)

LCA     James Deyo 1-yard TD run; Meija Ibarra PAT (8:06)

LCA     Gideon Davidson 3-yard TD run: Meija Ibarra PAT (4:30)

Kettle Run  Colton Lubbe 17-yard TD reception from Jacob Mulhern; Tim Furness kick blocked (0:07)

2nd Quarter

LCA   Gideon Davidson 83-yard TD run; Meija Ibarra PAT (7:16)

LCA     Gideon Davidson 14-yard TD reception from Tyler Jackson; Meija Ibarra PAT (1:28)

3rd Quarter:

LCA    Gideon Davidson 6-yard TD run; Meija Ibarra PAT (7:28)

4th Quarter

The Cougars surrendered a 53 yard TD pass from Tyler Jackson (6/9,114, 2TDs passing) to WR 11 Dalton Nesselrotte (2/54,TD rec) on the first play of the game, and it was Katie-bar-the-door from there. LCA Coach Frank Rocco talked about the Bulldog’s success, “when we have had our best success, that has been the recipe. Get on them (our opponent) and never let them breathe.”

Kettle Run was keying on the Bulldog’s sensational running back (a Clemson signee) but LCA Coach Frank Rocco was too wiley for that. Davidson got his with a 24/182, 3TDs rushing night, and a 14 yard TD reception. 

But it might have been the Liberty Christian defense that was the star of the game. LCA intercepted Kettle Run QB 2 Jacob Mulhern (20/33,168,TD,4INTs) three times in the first half and four times overall. DB 2 Justis Belford made two picks, while James Deyo got the third first half swipe.

To add insult to injury, DB 21 Henry Maier got the fourth INT on a 4th down pass on the goal line near the game’s end. Not lost on the effort was NG 78 Easton Ware’s presence (also a Clemson signee). Ware disrupted the Cougar’s run game and blocked the PAT on their only score of the night. OLB 22 Sam Rodgers and FS 1 Jayden Cowart led the defense in tackles with 7 apiece. Ware and Nate Davis chipped in with 6 each. 

This LCA group had a knack for stepping up with big games. “(Down the stretch) we really played our best when we needed to play our best,” said Rocco. “They were a really good team. We were honored to have the chance to play against them. When you have two undefeated teams, you never know how it will go.”  – Cap’n Crunch