Lord Botetourt (9-0) vs. Lafayette (8-0), Saturday 2 PM, Wanner Stadium, Williamsburg, VA
Online TV: NFHS Network (subscription required)
Lafayette returns to Wanner Stadium this week, but this time it’s for the opportunity to capture the state championship that has eluded its grasp since 2001.
Under coach Andy Linn’s tutelage, the Rams came close once, in 2014, but fell 25-19 to a powerful Magna Vista squad that would also defeat tomorrow’s opponent, Lord Botetourt, 47-21 the following year.
The Cavaliers, from Daleville, just north of Roanoke, are also undefeated at 9-0, and arrive in Williamsburg on the heels of a 24-22 nail-biter win over Liberty Christian. This will be their third attempt at the championship, having also lost to Hopewell 35-7 in 2019.
Likewise, the Rams received a formidable challenge in the semis but recovered their own fumble in the game’s final two minutes to hold off Independence 17-13.
Both teams rely on the run, but the Cavs have a monster player in 226-pound back Hunter Rice with 995 yards and 20 TD in just nine games. Quarterback Sammy Peery has thrown for just over 1,000 yards, and 14 scores against only two interceptions.
The Rams respond with Miguel Reel (88-489-8) as the featured back. Reel carried 21 times for 107 yards in the Indy game. Luke Hanson should keep the Cavs defense honest, coming into Saturday with 925 yards and nine TD’s through the air.
Both teams have been bitten by the injury bug. For Lord Botetourt, WR/DB Kyle Arnholt is out, while Lafayette LB Sam Boyer, the Region 3A defensive player of the year, also will not play. University of Virginia commit Mike Green (6-4, 215) will be asked to pick up the slack on the Ram defense.
LORD BOTETOURT
Coach: Jamie Harless
Offense
89 TE Ethan Peggins; 6-5 235 Sr.
50 LT Gunner Givens; 6-6 272 Jr.
54 LG Trey Reiter; 5-11 265 Sr.
64 C Frank Sawyers; 5-11 240 Sr.
52 OG Troy Everett; 6-3 280 Sr.
72 OT Hunter McLain; 6-5 290 Jr.
43 WR Joey Isaacs; 5-9 145 Jr.
9 TE Xavier Stephens; 6-2 264 Sr.
1 QB Sammy Peery; 6-0 150 Sr.
44 FB Zach Horton; 6-4 240 Sr.
10 RB Hunter Rice 6-0 226 Sr.
Defense
52 DL Troy Everett 6-3 280 Sr.
78 NT Evan Heck 5-11 270 Sr.
9 DL Xavier Stephens 6-2 264 Sr.
44 OLB Zach Horton 6-4 240 Sr.
5 ILB Bryson Oliver 6-1 220 Sr.
10 ILB Hunter Rice 6-0 226 Sr.
24 OLB Nic Pitzer 6-1 207 Sr.
CB 2 Trevor Catron 5-10 170 Sr.
CB 43 Joey Isaacs 5-9 145 Jr.
11 S Jakari Nicely 6-0 180 Fr.
1 S Sammy Peery 6-0 150 Sr.
Specialists
6 PK Bryson Harvey 6-1 165 Jr.
3 P Mikey Rago 5-11 150 Sr.
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SEASON SCORES
W George Washington 70-6
W William Fleming 49-6
W William Byrd 55-13
W Staunton River 49-6
W Franklin County 57-7
W Northside (forfeit)
Region 3D playoffs
W Christiansburg 55-0
W Abingdon 26-8
Class 3 semifinal
W Liberty Christian 24-22
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Lord Botetourt SEASON STATISTICS
Rushing
Att Yds TD
Hunter Rice 98 995 20
Dylan Wade 94 626 6
K.J. Bratton 53 426 5
Passing
C-A-I Yds TD
Sammy Peery 49-64-2 1003 14
Receiving
Rec-Yds TD
Zach Horton 26-297 5
Kyle Arnholt;; 21-281-9
LAFAYETTE
Coach: Andy Linn
Offense
76 LT Bradley White 6-5 240 Sr.
53 LG Mike Julien 5-9 260 Jr.
79 C Tommy Gardner 6-4 320 Sr.
56 RG Andy Anderson 6-1 270 Jr.
75 RT Bryce Copeland 6-0 200 Jr.
4 TE Mike Green 6-4 215 Sr.
84 WR Donald Gatling 6-4 190 Jr.
2 WB Adrian Warren 5-10 180 Jr.
1 WB Bryce Cupp; 6-2 210 Sr.
8 QB Luke Hanson; 6-2 190 Jr.
5 RB Miguel Reel 6-0 190 Sr.
Defense
5 DL Miguel Reel 6-0 190 Sr.
53 DL Mike Julien 5-9 260 Jr.
79 DL Tommy Gardner 6-4 320 Sr.
9 DL Loyal Gresham 6-2 240 Jr.
7 LB Myric Harris 5-10 185 Sr.
50 LB Aidan Byron 5-11 200 Sr.
4 LB Mike Green 6-4 215 Sr.
22 LB DeMarcus Lawrence 5-11 200 So.
84 DB Donald Gatling; 6-4 190 Jr.
1 DB Bryce Cupp; 6-2 210 Sr.
27 DB Jaylin Pretlow 5-10 160 So.
Specialists
18 PK; Cannon Newell 6-0 165 Sr.
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Lafayette: SEASON STATISTICS
Rushing
Att Yds TD
Miguel Reel 88 489 8
Passing
C-A-I Yds TD
Luke Hanson 48-99-5 925 9
Receiving
Rec-Yds TD
Donald Gatling 20-285 6
Mike Green 14 -255 2
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