LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty Christian Bulldogs faced the Lafayette Rams, hoping to claim a Class 3 state title.
LCA came out on top, defeating Lafayette 28-14, and earning their win for the VHSL Class 3 State Championship.
“It’s great, and I’m just so happy for our players. This has been a long year, a long grind and they really deserve it,” head LCA coach Frank Rocco says.
For the Bulldogs, it is their first VHSL title. They were led all season long by Clemson commit Gideon Davidson. The talented running back and safety rushed for 302 yards and scored three touchdowns on the evening, in the familiar confines of Williams Stadium on Saturday.
“It’s hard to explain. It’s just so many emotions rushing at one time. It’s amazing. I’ve been waiting two years for this moment and it’s finally here and I love it,” Davidson explains.
The Bulldogs took a 21-0 lead to the half. thanks in large part to three touchdown scampers by Davidson. The junior back hit pay dirt on runs of 5, 90 and 36 yards. The Rams got the game within 21-14 before quarterback Jeb Moon flipped the ball to Adam Deyo in the backfield on a reverse.--which turned out to be a reverse pass to Dalton Nesselrotte that connected, stretching the lead to 28-14.
“It takes a lot, a lot of focus, and a lot of discipline just to get the job done,” Nesselrotte says.
LCA finishes 14-0, while the Rams of Lafayette end the season at 12-3.