UPDATE
Two powerhouse football teams went head-to-head in Lynchburg as both teams looked to start their season 1 and 0 but in the end, the LCA Bulldogs pulled off the win in what turned out to be a physical football game.
Starting the game, both teams could not find their rhythm, but then it was Liberty Christian first on the board with standout runningback Gideon Davidson doing all the work to make it 7-0.
The Spartans were looking to respond and were driving down the field when the drive stalled. The Spartans looked to put three points on the board when the bulldogs blocked the field goal, returning it to Spartan territory.
Two plays later, the Bulldogs found the endzone again this time with the quarterback sneak from senior James Deyo, making it 14-0.
But the Spartans were not going away that easily as they drove down the field and capped it off with a touchdown pass.
The Bulldogs went immediately back to work with Davidson using his legs again, making it 20-7 going into the half.
Coming out of the half, the Spartans were moving the ball as they marched down the field, capping it with a touchdown from senior Josiah Persinger.
But every time the Spartans struck, the Bulldogs had an answer with another touchdown from Davidson, bringing the score to 35-14. The Spartans hung in there with a fourth-quarter kick return, but it wasn’t enough. Liberty Christian Academy starts the season 1 and 0 over Salem, 35–21
Next week, LCA will go into the Bye Week where they look to rest up some players and work on things that they want to get cleaned up, while Salem looks to right the ship as they take on Franklin County.
ORIGINAL STORY
Both Liberty Christian and Salem are well known in Virginia for their football play and on Friday, these two powerhouse teams have been counting down the days to get back on the field.
“We have a handful of these type of guys back that have had some high-level, high leverage type games, so we are very thankful for that,” said Frank Rocco, Liberty Christian Academy Head Coach.
Liberty Christian Academy is coming off a state championship win last year in Division 3A.
The Bulldogs dismantled every team they played, completing the undefeated year. But now, they have a new squad and last year is in the past.
“Anytime you lose, you’re starting returning quarterback that’s a blow,” said Rocco.
“Last year is last year’s team. Like, that is in the past. This is this year’s team, but it is the same goal,” said Liberty Christian Academy running back and center back Justis Belford.
“That same hunger that we had last year, just keep grinding every single day, keep that fight, keep those young guys up,” said LCA center and defensive end Ryan Sissney.
And on the other side of the ball is the Salem Spartans.
Salem is coming off a 13-2 season, where they lost in the state championship to Phoebus.
And while some significant players graduated for the Spartans, they say they have reloaded and are ready to take the season one game at a time.
“A team is for a season, a program lasts forever, and that’s what we have here. The standard is excellence in Salem, and the goal hasn’t changed in 2024,” said Salem High School Head Coach Don Holter.
Their only other loss from last year was against the Bulldogs for the season opener and they know it will be a game.
“They’re a great team overall. I mean, I’m glad we picked them up last year, got to play against them,” said Salem High School cornerback and runningback Josiah Persinger.
“It’s a heck of a challenge, and that’s the way it should be. Two perineal powerhouse programs opening the season. It’s what people have been waiting nine months on,” said Holter.