The Liberty Christian varsity football team (Lynchburg, VA) will host William Byrd (Vinton, VA) in a home playoff game today, Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 2:00 PM.

Liberty Christian vs William Byrd Game Championship Info:

What: Virginia High School Football Playoffs
Who: Liberty Christian vs William Byrd
When: Saturday, December 07, 2024
Bracket: “2024 VHSL Football State Brackets (Virginia) – Class 3 “
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch Here

William Byrd vs. Liberty Christian: A Tale of Two Stellar Seasons

The 2024 football season has been a year of impressive performances for both William Byrd and Liberty Christian. While William Byrd put up a strong 11-2 overall record, Liberty Christian showcased utter dominance, maintaining a perfect 12-0 season. Here’s a closer look at the statistics, performances, and trends that defined their seasons and what set these two teams apart.

Overall Performance and Rankings

• William Byrd
  • Record: 11-2
  • Region: 3-2
  • Home: 5-1
  • Away: 6-1
  • Points For: 416
  • Points Against: 168
  • Division Ranking: 51 in VA
• Liberty Christian
  • Record: 12-0
  • Region: 7-0
  • Home: 6-0
  • Away: 5-0
  • Points For: 517
  • Points Against: 164
  • Division Ranking: 7 in VA

Liberty Christian’s undefeated record and superior regional ranking reflect their dominance on both sides of the ball. Their point differential (+353) highlights their ability to control games and overwhelm opponents.

Scoring Trends

• William Byrd averages 32.0 points per game, with strong starts in the first half but a notable drop-off in the second half, scoring only 2.8 points per quarter in both the third and fourth.
• Liberty Christian leads with a robust 43.1 points per game, starting strong in the first quarter (15.9 points) and maintaining consistency throughout. Their ability to build early leads often left opponents unable to recover.

Team Stats

Liberty Christian’s statistical edge is evident across the board:

• Rushing Yards per Game: 214.9 (William Byrd: N/A)
• Passing Yards per Game: 108.6 (William Byrd: 94.9)
• Total Yards per Game: 309.8
• Points Per Game Leader: Gideon Davidson (17.8)

Davidson’s exceptional contribution underscores Liberty Christian’s dominance, as his production exceeds the national average by a significant margin.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both teams shared two common opponents this season—Liberty and Franklin County. In both cases:

• William Byrd won against Liberty 51-6 and Franklin County 17-10.
• Liberty Christian delivered commanding victories: 55-6 against Liberty and 35-20 over Franklin County.

Liberty Christian’s wider margins of victory further highlight their offensive firepower and defensive consistency.

Key Players

For Liberty Christian:

• Gideon Davidson (#8):
  • Rushing Yards per Game: 159.9
  • Tackles per Game: 6.6
  • Points per Game: 17.8
• Joshua Lee (#45):
  • Sacks per Game: 1.0

Davidson emerged as the centerpiece of Liberty Christian’s success, dominating in multiple facets of the game.

For William Byrd:

• Tyler Jackson (#9):
  • Passing Yards per Game: 94.9
• James Deyo (#5):
  • Receiving Yards per Game: 38.0

While Jackson and Deyo played pivotal roles for William Byrd, the team’s depth could not match Liberty Christian’s all-around efficiency.

Playoff Performances

Both teams made playoff runs, with William Byrd securing a 3-0 postseason record before bowing out. Liberty Christian’s 3-0 playoff record was marked by dominating performances that cemented their status as a powerhouse.

Conclusion

William Byrd’s remarkable season stands out as a testament to their grit and determination, but Liberty Christian’s flawless campaign is a benchmark for excellence. With players like Gideon Davidson leading the charge, Liberty Christian’s combination of talent, strategy, and execution made them unstoppable this season.

The contrast between these teams highlights the diverse paths to success in high school football—William Byrd’s consistent hard work versus Liberty Christian’s overwhelming dominance.