UPDATE:
Heritage ended Liberty Christian Academy’s winning streak with a 35-33 victory in a thrilling Seminole District football matchup. The Bulldogs, known as the tough third-grade bully on the field, faced a Pioneers team that had been gaining momentum recently.
The game, held on Halloween, featured exciting plays from both sides. Liberty Christian’s Luke Gaither connected with Roman Aronson early to put the Pioneers on the board. Heritage responded quickly with a powerful run by Zade Holloway to tie the game.
Just before halftime, the Bulldogs missed a field goal opportunity that could have given them the lead. However, early in the second half, Jayden Coward scored a touchdown for Liberty Christian, extending their lead despite a missed two-point conversion.
In the fourth quarter, the Pioneers pushed their advantage to 29-26 with a touchdown run by an 8-yard slasher. But the Bulldogs fought back, with Gaither finding Jordan Turns for a crucial touchdown that brought the score within two points.
The game came down to an onside kick attempt by Liberty Christian, but Heritage’s Jaden Miller anticipated the bounce and secured possession. The Bulldogs then took a knee to seal the victory, marking their first win over Liberty Christian since 2022.
Heritage head coach Brad Bradley praised his team’s perseverance. “Kids win games, coaches lose games,” he said. “Our kids just stayed in it all day long and we had chances, we could have given up. We didn’t. My hat’s off to my coaches, managers. This is a program win.”
Bradley also compared the game to the story of the tortoise and the hare, emphasizing the importance of steady effort. “Slow and steady seems to win the race. That was definitely a factor tonight.”
Looking ahead, Liberty Christian will host Liberty in the season finale, while Heritage will travel to Jefferson Forest for the game of the week in Lynchburg.
The Lynchburg Christian Academy Bulldogs are set to take on the Heritage High School Pioneers in a much-anticipated Friday night football game, tonight. This matchup our Game of the Week and a key battle within the Seminole District.
Brooke Leonard, reporting from City Stadium in Lynchburg, notes that the reigning state champion Bulldogs are aiming for another title this season. However, their path to victory requires overcoming the Heritage Pioneers. The Bulldogs’ success in recent years has been built on a strong offensive line.
The team benefits from the guidance of NFL veteran and Hall of Famer Jake Grove, who leads the offensive line. “We’ve always really kind of hung our hat on offensive line play and being dominant and physical,” Grove said. This tradition has supported standout running backs like Gideon Davidson.
This season, senior Jaden Cowher leads the offensive line. Cowher described the line as possibly the best in the state, emphasizing their toughness and ability to create holes for the running game.
LCA has had a solid season, with their only loss coming against an out-of-state opponent. That loss served as a humbling experience that helped the team improve.
The Bulldogs have not lost a Seminole District game since 2022 and are determined to keep that streak alive. Defensive discipline and focus will be crucial, as one linebacker noted the importance of being locked in and having good eyes on the field.
The team expects a tough, physical contest.