The Virginia high school football playoffs are underway. Many teams have been sent packing, but a select few are still battling for a championship. A round one thriller between the 3 seed Lord Botetourt and the 6 seed Northside occurred. This game was a back-and-forth match, with LB Striking first with a thirty-five-yard touchdown pass. Northside quickly answered with a touchdown of their own making it 7-7. This game would go on to be a close game the whole time, each team scoring one after another. At the end of regulation, the score was 35-35 forcing and overtime. LB would go on to win in overtime 43-41 punching their ticket to the next round. “I was at this game it was a very back and forth fun game to watch” Marcus Johnson (10).

Across town, the terriers of William Byrd hosted their rival Staunton River. William Byrd won the regular season matchup 21-20 in overtime. So, this game was expected to be very close. “I think William Byrd will win the whole thing,” Japhon English (12) said. Staunton River came out with a good drive and gained momentum, but Byrd responded with a Pick six ending Staunton River’s drive and swinging the momentum. They would go on to dominate and hold Staunton River scoreless with a commanding 20-0 win.

Magna Vista hosted Christiansburg. Magna Vista being the 2 seed and Christiansburg being the 7 seed. The Demons came out with a hot start and led most of the game up until the 4^th quarter when Magna Vista turned the game around and started their comeback. Magna Vista would go on to win 28-25. That same night, the 1 Seed Abingdon Hosted the 8 seed Carrol County. This game was not expected to be close and that’s exactly what happened. Abingdon Showed why they are the 1 seed and proved their dominance with a huge 52-13 win over Carrol County. Ending night one of the playoffs.