CLASS 3 TITLE BLOG: Phoebus 22, Liberty Christian 14 - FINAL

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Just under 30 minutes away from kickoff here in Lynchburg, VA where the Liberty Christian Bulldogs will take on the Phoebus Phantoms for the Class 3 State Title. Both teams are coming off big wins in the state semifinals.

Liberty Christian defeated Abingdon 56-13 and Phoebus was victorious over Brentsville 43-0.

The Bulldogs feature 5-star Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year and University of North Carolina commit Zach Rice.

Liberty Christian is in search of their first VHSL State Championship while Phoebus seeks their fifth title since 2008. The Phantoms won four straight state championships between 2008 and 2011 and made it to the final game of the season in 2018.

Stay tuned for updates

 

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Phoebus wins the toss and defers. Liberty Christian will receive the opening kickoff.

 

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LCA starts their 1st drive on the 35 yard line.

A mix of effective rushing from Gideon and Caleb Davidson sets up the play action and senior quarterback ends a 10 play 65 yard drive with a 7 yard touchdown strike to Dillon Stowers and the Bulldogs take a 7-0 lead less than four minutes into the game.

 

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Phoebus receives the kickoff and will start their first offensive drive from their own 35 yard line.

 

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A strike from Mark Wagner to Kymari Gray for 24 yards and a 30 yard run by Tyreon Taylor moves Phoebus into the redzone.

 

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The Phantoms are unable to convert with a 4 yard loss on a sack by LCA's Dillon Stowers on 2nd down and a pair of incomplete passes lead to a turnover on downs.

 

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Phantoms defense starting the drive strong. Have the Bulldogs pinned on theirs 16 with 3rd and 11.

Davis Lane pass is incomplete and LCA will punt.

 

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43 yard punt by Chase Dupin and Phoebus offense starts on their own 41.

 

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Phantoms going with the run to Tyreon Taylor for gains of 11 and 8 on their first two plays.

 

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A 12 yard gain from Kymari Gray and the Phoebus offense is threatening again. 1st and 10 at the LCA 28 yard line after an injury timeout.

 

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Mark Wagner to Kymari Gray for 17 yards and Phoebus is down to the 11 yard line.

 

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Mark Wagner to Jalen Mayo for a 16 yard TD. Extra Point is no good. LCA 7, Phoebus 6

 

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LCA will begin the drive at their own 23.

 

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Tyreon Taylor picks off a Davis Lane pass for Phoebus and returns it 37 yards for a touchdown. Phantoms pull ahead 14-7 on a Mark Wagner pass to Donald Gatling Jr. on the two point conversion.

 

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End of the 1st quarter: Phoebus 14, Liberty Christian Academy 7

 

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Phoebus defense is looking strong. Holds LCA to a 3 and out and the Phantoms will get the ball back again 2 minutes into the second quarter.

 

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Nothing doing for the Phantoms. Phoebus gets a great punt from Donald Gatling and LCA will take over at their own 3 yard line.

 

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The LCA offense moved the ball to midfield behind the running of Davis Lane and Gideon Davidson but then stalled.

They do flip the field with a punt, however. Phoebus offense takes over at its own 6 with 3:31 remaining in the first half.

 

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Phoebus goes three and out. Has to punt and LCA will have a chance to tie the game with just over 2 minutes remaining in the 1st half.

Bulldogs begin their drive at their own 40 yard line.

 

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Another 3 and out for the LCA offense. Now Phoebus will try to score before the break

 

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The Phantoms are not able to do anything either.

Heading to halftime, it's Phoebus 14, Liberty Christian 7.

 

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A few halftime stats...

Phoebus
Tyreon Taylor 6 carries, 43 yards
Mark Wagner, 5-14 78 yards, 1 touchdown
Donald Gatling 3 punts 52.7 average. 2 inside the 20
2 point conversion reception.

Liberty Christian
Davis Lane, 7 carries 27 yards. 6-10 51 yards, 1 interception, 1 touchdown
Dillon Stowers 3 receptions 26 yards, 1 touchdown.

 

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Big kickoff return from Kymari Gray has Phoebus threatening to score early in the 2nd half.

 

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4th and goal at the 6 and Phoebus lines up to go for it. Incomplete pass and turnover on downs.

The LCA offense takes the field.

 

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Phoebus defense continues to stop the LCA offense. 3 and out. Bulldogs punt and Phoebus offense will start on on their own 41 yard line.

 

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Defense continues to be the name of the game for both teams. Phoebus now will punt

 

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End of the 3rd quarter: Phoebus 14, Liberty Christian 7.

 

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Liberty Christian is driving but faces a 3rd and 10 on the Phoebus 28 yard line when play resumes.

 

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Turnover on downs and Phoebus is back on the field

 

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After pinning Phoebus inside their five due to penalties, Caleb Sears comes up with a big interception for Liberty Christian and the Bulldogs offense starts at the Phantoms 13 yard line.

 

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Fourth and goal for LCA from their one yard line. Will they tie the score or will the Phantoms hold?

 

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Davis Lane tosses it over the line of scrimmage to Dillon Stowers for a touchdown. Extra point makes it 14-14.

 

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8:06 remaining in the 4th.

 

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Phoebus offense takes the field at their own 40 yard line to start the drive.

 

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A nearly lost fumble for the Phantoms but Kymari Gray pounces on the loose football and Phoebus has the ball at the LCA 49 yard line. 1st and 10.

 

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Davis Lane tosses it over the line of scrimmage to Dillon Stowers for a touchdown. Extra point makes it 14-14.

 

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On 2nd and 34, Donald Gatling Jr. intercepts LCA QB Davis Lane returns it for a TD. Phoebus leads LCA 22-14 with 3:18 to play.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

These refs should be stripped of their flags, whistles and striped shirts. VHSL should ban them for life.

 

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Personal Foul on Phoebus causes them to kick from the 25 and LCA returns it to th48 yard line to start the drive.