Liberty Christian's Road to Back-to-Back State Championships

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prep Redzone's First Virginia Player Showcase coming January 12, 2025</h2>   We will be hosting our first <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/prep-redzone-stock-up-showcases-are-back-this-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stock Up Showcase</a> on January 12, 2025 in Harrisonburg, VA! At our events, we have the drills ran by college coaches, so you will be able to meet and perform in front of those who will recruit you. The showcase is open to any class of 2025-2028 players. Group discounts of 3 or more signing up together also apply! Feel free to send <a href="https://x.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">myself</a> or <a href="https://x.com/carljfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carl</a> a DM on X if you have any questions. You can register for the showcase <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1329/register/virginia-stock-up-showcase" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. Use discount code LaingPRZ2024 for $10 off.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />     Last Saturday, Liberty Christian Academy (LCA) became back-to-back VHSL Class-3 State Champions. Living in the Lynchburg area, I have monitored LCA's success closely in my two seasons of covering Virginia high school football for Prep Redzone. They play in arguably the toughest district in central Virginia and face a Class 3 that does pose some good teams across the state.   The Seminole District In my two seasons with Prep Redzone, the Seminole District was led by LCA. Their path to Seminole District dominance has to go through the likes of Heritage (9-3 on the year whom LCA had to beat again in the playoffs), Jefferson Forest (9-3 on the year), Rustburg (7-4 on the year), Amherst County (5-5 on the year), E.C. Glass (5-6 on the year), Brookville (2-8 on the year) and Liberty Bedford (0-10 on the year). This district boasts great prospects such as [player_tooltip player_id='1297625' first='Ari' last='Reid'], [player_tooltip player_id='1298411' first='Ayden' last='Slash'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297863' first='Zaid' last='Rahman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231443' first='Logan' last='Candis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1455435' first='Christopher' last='Reed'], [player_tooltip player_id='1282058' first='Ashton' last='Dixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1195346' first='Vada' last='Howard'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1297772' first='Elijah' last='Hughes'] (among others).     The Game is Won at the Line of Scrimmage What sets LCA apart in my opinion is their offensive line play.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I could not be more proud of our OL this year for all the work in the Trenches!<a href="https://twitter.com/ware_easton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ware_easton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaxon_Manning_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jaxon_Manning_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanSissney77?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RyanSissney77</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BradyCollins_90?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BradyCollins_90</a> <a href="https://t.co/ASdxHaZ0es">pic.twitter.com/ASdxHaZ0es</a>— [player_tooltip player_id='1318838' first='Bodie' last='Aronson'] (@BodieAronson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BodieAronson/status/1868494052351455474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2024</a></blockquote>   The line is led by now Clemson enrollee [player_tooltip player_id='1228322' first='Easton' last='Ware'] at right tackle. Easton had himself a great season on both the offensive and defensive line for LCA and was a cog in their operation. We will be seeing him playing on Saturdays sooner rather than later. The other senior on their offensive line was Center [player_tooltip player_id='1231236' first='Ryan' last='Sissney']. An underrated prospect who should be getting more attention. He displays very good strength and displays the athleticism to get to the second level. The offensive line saw three new starters this year. One was junior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1318838' first='Bodie' last='Aronson'] at left tackle. A former Center at Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy, Bodie put in the work this past off-season to get his body ready to play left tackle. In the two games I attended this season, Bodie was holding his own. Playing with much better strength and balance than he had last season, proving his preparation paid off. Finally, the guard positions were manned by sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1311655' first='Jaxon' last='Manning'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1180950' first='Brady' last='Collins']. Both are highly ranked in our Class of 2027 prospect rankings, and they exceeded my expectations for them this season. I was highly impressed by the quality of play they displayed as varsity-starting sophomores. Very well could be two of the best offensive linemen in the state in their senior years if they continue to develop as they have. They have position flexibility as well. I love them at Guard, but don't be shocked if we see them playing different positions on the offensive line over the next two seasons. The future looks bright for the offensive line as well. We expect [player_tooltip player_id='1180525' first='Robert' last='Payne'] to be a feature on it next season.   LCA's Tight End position is also counted on to be a feature in the run game. Unfortunately, their starting senior TE [player_tooltip player_id='1231328' first='JC' last='Beverly'] was unable to play this season due to injury. JC was the best blocking TE in the class of '25 in Virginia, and I was really looking forward to seeing him play this season. He still gained interest in recruiting and <a href="https://x.com/VMI_Football/status/1864325542603825569" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">signed to play</a> with Virginia Military Institute in college. LCA also saw a new transfer in [player_tooltip player_id='971513' first='Austin' last='Tremblay'] at TE and Linebacker/Edge. Austin took on the main Tight End duties for the year, and he looked good in the two games I saw him this season. He was awarded with 1st-Team All-District TE and 2nd-Team All-District DE honors <a href="https://x.com/AustinGTremblay/status/1869795376816951755" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this fall</a>.   Other LCA Standouts   [player_tooltip player_id='1228323' first='Gideon' last='Davidson'] You cannot look at LCA over the last few seasons and not appreciate what Gideon was able to accomplish on the field. A highly sought-after running back by top P4 schools across the nation, Gideon has been committed to Clemson early, and we should expect to see him next year. Gideon displays elite burst that gets him to the second level fast due to his quick feet, explosiveness, and acceleration. Once he found a crease, no one was going to catch him. I got to see him play three times over my two seasons and each one displayed long TD runs showing off his best attributes.   [player_tooltip player_id='853895' first='Jayden' last='Cowart'] Jayden is one of the better safeties in the state and has started since his sophomore season for LCA. I have been impressed with his game since I first saw him. In the two games I attended this season, both teams seemed to stay away from Jayden. As a senior next year, we will see him back at safety and expect him to be a big part of LCA's run game now that [player_tooltip player_id='1228323' first='Gideon' last='Davidson'] has moved on. Jayden has been the backup at RB and has good film from that position as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1230214' first='James' last='Deyo'] A LB and WR for LCA, James is a name you hear throughout every game. He has a natural instinct for the game and understands his role. From what I can tell he is still uncommitted but has a <a href="https://x.com/james_deyo5/status/1814796336216350796" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">D1 offer from VMI</a>. He has been a key piece to LCA's defense from his MLB position, and has been one of the best linebackers in the state the last two seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='1234400' first='Justis' last='Belford'] Justis had perhaps the best game of all of the LCA players in the state championship with two key interceptions. We put him on the Watch List in our rankings, but he will be ranked in our future update. He was a shutdown cornerback for LCA's defense that made QB and WR's game days difficult. He is an uncommitted Class of '25 player who deserves a chance at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1234398' first='Dalton' last='Nesselrotte'] Dalton is a track-speed WR who is able to take advantage of the play-action game and find himself wide open downfield. That is, in fact, what LCA did on the first play from scrimmage in the state championship to get an early score. He is also a track star and likely could go to college for that due to his very good speed. In every game I watched, he was a big play waiting to happen. If a college is looking for a speedster at WR, I would recommend Dalton.   [player_tooltip player_id='1554040' first='Tyler' last='Jackson'] Tyler was thrust into the starting role when former starting QB [player_tooltip player_id='206086' first='Jeb' last='Moon'] transferred. He did not disappoint <a href="https://x.com/Tjax24/status/1868485428699103472" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in his first season</a> completing 83 passes on 115 attempts, for 1,435 yards, averaging 17.2 yards per attempt, with 16 passing TDs, 1 interception, and 3 rushing TDs. Tyler is only a freshman and has a bright future ahead.   [player_tooltip player_id='1313478' first='Roman' last='Aronson'] Roman was a transfer to LCA this fall and found himself playing a few positions until he settled into the starting stacked LB role alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1230214' first='James' last='Deyo'] late into the season. I really liked what I saw out of Roman at the position. He has the height and frame to play the position, and as he continues to build mass, he will have the size to consistently take on interior offensive linemen in the run game. His strength is his speed and quickness, he can shoot a gap and be quicker than the offensive lineman to tackle the ball carrier. He is one to watch next year as he continues to grow in the position.   Concluding Thoughts LCA had themselves a great season. I highlighted the players who stood out to me this season, but of course, it is a team game and the entire LCA team is responsible for their success. I expect them to continue with their great play next season with the great young talent they have. In the meantime, they are back-to-back state champions.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Click <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to claim your Prep Redzone Prospect Index profile. Follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@GoLions1934</a> for further content | <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a> and <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzone</a> | Virginia Scouts <a href="https://twitter.com/carljfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@carljfred</a> & <a href="https://x.com/EdOBrienCFB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@EdOBrienCFB</a> | View my previous Prep Redzone articles <a href="https://prepredzone.com/author/cole-laing-author/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>