The Glenvar football team may have their toughest opener ever when the Highlanders take on Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg Friday. The Bulldogs are a perennial state contender in Class 3 and a private school, bringing annual complaints of unfair competition from some fellow Class 3 members.
LCA has been quite successful in the VHSL, posting a 62-5 record in the past five years with back-to-back undefeated state championships in 2023 and ’24. In 2021, while playing in Class 4, they made the final with a 13-0 record before losing to Phoebus in the championship game.
So why is Class 2 Glenvar even playing this team? Well, the Highlanders played Galax in the opener every year since 2011, except for the COVID year, and Glenvar coach Kevin Clifford figured everything was set with the Maroon Tide on the second year of the two-year scheduling cycle. The Highlanders held a 9-5 edge in the rivalry but most of the games were competitive up until the last two seasons, when Glenvar won 34-0 in 2024 and 70-0 last year.
Then, without Clifford’s knowledge, Galax representatives called the school and cancelled the opener with Glenvar to play Class 1 Craig County instead. That left Glenvar looking for a game, and with it being the second year of the two-year cycle they weren’t easy to come by. LCA had opened with a road game in Ohio against Ironton High last year and lost 42-3, opting not to play that team again. With both LCA and Glenvar needing a week one opponent they hooked up for what surely will be a one-year deal.
“The bottom line is we both needed a game,” said Clifford. “It will be a huge challenge for us but it is what it is. When I coached in Florida we played plenty of private schools and we competed against them.”
The Highlanders finished their preseason schedule with a benefit game at Blacksburg last Friday. Glenvar jumped off to a 17-0 lead before Blacksburg scored twice in the first half to make it 17-14 at the half. Both schools subbed in the second half and there were no more scores.
“I don’t like to say anyone won or lost, it was a scrimmage,” said Clifford. “We played some kids in the first half and we’re still a long way off from where we want to be. We’re just looking for continued improvement. No one wins a state championship in week one, two, three or four.”
While LCA will be a big favorite Friday night, Clifford isn’t conceding anything.
“It will be a huge challenge for us but I’d rather play them than Galax,” he said. “We want to find out who we are. You don’t get better when you play someone weak and Friday night will not determine where we’ll be at the end of the season.
“I love being the underdog and I’m looking for great attitudes this week. I told the kids after the scrimmage if you don’t think you can win next week then don’t even show up for practice Monday.”
PHOTOS BY JON FLEMING
