LYNCHBURG, Va. – From a birds eye view, LCA just continues to roll.
27 straight wins, a state title in between, and they’re still practicing two weeks into December--this time preparing to face Kettle Run in the VHSL Class 3 Final.
“As a team we’ve really strive to win championships, and I believe this year kind of has shown it,” said Bulldogs senior and Clemson commit Gideon Davidson.
Rewind to just a few weeks before this storied season began when head coach Frank Rocco received news that flipped his life upside down after a routine visit to the doctor.
“I got some results that said I have PV, which is some long word but it’s a blood cancer and for the last four months I’ve been doing treatments both here in Lynchburg and at UVA,” Rocco said.
The veteran coach leaned on former Appomattox County head coach Doug Smith who found the strength to continue coaching during his cancer diagnosis until he decided to step down after the 2023 season.
It’s the kids who are a sense of healing through the treatment.
“I mean, it’s something you have to set your mind to and the importance of being around the kids and doing what you love to do. That’s what motivates you to get through the hard stuff,” said Rocco.
“Being able to rally through that has been tough, but it’s been really fruitful,” said senior James Deyo. “I think we’ve all come to appreciate life a lot more. I think we’ve been able to demonstrate a lot of that out on the field.”
Those kids, motivated by their coach’s will to fight, have gone out to do the same. 13 straight wins carry more significance to the Bulldogs than many know.
“It’s definitely been a privilege to be able to play under him one more year, especially as seniors, knowing that this is something we’re going to cherish forever. Having a coach that could’ve retired even before the season after finding this out and just wanted to come back and really coach us and he hasn’t missed a day of practice since then,” said Deyo.
“To me, it’s really like a role model,” Davidson said. “It really shows that even though he does have cancer and he’s battling the sickness, he’s still out here every day, giving everything to us giving his 100% to us.
Liberty Christian, seeking another undefeated season while already proving to be undefeated in the lessons of life.