The Blue Ridge District enters 2007 with just four teams following William Fleming's realignment to the AAA Western Valley District. The Colonels had a stranglehold on the district for the past few seasons, leaving the other teams to fight for wildcard berths in their respective divisions. Lord Botetourt snagged a playoff berth last season, but were shutout by Hidden Valley in the first round. This season, the remaining teams all hope to ascend to the throne vacated by Fleming and have a shot at the expanded region III playoffs.

The Terriers finished 2006 with a 5-5 mark and third place in the Blue Ridge District. However, with William Fleming moving up to the AAA ranks, William Byrd comes into 2007 as the favorite to take the Blue Ridge District crown. Coach Jeff Highfill tells VirginiaPreps.com that the team returns nine starters on offense and eight on defense, meaning that this is an experienced team that has a chance to be a contender in region III, division 4.

William Byrd should have a strong running attack on offense led by two returning 1,000 yard rushers from 2006. Senior quarterback Landon Johnson is back along with senior running back Brent Hubbard and both can expect to approach numbers similar to their totals from a season ago. The offensive line has great potential with seniors Chris Kevorkian and Ryan Mason and junior Robert Collins leading the way for the backfield.

The Terrier defense has a chance to be tops in the district after allowing 21 points per game last season. The top three tacklers all return in junior Tyler Snow and seniors Hubbard and Mason. Snow and Hubbard are the leaders at linebacker, while Mason is a big nose guard who provides good quickness off the line. Look for this group to force a lot of turnovers.