Two of three University of Virginia football class of 2021 signees have advanced in postseason play, while a third will start preparing for his first year in Charlottesville.
Oconee County (Watkinsville, GA) will compete for the Georgia 3A state championship after claiming a thrilling 21-20 double-overtime victory over Greater Atlanta Christian. GAC became the first opponent to reach 20 points against a stingy Warriors defense led by Virginia linebacker recruit West Weeks, but a botched extra point attempt in the second overtime enabled Oconee County the chance to win with a touchdown and an extra point.
Trailing 20-14, Oconee County converted a 4th-and-16. The Warriors scored a touchdown and booted through the extra point to capture the one-point victory, which sets up a December 30 state championship matchup with Pierce County.
In addition to his defensive duties, Weeks (#7 in white) scored a 1-yard touchdown run in the first overtime to give Oconee County a 14-7 lead.
Down in the Lone Star State, Virginia quarterback commit Jacob Rodriguez tossed four touchdown passes, all in the first half, as Rider (Wichita Falls, TX) cruised to a 68-27 victory over Burges. Rider moves on to face Randall in the Class 5A Division II Region 1 semifinals. Rider downed Randall during the regular season, 45-14.
Rodriguez is one of six Virginia class of 2021 signees who plans to enroll on Grounds for the spring 2021 semester, which begins February 1. He joins running back Amaad Foston, offensive lineman Logan Taylor, linebackers James Jackson and Langston Long, and defensive back Javin Burke.
Virginia’s lone tight end signee in the class, Jack Witmer, saw his accomplished high school football career come to an end as Cy-Fair (Cypress, TX) lost to Tompkins, 51-28, in postseason play. The Bobcats conclude 2020 with a 10-2 record.
The 6’6”, 225-pound Witmer came through with a pair of tough catches in the loss.
