Countdown to Blitz: L.C. Bird Skyhawks

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The L.C. Bird Skyhawks are coming off a 10-4 season in 2024, with their season ending on a loss to Briar Woods in the state semifinals. This year, associate head coach Andrew Bowen and defensive end Christopher Whitehead say the bar is just as high, if not higher.

“Like any other year, we wanna win. We don’t shy away from that," Coach Bowen said. "The expectation at a place like Bird is to win. We don’t always know who we’re gonna have, or what we’re gonna have, but we’re gonna find a way to win. The expectation here is to win.” 

“Well I mean every year the standard is to go to the state championship," Whitehead said. "We almost made it last year, so, this is it right now. Bird always has a high standard, and we wanna keep it that way.”

This year's Skyhawks squad is young. They graduated many of last year's leaders and welcome in a large freshmen group.

Despite the significant roster changes, the Skyhawks have made substantial progress building team chemistry over the course of summer workouts and fall practice.

“The expectations are high, but we welcome those expectations," Coach Bowen said. "The kids have been fully bought in, they’re working as hard as they can, they’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do, and they’re ready to meet the expectation again and eventually exceed it.”

After building chemistry, L.C. Bird is also honing in on the little details of their play that need work to ensure that this year they can get over the hump.

 “I feel like it’s more of just everyone being tough and just doing their assignment," Whitehead said. "If we could all do that, come off the ball, come off first quarter and not be a second-half team, then we can do it.” 

L.C. Bird will start their season on the road at Midlothian on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.