They’d traveled all the way from Chandler, Oklahoma six times before to competed in The Jack and last year they finally won the whole thing. The 2018 Grand Champion, Butcher BBQ, will return to Lynchburg on October 26 to defend their title.

“It’s just a shock.  We absolutely cannot believe it,” said Butcher BBQ’s David Bouska after the win. “We’ve competed here at The Jack six times previously, and never in our wildest dreams could we ever imagine winning the whole thing.  Just a complete shock.”

The team launched in 2007 and evolved from butchers to pit masters to barbecue competitors. Before winning in Lynchburg, they’d taken home hundreds of prizes including the 2012 World Champion BBQ Pitmasters. On Saturday, they’ll join 113 U.S. teams and 27 international teams to compete for the coveted title of The Jack Grand Champion. •

Editor’s Note: We’ll post live updates throughout the The Jack on Saturday. Look for pictures and updates continuously throughout the day on our social media.

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}