Eastern Region Game of the Week
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
(Each week of the regular season, we’ll feature a game of the week for the region… all of Division 5 and Division 6. It’s the game we see as the most intriguing matchup of the week. You’ll get a preview of the game, a prediction in the preview, then a recap of what happened.)
DE Daquan Romero of Phoebus (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
This week’s regional game of the week pits the Phoebus Phantoms against the Truckers from Churchland. It’s one of the few occasions in the year where two top teams from each side of the water play each other in the regular season. On paper, Phoebus is the prohibitive favorite since they’ve won back-to-back State Championships in an undefeated fashion.
Both teams are returning District Champions: Phoebus from the Peninsula District and Churchland from the Eastern District.
The Phantoms aren’t a much different team from last year’s State Championship squad. They’ll rely on a few new players in key positions, such as Eric Enderson who adds starting quarterback to his list of responsibilities. He was Phoebus’ kicker and punter last year and he continues to do that. Tyree Lee moves into the role of featured back. He’ll get most of the carries as Phoebus establishes the running game.
Churchland will rely on more new faces. Ali Scott and Richard Coles were humongous on the line for Churchland last year. They’ve graduated and moved on. Churchland’s also graduated their starting defensive ends and their starting quarterback in Dominique Guinn-Bailey, Keevon Newsome and Craig Brooks. Don’t think the cupboard is empty there, however. Wilonte Roscoe assumes the role of quarterback and the Trucker running game will be sparked by Jocorey Robins and Cedric Cradle, Jr. Cradle was part of the running attack last year, but the increased role for Robins will aid their rushing efforts. The running game won’ t have the same bulky line to run behind, but they hope to be quicker and more manueverable.
WR Johntae Outten of Churchland (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Churchland’s wide receivers are talented, but virtually unknown compared to the Phoebus receiving corps. Jarrell Young, Marvell Edmondson and Johntae Outten are big for Churchland, but the three together don’t quite rival the duo of Breon Key and Romond Deloatch. Denbigh transfer Rodriguez Jones would have been the third WR option for Phoebus, but he was ruled ineligible by the VHSL earlier this week. Jones did not play in Phoebus’ opener and is expected to transfer out to a prep school for his senior season.
Phoebus has Churchland outmatched when it comes to star power on the defensive side of the ball as well. Daquan Romero is bound for UNC. Caleb Taylor has verbally committed to the University of Virginia. Coach Cradle doesn’t have any Truckers committed yet, but don’t underestimate them. This is a talented team.
Two years ago in the playoffs, Phoebus swamped Churchland 63-6. Last year, the two teams met in the second week of the season and the result was far more respectable at 19-7 in favor of Phoebus.
Coach Cradle loves for Churchland to play the underdog. They’ve got nothing to lose here. In this case, they’re likely to give Phoebus a good game and grow as a team in the process. Phoebus will bend but not break.
Prediction: Phoebus 27, Churchland 10
- Andy Hilton
Rodriguez Jones Out At Phoebus
by Andy Hilton
Rodriguez Jones (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
The Daily Press reported today that Denbigh High School transfer Rodriguez Jones is out at Phoebus High School. There is a VHSL ruling involved and Phoebus High School has been proactive by keeping Jones out of action. Jones did not dress out in the season opener last week at Gloucester.
Rodriguez Jones is a 6-4 200 pound wide receiver who made 50 catches for Denbigh last year as a junior. Coach Stan Sexton addressed the situation only by saying that the VHSL ruling was pretty vague and that they were trying to get more information on it. The Daily Press also reported that Coach Sexton would work toward getting Jones admitted to either Fork Union or Hargrave Military Academy this fall.
Jones is being recruited as a wide reciever but had no offers as of yet. The full story is available through the Daily Press here.
- Andy Hilton
Phoebus Ready, One Game At A Time
by Kellen Owings, recruit757
Coach Stan Sexton (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
They may have two straight undefeated seasons and two straight Group AAA Division 5 championships, but Phoebus Phantoms’ coach Stan Sexton is focused on only one thing: the next game. Sexton, who is undefeated as a head coach at Phoebus, has his group focusing on one game at a time, with little worry about a third straight state championship.
“First thing is, we’re not thinking about that (an undefeated championship season) right now at all. We’re thinking about playing Gloucester this week,” Coach Sexton said.
“The big thing is with teenage kids, you can’t look ahead. We have to look at what were faced with now, and right now our focus is playing the best we can against them and coming home with a victory.”
Coach Sexton says that the Phantoms aim to open it up more on offense this season. While the team doesn’t intend to go away from the power running game they are known for, they want to counter defenses from stacking the box by airing it out more.
QB Eric Enderson (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Charged with that task on offense is junior quarterback Eric Enderson (6-1 190). Enderson beat out Jordan Roby, a transfer from Hampton, for the starting nod. Enderson is used to high pressure situations, being an All-State kicker last year, who won three games for the team with kicks. That grace under pressure should lend itself well to being the starting quarterback for a State Championship team.
Joining Enderson on offense is senior tight end Dequan Romero (6-1 215), a dangerous tight end and two way player. Junior wide receiver Romond Deloatch (6-5 205) provides a big target in the passing game, and proved throughout the preseason that he can be a big weapon. Running back Tyree Lee (SR 5-9 180) will replace Colby Goodwyn at running back, but he won’t miss a beat as the Phantoms continue to reload at the position year after year. Receiver and returner Breon Key (SR 6-2 175) is an explosive playmaker and center Justin Williamson (SR 6-3 215) will anchor the offensive line.
The Phantom’s defense will continue to be a staple of the team and is coming off a season in which they allowed 6.1 points per game and forced six shutouts. Romero will continue to wreck havoc on opposing quarterbacks, which is what he does best, posting 30 sacks last year. Linebacker Caleb Taylor (SR 6-0 230) is back healthy after missing most of last season with a knee injury. Says Coach Sexton, “So far in preseason he’s shown he hasn’t missed a beat. He’s as good as he was before, which is a big time player on defense.”
LB Justin "Boombox" Lyles (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Breon Key will start at linebacker and Tyree Lee will play corner. Anthony Haste (SR 6-3 190) and Justin “Boombox” Lyles (JR 5-11 225) will also provide some big hits at linebacker. Senior Deshawn Arnold (6-1 185) will also start at corner. All in all, the defense brings back eight starters and once again has the chance to be an outstanding unit.
There isn’t much on the recruiting front now that the season has started. Romero has already committed to UNC and Taylor to UVA. Tyree Lee is drawing interest from East Carolina and Marshall. Williamson, as well as lineman Jonathan McLean (6-3 235) and Corey McKoy (5-10 275) are also getting looks from some 1-AA and D2 and D3 schools. More interest will come as game film from this season becomes available.
While Coach Stan Sexton and his players may be taking it one game at a time, most of their opponents have the Phantoms circled on their schedules. The coach knows it too, saying, “The only prediction I have is that we’re going to get the best from everyone we’re going to play. So we got to be ready to play.”
Phoebus will be ready to play. And if they play up to their potential, and listen to the old adage of “one game at a time,” their last game could once again be with a State Championship on the line.
- Kellen Owings
Peninsula District Preview
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
Phoebus Coach Stan Sexton (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
The Peninsula District kicks off play tomorrow night as Denbigh faces Heritage. Thursday and Friday bring more games from a district that plays the majority of its games in only two stadiums: Todd Stadium in Newport News and Darling Stadium in Hampton. That gives PD football fans more opportunity to check out the opposition since it’s routing for Varsity games to be played on Thursday night, Friday night and even Saturday afternoon on the Peninsula.
Maybe that’s why PD Football is so tradition rich. Maybe that’s why the competition is so intense. For whatever reason, Peninsula District football is certainly a crowd pleaser.
Playoff Bound: These days, any PD Football conversation has to start with Phoebus. They’re the team of the decade for Virginia Football. In the last ten years, Phoebus has a record of 120-12 and has won the State Championship with an undefeated season three times in the decade. Phoebus hasn’t been stockpiled with stars over the years, but the coaching staff there knows how to produce winners. It’s only been more recently that colleges have caught on to the talent that’s there. Sure, we’ve seen Tajh Boyd go to Clemson and Dominick Davenport go to West Virginia, but we’ve also seen Phoebus’ talent stay local and contribute at schools like Hampton and Old Dominion.
Be sure of this… as sure as the sun rises in the east, Phoebus will be the team to beat in the PD this year. Add quarterbacking to Eric Enderson’s duties of kicking and punting. Watch UVA commit Caleb Taylor and UNC commit Daquan Romero command the defense. Watch up and comers like Romond Deloatch and Justin Lyles make their contributions. Phoebus always plays like a team and this year will be no different.
Hampton is led by their own BCS-level commit. Quarterback David Watford will be a Virginia Cavalier next year. This year he has some unfinished business to take care of. Not only did Watford watch his Crabber team fall to Lake Taylor in the second round of the playoffs on a questionable call last year, but Hampton has not beaten Phoebus in his time there. Since Watford’s freshman year, the Crabbers have only managed six regular season points against the Phantoms. Hampton will play well throughout the season because Coach Mike Smith has a talented young team that’s almost complete from last year’s squad. Phoebus could be the only stumbling block for Hampton this year.
Warwick QB Donnell Staton (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Warwick moves up the ladder this year as a few other teams might have problems maintaining their position from last year. Coach Juan Jackson has a solid offense returning, led by Quarterback Donnell Staton. Staton has looked impressive in practice and in 7×7 work this summer, plus his receiving corps has gelled around him. Line play is going to be key for the Raiders because the team has solid talent at the skill positions. Warwick draws Menchville in the first week, then gets thrown into the fire with consecutive games against Booker T. Washington (who defeated the Raiders soundly in the ODU 7×7 semi-final), Phoebus, Woodside and Hampton. From there the rest of the schedule is a downhill sprint by comparison. They can’t get off to a 1-4 start and be pressured to make the playoffs.
Bethel graduated 27 seniors from last year’s team and 18 of them went on to college scholarships. That’s quite a feat for any high school program. While the scholarship offers are a source of pride, the gaping hole it leaves in this year’s team is tough to ignore. Bethel breeds excellence however. Their JV team went undefeated last year and a portion of that talent is coming up to the varsity level this year. Bethel will pull it together again. Their first five games are against teams that had a combined 13-37 record last year. As long as they work out the kinks in the first half of the schedule, they should be well prepared for the second half when they face Woodside, Hampton, Menchville, Warwick and Phoebus. Bethel could be 5-0 coming into the Woodside game and a victory over the Wolverines would give them a 6-0 record and the confidence they need to take on the Crabbers.
In The Hunt: Woodside deserves to be considered as a playoff team. Their solid showing last year landed them in the Division 6 Regional Final against Oscar Smith and almost got them to the State Semifinals. Woodside was small and quick last year. They’re going to be young, small and quick this year. Woodside graduated their top skill position players in Aaron Evans, Jarrell Cooper and Marquis Frazier. Fortunately, they have a wealth of skill position guys. The line will make or break the Wolverines this year. Expect more inconsistency than last year, but this year’s squad is a playoff team.
Kecoughtan Coach Scott Woodlief (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
On The Rise:
Kecoughtan is on the verge of turning the corner. They were 5-5 last year and start this year with a new head coach. Scott Woodlief has come back to the area in order to guide the Chiefs. They have a wealth of talent, including two able quarterbacks in Bruce Bailey and Marcus Hofler. Kecoughtan also boasts one of the regions best skill athletes in Aaron Mathews. Coach Woodlief brings a new system in with him. Will the Chiefs adapt? If it doesn’t happen this year, Kecoughtan certainly has the talent to back in the mix again next year.
Room To Grow: Denbigh went 5-5 last year after two consecutive seasons at 3-7. Coach Marcellus Harris has the program headed in the right direction. Now it’s up to the players to execute and the development will continue. Denbigh started off the season 3-0 last year and have a legitimate shot at doing it again with opening games against Heritage, Granby and Kecoughtan. Kecoughtan will be no pushover, but the Chiefs face Bethel and Lake Taylor in their opening pair. Coach Harris acknowleges that his team won the games they should have and lost to better teams last year. Their five losses were to playoff teams from the PD. In order to break through this year, Denbigh has to beat some tougher opponents while continuing to win the ‘winnable’ games.
Menchville has been the Clifton Richardson show for some time now. Opposing defenses can key on that, and Coach John Byron is doing his best to get the ball in Richardson’s hands while still keeping defenses guessing. The talent on this Menchville team is developing, but it’s still young. There’s plenty of speed on this team, but everyone else in the district has speed too. What’s going to set the Monarchs apart? They’re going to need consistent execution from players who aren’t proven yet. Menchville won’t be able to coast through the season, but three of their final four are against Bethel, Hampton and Phoebus. If the wins don’t come early, the sledding is only going to get tougher for the Monarchs.
Heritage has a State Championship to hang its hat on. The only problem is that they’re ten years removed from that season and have only seen the playoffs once since that year. New Head Coach Dan Tomblin comes in with high hopes, but realistic expectations. It’s going to take some rebuilding, so the wins aren’t going to come right away. Senior quarterback Andrew Warren will lead the offense, but he only has four varsity games under his belt. Senior wideout Andre Cooper will be the top option for the passing game, but the majority of the offense should come on the ground as the Hurricanes run the triple option this year. Tomblin will accentuate the positive, but this year is a development year for Heritage.
Gloucester has languished in the PD’s cellar for a few years now. They’ve been consistent, with a 1-9 record each year from 2006 to 2008 before finishing 0-10 last year. Coach Sonny Merchant inherited an undermanned team, which is odd considering that Gloucester is the only high school in the county. The school has an enrollment of almost 2,000 but the wins haven’t come easily. Gloucester hasn’t had a winning season since 1987 and this year will be no different. From here, there’s no where to go but up.
Expect the Peninsula District to put at least five teams in the playoffs. The bottom of the district will have its struggles, but the top of the district will more than make up for it in their successes.
- - Andy Hilton
Oscar Smith Tops Phoebus In Tight Scrimmage
by Jay Parchman, recruit757
Thursday night, the premiere Division 6 program in The 757 hosted the premiere Division 5 program in The 757. Since Oscar Smith would never play Phoebus in the regular season, it was a treat for those who witnessed it. The two teams played a controlled scrimmage with limited kicking but still officiated with a game clock and all. Oscar Smith edged the Phantoms late for a 27-21 win.
Phoebus began the evening with better line play. That allowed rising junior Quarterback Eric Enderson, to really shine early. The Phantoms marched downfield for a touchdown mid-way in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Oscar Smith’s new Quarterback, J.J. Williamson, was then blindsided and fumbled. Phoebus returned the fumble for a touchdown and the Phantoms suddenly had a 14-0 start that showed the visitors from the Peninsula meant business.
From that point, the largest matchup problem for the Phantoms, long tall WR Quinta Funderburk began making his impact. As in the 2009 season, Funderburk will cause problems for all opposing defenses. Success in the passing game led the Tigers to tie the game at 14 all before the two teams broke for halftime.
The highlight of the scrimmage was Eric Enderson’s athleticism. Not only does he show poise as the QB, he also handles kicking duties. Two of his five kickoffs went for touchbacks. Enderson served as the backup for starting QB Paul Morant last year, plus Enderson handled the kicking for the Phantoms. With kicking, punting and passing in his repertoire, Enderson is already attracting attention from opponents and college coaches.
In the second half, after trading TDs, Oscar Smith finished the scoring midway through the fourth quarter to take the lead for good at 27-21.
There were plenty of substitutions from both teams, especially in the second half. While it’s fun to postulate on which team is better, neither team was truly playing to win. Scrimmages are exercises in getting playing time for second and third string players, trying new plays and getting ready for the season overall. Both teams made mistakes. Both teams fumbled and dropped passes. Phoebus played more ball control football while Oscar Smith succeeded with quick strikes. In six recent scrimmages between the two programs, they’ve shown that they’re evenly matched.
It was a great evening for those who could attend and a nice appetizer for the upcoming season. Both teams look sound and will enjoy another playoff run.
- Jay Parchman
Deep Creek: Ready For Respect
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
Coach David Waddell (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Much has been said about Deep Creek football and how it’s been adversely affected by redistricting in Chesapeake. Grassfield High School opened in the fall of 2007, drawing students from the Deep Creek zone, Great Bridge zone and Hickory zone. Deep Creek lost the most students in the redistricting and to this point, the City of Chesapeake hasn’t done anything concrete about it.
Deep Creek feels like a neighborhood school now more than ever before. With enrollment under 1200, it’s one of the smallest schools in Division 5 and it is the smallest high school in Chesapeake by far. Interestingly enough, Phoebus is also in Division 5 and has gone 30-0 over the past two seasons with back-to-back State Championships. Phoebus has only 100 more students than Deep Creek.
Deep Creek posted a combined 6-14 record in 2007 and 2008, which led to the dismissal of former Coach David Cox. David Waddell took over the Hornets in 2009 and led them to a 5-5 record in his first year as head coach.
Coach Dave Waddell isn’t buying the zoning excuse for his team’s recent history. “It’s not what you have, it’s what you make out of what you have. We might only have 22 players, but we’ll make it happen with 22 players. With enrollment, (the excuse) looks good on paper. With numbers you can find athletes in numbers. We have to find the right kids in the numbers we have.”
In spite of having smaller numbers to work with, it appears that the Hornets are turning the corner. In summer competition, Deep Creek had solid showings in the passing tournaments at ODU, Ocean Lakes and Kings Fork. Building on a 5-5 record from last year might put them in the playoffs in 2010. The cornerstone on defense looks to be All-District Inside Linebacker Domininque Hannibal (SR 6-1 240). E.J. Speller (SR DT 6-1 300) will anchor the defensive line. Derrick Boone (SR DB 5-10 175) will provide strength in the secondary.
Dominique Hannibal (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
“We have those three (as the core) and we’re trying to build some guys around them. We have Jeff Woods (SR DB 6-1 170) at the corner position. We have Littleton Hurst and Jerrell Skinner (SR DB 6-0 170) contributing and at the inside linebacker position we have Deandre Parker. We just have to add to what we have already,” Coach Waddell stated.
The coach’s focus appears to be defense, defense and more defense. In practice sessions, it looks like Deep Creek’s defense will be quite intimidating. “If they don’t score, then we’ve got a shot to win,” the coach said.
“Offensively we’re looking at being a little bit better this year. We have a third year quarterback in Kam Stewart (SR 5-11 170) who’s going to do well. We’ve got kids in positions that they’ve been in for two or three years now, so they’re a little bit more comfortable with what they’re doing and understand what they’re doing,” the coach said of his offense.
After a .500 season, there are goals to keep the Hornets moving in the right direction. “I’m anticipating that we’re going to be better than last year. We were in a lot of close games last year and we weren’t able to finish those off. There aren’t going to be too many games where we’re not in a close game. So we have to be ready to finish it out in the fourth quarter. We haven’t blown anyone out in several years. We’re going to work towards that, but we’re the type of team that’s going to have to chip away, chip away, chip away and let good things happen. The State Title game isn’t played tomorrow. We’ve got to keep that in (the players’) thoughts,” Coach Waddell said about the Hornets’ ambitions for the season.
Since the Hornets have been a bit thin on college ready recruits over the past few years, recruiting is a bit on the quiet side at the Chesapeake school. “We’ve had quite a few coaches come in and look at our defensive players. It’s going to be a matter of how they finish out their senior year. Only a select few get offered in their junior year. Right now, these guys have to play,” explained the coach.
The Hornets are trying to maintain their focus. Deep Creek comes right out of the chute with three tough games: hosting I.C. Norcom, at Great Bridge and at Indian River. Both I.C. Norcom and Great Bridge are playoff teams that are reloading from last year. Indian River went winless in 2009, but is expected to be greatly improved. The latter two are district games, which are important to Deep Creek competitively.
One thing is for certain: David Waddell’s Hornets are on the right track and they’re looking to earn respect.
Enderson Prepares For Bigger Role With Phoebus
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
QB Eric Enderson (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Last year seemed like just another year for the Phoebus Phantoms. Another year, another starting quarterback, another undefeated season, another State Championship. Two years ago, Tajh Boyd led Phoebus to the title. Last year, Coach Stan Sexton and the Phantoms did it all over again with a slight different roster of talent and a new starting QB, Paul Morant. Coach Sexton was the new guy last year too. He led the Phantoms to a repeat state title in his first year as head coach. This year, Sexton will convert his Punter/Kicker Eric Enderson and plop him in the starting QB role.
But is it really that much of a conversion? Isn’t this really more of the same for Phoebus?
Yes, Enderson is coming into the gig as a backup with little experience. Take a look at what he’s done this summer.
Enderson was the QB MVP of the regional combine for underclassmen. Enderson went to New Jersey and won the QB MVP of the NUC Ultimate 100. That landed him an invitation to the National Underclassmen Combine at University of Oklahoma. There Enderson, along with elite athletes from all over the country competed and received valuable training. According to Eric, it was an invaluable experience.
“At this camp there were many kids from around the whole United States, from California to New Jersey. the talent there was pretty astounding. (The coaches) told me that I had great leadership, excellent fundamentals, my decision making was very impressive, and that I had lots of potential at quarterback in the future.” Enderson’s kicking impressed as well.
If his quarterbacking is nationally recognized, the kicking is just the icing on the cake. Phoebus didn’t have a rising junior at quarterback last year, nor did they have a nationally recognized prospect. Enderson’s time for recruiting battles is just beginning. You can rest assured that he’ll be on the radar of national programs soon enough. All he has to do is guide Phoebus along it’s usual path. …and he’ll have plenty of help.
Enderson is working hard, more for his team than for his own benefit. “I’m really working hard this offseason in gaining the trust of my teammates, and just making myself better. I know there are a lot of people doubting my abilities and my goal for the offseason was to just work as hard as I can to show everybody what I know I can do. I am getting some college interest for kicking, but not for quarterback yet,” Enderson said.
His time will come, and it will come quickly.
- Andy Hilton
Tar Heels’ 757 Talent Drive
College Beat
by Jay Parchman, recruit757
Daquan Romero and Phoebus Coach Stan Sexton (photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Head Football Coach Butch Davis has reeled in several highly rated recruiting classes in his tenure at UNC. With a defense rated by many to be the best in the country this fall, there is a lot of optimism entering his fourth season. Pinpointing the efforts to the 2011 class, he already has three highly-rated commitments from the state of Virginia including one from The 757, Daquan Romero (DE 6-0 210) of Phoebus. Romero will likely make the move to linebacker, but his importance to the Tarheel class of 2011 is quite notable.
The Tar Heels are heavily involved with two more uncommitted 757 stars in Demetrious Nicholson (CB 5-11 170) of Bayside as well as Travis Hughes (LB 6-1 230) of Kempsville. Both Nicholson and Hughes are among the best that the state has to offer in 2011 so the Tar Heels are also facing a lot of competition for the two.
At this point, the Tar Heels have not made the cut for two other highly rated local players, Lafonte Thourogood (QB 6-3 225) of Ocean Lakes and Quinta Funderburk (WR 6-5 205) of Oscar Smith. The recruitment isn’t over for either one, and Carolina could always come back into play. With two commitments at QB already, Everett Golson of Myrtle Beach and Marquise Williams of Charlotte, UNC’s needs there are already met. The successful recruitment of Thourogood is unlikely at this point unless the Ocean Lakes star accepts a move to another position, something he’s stated that he’s unwilling to do. Funderburk has only listed out of state schools in his narrowed down list, so it’s possible he could have a change of heart and decide to play closer to home. Chapel Hill’s out of state, yet an easy drive from the Hampton Roads area.
Travis Hughes of Kempsville (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
With a rather high commitment count already, it is doubtful that UNC will mine The 757 more deeply for the Class of 2011. It is less likely that they will extend new offers to quality players such as Gavin Williams (5-8 160) of Kempsville. Williams was an Army All-American last season at DB, and he might assist in providing the services of his Kempsville teammate, Travis Hughes, if the two could be had in a package deal.
Regardless, Butch Davis’ staff is not allowing a top player from The 757 to commit to another school without a fight. Expect the Tar Heels to continue to press for commitments from the local players on their board. There’s still more moves to be made before Carolina is finished with their work in The 757 this recruiting season.
- Jay Parchman
ODU 7×7 Tournament Full of Surprises
Coach Scott and Coach Wilder watch the action (Photo: Kellen Owings/recruit757.com)
The Old Dominion University 7×7 was like an entirely new event this year. Last year, Old Dominion was still putting the finishing touches on S.B. Ballard Stadium and their football practice facility. The 7 on 7 was held at Larchmont Elementary on makeshift fields that also play host to kid’s soccer and recess for the elementary school. This year, the opening games were played in Powhatan Stadium (home field for Granby and Maury High Schools) plus ODU’s football practice fields, part of their Football Training Center. The final games played at S.B. Ballard Stadium on the ODU campus.
Not only was the event different in venue, it was different in competition and outcome. ODU played host to 15 teams, many from the region and a few from other parts of the state. Clover Hill, Hermitage and Dinwiddie traveled in from the Richmond area and joined Ocean Lakes, Oscar Smith, Phoebus, Bethel, Great Bridge, Woodside, Deep Creek, Lake Taylor, Booker T. Washington, Maury, Warwick and Bayside. The competition was intense and so was the heat. Each team played a schedule of seven games, and some of the matchup were hotly contested. Deep Creek jumped up and knocked off Oscar Smith in a neighborhood battle. Woodside fell to Oscar Smith in a rematch of last year’s Division 6 Eastern Region Final. Maury and Lake Taylor locked horns. Phoebus and Bethel got an advance look at each other. There were many games of interest.
Booker T. coaches address the team before the final game (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757.com)
Perhaps most interesting was the final four. The top four teams of the day’s play met in Ballard Stadium for the semi-finals and championship. Booker T. Washington blistered Warwick for touchdown after touchdown as Warwick seemed to have no answer for Booker T. QB Dominique Marsh (SR 6-1 175) and his receiving corps. In the other semi-final (happening simultaneously of the other half of the stadium field), Maury scored enough against Hermitage to hang on for a win. That set up an all-Norfolk final. How appropriate is that?
Maury won the opening coin toss and chose to play defense first. In this 7×7 game, the offensive and defensive sides didn’t alternate. One team’s offense operated for ten minutes then the team would take defense for the remainder of the twenty minute game. In other words, after losing the toss, Booker T. had to score as much as possible and then play defense in order to win.
Booker T. continued their hot streak on offense. The Bookers moved the ball down the field again and again, scoring four touchdowns in their ten minutes of offense. Maury turned right around and passed consistently under the leadership of QB Savoy Majors (SR 6-0 190), but couldn’t manage to score more than one touchdown. Thunderstorms were moving in and a lightning alarm cut the final game short by a little over two minutes. BTW got the storm shortened victory by a 27-9 margin and celebrated their win in the All-Norfolk final.
More photos will be posted to Facebook tonight. Congrats to all of the teams participating and making it a successful day for every program out there. For more on the Booker T. Washington program, check out their recruit757 season preview here.
Phoebus Nabs Hampton U. 7×7 Win
Phoebus' Eric Enderson finds the open man against Oxon Hill (Photo: Andy Hilton/recruit757)
Phoebus High School came into the event with a championship to defend. They had to hang on to win their bracket, but the fight netted them another 7 on 7 championship.
The tourney started in the mid-day heat with Churchland, Phoebus, Indian River and Oxen Hill playing on the stadium fields. All of the games were extremely competitive. The practice fields were the home of a Richmond team and three local teams with new head coaches. Wilson, John Marshall, Kecoughtan and Kempsville battled there.
Wilson looked very good under new head coach Curtis Williams. Kecoughtan was speedy and athletic under new coach Scott Woodlief. Kempsville looked solid under new coach Jamaine Paddyfoot.
The game of the day was the showdown between Phoebus and Oxon Hill High School of Maryland. The two teams were undefeated before facing off against each other in the last round-robin game of the day on the stadium fields. Oxon Hill was an even match for Phoebus in regulation. In order to resolve the tie, the two teams faced off against each other in a ten minute overtime. Neither team could score until Phoebus broke it open with a drive for a touchdown, led by rising junior quarterback Eric Enderson. Phoebus’ overtime drive left Oxon Hill on their heels and left them only enough time for one play. The Clippers went for the deep pass, but it was broken up and Phoebus pulled out the victory.
After surviving that scare, Phoebus went on to win the Championship again, defeating Woodrow Wilson High School of Portsmouth in the final by the score of 22-6. Photos and video from the event will be posted soon. Congrats to the Phoebus Phantoms for another championship win!