A blog dedicated to the various high school, college, and community sports on the Virginia Peninsula. The continuation of my former weekly column with the DAILY PRESS and Virginian Pilot. VPS includes posts from my work with VirginiaPreps.com, MileStat.com, and other journalistic outlets. Please join me and send your game recaps and stories of hope and triumph to jfmcgrath65@gmail.com.. My sports journey continues...please feel free to share the ride...
January 12, 2025
December 31, 2024
December 27, 2024
2024-2025 Hampton Roads High School Wrestling Preview
As seen in the Daily Press and Virginian-Pilot, and at 757Teamz.com. Feature several teams from the Bay Rivers, Peninsula Districts, as well as the TCIS (Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools)
Storylines
Cox chasing another ring
The Falcons, under the whistle of coach Dalton Head, won their first Class 5 title ever and gained the top spot for the first time since capturing the AAA crown in 2010. By outpointing Independence 171-142 for the championship, Cox leaves little room for error to reclaim the throne, but bringing back three state gold medalists, along with a state runner-up (Karl Ludwig at 144) and third place finisher (Ethan Merullo – 175) should give the Beach District grapplers a leg up on their opponents. The Falcons had been the last Beach team to win the state tournament, can they be the next in a repeat performance?
Great Bridge Bouncing Back
Not if the Wildcats have anything to say about it. Coach Steve Martin’s team won the Class 4 championship in 2022 and 2023 but were moved up to Class 5 last season and ended up placing third behind the aforementioned squads. At 128 points, Great Bridge was in the mix of team contenders.
And like the Cox Falcons, the Wildcats will also be returning three state champions to their lineup this winter. While we won’t get to see Cox and Great Bridge square off in a district meet, the Region 5A and Class 5 state tournament should be barnburners. Last year, Cox also won the region with 93 points, and Great Bridge placed third with 67.5.
Poquoson is loaded with juniors at Class 2
The Islanders placed in the runner-up position at the state tournament for the second time in three years, this after running off four consecutive wins from 2019 to 2022. For now, Strasburg has taken over as the team to beat in Class 2.
But Eric Decker’s bunch has gained another year of experience, and five super sophs, three of whom won their division brackets at state last year, will return. With all five coming from weight classes of 144 and under, the Bull Islanders may be clinching victorious matches before getting to the back half of their lineup. They will return a senior, Christian Leonard, who placed third in the 150-lb. class at States and boasted an individual record of 28-10 last season.
Private Eyes Are Watching
The bulk of strong private school teams will come from the Tidewater Conference, as Peninsula Catholic and Norfolk Academy report a strong group of returnees, while Catholic and Cape Henry usually maintain a group worthy of contending for the TCIS title on an annual basis.
Luke Murray of Peninsula Catholic is a senior at 165-lb. who could be the best of the bunch. Murray was 58-2 last season, while winning his weight class at the Virginia Independent (VISAA) championships and also earning Prep All-American status. He joins three teammates who placed in the top six at VISAA to fuel the Knights, who were 16-5 with a fourth place showing at states.
Norfolk Academy brings back five state place winners, with senior Kaleb Gibson (285) and freshman Matteo DeFilippo (126) showing the most potential to win gold at the conference and state tourneys.
Cullen Norton of Catholic (113) is a returning TCIS champ, the first Crusader to win gold as a frosh. He joins a young team with 15 sophomores, including the Cochran brothers, Niko (132) and Penn (165) who finished in the round of 12 at VISAA last year.
New Generation of Female Wrestlers
Four state finalists, including champion Jordyn Anderson of Woodside graduated in June, leaving a chasm in the local rankings that is ready to be filled by newer grapplers, as girls wrestling continues to grow in numbers and ability throughout Hampton Roads, mirroring a nationwide trend.
Five wrestlers are ready to make the top step of the state podium at the VHSL girls’ tournament, which will be held on February 26-27 at the Henrico Sports and Events Center. Included are sophomores Jayden Crotty of Tabb, who sported a 34-8 record while placing fourth at States and Great Bridge’s Gwendolyn Hall (152) who went 20-8 and placed second as a freshman. Crotty placed sixth in the boys state Class 3 at 106 pounds.
Junior Tatiana Denig of Tallwood was also a state runner-up at 138 and went 12-3. There are two seniors – Ariyanah Brown of Kings Fork (second at State 132 with a 24-12 record) and Jamestown’s Riley Lynch, who took sixth in the 138-lb. class.
Five Wrestlers to Watch
1) Caleb Neal (Great Bridge) - The Wildcat senior is a three-time state champion, and will mobilize Martin’s team from the 175-lb. slot. Neal is ranked #11 nationally and went 29-7 last season. He will continue his grappling career at Southern Illinois University.
2) Beau Lewis (Great Bridge) - Lewis, a VMI commit, won the 144-lb. state championship and will ply his trade at 150 this season. He had the best individual mark for the Wildcats last season at 40-3.
3) Brandon Cynar (Western Branch) - Cynar, a junior, is one of the area’s top lightweights, along with Cox’s Seth Pringle (106), Xavier Kovacs (106) of Great Bridge and Keith Fernandez (106) of Granby. Posted the highest win percentage of returning area wrestlers last year at 38-2 (.950).
4) Rudy Wagner (Cox) - Cox was one of the three Falcon state champs who will return this season. The 190-pounder went 31-4 last season.
5) Jared Goodson (Poquoson) - If the Islanders are young and hungry, Goodson may be most in need of a meal. Goodson dominated the 126-pound division to claim the Class 2 championship, and he heads a group with six potential state title winners on coach Eric Decker’s team. Goodson was 35-5 as a sophomore.
Top 15 Teams
1) Cox - The defending Class 5 state champions return a veteran lineup.
2) Great Bridge - The Wildcats will be the chief threat to Cox all season long. Along with Neal and Lewis, they sport three state placers with Tre Egley and soph Xavier Kovacs, both at 113, and Jayden Cuevas (285). Martin has won 14 state titles as a high school coach (along with nationally ranked teams at ODU), which is only two less than his total of dual meets lost in 16 years (241-16).
3) Poquoson - With six top-6 state wrestlers back on board, the Islanders should dominate Class 2. Joining Goodsen on the quintet of junior standouts are Kam Harrell (31-5 as a state runner-up at 106), Logan Keesee (runner-up at 113 in 2023-24), Bryan Latta (state champ at 138), and Read Booth (Class 2 winner at 144).
4) Grassfield - Coach Patrick Shuler welcomes back several state placers to a Grizzly team that finished second in Region 6A last season. Leland Mendez (29-8 at 113), Corey Fazekus (52-5 at 138), Nick and Nate Moore (state placers at 157 and 165) and Chris Funches (ranked #1 at 285 for Class 6) will be joined by solid teammates at each weight, including newcomer Denny Bruin, a freshman who was a 2x middle school VAWA state champ.
5) Landstown - According to coach James Sanderlin, “we have a good mix of experienced returners and young freshmen who look to contribute right away.” Jaymar Custodio (sixth in state at 120), Hayden Otero (5th in state for 126), and Mekhi Ferguson (6th in state at 165) will be looked upon to help defending state champ Michael Phoutasen (138/144).
6) Granby - The Comets first dual meet win will be coach Keith Goff’s 300th. They will aim to be undefeated in the Eastern District again, as well as wreaking havoc in Region 5B. Junior Keith Fernandez was a state runner-up at 106 pounds last winter.
7) Ocean Lakes - Dolphins were 18-4 last season and return three state qualifiers, including Maxson DeAngelo, who was fourth at Class 5 for 144 lbs.
8) Nansemond River - Terryl Wright (120) and Matthew Shodunke (138) are returning 5A region champions and lead a group of six Warriors who placed in the top-three.
9) Western Branch - Cynar, the 6A returning state runner-up at 120, joins Kyler Swensen (165) and Cole Butler (150) as the top Bruin wrestlers. Keep an eye on sophomore Ben Viola (106), who was 28-11 last year.
10) Princess Anne - Five starters return from last year, including state qualifiers Dawson Bowden, Ethan Van Nostrand, and Jeremy Feemster.
11) Warwick - Heavyweight Christian Corbin (Class 5B Region Champ at 285) and senior Joshua Barnhart (138) lead the Raiders, who were 14-3 (7-2 in the Peninsula District) in 2023-24.
12) Grafton - The talent pool will be senior-laden with Greg Campbell (138), Sebastian Campbell (144) and Charles Noble (157) standing as the returning state qualifiers. Sebastian Campbell placed fourth at Class 3.
13) Tabb - Along with Crotty, seniors Will Henderson (120) and Liam Warren (159) are former state qualifiers, while freshmen Blake Hunter (113), Jayden Wright and Zion Atkins won All-American honors as middle schoolers.
14) Peninsula Catholic - Roman Rossi (132) is a sophomore who went 22-7 last year with a third place at VISAA states. Jacob Steward (132), Owen Whitehead (138) and Thomas Montgomery (144) should give coach Marshall Robinson some mix and match options in the lower midweights.
15) Norfolk Academy - Senior Josue Perez-Rosario (144), junior Davis McNulty (132), and sophomore Noah Knittig (120) will keep the Bulldogs bountiful with bout points between DeFilippo and Gibson as NA looks to improve on last season’s 10-6 record.
Others to Watch - Kings Fork, First Colonial, Catholic, Kempsville, Cape Henry
December 15, 2024
Phoebus Rocks Sherando 34-0 to Reach State Final; Win Streak Now at 48
PHOEBUS 34, SHERANDO 0
Phoebus (13-0) 7, 13, 7, 7 -- 34
HAMPTON – Aiming to defend its Class 4 state championship, to go along with a pair of Class 3 titles in 2021 and 2022, the Phoebus Phantoms used the arm of Maurikus Banks and legs of Davion Roberts to whitewash the Warriors of Sherando High 34-0 on Saturday afternoon at Darling Stadium.
The Phantoms, who extended their win streak to a state-leading 48, will face the Varina Blue Devils for the state title next Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium on the campus of JMU in Harrisonburg.
Sophomore Maurikus Banks was on fire in the game’s first 20 minutes, completing his first twelve passes for 149 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown throw on a textbook post pattern to Noah Jefferson, just one play after a 15-yard gainer from Jefferson was negated by a Phoebus penalty. Banks, who threw four touchdown passes in the first half of last week’s Region 4A win over Hampton, completed 23 of 28 passes for 251 yards and the pair of scoring tosses to Jefferson.
Romeir Smith, who caught four balls for 107 yards, explained the strategy. “We’re opening up the playbook. Today we went pass heavy. We brought them down with hitches and compromised with the deep ball.” Jefferson finished with six receptions for 62 yards and a second touchdown, while Brandon Diggs was a beneficiary of the hitch passes, grabbing five catches for 35 yards, including a pair of receptions on the Phantoms first two plays to earn the game’s initial first down.
Roberts was tough to stop, often requiring three and four Warriors to pull him down. The senior totaled 137 yards on 23 carries with three scores, but it was the ability to avoid losses by keeping himself in motion and driving for extra yardage that was most notable.
The defense pitched its third shutout of the playoffs, and Phoebus has outscored its playoff opponents 114-0. The Phantoms held Sherando (12-2), who hail from the Northwestern District and Stephens City, to 93 yards, 38 of which came on a breakaway pass to Ben Taylor in the game’s last minute. The Warriors entered the contest averaging just over 37 points per game, but coach Jeremy Blunt and staff had their plan ready. On Saturday, Sherando could only muster two first downs.
“They’re a run to pass team, so we had to key on the run, and also to be ready for their false reads,” said Blunt, who is aiming for his fourth state crown as the Phoebus coach. The ground game never surfaced for the Warriors, who rushed for 26 yards on 19 carries, while chasing quarterback Micah Carlson, who spent most of the game running away from defenders, while completing five of 16 passes while being intercepted by Brenden Thompson and Isaac Lipkins. Kaleb Tillery added a fumble recovery.
P – Davion Roberts 3 run (Farriss Knight kick)
P – Roberts 1 run (Knight kick)
P – Noah Jefferson 24 pass from Maurikus Banks (kick failed)
P – Jefferson 12 pass from Banks (Knight kick)
P – Roberts 6 run (Knight kick)
S P
1st Downs 2, 16
Rush-Yards 19-26, 37-140
Pass Yards 67, 251
C – A – I 5-16-2, 23-28-1
Pen-Yards 4-40, 8-64
Punt-Avg. 5-46, 2-32
Fumb-Lost 1-1, 1-0
December 9, 2024
Lafayette Topples Norcom to Win 3A Crown
JAMES CITY --- Lafayette broke open a tight defensive battle in the second half and cruised to a 33-6 win over I.C. Norcom to capture the Region 3A championship on Friday evening at Wanner Stadium.
With the win, the Rams (13-0) will face Kettle Run of Culpeper in a Class 3 state semifinal next weekend.
As Coach Andy Linn explained after his team scored 27 points in the second half to run away with the victory, “This was the best game we have played this year.”
It may have also been one of the riskier ones. Leading 6-0 to open the second half, the Rams marched down the field behind the legs of backup fullback Tyree Wilson, who gained 241 yards on 26 carries in place of Breon Stokes. A 35-yard run by Wilson gave Lafayette a first-and-goal from the Norcom 8. Three rushing attempts pushed the ball to the 1, but also set up a fourth down.
The Rams could have kicked the safe 18-yard field goal to take a nine-point lead and allow a defense which has given up just 5.5 points per game to hold Norcom’s offense at bay. Or they could go for the touchdown.
They went for the touchdown.
Said Linn, “I asked the kids (during a timeout) what they wanted to do. They wanted to go.”
Baum Hogge was stopped at the goal line, but the Rams had been called for an illegal shift anyhow, ending the drive.
However, the risk was minimal as Lafayette tackled the Norcom punter after a muffed snap and regained possession of the ball at the Greyhound 29. Wilson and Brayden Smalls (12 rushes, 95 yards) would alternate carries with Smalls scoring on a six-yard run.
Matthew Outten immediately cut the lead in half to 12-6 with a 58-yard scamper from the Wildcat position, breaking at least four tackles before spinning off the last defender and sprinting the last 30 yards to the end zone.
The Rams would answer again, needing only two plays, as Wilson ran for 21, and then Smalls broke right and back to the middle for a 42-yard score, pushing the margin to 19-6. Wilson would follow up a 42-yard run to the Norcom 2 with a short touchdown, and Daniel Jackson caught a 10-yard pass in the flat to score Lafayette’s last touchdown.
Norcom came out ready for smashmouth football, with senior back Outten (13 carries, 133 yards, TD) leading the charge. The Penn State commit’s first carry went for just two yards and was squashed by a holding penalty on the Greyhounds, but Outten would break off first down runs of 25 and 17 yards, eventually rushing seven times for 57 yards. However, another holding penalty pushed Norcom back to the Ram 29, and was soon followed by a Sebastian Nix interception which gave Lafayette the ball and the momentum. Nix would later recover a fumble in the second quarter to end another Norcom possession.
The Rams would embark on an extended drive, hanging on to the ball for the rest of the opening quarter and then using three minutes of the second quarter to complete their monstrous 18-play, 88-yard drive with a 24-yard field goal by Aidan Gerda.
Norcom (8-5) 0, 0, 0, 6, ---- 6
Lafayette (13-0) 0, 6, 6, 21 ---- 33
L – Aidan Gerda 24 FG
L – Gerda 28 FG
L – Brayden Smalls 6 run (run failed)
N – Matthew Outten 58 run (run failed)
L – Smalls 42 run (Gerda kick)
L – Najee Wilson 2 run (Gerda kick)
L – Daniel Jackson 10 pass from Baum Hogge (Gerda kick)
N L
1st Downs 10, 16
Rush – Yds 29-174, 48-360
Pass Yds. 41, 21
C- A–I 2-10-1, 4-7-0
Punts – Avg. 0-0, 0-0
Pen. Yds. 4-45, 6-60
Fumb – Lost 2-1, 0-0
November 17, 2024
Grafton Girls Volleyball Wins Region 3A 3-2 Over Rival New Kent
Rematch in Class 3 state semifinals set for Tuesday
YORK – The Grafton girls volleyball team survived its first scare from a local team this season but used a late surge to come back and defeat New Kent 3-2 (18-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 15-9) and win the Region 3A championship on Tuesday night at their home gym.
With the win, the Clippers (24-2) will begin the state Class 3 quarterfinals on Saturday at home against Warren County, the Region 3B runner-up. However, New Kent (22-3) will face 3B champion Kettle Run, and if they win, the next game will be a rematch of Tuesday’s 3A championship – a match that the Trojans could have won.
New Kent gained momentum quickly, building an early seven-point lead as the Clippers committed one unforced error after another. Leah Rounds made her presence known with an early ace, and seniors Kendall White, Mackenzie Loveland, and Fallon Greenawalt eased into their positions as the visitors raced to a 25-18 first set victory.
In spite of losing their previous two matches to Grafton 3-0 and 3-1, the Trojans were ready. And this was no accident, according to New Kent coach Stuart Burnett, who with his wife Cynthia have coached the team for 37 years.
“We had two weeks off after the Bay Rivers schedule,” said Burnett “and our four senior captains looked at a lot of tape of Grafton, especially from their match against York. We found out how to build our strengths and minimize theirs.”
Their strategy worked. A series of kills from Grafton’s Kenzie Smith, Alana Washington, and sophomore Ana Breckons helped the Clippers win the second set by four, but New Kent charged back with their variety of heavy hitters to claim the third set 25-21. Their momentum carried into the fourth set as they were ahead 9-3, and then 18-11, putting them on the verge of winning the match and regional title.
But the hosts stormed back. A kill by Smith started an 11-4 run highlighted by key shots from Washington, who stretched her 5’7” frame far above the net to land several clean kills, along with a couple of push shots by Breckons, the second of which closed the lead to 20-18. A return by Peyton Hall dropped in front of the right-side player for New Kent, and Smith’s return tied the score at 22. Another New Kent return slammed into the net giving Grafton its first lead of the set at 24-23 and they won the match point to tie the contest at two games each.
Asked about being on the brink of losing to a Bay Rivers opponent for the first time this season, the responses were similar.
“It was crazy. It was kind of stressful, but we all had jobs to do and we did them,” said Breckons.
Added Washington, the senior who delivered numerous clutch shots in the fourth set, “It was super stressful, but we knew we could come back and win, and we did.”
Fellow senior Kaylie Klemm noted, “This was the first team that has put up a fight.” Note – the Clipper losses were best-of-three matches to Bishop O’Connell of the prestigious Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, and Northwest Bilingual Academy of DC at the Endless Summer tournament on September 14.
Smith finished with 19 kills, while Washington added 16. Ally Burke scooped 36 digs. Olivia De La Cruz led the squad with 22 assists and Klemm finished with 17. For New Kent, Rounds led the team with 17 kills while Loveland dispensed 40 assists to go with 12 digs.
November 10, 2024
Yorktown 10 Miler - Osborne Nips Hopper at the Line
Submitted by Bruce Davis - Peninsula Track Club
Below and attached are the award winners and full results for the 31st Annual Yorktown Battlefield 10-Mile & 5K Runs held on the tour roads of the Yorktown Battlefield on Saturday morning, November 9, 2024. The race was sponsored by the Yorktown Lions Club.
===== ===== ======================== === =================== ===== ===
TOP OVERALL MEN
1 1 ANDREW OSBORNE 30 YORKTOWN VA 53:44 5:23
2 2 ROGER HOPPER 33 CHESAPEAKE VA 55:45 5:35
3 3 JORDAN SPECTOR 37 YORKTOWN VA 1:01:56 6:12 *
TOP OVERALL WOMEN
1 5 BETHANY SPECTOR 35 YORKTOWN VA 1:02:49 6:17 *
2 17 CATHERINE ENGLAND 35 YORKTOWN VA 1:18:48 7:53
3 19 KIRSTEN KELLY 54 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:20:16 8:02
TOP MASTERS MEN
1 4 DANIEL SHEAN 41 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:01:57 6:12
TOP MASTERS WOMEN
1 22 SHEILA SCOTTI 41 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:21:21 8:09 *
1 8 BRAXTON LEE 15 QUINTON VA 1:09:04 6:55 *
2 74 MAGNUS CHILES 18 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:55:04 11:31
MEN: 20 - 24
NONE
MEN: 25 - 29
1 24 FELIX RIVERA 29 HAMPTON VA 1:24:25 8:27
2 44 SHAWN HANRAHAN 27 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:34:38 9:28
MEN: 30 - 34
1 18 BLAKE BILL 32 WILLIAMSBURG VA 1:19:49 7:59
2 53 WESLEY HAGEDORN 31 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:38:48 9:53
MEN: 35 - 39
1 6 MATTHEW ARMENTA 37 HAMPTON VA 1:04:03 6:25
2 12 BRIAN FRIES 36 YORKTOWN VA 1:15:49 7:35
3 13 STEPHEN MOSTELLA II 37 BOYCE VA 1:15:59 7:36
MEN: 40 - 44
1 7 CHRIS NOVAKOSKI 43 CHESAPEAKE VA 1:06:42 6:41
2 15 DARREN LESLIE 42 POQUOSON VA 1:17:17 7:44
3 26 MICHAEL THOMPSON 41 HAMPTON VA 1:25:24 8:33
MEN: 45 - 49
1 25 JOHN BUTLER 45 NORFOLK VA 1:25:21 8:33
2 33 BRAD CODY 48 NORFOLK VA 1:28:47 8:53
3 79 LAMARR GRAZIONALE 46 YORKTOWN VA 1:59:28 11:57
MEN: 50 - 54
1 11 WILLIAM HUFF 54 WILLIAMSBURG VA 1:14:22 7:27
2 16 CARLTON NOLL 51 QUINTON VA 1:17:36 7:46
3 28 SCOTT SPENCER 52 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:26:05 8:37
MEN: 55 - 59
1 40 JOE BUCK 59 CHESAPEAKE VA 1:33:43 9:23
2 57 MARK SWARRINGIM 57 LANEXA VA 1:43:13 10:20
MEN: 60 - 64
1 9 KELVIN ANDERSON 63 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:10:03 7:01 *
2 10 JON LEIDING 62 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:13:41 7:23
3 14 ORLANDO PEREZ 62 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:16:16 7:38
MEN: 65 - 69
1 32 TIMOTHY HODGE 65 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:28:39 8:52 *
2 35 BILL PRICE 65 CHESAPEAKE VA 1:30:33 9:04 *
3 37 DOYLE GAGE 69 WILLIAMSBURG VA 1:31:31 9:10
MEN: 70 AND OVER
1 20 JIM DUFFY 72 POQUOSON VA 1:20:21 8:03 *
2 21 BILL HART 75 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:20:31 8:04
3 34 TOM PICKEREL 74 GENOA OH 1:30:14 9:02
NONE
WOMEN: 20 - 24
1 65 ZOE GAUTHIER 20 YORKTOWN VA 1:45:33 10:34
WOMEN: 25 - 29
1 41 HEIDI RUSE 28 DELTAVILLE VA 1:33:59 9:24
2 43 LAURA BRANSFORD 29 HAMPTON VA 1:34:16 9:26
3 45 ABIGAIL TOPPING 28 YORKTOWN VA 1:34:50 9:29
WOMEN: 30 - 34
1 27 CHRISTINA SHOCKLEY 32 YORKTOWN VA 1:25:53 8:36
2 52 MOLLIE HAGEDORN 33 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:38:48 9:53
3 75 APRIL COOLEY 32 CHESAPEAKE VA 1:57:32 11:46
WOMEN: 35 - 39
1 38 CRYSTAL WITTE 39 YORKTOWN VA 1:31:45 9:11 *
2 42 JILLIAN SIMMS 38 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:34:12 9:26
3 54 KERIN COATES 39 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:39:55 10:00
WOMEN: 40 - 44
1 29 NICOLE VINOGROSKI 40 WILLIAMSBURG VA 1:26:13 8:38
2 30 ANGELA WEATHERHEAD 40 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:28:04 8:49
3 31 ADELINE SMITH 40 YORKTOWN VA 1:28:35 8:52
WOMEN: 45 - 49
1 23 ANGELA RIBARSZKY 45 POQUOSON VA 1:22:20 8:14
2 47 MAURA RUST 45 POQUOSON VA 1:35:51 9:36
3 66 SHANTELL LUCAS 49 ASHTABULA OH 1:46:55 10:42
WOMEN: 50 - 54
1 49 LYNETTE MASON 53 NORFOLK VA 1:36:56 9:42
2 55 SUSAN HAGEL 51 NORFOLK VA 1:41:14 10:08 *
3 76 KRISTI CHILES 53 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:57:34 11:46
WOMEN: 55 - 59
1 61 CRIZTINA JEAN 56 WILLIAMSBURG VA 1:44:44 10:29 *
2 77 DAWN PURDY 57 YORKTOWN VA 1:59:00 11:54
WOMEN: 60 - 64
1 67 VALOR FOY JONES 61 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:47:53 10:48 *
2 68 CHRISTINE WILLIAMS 62 POQUOSON VA 1:47:54 10:48 *
3 73 DENEEN VENTERS 60 NEWPORT NEWS VA 1:53:38 11:22 *
WOMEN: 65 - 69
1 59 GAIL BIERMANN 66 VIRGINIA BEACH VA 1:44:34 10:28 *
2 72 LORI WISNIEWSKI 67 WILLIAMSBURG VA 1:51:21 11:09
3 78 THEA GANOE 66 HAMPTON VA 1:59:14 11:56 *
WOMEN: 70 AND OVER
1 51 CAROL HANSEN-VESSA 70 RESTON VA 1:37:57 9:48 *
October 29, 2024
William and Mary Sneaks Past Campbell 35-28
#15/16 WILLIAM AND MARY 35, CAMPBELL 28
Campbell (2-5, 0-3 CAA) - 7, 7, 7, 7 -- 28
W&M (5-2, 2-1 CAA) – 14, 7, 0, 7 -- 35
Williamsburg – A pair of fourth quarter rushing touchdowns catapulted the William and Mary Tribe to a 35-28 victory over Campbell for its Homecoming game on Saturday afternoon at Zable Stadium.
The win put W&M into the top six (of 16 teams) in the CAA standings, with a current 2-1 conference record, and 5-2 overall.
The Camels (2-5, 0-3 CAA) had tied the game at 21 late in the third quarter as receiver JJ Cowan caught a dump pass from quarterback Chad Mascoe, Jr. and weaved 19 yards into the end zone. Rushing touchdowns from Bronson Yoder and Hollis Mathis helped the Tribe to pull away from their scrappy competitors from Buies Creek, NC in the final quarter.
The Tribe was aided by several costly penalties on Campbell. In one sequence, runs of 24 and three yards from Malachi Imoh (12 carries, 122 yards, TD; three receptions, 52 yds.) were extended by 30, with the help of two personal fouls on the Camel defense. This led to Yoder’s touchdown.
The Tribe's opening drive went 75 yards in ten plays, consuming 3:45 of the clock. Yoder (24 carries, 131 yds., TD) led the opening charge with five carries for 25 yards, while Imoh finished the drive with a 14-yard scoring run.
On their next drive, with fourth-and-goal from the 1, W&M QB Darius Wilson faked inside, then called his number to the outside and ran untouched into the end zone. Eric Bernstein’s extra point put the hosts ahead 14-0.
Campbell found its aerial attack, and Camel quarterback Chad Mascoe (30-39, 320 yards, 4 TD, int.) went to work on the visitor’s next drive, with VJ Wilkins cutting the lead in half on a 35-yard TD reception from Mascoe, pulling the Camels into the game and the scoring column. Connor Lytton’s conversion was good and Campbell closed the lead to 14-7 to end the opening quarter.
W&M safety TJ McGill was disqualified from the game after being called for "targeting" Mascoe after he slid to end a scramble and was hit. The redshirt sophomore signal caller was out for four plays, replaced by Mike Chandler. However, the Camels lost a fumble and couldn’t take advantage of the costly penalty.
Mascoe did get the offense in gear on the next drive, leading the Camels down to the Tribe 10. However, his fourth down pass to the end zone was broken up by W&M cornerback Jalen Jones, preventing a scare. In the second half, Jones (Deep Creek HS) would stop another drive, ending a Camel drive with just under four minutes remaining in the game.
With the defense fending off the tying score, the Tribe offense went back to work, and Yoder galloped 30 yards for a Tribe first down. The defensive stop by W&M became more important as the Tribe scored again with Darius Wilson drilling a 11-yard TD dart through the middle of the field to JT Mayo. With the extra point, William and Mary gained a 14-point lead with 4:22 remaining in the first half.
Campbell refused to go away, and put together a 13-play, 75-yard drive, ending with the second Mascoe-to-Wilkins passing touchdown, this one on a two-yard fade route, which closed the W&M lead to 21-14 at halftime.
Campbell tied the game to start the second half. After the Camels converted on third-and-nine from the 30 (a 16-yard pass to Sincere Brown), Mascoe dumped a pass to JJ Cowan and the freshman RB weaved through Tribe traffic into the end zone, knotting the contest at 21.
Mathis rolled right and into the end zone from the 6 for what was the game-clinching TD for William and Mary.
W&M –Malachi Imoh 34 run (Eric Bernstein kick)
W&M – Darius Wilson 1 run (Bernstein kick)
Camp – VJ Wilkins 35 pass from Chad Mascoe (Connor Lytton kick)
W&M – JT Mayo 11 pass from Wilson (Bernstein kick)
Camp – Wilkins 2 pass from Mascoe (Lytton kick)
Camp – JJ Cowan 19 pass from Mascoe (Lytton kick)
W&M – Bronson Yoder 6 run (Bernstein kick)
W&M – Hollis Mathis 6 run (Bernstein kick)
Camp – Sincere Brown 11 pass from Mascoe (Lytton kick)
Camp W&M
First Downs 22, 28
Rush-Yards 24-103, 57-355
Passing Yards 320, 109
C-A-I 30-39-1, 11-17-1
Pen.-Yards 10-106, 6-65
Fumbles-Lost 1-1, 1-1
October 26, 2024
#8 Lafayette Tops Warhill 33-6
WARHILL (2-4) -- 0, 0, 0, 6 -- 6
LAFAYETTE (6-0) – 13, 0, 13, 7 -- 33
In early October, Lafayette kept its share of the Bay Rivers District and undefeated record intact, outslugging the Lions of Warhill 33-6 on Friday evening at Wanner Stadium.
Breon Stokes rushed for three touchdowns in the second half as the eighth-ranked Rams improved to 6-0.
Stokes finished the night with 145 yards on 13 carries. Brayden Smalls added 96 and the hosts totaled 356 yards on the ground.
The Rams offense was fueled by a collection of runners, two of who scored in the opening half. On their initial drive, Lafayette pounded for 70 yards on 11 rushes, headed by senior standout Smalls, who capped the sequence with a 12-yard rush, which started as a jet sweep to the right before Smalls turned up field, ran through the middle of his line and into the end zone. For the drive, Lafayette’s leading rusher tallied six carries for 42 yards, finishing with his 11th TD of the season.
Josh Simpson had the longest carry of the game for the Rams. On their next drive, at their own 26, the junior, listed as a wide receiver, took the handoff from quarterback Baum Hogge and hauled down the right sideline, outrunning the Lion defense for a 74-yard score. Lafayette managed 148 yards of rushing on 13 carries with their first two possessions and carried a 13-0 lead into halftime.
Warhill scored its lone touchdown after the offense sustained its longest drive of the night, totaling 13 plays, with freshman quarterback Devon Price sneaking the ball into the end zone from the Ram 2. Senior running back Eric Crane tallied 40 of the drive’s 51 yards with six rushes and a reception while finishing with 104 on 15 carries.
L – Brayden Smalls 12 run (Aidan Gerda kick)
L – Josh Simpson 74 run (kick failed)
L – Breon Stokes 35 run (Gerda kick)
L – Stokes 64 run (run failed)
L – Stokes 3 run (Gerda kick)
W L
1st Downs 13, 15
Rush-Yards 33-130, 39-356
Pass Yards 87, 54
C – A – I 11-23-0, 2-3-0
Pen-Yards 10-75, 7-73
Punt-Avg. 3-32, 0-0
Fumb-Lost 0-0, 2-1
October 19, 2024
Phoebus Extends Peninsula District Streak to 63 with Win over Hampton
# 2 PHOEBUS 37, #14 HAMPTON 3
Hampton (4-2) 3, 0, 0, 0 -- 3
Phoebus (5-0) 7, 7, 16, 7 -- 37
Hampton -- Phoebus, using a bruising defense that brutalized its opponent’s offense in the second half, won its 40th straight consecutive and ninth in a row against their vaunted city rival, topping Hampton 37-3 on Saturday afternoon at Darling Stadium.
In spite of being flagged for 15 penalties for 130 yards, the Phantoms held the Crabbers to minus -4 yards and a single first down after intermission, with senior linebackers Nijay Guy and Noah Jefferson leading the charge. Both players were part of four straight Phoebus wins over Hampton, as well as another current streak, that of 63 consecutive Peninsula District wins. Jefferson said the team doesn’t think too far ahead.
“We think about (the streaks) once in a while, but we play in the moment.,” said Jefferson.
Running back Davion Roberts saved the rivalry game for his virtuoso performance, rushing for 141 yards and three touchdowns, before being replaced by Demante Williams (six carries, 44 yards, TD) in the third quarter. He talked of his team’s remarkable performance in the second half. “It’s a mindset thing, with the offense and defense. We just went out there and did our thing. But I just feel like we’re the better team.”
The Crabbers had a chance to pull back into the contest at the beginning of the second half as Xavier Whisenent recovered a Phoebus’ initial kickoff return fumble at the Phantom 16. But Hampton lost four, then 10, and finally, quarterback Marcus ChapMan’s pass was picked off by Jefferson.
Jefferson had two interceptions, as well as a 60-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Maurikus Banks, an airball that caused the Delaware commit to run five yards back to snare the ball before holding off his defender for 25 yards to reach the end zone.
Beginning the game, Hampton appeared to have the initial momentum, mainly with the help of two Phoebus penalties which added 20 yards to the first down earned by an 11-yard pass to fullback Sidney Johnson. But their drive was stuffed, literally, as senior linebacker Kaleb Tillery rocked Johnson backwards on a fourth-and-two run from the Phantom 38.
Abraham Geremew put Hampton on the board with a 26-yard field goal toward the end of the first quarter, ending a six-play, 64-yard drive that was highlighted by Marcus ChapMan’s 55-yard pass to sophomore receiver Davion Perry.
Phoebus answered immediately, pulling together a 12-play, 51-yard scoring drive. Facing first-and-goal at the Hampton 6, lineman Nathaniel Anthony took the first crack at the end zone, bulling five yards to the 1. But it was Roberts who pushed in for the one-yard TD, and the hosts led 14-3 at the half.
Hampton (4-2) netted 135 total yards but were penalized 17 times for 141.
In spite of the lopsided score, Phoebus coach Jeremy Blunt was impressed with the effort from the Crabbers. “We played a team that always makes us play hard. Their quarterback has a lot of arm and holds our kids accountable in the secondary.”
P – Noah Jefferson 60 pass from Maurikus Banks (Farriss Knight XP)
H – Abraham Geremew 26 FG
P – Davion Roberts 1 run (Knight kick)
P – Roberts 17 run (Knight kick)
P – Safety (Hampton RB tackled in end zone)
P – Roberts 7 run (Knight kick)
P – Demante Williams 1 run (Knight kick)
H P
1st Downs 8, 13
Rush-Yards 25-31, 33-208
Pass Yards 104, 148
C – A – I 6-25-2, 4-10-0
Pen-Yards 17-141, 15-130
Punt-Avg. 3-30, 2-32
Fumb-Lost 1-0, 1-1
September 30, 2024
Coach Angela Jackson Honored By Area Sports Club
(Posted by Virginia Peninsula CC News at vpcc.edu)
She spent 45 years at College in variety of roles, mostly in athletics.
The Peninsula Sports Club honored Angela Jackson, a former player, coach and administrator at Virginia Peninsula Community College, for her many years of service to the College.
Jackson, who began her association with VPCC in 1979, received a "Milestone" award from the club at a banquet Monday, Sept. 23, at Hampton Seafood Market and Restaurant. Also honored were John "Buster" Jackson, the director of facilities and athletic support at Hampton University for more than 40 years; and Jeff Gross, Poquoson track and girls' basketball coach for 31 years.
"We are proud of Coach Angela Jackson for receiving the Milestone award from the Peninsula Sports Club," said athletics director and men's basketball coach Chris Moore. "Her 45 years of service to Virginia Peninsula Community College athletics has been recognized and we would not be where we are today without her dedication."
Jackson was a student before becoming a full-time employee and making her mark in athletics. She played one season on the men's basketball team before a women's team was formed, then coached both teams for several years. She also served as an adviser, athletics coordinator, and member of athletics operations. For more on Coach Jackson, click here .
The Peninsula Sports Club's mission is "to provide the Virginia Peninsula with an organization presenting forums for discussion of athletics, athletic contests, and sports programs; to provide scholarships for local high school student athletes; to provide an annual awards night to honor Peninsula athletes; and to provide programs and events for the advancement of Peninsula athletics."
September 25, 2024
Tabb Remains Unbeaten With 16-6 Win Over Rival York
TABB 16, YORK 6
Although Tabb’s recovery of a Falcons’ botched punt return, which gave the Tigers the ball at the York 3-yard line, would seem like the key play of their victory on Friday night at Bailey Field, Tabb head coach John Byron went to the beginning of the play for his highlight of the game.
“I think the punt itself was the play of the game,” said Byron, whose team remained unbeaten at 3-0 after the 16-6 win over Tabb in one of the area’s longest rivalries.
“Our special teams really won the game for us,” added Byron. “We had a couple of great punts, and the field goal (29 yards from David Brooks) gave us the lead going into halftime.”
An interception by Tyler Howard gave Tabb the ball at the York 33 midway through the first quarter. Quarterback Corbin Eckert capped a, eight-play, 30-yard drive by faking a handoff and sneaking the ball across the goal line from the three-yard line to give the Tigers an early 6-0 lead.
Brooks’ field goal was crucial as York’s Carter Ward recovered a fumble in the final minute of the first half to set up Seamus Kennedy’s 17-yard catch from York freshman QB AJ Wilson to narrow the intermission lead to 9-6.
Three plays after the punt return fumble recovery, Samuel Christophel bulled into the end zone from one yard out to give Tabb a 16-6 lead which held up as the Tigers finished the game by running the final four minutes off the clock with eight consecutive running plays.
Graham Siegel led the Tiger defense with a pair of sacks. And Jaren Mitchell’s interception on York’s opening play of the second half squashed the Falcons’ chance to take the lead. The hosts record dropped to 2-1.
TABB (3-0) 6, 3, 7, 0 -- 16
YORK (2-1) 0, 0, 6, 0 -- 6
T Y
1st Downs 10, 9
Rush-Yds. 45-149, 23-72
Pass Yds. 46. 74
C-A-I 7-10-0, 7-21-2
Pen-Yds. 10-85, 3-32
Punt-Avg 5-34, 3-27
Fumb-Lost 1-1, 1-1
T – Corbin Eckert 3 run (kick failed)
T – David Brooks 29 FG
Y – Seamus Cassidy 17 pass from AJ Wilson (kick failed)
T – Samuel Christophel 1 run (Brooks kick)