Grafton Volleyball Reaches Conference 18 Finals With Win Over Lafayette; Will Meet Jamestown in Final

In related news, Jamestown did defeat Grafton to win the Conference 18 final over Grafton last night, but both teams will be in the 4A South region tournament, which will begin next week.

YORK – With a 4A South regional berth on the line, the Grafton girls volleyball team survived a pesky challenge from Lafayette for the first two sets, then rolled through the third set to sweep the Rams 25-22, 25-20, 25-14.

With the win, the second seeded Clippers (21-4) will travel to top seeded Jamestown (18-3) on Thursday for the Conference 18 final. Jamestown swept Smithfield on Wednesday to earn their place in the conference final. Last week, Grafton defeated the Eagles 25-21, 25-23, 25-15.

Speaking about the possibility of a second straight win against Jamestown, Grafton coach Karissa Cumberbatch preferred to look toward the 4A South Region tournament next week.

“We’re hyped, but there’s no pressure tomorrow. We just have to play our game and take care of our side of the floor. Next week is what matters.”

The first set followed a pattern after the initial 14 points seesawed back and forth. With the score tied at seven, Grafton scored the next four points, and seemed to be gaining the momentum. But the Rams clawed back, not once, but on three separate occasions. Their last run narrowed a 20-16 Clipper margin to 22-all. But Grafton closed the door, scoring the set’s final three points, with Sophia Beaudoin providing the set-ending kill.

The second set was tight throughout. Lafayette relied on their heavy hitter Abby Orem, while Grafton countered with recent CNU-signee Rachel Blitt. Blitt delivered the key kills to keep the Clippers in the set. But with a tie at 17, Sam Heard took control, accounting for an ace and kill as part of a 4-0 Clipper surge that served as an impetus for Grafton to hold on and win Set 2.

The Grafton servers also performed well against Lafayette.

“We serve teams tough, and put balls away. Kaitlyn Young was particularly tough tonight, with lots of serving runs. She must have had at least three aces,” added Cumberbatch.

The third and final set was all Grafton. On one particular exchange, the Clippers first two hits of a return sent the ball sailing way backwards and over the back line. With a burst of speed, Haley Sutton ran ten feet behind the back line and with her back to the net, sent a powerful return back over her head and over the net, a shot which stunned the Rams and fell to the ground to give the Clippers a 9-3 lead which they would not relinquish.

Lafayette coach Lee Thornhill could only praise the team concept, while pointing out his two best players.

“We rely heavily on Abby (Orem) and Julia Howard. The Abby-Julia combination will cover a lot of deficiencies. But they couldn’t overcome the six players on the other side of the net tonight.”

Grafton def. Lafayette 25-22, 25-20, 25-14

Grafton (21-4): Sophia Beaudoin (6 kills, 19 digs), Rachel Blitt (11 kills, ace, 4 digs, 5 blocks), Haley Sutton (11 digs). Lafayette (12-10): Abby Orem (15 kills, 12 digs), Julia Howard (23 assists, 8 digs).

The "Wall's" Game of the Week #2 - Hampton Shuts Out Warwick 54-0 to Win Peninsula District

HAMPTON – Hampton, behind the power of 21 first downs and 472 yards of total offense, wrapped up the mythical Peninsula District title on Friday, shutting out the overmatched Warwick Raiders 54-0.

With the win, Hampton raised its record to 9-0, and with all of their games against Peninsula competition, claimed the best district record among the PD’s ten teams. The Crabbers have an opportunity to complete their first undefeated regular season since 2004 next week with a non-conference game against Churchland.

The victory also marked Coach Mike Smith’s 460^th career win, with all of his victories coming during his 45 seasons as the Hampton coach..

The Crabbers dominated on both sides of the ball. Trequan Smith, who scored four touchdowns in last week’s 56-0 win over Menchville, added three in the first half on Friday, scoring from 24, 34, and five yards. On defense, Hampton held Warwick to minus 10 yards in the first half and no first downs. For the game, Smith gained 121 yards on ten carries to lead the rushing attack, which gained 390 yards.

Jovonn Quillen threw a pair of touchdowns late in the second quarter. The first was a 32-yarder down the right sideline to a streaking Dazz Newsome. The second, which occurred on the final play of the first half, came on a 24-yard floater over the middle to Khamari Hunter.

Quillen finished the game having completed all six of his passes for 82 yards and sat out the second half, along with several of the other Hampton starters.

Demetrius Strickland also scored on a 10-yard run as Hampton led 42-0 at the half.

Kareem Williams and Keonte Stith added fourth quarter touchdowns for the Crabbers, who retained their #1 seed in the 5A South (East) rankings.

Warwick (2-7) was held to 18 total yards.

WARWICK –   0, 0, 0, 0 - 0

HAMPTON  -  21, 21, 0, 12 -- 54   

First quarter

H – T. Smith 24 run (Aguilar kick)

H – T. Smith 34 run (Aguilar kick)

H – Strickland 10 run (Aguilar kick)

Second quarter

H – T. Smith 5 run (kick failed)

H – D. Newsome 32 pass from Quillen (Quillen run)

H – K. Hunter 24 pass from Quillen (Aguilar kick)

Fourth quarter

H – K. Williams 1 run (run failed)

H – Stith 36 run (run failed)

        

    Warw  Hamp

First downs;    2, 21

Rushes-yards;  17-13, 44-390

Passing yards;   5, 82

Comp-att-int;   1-9-2, 6-7-0

Penalties-yards; 3-28, 7-62

Punts-avg;     3-28, 0-0

Fumbles-lost;   2-1, 1-0

The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week #1 - Bethel Thrashes Gloucester 56-7 to Finish Season On 6-2 Run

HAMPTON – The Bethel Bruins ended their regular season in decisive fashion, scoring 21 points in the game’s first eight minutes, then holding off Gloucester for a convincing 56-7 win.

The Bruins, who lost their first two contests to Indian River and Phoebus, finished the season on a 6-2 run and now have an opportunity to claim a fourth seed in the 5A South (Eastern) playoff seedings, if Norview loses one of its final two games. With a #4 seed, Bethel would host at least one playoff game at Darling Stadium.

After finding its offensive bearings last week in a 27-9 win against Denbigh, the Bruins quickly went to work against Gloucester. However, it was the defense that turned in the game’s first big play, with Jeremiah Owusu intercepting an Elijah Shaffer pass and returning it 34 yards for a touchdown. Lekendrell Lowther and DeAndre Gillis added rushing touchdowns to finish the first quarter.

Gillis (12 rushes, 168 yards, 2 TD’s) added a second running score early in the second half, before giving way to Keno Mitchell and Tyler Meredith. Mitchell contributed a fourth quarter touchdown to finish the scoring for the Bruins.

Terry Chisley added a nifty play for Bethel’s last score of the first half. From the Duke 16, Chisley scrambled to the right, and then back toward the left. As he neared the sideline, he saw Jeremiah Owusu momentarily open in the left corner of the end zone, but chose to wave the receiver back toward the middle of the field. With the Gloucester defense preparing for a pass, Chisley turned upfield and ran though the middle of the Duke defense for the touchdown.

Lowther, who filled in briefly at quarterback, found Marcus Pegues open for two passing touchdowns, a 26 and 33-yarder, on successive drives in the third quarter.

The Bethel defense held the Dukes to 51 total yards, and Gloucester completed only one of 14 passes, with three interceptions.

The Dukes lone score came after Gillis’ second touchdown as Brady Barefoot returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards.

Gloucester, hoping to earn its first non-losing season in 10 years, dropped to 3-6 with the loss.

GLOUCESTER –  0, 0, 7, 0 - 7

BETHEL -           21, 7, 21, 7 – 56

First quarter

B – Jeremiah Owusu 34 int. return (Vassilakopoulos kick)

B – Lowther 1 run (kick blocked)

B – Gillis 43 run (Hudson run)

Second quarter

B – Chisley 16 run (Vassilakopoulos kick)

Third quarter

B – Gillis 34 run (Vassilakopoulos kick)

G – Barefoot 96 kickoff return (Wright kick)

B – Pegues 26 pass from Lowther (Vassilakopoulos kick)

B – Pegues 33 pass from Lowther (Vassilakopoulos kick)

Fourth quarter

B – K. Mitchell 2 run (Vassilakopoulos kick)

    Glou   Bethel

First downs;    6, 15

Rushes-yards;  29-30, 38-330

Passing yards;   21, 85

Comp-att-int;   1-14-3, 3-9-0

Penalties-yards; 2-25, 6-72

Punts-avg;      7-31, 3-42

Fumbles-lost;   0-0, 1-1

The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week #2 - Coach Mike Smith Goes for Win #460 as Hampton Hosts Warwick

Warwick (2-6) vs. Hampton (8-0), Friday 7:00 PM, Darling Stadium (Hampton)

http://www.recruit757.com/crabbers-look-finish-strong-vs-warwick/

 File Photo: Sam Mizelle/recruit757

The Warwick faithful are walking with a spring in their step after the Raiders intercepted seven Gloucester passes, which helped them seal a 27-21 victory last week.

They will probably have less good fortune in Coach Mike Smith’s backyard.

The Crabbers steamrolled Menchville last weekend, scoring all of their 56 points in the first half, while shutting out the Monarchs, and holding them to a paltry seven yards rushing on 25 carries. Before the game, Smith insisted that his team practiced as hard as always leading up to the Menchville game, and there is little doubt that they took no breaks in preparation while scouting Warwick.

However, with eight days left in the regular season, their transition into playoff mode is about to begin. Jovonn Quillen will get needed playing time. But, if the score gets out of hand, expect to see Curtis Seldon, or even Dazz Newsome, take some snaps from behind center. Newsome should get plenty of touches as a rusher and receiver; however, last week it was running back Trequan Smith who rushed for 100 yards and four touchdowns.

The Crabbers should be able to step on the gas for as long as needed, and then take advantage of the opportunity to show some diversity with their play calling and use of personnel.

It is highly unlikely that the Raiders will allow 56 points, and they do have some weapons that can score, even against the stingy Hampton defense. QB D.J. Nunn leads an offensive corps, which features running back Demonte Good, who has totaled over 600 yards on the ground. Travis Williams also remains a force to be reckoned with as a return man, receiver and defensive back. Junior Tzion Lucas, a 6’3” tight end, adds a cog to the Raider machine as a passing option.

Hampton, currently the #1 seed in the 5A South (Eastern) rankings, should perform well before a home crowd at Darling. Nevertheless, look for Warwick to pull out the stops and gamble on occasion. With Nunn, Lucas and Williams available for one more year, and younger players such as Tayshawn Porter and Dayvon Meade waiting in the wings, this game could become a good building block for the Raiders.

The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week #1 - Gloucester Aims to Improve Playoff Hopes at Bethel - Thursday 10/29/15

Gloucester (3-5) vs. Bethel (5-4), Darling Stadium (Hampton) 7 p.m.

(File Photo: Sam Mizelle/recruit757)

Tonight at Hampton’s Darling Stadium, the Bethel Bruins will host Gloucester. Gloucester lost a surprising 27-21 decision to Warwick last weekend, but was hampered by seven interceptions. Coach Brandon Kelley would like to see his Dukes finish the season at 5-5, which would be their best mark since Tommy Reamon was the coach in 2005.

Kelley is hopeful that his squad will do a better job at holding on to the ball against a sturdy Bruin defense that allows barely 100 yards per game. That puts the burden squarely on the shoulders of quarterbacks Elijah Shaffer and Brady Barefoot. Martaine Morris will get the majority of the carries for the Dukes, who do present a formidable offensive attack (23 ppg.), but must hold Bethel to less than three touchdowns to have a chance at winning.

Two weeks ago, this would have seemed to be an easy task. The Bethel offense was struggling and there was no steady player at quarterback. However, some of the Bruin woes may have been solved in last week’s 27-9 win over Denbigh.

Janaz Jordan, a player who had rushed for a mere 39 yards entering the game, had a breakout performance, with 120 yards and two touchdowns. Coach William Beverley admitted that Jordan, at 6’3” and 255 lbs., had started the season as the feature back, but was simply ”not ready” to handle the responsibility. This may have changed after last week.

At quarterback, Terry Chisley appears to be holding down the position for the time being. Chisley, perhaps the most versatile Bethel player, is equally adept as a slot back or wide receiver, but his leadership has been needed for the Bruin offense. This can be proven by the fact his last two starts at QB have netted only four (of nine) complete passes for 42 yards. However, the Bruins have won both games. Chisley is also deadly as the Bruin return man.

The "Wall's" Peninsula Game of the Week - Bethel Rains on Denbigh's 50th Homecoming With 27-9 Win

NEWPORT NEWS -- The Denbigh Patriots celebrated their 50^th Homecoming in royal fashion on Friday.  But it was the Bethel Bruins who left Todd Stadium with the crowning win, 27-9.

Bethel RB DeAndre Gillis #22

With the victory, Bethel improved to 5-4 and fastened its hold on the #5 seed in the 5A South (East) rankings. Denbigh dropped to 4-4 and may lose its fourth seed in the 4A East (Tidewater).

The Bruins capitalized on a strong running game, which gained 246 yards on 46 carries. Leading the way was Janaz Jordan. Jordan, at 6’3”, 255 lbs., entered the game with only 15 carries for 39 yards on the season. But the fullback bruised for four carries and 46 yards on the Bruins’ initial drive, including the six-yard touchdown run to give Bethel its first score. Jordan finished the game with 120 yards and two touchdowns.

The Patriots opened the game with an 11-play, 61-yard drive, capped by a 22-yard field goal from Gerardo Aguilar. But after the initial Patriot score, Bethel ran off 27 unanswered points.

In the second quarter, Bethel started winning the battle of field position, and after a 16-yard punt return from T.C. Chisley, found itself with first down on the Denbigh 34. The Bruins worked the ball down to the 15, but found itself with fourth-and-2 from the Denbigh 7. Chisley attempted a quarterback sneak, but kept his legs moving underneath him and bulldozed into the end zone, giving the visitors a 14-3 lead, which they took into halftime.

Late in the third quarter, Chisley found Marcus Pegues streaking down the left sideline and hit the receiver in mid-stride for a 35-yard touchdown. Ironically, it was Bethel’s only pass completion of the evening.

Denbigh’s Shaquan Jones snuck into the end zone on a one-yard run as time ran out .

BETHEL –   7, 7, 13, 0 -- 27

DENBIGH -  3, 0, 0, 6 -- 9

First quarter

D – Aguilar 22 FG

B – J. Jordan 6 run (Vassilakopoulos kick)

Second quarter

B – Chisley 6 run (Vassilakopoulos kick)

Third quarter

B – J. Jordan 24 run (kick failed)

B – Pegues 35 pass from Chisley (Vassilakopoulos kick)

Fourth quarter

D – S. Jones 1 run (game ended – no XP)

                    Beth  Denb

First downs;    10, 10

Rushes-yards;  46-246, 33-85

Passing yards;   35, 77

Comp-att-int;   1-2-0, 10-25-0

Penalties-yards; 11-77, 4-26

Punts-avg;      6-30, 4-32

Fumbles-lost;   2-2, 0-0