HAMPTON – The Phoebus Phantoms used a stiff running game and overwhelming defense to topple the Patriots 44-0 at home.
With the win, Phoebus (7-2) gained a measure of normalcy after being shut out in their last two games. The Phantoms also maintained their #1 seed in the 3A East rankings.
The Phoebus defense took control of the game from the start, holding the Patriots to just two first downs and 32 total yards. Special teams also played a factor. Junior defensive end Juan Purdie blocked Denbigh’s first punt, which rolled into the end zone and was ruled a safety, giving Phoebus its first two points.
A leaping 19-yard catch by Jonathan Gregory set up the Phantoms next score, a five-yard run by Daniel Wright. Two possessions later, Phoebus had its best running drive of the half, gaining 64 yards on three rushes – 24 from Wright, followed by a 5, and then 35-yard run by Daequan Fleming, who found a gap in the line of scrimmage and zigzagged his way through the Patriot defense into the end zone. Wright finished the first half scoring with his second touchdown, from six yards.
The Phantoms defense was stalwart in the opening half, holding Denbigh to a single first down, and 21 total yards. Offensively, the Phantoms carried the ball 37 times for 252 yards. Wright led Phoebus with 78 yards on 11 carries, while Fleming added 69 yards on seven carries. Andre Jackson scored on a 29-yard reception from Iziah McNair, who also added a rushing touchdown, with a one-yard quarterback sneak on Phoebus’ first possession of the second half.
With the loss, Denbigh finished the regular season with a 3-7 record.
DENBIGH 0, 0, 0, 0 -- 0
PHOEBUS 2, 21, 13, 8 -- 44
1st Quarter
P – Safety - Purdie blocks punt in end zone
2nd Quarter
P – Wright 5 run (Wallace kick)
P – Fleming 35 run (Wallace kick)
P – Wright 6 run (Wallace kick)
3rd Quarter
P – McNair 1 run (Wallace kick)
P – A. Jackson 29 pass from McNair (run failed)
4th Quarter
P – Ryder 11 run (Wallace pass)
Den Phoe
First downs; 2, 15
Rushes-yards; 21-13, 37-252
Passing yards; 19, 76
Comp-att-int; 6-13-1, 5-12-1
Penalties-yards; 3-25, 3-15
Punts-avg.; 5-24, 1-38
Fumbles-lost; 2-2, 1-0