The legacy of late Tabb High coach Charlie Hovis, who guided the Tigers to three state championships, lives on in the trophy named in his honor.
It’s awarded to the biggest winner in head-to-head matchups each season between the four York County schools. Tabb (4-2) and York (2-3) will decide the Charlie Hovis Trophy recipient on Friday at Bailey Field when they meet for the 64th time in 52 years.
“This is a big game for us because it’s a crosstown rivalry, but it’s also an opportunity to bring home a trophy named for our school’s longtime former coach,” Tabb coach John Byron said. “That hasn’t been done here in some time.”
York coach Doug Pereira said, “This is still the biggest rivalry for us, no matter what. The Hovis Trophy is on the line and (Class 3 Region A) playoff seeding might be, too, so a lot is at stake.”
Tabb is currently No. 3 in the region power ratings and poised for a home playoff game, while York is No. 5 and must move up a spot to play at home in the first round. The Falcons also want to get back on track after starting with two wins in their first three games before injuries and illness slowed them.
They recently lost starting quarterback Jayden Ahrens (possibly for the season) to an injury, while Ben Ward — who teams with twin Carter Ward in a formidable duo at linebacker — is a week away from returning from an injury.
Pereira solved the quarterback problem by moving Anthony Custis (233 yards rushing) from running back. He had Custis penciled in as his 2026 quarterback (Ahrens is a senior), so he gets to develop him there sooner.
“Ant is a very explosive athlete,” Pereira said.
He operates behind a large line as Bryon noted. “We can’t let them dominate inside,” he said.
Tabb’s defense — which has gotten strong play of late from linebackers Sam Christophel and Nasir Mohammed, and safety Eli Mansell — must be on its toes against a York offense that can run out of the wishbone one play and the spread the next. York’s defense faces a balanced Tigers’ offense.
The Tigers are still a wing-T team, but operate more from the shotgun than under center, now. That’s allowed them to showcase the talents of improved quarterback Corbin Eckert. Eckert has thrown for almost 700 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interceptions in six games, after posting similar passing yardage numbers with 12 interceptions and seven TDs a year ago.
Eckert has also rushed for a team-high 346 yards and five TDs on a team deeper this year at running back and receiver. Brian-Ian Moussanda’s recent move to right guard has bolstered the offensive line.
Tabb (4-2) vs. York (2-3), 7 p.m.
Larry Rubama: Tabb 27-13. Marty O’Brien: Tabb 24-10.
Friday’s other games
757Teamz top 15
No. 1 Maury (5-1) at Norview (4-2), 7 p.m.
Larry: Maury 43-13. Marty: Maury 54-8.
Deep Creek (2-3) at No. 2 Oscar Smith (4-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Oscar Smith 34-14. Marty: Oscar Smith 58-12.
No. 3 Green Run (6-0) at Landstown (2-4), 7 p.m.
Larry: Green Run 27-14. Marty: Green Run 34-16.
No. 4 Warwick (4-2) vs. Woodside (3-2) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Warwick 43-13. Marty O’Brien: Warwick 38-6.
No. 5 Nansemond River (5-0) at No. 7 Indian River (4-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Nansemond River 35-27. Marty: Nansemond River 28-24.
Western Branch (3-2) at No. 6 King’s Fork (4-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: King’s Fork 42-14. Marty: King’s Fork 34-13.
Gloucester (0-5) vs. No. 9 Poquoson (6-0) at Poquoson Middle, 7 p.m.
Larry: Poquoson 60-6. Marty: Poquoson 35-7
No. 10 Lafayette (5-1) vs. Jamestown (2-3) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Lafayette 35-6. Marty: Lafayette 57-7.
Ocean Lakes (2-3) at No. 11 Kempsville (3-2), 7 p.m.
Larry: Kempsville 27-20. Marty: Kempsville 35-6.
No. 14 Lake Taylor (5-1) at Manor (2-4), 7 p.m.
Larry: Lake Taylor 41-13. Marty: Lake Taylor 48-19.
Kellam (3-2) at No. 15 Salem (3-2), 7 p.m.
Larry: Salem 27-20. Marty: Salem 28-10.
Bay Rivers District
Grafton (1-5) at Smithfield (2-3), 7 p.m.
Larry: Smithfield 20-13. Marty: Smithfield 27-7.
Warhill (3-2) at Bruton (1-4), 7 p.m.
Larry: Warhill 27-6. Marty: Warhill 44-14.
Beach District
Tallwood (2-3) at Princess Anne (0-6), 7 p.m.
Larry: Tallwood 27-13. Marty: Tallwood 47-8.
Eastern District
Booker T. Washington (0-5) vs. Granby (1-5) at Powhatan Field, 7 p.m.
Larry: Granby 28-20. Marty: Granby 38-5.
Churchland (5-1) at Norcom (1-4), 7 p.m.
Larry: Churchland 28-21. Marty: Churchland 41-13
Southeastern District
Great Bridge (0-5) at Grassfield (0-5), 7 p.m.
Larry: Grassfield 21-20. Marty: Great Bridge 22-19.
Hickory (2-3) at Lakeland (0-5), 7 p.m.
Larry: Hickory 38-6. Marty: Hickory 41-13.
Private schools
Blue Ridge vs. Atlantic Shores Christian at Virginia Beach Sportsplex, 7 p.m.
Catholic at Hargrave Military, 6 p.m.
Central Virginia at Norfolk Christian, 7 p.m.
Greenbrier Christian at Fishburne Military, 4 p.m.
Isle of Wight at Nandua, 6 p.m.
Nansemond-Suffolk at Norfolk Academy, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
Beach District
First Colonial (1-5) at No.12 Bayside (4-1), 2 p.m.
Larry: Bayside 41-13. Marty: Bayside 55-6.
Peninsula District
Kecoughtan (2-4) vs. No. 13 Hampton (4-1) at Darling Stadium, noon
Larry: Hampton 37-13. Marty: Hampton 42-7.
How they fared
Larry Rubama: 21-3 last week, 112-28 (80.0%)
Marty O’Brien: 22-2 last week, 121-19 overall (86.4%)
