After Newport News-Hampton and before Phoebus-Hampton (and very recently Phoebus-Warwick), the big Peninsula District rivalry was Bethel versus Hampton.
For 20 seasons at the rivalry’s peak (1973-92), the Bruins and Crabbers rocked Darling Stadium to invariably sold-out stands. Coaching immortals Mike Smith (Hampton) and Dennis Kozlowski (Bethel) roamed the sidelines barking orders from their mustached faces to burgeoning legends like Dwight Stephenson (Hampton High, then NFL Hall of Fame) and Allen Iverson (Bethel then NBA Hall of Fame).
The stakes often were the district’s lone berth to the postseason playoffs. They made good on them, combining for 10 state crowns in that era — seven by Hampton alternating four consecutive AAA titles from 1974-77.
The matchup on Thursday at Darling Stadium at 7 p.m. has that big-game feel for the first time in years. The Crabbers (8-1, 7-0 district), ranked No. 4 in the 757Teamz Top 15, can win the PD title outright — they last shared it in ’16 with Woodside — with a win over the Bruins (6-3, 5-2).
The rising star power of the two programs will be a draw. Crabbers’ lineman Gene Jones Jr. and Bethel safety/receiver Derek Lewis, both juniors, committed in October to nationally ranked Virginia. Bruins’ running back Amar Pryear, with 1,731 yards rushing and 31 touchdowns in 2025, already has signed with Hampton University.
The quarterbacks on both teams could join them in Division I: Bethel’s Alex Lewis (1,583 yards passing, 15 TDs this season) and Hampton’s Marcus Campbell, a dual-threat junior still waiting to be discovered by the big boys but no secret to PD coaches.
“Hampton’s quarterback is one of the most underrated players in the state,” Bethel coach David Porter said. “That kid can really go.
“He makes a lot of plays with his legs and a lot of plays with his arm.”
Coach Woodrow Wilson, who played on the first Hampton teams in the Golden Years of the Hampton-Bethel rivalry, understands Bethel would like to force Hampton to share its district crown with Warwick (6-3, 6-1).
“They had aspirations of doing what we may be able to do as far as winning the district, and it’s still a rivalry, so I look at it as (a win) would kind of make their season,” Wilson said. “Their kids will be ready to play, so our kids got to come ready to play.”
Poquoson, Lafayette face big district title tests
Poquoson (8-1 district and overall) and Lafayette (8-1) are poised to share the Bay Rivers District should both win this week, but neither has a walkover. The Rams host Tabb (6-3) on Thursday at Wanner Stadium, before the Islanders host Smithfield (6-3) on Friday at Poquoson Middle School.
Islanders coach Elliott Duty and Rams’ coach Andy Linn share similar feelings about the district title, shared or outright: “It’s good and for the kids,” they said, echoing each others’ thoughts. They are more focused on the challenges their opponents present.
“We’re going into this week preparing for a tough opponent in Smithfield that’s very athletic,” Duty said.
Smithfield features a balanced offense led by quarterback Kyle Buggs (1,041 yards passing, eight TDs) and running backs BJ Jones (1,123 yards rushing, 13 TDs) and Zyron Wells (800 yards rushing, nine TDs). The Islanders counter with a rushing attack averaging 285 yards, led by Cody Little, who has 861 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns despite playing little on offense in the win last week over Bruton.
Lafayette coach Andy Linn says of Tabb, “I think they’re a really good football team. I think (Tigers’ coach) John (Byron) has got them playing within their system and he’s got them playing hard.”
But alas, Byron, a former Lafayette assistant, knows the variety of weapons his defense faces. The Rams’ Breon Stokes has 936 yards rushing (10.8 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns; Josh Simpson has 811 yards rushing (16.2 yards per carry) and 11 TDs; and Baum Hogge has 21.2 yards per completion (679 yards, 12 TDs).
Denbigh’s Parker can defend passes too
Denbigh junior Kevin Parker’s 148 yards passing and two touchdowns made life plenty difficult for Kecoughtan in their matchup at Todd Stadium last week.
He starred on defense as well in the Patriots’ 35-7 win, intercepting three passes, returning one for a touchdown, to give him five picks for the season.
