While No. 7 Lafayette (3-0) and No. 13 Poquoson (3-0) are, as expected, the lone unbeatens in the Bay Rivers District, Smithfield (1-1) and Warhill (2-1) are improving as they build to challenge the top two next year and beyond. We’ll see who’s farther ahead when the Lions host Smithfield on Friday at Wanner Stadium.
The Packers enter on the heels of 42-0 win over Bruton that followed their season-opening loss to Lafayette. Packers’ coach Tracey Parker said the run game was led against Bruton by the “Thunder” of hard-running Zyron Wells (153 yards rushing, three TDs) and the “Lightning” of speedy James Jones III (138 yards rushing, two TDs).
Parker added having two backs with varying styles is a “blessing,” as it keeps opposing defenders off balance. Junior quarterback Kyle Buggs’ (7-of-11 passing for 130 yards) made the Packers even more difficult to defense.
Warhill, also with a loss to Lafayette this season, displayed offensive potency in its 56-16 win over Jamestown. Braden Terns came up big again, netting 140 yards and three touchdowns rushing, while Keenan Carter (73 yards passing, one TD) and Carson Strickland (65 yards passing, one TD) contributed to the 401 total yards.
Lions coach Jerome Rhodes says injures will force both of his QBs to play at inside linebacker this week. Linebacker Ryan Kline (two sacks, two tackles for loss) and cornerback Christopher Donnell (12 tackles) were productive defensively against Bruton.
Warriors turnaround
Kecoughtan (2-1) is rebuilding, but with two victories in three games — 23-6 over Booker T. Washington in the opener, 34-12 over Heritage on Friday — the Warriors are far ahead of last year. Kecoughtan went 0-10 in 2024, scoring only two points the first seven games.
In the win over Heritage, the Warriors netted 339 yards offensively. Zi’Yon Phillips, a freshman called on to start at quarterback for the first time because Jordan House was injured, completed 12 of 19 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns while running for almost 50 yards.
James Vinnie (78 yards rushing, one TD) and Mason Edinger (76 yards rushing) also produced for the offense, whose output was supplemented by Josiah Richardson’s 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Vinnie (eight tackles), who also plays linebacker, and defensive end Decorey Cassell (two sacks, four other tackles for loss) shined on a defense that limited the Hurricanes (1-2) to 102 yards.
“These two wins do a lot for their confidence,” Kecoughtan’s second-year coach Zecharie James said. “They’re seeing that the work they did in the offseason is translating in-season.”
Extra points
Gavin Kay, shown dunking the ball in Hampton’s 2024 Class 4 state championship victory, has emerged this fall as a stellar defensive end in his first season of football. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)
Gavin Kay is proving to be a quick study when it comes to football. A starter on Hampton’s 2024 Class 4 boys basketball state championship team as a sophomore, Kay, now a 6-foot-7, 220-pound senior starting at defensive end, had three sacks and three other tackles for loss in only his second competitive game as a football player — the Crabbers’ 60-7 win over Menchville on Friday. Crabbers’ coach Woodrow Wilson says Kay still has a lot to learn about things like gap control and containment, but is learning quickly because he’s eager, aggressive and asks lots of questions. The Crabbers (2-0) play Woodside at Todd Stadium on Thursday.
The Kecoughtan-Phoebus game on Thursday and the Denbigh-Bethel game on Friday, both at Darling Stadium, will be streamed on the Hampton Roads Media Network’s YouTube channel courtesy of longtime Hampton High track coach Ron Bayton. Bayton has been streaming games of Hampton schools for a decade and, while he has never sought sponsorship, Smith Brothers Funeral Home of Hampton came aboard this season because of the streams’ increasing popularity.
Tabb surprisingly led Poquoson by three points at halftime before succumbing 21-10. Although the Tigers (2-1) were ultimately worn down by the Islanders’ huge and talented lines, linebacker Sam Christophel remained relentless, notching 12 tackles for the second consecutive game. “He’s smart and tough and an incredible leader,” Tabb coach John Byron said of Christophel, who carries a 4.5 grade-point average and is seeking admittance to a military academy. “He identifies what he needs to and gets to the ball.”
Marty O’Brien, mjobrien@dailypress.com
