Jamestown was clearly better in 2004, playing seven of its eight Bay Rivers District opponents closer than it had the year before in again losing all eight district games. The 42-36 loss to Tabb on a late touchdown in the ’25 season opener was evidence the Eagles’ improvement continues.
But, moral victory notwithstanding, second-year coach James Riley felt it was a crucial for the Eagles to get a real victory and end the 20-game losing streak. They got it Saturday morning (in a continuance of a game interrupted by lightning Thursday), beating Gloucester 21-6.
“It’s a big weight off of our backs,” Riley said. “We preach trust and results, but you can only tell them to trust for so long without the results.
“They got to see the results of their hard work and the blueprint where they can be successful if everyone does their job.”
Seth Nicholson led the way with three touchdown runs. Ben Hanchett is a third-year starter at quarterback and his experience is showing more than ever thanks to an improved offensive line.
“The offensive line has been phenomenal,” Riley said. “They’ve been aggressive, attacking defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs with their blocks.
“It’s huge difference. Ben is a lot more poised and seeing the field better.”
The defense pitched a shutout, Gloucester’s only points coming on a fumble return.
Riley cited “dynamic” freshman lineman Mekhi Raymond and all-district linebacker Brandon Strouse for their play.
“They were flying,” Riley said.
Malone wins first at Denbigh
Another team buoyed with a victory, and a very hard-earned one at that, was Denbigh, which beat Norview 22-14 on Saturday at Todd Stadium. The win was an important rebound for a team that lost 28-8 in its opener at Manor amid high expectations — perhaps too high for a program that entered ’25 with just two wins in its previous 42 games.
“It feels so good to get that monkey off of your back, to get one under your belt,” Patriots coach Raymond Malone said after earning his first victory on the varsity level. “I always tell them if you can get one, you can get two, and if you can get two you can get four.
“We’re building something special and teaching a lot of young players how to play through adversity.”
Denbigh High School head football coach Raymond Malone during practice Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Newport News. (Stephen M. Katz / The Virginian-Pilot)
The heat itself, peaking at 91 degrees during the game, was adversity aplenty. Among numerous hydration methods the Patriots used, Malone said, was Himalayan salt.
“We were dropping but I felt like we handled it well,” he said.
Highly touted quarterback Kevin Parker handled it fine, running for a touchdown, throwing (to Jeremiah Bren) for a two-point conversion, and passing for a TD to Callen Morrison. The defensive star was Jyran Evans, who had 14 tackles, a pass breakup and a game-clinching 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
“This win is going to give us something to build on,” Malone said. “We’re building in the right direction.
“I don’t want a one-hit wonder program, I want a program that’s here to stay.”
Extra points
Friday’s game between Lafayette and New Kent, will be played at Bruton High, kickoff at 7 p.m. Ongoing renovations at New Kent’s stadium prompted the move.
Amid the plethora of passes and pass receivers Warwick dealt with in a 24-6 loss to Oscar Smith on Friday, Cartier Cartier, a rising star at defensive back, fared nicely. He had nine tackles, one for loss, and two pass breakups while covering Michigan recruit Travis Johnson much of the night, earning Sykes’ praise for his performance.
After losing QBs Saeed Williams Jr. and Alex Lewis to transfer — the latter to Bethel, Saturday’s opponent — Warwick (0-2) has lost new starter, junior Zymehr Hawkins, for the time being to a shoulder injury. Sophomore Ziyre White-Epps (12 carries, 91 yards, one TD) was the Raiders’ offensive bright spot in his first start at QB. “He’s only going to get better,” Sykes said.
