HAMPTON — Pick a win streak and Phoebus High’s football program probably has it.
The Phantoms (2-0), No. 3 in the 757Teamz Top 15, will vie for a 69th consecutive Peninsula District victory in their highly anticipated showdown at noon Saturday against No. 9 Warwick (2-2) at Todd Stadium. A win would, of course, bolster Phoebus’ chances of a ninth consecutive district title.
It also would be the Phantoms’ 19th straight win at Todd, their 27th in succession against the Raiders and their 37th in a row against a Newport News school. Although not relevant to Saturday’s proceedings, the Phantoms have won state championships the past four seasons — the most in Virginia High School League football.
But the most important streak on the line is the Phantoms’ string of 51 victories. No. 52 would tie them for the VHSL record with the Phoebus teams that accomplished the feat from 2008-11 — and Riverheads of Staunton.
It’s a big enough deal that Phoebus coach Jeremy Blunt, usually laser-focused on blocking and tackling and X’s and O’s, is embracing the opportunity to make VHSL history. He’s also encouraging his players, younger compared to the four groups to win the first 49 straight, to embrace it.
“We want the guys to understand what history looks like and what a special moment this is,” Blunt said. “Whether we want it or not, (opponents) are facing you with that understanding.
“I do believe we’re mature enough (to handle it), but I don’t believe it’s something you can hide. I just believe it’s talked about enough and it’s out there enough that there needs to be a clear understanding of what’s at stake and what has been accomplished to get to this point and even be in this conversation.
“This is a rare moment. You can count on one hand who’s even been in this conversation.”
You can finish the count at three fingers, two of those digits Phoebus. Warwick is mostly ignoring that part of Saturday’s meeting.
Thomas Sykes, the Raiders’ first-year head coach, said his players are certainly aware of what the Phantoms will be playing for. But a far more practical incentive from his standpoint is the VHSL ratings-points bonanza a win over Phoebus would bring, perhaps netting an extra home game come region playoff time.
The Phantoms are unlikely to face a more battle-tested team in the regular season than Warwick. The Raiders scrimmaged against powerhouses Varina and DeMatha (Maryland), then lost regular-season openers to Mallard Creek (North Carolina) and Oscar Smith — ranked in the top two in their state classifications.
“Preparation is always the key for me,” Sykes said. “I feel to go against the best, you prepare against the best.
“Then when you get to the season, and the playoffs, you’ve already had your bumps and bruises and have seen what you have to work on and develop.”
Sykes said he has learned to develop backup plans for backup plans for backup plans. Specifically, since he took the helm in December, the first- and second-string quarterbacks — both Division I hopefuls — transferred and the new starting QB was injured in the 3-0 loss to Mallard Creek.
New quarterback Zyire White-Epps’ understanding of the quarterback position is starting to match his ample athleticism, as he showed in accounting for 189 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Heritage last week.
The Raiders have playmakers everywhere on defense, led by linemen Chris Corbin, a Delaware recruit, and Du’Wuane Skipwith, who has numerous Division I offers. Tracy Pope, who scored on a fumble recovery and tackle for safety against Heritage, and athletic defensive back Cartier Carey are among numerous standouts.
Phoebus is led by junior quarterback Maurikus Banks, who threw for 2,600 yards and 34 touchdowns a year ago. Blunt said Banks since has gotten significantly stronger and developed a far greater grasp of the position. Other returning stars include two-way lineman Troy Solomona, offensive lineman Jordyn Hill, running back Tyree Diggs, athletic receivers Jayden Javier and Mhakyi Hill and linebacker Kameron Tillery.
Despite graduating 31 seniors a year ago, the Phantoms have not missed a beat and — who knows? — could continue the program’s streaks well into the future.
“People talk about the amount of seniors we lost, but these kids play well together,” Blunt said. “It’s as if they’ve been experienced playing together the past three or four years.”
