They’re 14-year-old freshmen, but linemen duo has taken lead role in Warwick’s best season, region title game appearance

The youth movement has rolled at full force for a defense instrumental in an 11-1 record that is the best in 100 seasons of Warwick High football.

Sophomore linebacker Xavier Carter is second on the team with 67 tackles, while Division I prospect Messiah Delhomme, a sophomore defensive back, has returned two of his team-high six interceptions for touchdowns. Another sophomore, cornerback Tysheek Baptist, has contributed 33 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

But when Warwick head coach Corey Hairston is asked to name the players most pivotal to the Raiders’ defensive success, he bypasses them and even linebacker Richard Martin (87 tackles, 15 for loss) and defensive back DC Corpening (five interceptions), both seniors. Instead, he talks first about a pair of 14-year-old freshmen.

“Duwane Skipwith and Christian Corbin have done a tremendous job controlling the middle of the defense,” Hairston said of his freshmen standouts. “Regardless of their class, they are no longer freshmen as football players.

“The whole defense has rallied around those two.”

Going into the Class 4 Region A championship game on Friday night at Todd Stadium against defending region champion King’s Fork (11-2), the Raiders have allowed an average of just 7.5 points.

All of the aforementioned players, sophomores included, were expected to play key roles this season, but Hairston was concerned about the defensive line. Corbin, 6-2, 280 pounds, emerged quickly as a piece of the puzzle.

“He was ready to be varsity starter from Day 1,” Hairston said. “His raw overall strength allows him to take on double teams without being driven back.”

Skipwith, 6-2 and 275 pounds, did not even start the season on the varsity team. That changed quickly.

“He was so dominant, there was no way we could keep him on the junior varsity,” Hairston said. “He’s physical and strong, but combines that with quickness.”

“Both use their hands well and shoot the gaps well.”

Their emergence as complements to junior defensive end Kiontae Berrian — who’s recorded 15 sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception and scored two defensive touchdowns — gives the Raiders multiple standouts at every level.

“Our linebackers, Richard Martin and Xavier Carter, have been lights out,” Hairston said. “They get downhill and make plays quickly.

“Our two rover safeties, Messiah Delhomme and DC Corpening, have played excellent football. They make lots of tackles, and if a ball is thrown down the middle, Messiah will intercept it or DC will knock it down.”

The Raiders’ defensive prowess was never more evident than in the 21-7 win over Churchland in the region semifinals. Brandyn Hillman, the Truckers’ dynamic quarterback, was dangerous as always, but Hairston felt the Raiders mostly prevented him from completing the long passes or breaking for the long runs he often does.

The Raiders’ head coach was quick to single out his freshmen defensive linemen, who seem to be taking their emergence, and the Raiders’ success, in stride.

“I feel like this season has gone pretty good,” Corbin said. “I’ve done pretty well, but there are things I need to work on to get better, like using my hands more and rushing the passer.”

Skipwith said, “My playing on the varsity feels like it was meant to be because of all of the hard work I put in during the offseason.”

It has paid off.

“I really feel like our defense has played great all season and they have been a big reason for that,” Hairston said.

Region championship games

Friday

Class 5 Region A: Kempsville at Green Run, 7 p.m.

Class 5 Region B: Nansemond River at Maury, 7 p.m.

Class 4 Region A: King’s Fork at Warwick, 7 p.m.

Class 2 Region A: Poquoson at King William, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Class 6 Region A: Western Branch at Manchester, 2 p.m.

Class 3 Region A: Lake Taylor at Phoebus, 2 p.m.