757Teamz predictions: Phoebus and Woodside meet with the Peninsula District title on the line
The apex of the Phoebus High football dynasty came from 2008-11, when the Phantoms won 52 games and four straight of their eight state titles in a 20-year span. The Phantoms’ current five consecutive Peninsula District titles and 46 district victories in a row pale by comparison, but are nonetheless impressive.
Phoebus’ last district defeat was 16-0 to Woodside in 2016, exactly six years to the day of their meeting tonight at Darling Stadium. The No. 15 Wolverines (6-1) — whose only defeat was 20-17 to No. 9 Warwick in triple overtime — represent the only threat to another unbeaten district mark for the No. 2 Phantoms (7-0).
In the three seasons following their win in ‘16, the Wolverines played the Phantoms closely, losing twice by six points. But, even on their way to the Class 5 Region B championship game a year ago, the Wolverines lost 43-0 to eventual Class 3 state champion Phoebus.
While a Woodside win would send the Peninsula District championship race into a three-way tie that includes Warwick — which fell 26-0 to Phoebus — it is a long shot. Phoebus enters having outscored six opponents (it owns one forfeit victory) 255-6.
“They’re all good,” Woodside coach Danny Dodson said of Phoebus’ lineup. “All the way around, they’re fast, they’re strong, they’re physical and they’re very well-coached.
“We played against their quarterback [Nolan James] last year, when he was at Nansemond River, and we know he’s good. You’ve got to try to find ways to keep him from making plays with his legs.
“He’s really elusive, but the problem is he can get the ball to some other guys who can make plays.”
Indeed, James is surrounded by significantly more talent at Phoebus than he was when Woodside beat Nansemond River 40-22 in the Class 5 Region B semifinals. Underscoring Dodson’s point about James’ versatility were the 128 passing yards and 112 rushing yards he posted against a Warwick defense that all but shut down Woodside through the final three quarters and overtime.
Among a bevy of options for James is Pittsburgh recruit Jordan Bass, who had eight touchdowns among his 16 receptions in the Phantoms’ first five games. He also had two touchdown carries and a kickoff-return touchdown, and he leads the defense with 34 tackles, six for loss, five pass breakups and two TD returns among his three interceptions.
Woodside’s calling card has been a defense that notched its fourth shutout in the 39-0 win last week over Bethel. Mustapha Coly, Christian Greenlaw, Jack Craddock, Jeshon Simmons and Jaden Gilliam have been among many playmakers for the Wolverines.
The key offensively for the Wolverines has been the massive line that includes Dequan Cobb, Jarel Butler, Cameron Walker, Jaden Laubach, Deshaun Jackson and David Applewhite. They’ve paved the way for running backs Stephen-Paul Davis (686 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Ri’jon Hammond (645 yards, five TDs) to put up big numbers out of the Wing-T.
No. 15 Woodside (6-1) vs. No. 2 Phoebus (7-0) at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m. today
Larry: Phoebus 34-6
Marty: Phoebus 28-7
Thursday’s games
BAY RIVERS DISTRICT
Grafton (4-3) vs. Warhill (5-2) at Wanner Stadium
Larry: Warhill 21-14
Marty: Warhill 17-13
PENINSULA DISTRICT
Menchville (4-4) vs. Bethel (3-5) at Darling Stadium
Larry: Menchville 28-26
Marty: Menchville 21-18
Today’s games
757TEAMZ TOP 15
Nansemond River (5-2) at No. 1 Oscar Smith (6-0), 7 p.m.
Larry: Oscar Smith 33-20
Marty: Oscar Smith 49-18
No. 6 Western Branch (6-1) at Deep Creek (4-3), 7 p.m.
Larry: Western Branch 28-26
Marty: Western Branch 34-17
No. 7 King’s Fork (6-1) at Hickory (1-6), 7 p.m.
Larry: King’s Fork 35-7
Marty: King’s Fork 42-8
No. 8 Lake Taylor (6-1) at Manor (1-6), 7 p.m.
Larry: Lake Taylor 43-13
Marty: Lake Taylor 48-7
No. 9 Warwick (7-1) at Gloucester (1-6), 7 p.m.
Larry: Warwick 41-6
Marty: Warwick 38-7
First Colonial (2-5) at No. 10 Cox (6-1), 7 p.m.
Larry: Cox 35-7
Marty: Cox 31-6
No. 11 Lafayette (6-1) vs. Jamestown (0-7) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Lafayette 42-0
Marty: Lafayette 48-0
No. 12 Indian River (4-3) at Great Bridge (2-5), 7 p.m.
Larry: Indian River 36-13
Marty: Indian River 44-14
BAY RIVERS DISTRICT
New Kent (3-4) vs. Tabb (1-6) at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.
Larry: New Kent 28-6
Marty: Tabb 14-13
York (5-2) at Smithfield (2-5), 7 p.m.
Larry: York 28-13
Marty: York 24-12
Poquoson (5-2) vs. Bruton (5-2) at W&M’s Zable Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Bruton 35-28
Marty: Poquoson 20-17
BEACH DISTRICT
Ocean Lakes (1-7) at Bayside (4-4), 7 p.m.
Larry: Bayside 42-14
Marty: Bayside 37-20
Kellam (3-4) at Landstown (3-4), 7 p.m.
Larry: Landstown 26-21
Marty: Landstown 20-13
Princess Anne (0-7) at Tallwood (2-5), 7 p.m.
Larry: Tallwood 35-13
Marty: Tallwood 34-8
EASTERN DISTRICT
Granby (0-6) at Booker T. Washington (2-5), 7 p.m.
Larry: Booker T. Washington 26-7
Marty: Booker T. Washington 21-6
PENINSULA DISTRICT
Hampton (2-5) vs. Heritage (3-4) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.
Larry: Hampton 28-26
Marty: Heritage 21-20
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
* Flint Hill at Norfolk Academy, 6 p.m.
* Fredericksburg Christian vs. Atlantic Shores at Virginia Beach Sportsplex, 7 p.m.
* Fuqua at Portsmouth Christian, 7 p.m.
* Greenbrier Christian at Chincoteague, 7 p.m.
* Nansemond-Suffolk at Norfolk Christian, 7 p.m.
* St. Michael the Archangel at Catholic, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s games
BEACH DISTRICT
No. 2 Green Run (7-0) at No. 13 Salem (5-2), 2 p.m.
Larry: Green Run 49-21
Marty: Green Run 35-14
EASTERN DISTRICT
No. 14 Norcom (6-2) at Churchland (4-3), 2 p.m.
Larry: Norcom 28-20
Marty: Churchland 21-16
PENINSULA DISTRICT
Kecoughtan (4-3) vs. Denbigh (0-8) at Todd Stadium, noon
Larry: Kecoughtan 33-7
Marty: Kecoughtan 49-0
LAST WEEK
Larry: 19-5, 143-32 (82%)
Marty: 22-2, 153-22 (87%)
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com. Twitter: @LHRubama
Marty O’Brien, 757-247-4963, mjobrien@dailypress.com Twitter: @MartyOBrienDP
