Phoebus turns back Woodside, wins sixth consecutive Peninsula District title
Phoebus still rules the roost in the Peninsula District. The No. 2 Phantoms defeated No. 15 Woodside 41-7 Friday night at Darling Stadium to win the district crown for the sixth consecutive season while running their district winning streak to 47 games.
The Phantoms (8-0, 7-0 district) fell behind by giving up a score on the opening kickoff, but their defense — which has allowed just six points this season — pitched another shutout. Quarterback Nolan James had a another big night, completing 7 of 9 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns, and Jordan Bass made four catches for 91 yards and a TD.
Isaiah Hayes stunned Phoebus’ large homecoming crowd by returning the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to give Woodside (6-2, 5-2) a 7-0 lead. The Wolverines raised the stakes by holding the Phantoms to a three-and-out on their first possession, then driving 42 yards across midfield the first time their offense had the ball.
But the Phantoms settled down and took control after Bass dropped Ri’jon Hammond for a 6-yard loss to force a Wolverines punt. Starting from their own 36, the Phantoms needed just three plays to score and tie the game at 7.
James ran 15 yards on a draw, and the Phantoms got another 15 yards on the play via a Woodside personal foul. Two plays later, Jayden Earley broke two tackles to turn a James pass into a 33-yard touchdown with 4:12 to play in the first quarter.
Bass was even more spectacular on his 48-yard touchdown reception of James’ pass. After catching the ball about 10 yards downfield, he made a stop-and-go move to freeze a defender, then ran across the field and used the same move to free a path to the end zone as Phoebus led 14-7 with 8:17 to play in the first half.
Phoebus stretched the lead to 21-7 with 3:10 to play in the second quarter on a drive fueled by 30 yards of Woodside penalties on one play. Ty’Reon Taylor followed with a 17-yard run to set up his 6-yard touchdown run.
The Wolverines continued to battle and, aided by three Phoebus face-mask penalties and quarterback Tayvon Tyler’s 12-yard run, drove to the Phantoms’ 2 with a first down in the final minute of the first half. But the Phantoms held as Mychal McMullin made consecutive tackles, one for a 2-yard loss, before Tyler’s fourth-down pass in the end zone fell incomplete as time expired.
As in the first half, Phoebus’ starting defense — particularly effective at stuffing Woodside sweeps — allowed few yards and even contributed a second-half score. It came on a rare trifecta by McMullin, who sacked Tyler, forcing a fumble that he picked up and returned 20 yards for a touchdown.
James added a third touchdown pass in the third quarter, breaking free from pressure to find Keyontae Gray wide open in the end zone for a 31-yard score. Zayveon Rogers made a great diving catch of a James pass for a 40-yard gain, setting up the Phantoms’ other score — a 12-yard run by Davion Roberts.
