The game between No. 2 Phoebus (7-0) and No. 15 Woodside (5-1), set for 7 p.m. Friday at Todd Stadium, has become a late-season staple to decide the Peninsula District title in the way that Hampton-Phoebus is a midseason indicator.
Of late, both matchups have gone Phoebus’ way, and if Friday night’s does, the Phantoms — who’ve won 37 consecutive district games — will claim a fifth consecutive PD title. Whatever the outcome, the Wolverines, whose rebuilding year looked like it was going to be long when they lost 32-6 to Hampton in their opener, are glad to be in the mix.
“A few weeks ago, I was wondering what our record would be like, so I’m real happy to be in this situation,” Woodside coach Danny Dodson said. “No doubt, our defense is the big reason we’ve won the past five games, but the offense is improving.”
The Wolverines will look to move on Phoebus out of a Wing-T offense in which Rijon Hammond has run for good yardage of late behind the blocking of Dequan Cobb and Mustapha Coly. But the Wolverines’ best bet for competitiveness is a low-scoring game in which linebacker Kenny Bryant, end Markus Watts (eight sacks) and cornerback Makai Frisby (six interceptions) lead the way.
But Phoebus can play the defensive struggles, as it proved in winning close games in the series with the district title on the line in 2017 and ’18, thanks to goal-line stands. If it turns into a shootout, where quarterback Mark Wagner (963 yards passing, 17 TDs), tailback Ty’Reon Taylor (542 yards, nine TDs) and receivers Jalen Mayo (451 yards, seven TDs) and Kymari Gray (300 yards, 11 TDs) break loose, Phoebus might have a big edge.
“We’re like Phoebus — every year we always want to win the Peninsula District,” Dodson said. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to play a good team in a game that means something.
“Football is always fun, but it’s more fun when it means something.”
Larry Rubama’s pick: Phoebus, 34-20
Marty O’Brien’s pick: Phoebus, 21-7
Tonight
(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted)
757TEAMZ TOP 15
No. 1 Oscar Smith (5-1) at Nansemond River (3-3)
Larry: Oscar Smith, 42-14
Marty: Oscar Smith, 47-6
Princess Anne (1-4) at No. 3 Green Run (7-0)
Larry: Green Run, 41-13
Marty: Green Run, 35-7
No. 4 Maury (3-1) at Landstown (0-6)
Larry: Maury, 45-12
Marty: Maury, 28-13
Bayside (5-2) at No. 5 Kempsville (5-1)
Larry: Kempsville, 27-21
Marty: Bayside, 30-27
Jamestown (1-5) vs. No. 7 Lafayette (5-1) at Wanner Stadium
Larry: Lafayette, 35-6
Marty: Lafayette, 52-7
Hickory (2-5) at No. 8 King’s Fork (5-1)
Larry: King’s Fork, 35-13
Marty: King’s Fork, 40-13
Deep Creek (4-3) at No. 9 Western Branch (7-1)
Larry: Western Branch, 26-20
Marty: Western Branch, 27-17
No. 10 Warhill (7-0) vs. Grafton (1-6) at Bailey Field
Larry: Warhill, 41-13
Marty: Warhill, 38-14
No. 12 Cox (4-3) at Tallwood (2-5)
Larry: Cox, 20-13
Marty: Cox, 24-10
Kellam (3-4) at No. 14 Salem (4-2)
Larry: Salem, 27-16
Marty: Salem, 21-17
BAY RIVERS DISTRICT
Bruton (3-4) at Poquoson (3-3)
Larry: Poquoson, 16-14
Marty: Poquoson, 37-13
Tabb (2-5) at New Kent (3-4)
Larry: Tabb, 14-13
Marty: Tabb, 28-14
BEACH DISTRICT
First Colonial (2-6) at Ocean Lakes (4-3)
Larry: Ocean Lakes, 28-20
Marty: Ocean Lakes, 27-13
EASTERN DISTRICT
Booker T. Washington (4-2) vs. Granby (0-6) at Powhatan Field
Larry: Booker T. Washington, 33-13
Marty: Booker T. Washington, 42-6
PENINSULA DISTRICT
Denbigh (0-7) vs. Kecoughtan (3-3) at Darling Stadium
Larry: Kecoughtan, 26-14
Marty: Kecoughtan, 47-3
SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT
Great Bridge (0-5) at Indian River (3-2)
Larry: Indian River, 26-6
Marty: Indian River, 35-6
NON-DISTRICT
Lake Taylor (3-4) at Glen Allen (3-3)
Larry: Lake Taylor, 27-20
Marty: Glen Allen, 31-28
Saturday
PENINSULA DISTRICT
Bethel (3-5) vs. Menchville (3-3) at Todd Stadium, noon
Larry: Menchville, 28-26
Marty: Menchville, 21-14
EASTERN DISTRICT
No. 11 Churchland (5-2) at Norcom (1-2), 1 p.m.
Larry: Churchland, 33-20
Marty: Churchland, 28-19
Records
Marty: 16-4 last week, 125-26 (83%)
Larry: 13-7 last week, 116-35 (77%)
