Blog LIVE Game Blog - Hampton (5-1) at Phoebus (3-2)

[matthew328826]

Greetings from Darling Stadium on this third Thursday night of October 2025. It has an an Autumn feel at 60 degrees with a breeze of about 16-18 miles per hour.

Tonight at 7 PM ET, it's the Hampton Crabbers (5-1) taking on the Phoebus Phantoms (3-2) as part of the Great American Rivalry Series.

Hampton has won 17 VHSL State Championships, most out of anyone, with Phoebus right behind them with 11.

The Crabbers have dropped ten in a row to the reigning four-time State Champion Phantoms. That includes playoff losses each of the past two years; 56-8 in 2023 and 37-3 in 2024. Has Hampton narrowed that gap?

See our Predictions with Analysis on the V.I.P. Board Here

We'll have updates throughout the night here on the Blog + on Twitter or 'X' as it is now more commonly referred to @hatfieldsports

 

[matthew328826]

As we get ready for kick-off, a couple of senior leaders were recognized for their excellent academic achievemnt in addition to the athletic exploits -- Casey Lassiter for Hampton and Troy Solomona of Phoebus.




You can watch this game via the Hampton Media Network on YouTube at the link below as well:

 

[matthew328826]

Phoebus will be kicking off to start. A 15-yard personal foul penalty on the kickoff pushes Hampton back to its own 16.

Hampton dials up a fantastic gadget play. However, the end around pass down the field with Abraham Taft intended for Davion Perry is dropped. Perry will wish he had that back as it would've been a likely 84-yard TD reception. On the very next play, it's Phantoms junior d-lineman Isiah Blackwell making a tackle for loss of seven yards.

On 3rd & 16, it's QB Marcus Chapman scrambling away for 22 yards for the Crabbers, showing his elusiveness. Another first down run happens for Hampton with Casey Lassiter breaking off a 22-yard run. Suddenly, the Crabbers are on the move in Phoebus territory at the 46.

However, after a 3-yard run by Lassiter, Chapman's first two passes of the night are incomplete. Nice closing speed by DB/RB Tyree Diggs of Phoebus on the third down play. Instead of going for it on 4th & 7 from the PHS 43, the Crabbers punt it away.

 

[matthew328826]

Hampton's coaches have to love what they saw on those first two defensive play, bottling up Tyree Diggs for no gain on his first rush of the night after he went for over 170 yards on the ground a week ago against Bethel. Then, the pressure they brought through the middle / A-gap engufled Phantoms QB Maurikus Banks.

Sure, it's too early to panic for Phoebus, but they might have to make an adjustment with a blocking back or fullback for protection as the night moves along.

Following a 15-yard penalty on the kickoff, Hampton is set up with superb field position at the Phantoms 22 with 8:31 to go in the opening period.

 

[matthew328826]

Marcus Chapman literally drags about three or four Phoebus defenders on his way to the end zone during a 22-yard TD run. However, it is called back to a holding penalty. That creates 1st & 20 from the PHS 32. Sidney Johnson gains two on a run and then it's an incomplete before another snap infraction - this one a false start - and now Hampton is facing 3rd & 23 from the Phantoms 35 rather than trying an extra point or two-point play with an 8-0 lead.

Chapman's latest pass is too low and incomplete, intended for Davion Perry. It's an 0 for 4 start through the air. Phoebus has to feel fortunate to only be down 2-0 and likely getting the ball back with Hampton lined up to punt it away.

 

[matthew328826]

A kick / catch interference penalty on Hampton will give Phoebus the ball at their own 20 with 7:01 to go in the first quarter for their second series of the night, trailing 2-0.

Nobody accounts for Crabbers junior defensive lineman Murice Jackson and he absolutely clobbers Tyree Diggs for a loss of three. Sensing pressure collapsing around him quickly again, QB Maurikus Banks just heaves it down the field and it's incomplete to bring up 3rd & 13 from their own 17. Coach Jeremy Blunt doesn't like what he sees and they will call a time-out with 6:14 to go in the first quarter.

 

[matthew328826]

Out of the time-out, Phoebus gets a nice stop route with Maurikus Banks hitting Mhakyi Hill for a gain of 9 on 3rd & 13.

You get the feeling the Phantoms might have to throw themselves out of some trouble tonight if up front they cannot get some of these Crabbers front seven (or front eight) defenders blocked. A false start has Phoebus now punting it away on 4th & 4 from their own 21. Sidney Johnson has to go back and field it at the 30.

Beautiful 49-yard boomer from junior Jayden Williams.

Johnson actually lost a yard, meaning the Crabbers will begin at their own 29 with 5:08 left in the first quarter for their third series. After Phoebus jumps offsides, the Crabbers go to a four-wide look with trips on the left side. A quick toss to Davion Perry is gobbled up immdeiately by the Phoebus defense with Josh Blackwell and Tyree Diggs for a loss of five.

Faced with a key 3rd & 5 after a gain of five on the ground from Lassiter, it's QB Marcus Chapman scrambling away to the near sideline for a gain of 24. Two plays later on 2nd & 9, it's Chapman using his arm talent to find Perry on a slant pattern worth 25 yards to the 16.

 

[matthew328826]

Hampton inched its way little by little towards the goal-line as the opening period came to a close, but the real killer play for Phoebus was an encroachment on 3rd & Goal from the 5, putting them at the 2. From there, it was easy for the 6-foot-4, 185-pound triggerman of the Crabbers - Marcus Chapman - to get behind lineman and squeeze his way into the end zone.

 

[matthew328826]

As Phoebus gets ready for 2nd & 10 from their own 29, consider the following: the Phantoms have minus 1 yards of offense on six plays from scrimmage.

 

[matthew328826]

Phoebus gets a 7-yard run from Tyree Diggs to bring up 3rd & 3, where a short completion from QB Maurikus Banks to WR Jayden Javier only gains two yards because of a firm tackle from Abraham Taft, another one of those multi-sport standouts from basketball like Gavin Kay. Each helped the Crabbers win a state title in basketball in March of 2024 and return to the State Playoffs last winter.

Set to go for it on 4th & 1 from thir own 38, the Phantoms are unable to get the snap off before a delay of game penalty. That means they ultimately punt it away and Hampton takes over at their own 32 following the punt with 9:48 till half-time, comfortably in front 10-0, but hunting for more.

 

[matthew328826]

An illegal block in the back penalty on Hampton wipes away a 68-yard TD pass from Marcus Chapman to Casey Lassiter. After another Crabbers penalty, this time on a hold, it's bootleg waggle and that's where Chapman is oh so dangerous. He finds junior Montrell Harrison for a 57-yard gainer down the near sideline to get them set up in business, at the Phoebus 8.

Casey Lassiter runs forward for a gain of three. Isiah Blackwell makes a tackle for loss, sending Lassiter back four yards. A time-out is called before the key 3rd & Goal from the 8 with 7:40 until the break.

 

[matthew328826]

One of the best catches I've seen this year of the one-handed variety by far. Abraham Taft III is a heck of a basketball player, but his future for the next level might be in this sport with his blend of size, hops and if he continues to show the the ability to catch the ball consistently.

Phoebus now starts an ultra-important drive at their own 27 with 7:27 till half-time, badly needing points to keep this thing competitive.

 

[matthew328826]

Following runs of +2 by Tyree Diggs and +3 from Maurikus Banks, the Phoebus Phantoms are faced with 3rd & 5 from their own 33. Banks is able to find Jayden Javier for a completion worth 21 yards, where a holding penalty on Hampton is declined.

Before 1st & 10 from the Crabbers 46 with 6:19 to go in the second quarter. the Phantoms burn their second time-out of the half. Banks delivers a pass that is behind and a bit late. He's not been as crisp this evening with this throws from a timing and rhythm standpoint. Part of it is Hampton's defense, but he just seems a pinch late on a few of these passes.

A toss to Tyree Diggs after a holding penalty gains just four yards with Gavin Kay wrestling him down. Not a ton of pace / tempo to the Phoebus offense right now either. Phoebus has to burn its final time-out of the half with 5:20 left in the second quarter before 2nd & 16 from their own 48.

 

[matthew328826]

Maurikus Banks uses his legs to keep the play alive in the pocket and rolling to his left fires a missile to Jayden Javier for a gain of 23 yards. It's easily the biggest gain of the night for the Phoebus offense, moving down to the Crabbers 29. Big 3rd & 4 now coming up after a 6-yard run from Tyree Diggs, where Gavin Kay and and Gene Jones Jr. make back-to-back stops for the Hampton defense.

 

[matthew328826]

A basic curl route Mhakyi Hill, who after hauling in the pass, is able to turn up the field and makes a determine drive to the end zone.

Since Phoebus is unable to block certain plays long enough, it's going to make them adapt their playbook moving forward. However, if they get to the half only down nine, it's certainly manageable.

Will the Hampton offense strike again before the break though? They have it at their own 35 with 3:07 to go in the second quarter.

 

[matthew328826]

Hampton is able to move the sticks once on its latest possession - a 16-yard run on a sweep to the far side with Sidney Johnson on 2nd & 13. However, the Phoebus defense buckles down by making a stop behind the line of scrimmagee, then it's consecutive incomplete passes from Marcus Chapman.

Hampton has to punt it away with 1:31 to go in the first half. Phoebus now takes over at their own 20 with 1:21 to go in the second quarter. Even though Phoebus has no time-outs left, the Crabbers cannot let them march into enemy territory with ease after controlling most of this half.

 

[matthew328826]

A quick completion to freshman Jayden Marbury nets eight yards for Phoebus, then a no gain brings up 3rd & 2. Mhakyi Hill hauls in a Maurikus Banks pass for a gain of four yards to move them up to their own 32 with 33 seconds till half-time. Tyree Diggs runs for seven yards, and the Phantoms appear to be getting a break with a late hit, 15-yard personal foul penalty on Hampton out of bounds. But the Phantoms get caught for one on their own on the sideline as things start to get a bit chippier.

So instead of getting on the other side of the 50 with a penalty, the Phantoms end up watching the clock run out after a scramble from Banks.

 

[matthew328826]

Some more half-time numbers forthcoming ... stay tuned!

 

[matthew328826]

Stats at the Half:

Hampton 16:
Marcus Chapman - 5-11 for 109Yds. 1-0 TD/Int. ratio; 6Car. 54Yds. TD
Casey Lassiter - 8Car. 25Yds; 1Rec. 23Yds.
Sidney Johnson - 4Car. 22Yds.
Montrell Harrison - 1Rec. 57Yds.
Davion Perry - 2Rec. 20Yds; 3 Solo Tackles
Abraham Taft - 1Rec. 9Yds. TD
Gavin Kay - 4 Tackles, Sack, PBU, QB Hurry
Gene Jones Jr. - 3 Tackles

Crabbers - 29 plays for 210 total yards (5-11 for 109 yards passing, 18 rushes for 101 yards); 7 penalties for 60 yards; 0 turnovers


Phoebus 7:
Maurikus Banks - 8-10 for 97Yds. 1-0 TD/Int. ratio; 3Car. 13Yds.
Tyree Diggs - 6Car. 16Yds; 1Rec. 7Yds.
Jayden Javier - 3Rec. 47Yds.
Mhakyi Hill - 3Rec. 36Yds. TD
Troy Solomona - 5 Tackles, 0.5 TFL
Mikhail Georges - 4 Tackles

Phantoms - 20 plays for 119 total yards (8-10 for 97 yards passing; 10 rushes for 22 yards); 8 penalties for 65 yards; 0 turnovers

 

[matthew328826]

Phoebus begins with the football at their own 25 to start the second half. A simple toss to Tyree Diggs - limited to just 16 yards rushing on six attempts - gets to the outside and gains four. On 2nd & 6, a pass from QB Maurikus Banks in the direction of Mhakyi Hill is not completed and it would've likely moved the sticks. Banks then uncorks a deep shot and it's incomplete. So a quick 3 & out that takes just 19 seconds off the clock.

That really allows Hampton to continue its Time of Possession advantage tonight. The punt goes out of bounds at the 38-yard line of Hampton, where the Crabbers take over with 11:27 showing on the third quarter clock.

 

[matthew328826]

Rare to see someone break off a run like that up the middle on the Phoebus defense. However, this is not the same type of Phantoms defense we witnessed the past four years in dominating foes on their way to state titles and a 51-game winning streak. They gave up in excess of 300 yards rushing to both Highland Springs and Warwick.

So far tonight, the Crabbers have used three different ball carriers in Casey Lassiter, Sidney Johnson and QB Marcus Chapman. They've combined for 173 yards on the ground... and we've still got 23:10 of game to go.

Phoebus begins their second offensive series of the half at their own 20 following a touchback.

Quick correction on the TD run - - it was actually 58 yards, not 68.

 

[matthew328826]

Maurikus Banks delivers the pass to Mhakyi Hill and that fumble forced by Casey Lassiter to me is the Play of the Game so far. His teammate, Davion Perry, scoops it up and races 39 yards for the touchdown.

Phoebus now has to scrap its script of trying to run the ball, basically abandoning that and go 2-minute mode in trailing by 23 to get back in this one with 9:17 left in the third period.

 

[matthew328826]

After the Phoebus offense goes 3 & out, the Hampton Crabbers go to back to work with another surgeon-like drive.

Junior QB Marcus Chapman hits Sidney Johnson in the flat area for a 17-yard completion on 3rd & 7. Faced with another third down, the Crabbers find the end zone with a 22-yard TD pass from Chapman to Davion Perry as a Phoebus defender collides with the referee.



Total domination by the Crabbers here in this third quarter. Phoebus fans are silent and stunned.

 

[matthew328826]

Davion Perry might be giving his teammate Casey Lassiter a run for his money for Player of the Game honors in this Great American Rivalry Series. That INT Perry made was a mighty good one, leaping simulteanously as Mhakyi Hill to get the takeaway.

The Crabbers are unable cash in with more points, getting stopped on 4th & 13 with Marcus Chapman's pass to Sidney Johnson unable to move the chains. However, most of the damage has been done in building a 37-7 lead with 1:21 left in the third period.

 

[matthew328826]

Casey Lassiter and Davion Perry absolutely dominated that third quarter with big play after big play for the Crabbers.

On 4th & 9 for the Phantoms, it's QB Maurikus Banks being sacked for a loss of eight by senior Sexton Grissett II.

Now Hampton can put one more score on the board and make this a running clock affair with 11:53 showing in regulation.

Hard to believe in some ways, right?

 

[matthew328826]

That day, Dazz Newsome - who went on to play his College Football in the ACC at North Carolina and had a brief stint in the NFL - was dazzling.

A fumble on the ensuing kickoff, recovered by Hampton's NaMahri Boyd will be all she wrote with the running clock in effect. The Crabbers are well on their way to 6-1 overall and notching a third consecutive victory since the lopsided loss they suffered - 47-13 to Glen Allen back on September 26th.

 

[matthew328826]

With 4:46 to play, it's the fourth turnover of the night.

Phoebus QB Maurikus Banks is intercepted by Davion Perry. All four turnovers have happened after half-time. Three of them have been takeaways by Perry with a pair of interceptions and the fumble he returned 39 yards to the house.

 

[matthew328826]

More to come later... stay tuned!