Region 4A Football Semis Updates - #4 Phoebus (7-3) at #1 Hampton (10-1)

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Watch via the Hampton Media Network on YouTube a Region 4A semifinal clash between the fourth-seeded Phoebus Phantoms (7-3) and top-seeded Hampton Crabbers (10-1) from Darling Stadium on a rainy Saturday afternoon in November.

These two storied programs have squared off 10 times in the postseason since 1998 with Phoebus winning seven of those encounters. However, Hampton won the regular season tilt by a count of 43-7 back on October 16th.

 

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The Crabbers wasted no time jumping on the reigning four-time State Champs.

 

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A penalty was called on the score. Phoebus was hoping it would wipe out the TD, but the score stood and Hampton goes back in front by double-figures.

 

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After the Tyree Diggs TD run, the Phantoms got a takeaway from Jayden Javier with his interception around midfield to set them up for the quick tunnel screen that Maurikus Banks and Jayden Marbury executed brilliantly.

The Phoebus went for the game-tying two-point conversion, after missing the extra point earlier in the period, and it was unsuccessful.

To set up their second touchdown of the day, the Phantoms got a key 23-yard reception from sophomore TE/DE D'Andre White (6-2, 210).

But Hampton has a battle on its hands.

If Phoebus completes the comeback from a half-time deficit, like they did a week ago against Churchland, then the Phantoms will head to Wanner Stadium in Williamsburg next week to take on Lafayette. If Hampton holds this lead and wins, then the Crabbers will host second-seeded Lafayette in the Region 4A Finals on Thanksgiving weekend.

 

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Tyree Diggs, much like he did in last week's regional quarterfinals against Churchland, is starting to take matters into his own hands in this 2nd half. He spins away from a defender, jukes out another and breaks off one of the most impressive runs of the year for the reigning four-time State Champs.

Now the pressure begins to moun on a Crabbers team that is the top seed in Region 4A and won by a running clock margin when these two rivals collided last month in the regular season.

 

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Junior QB Marcus Chapman is starting to utilize his legs more as a weapon for the Hampton offense.

 

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Thoroughly impressed with how Jeremy Blunt has gotten his Phantoms to perform in this big moment, as four-time defending State Champs after a less than stellar regular season for their standards, and to lead the Crabbers in the third quarter of this matchup after dropping the previous meeting just a month ago by 36 points.

Phoebus is relishing the underdog role, and the Hampton defense is struggling to limit big plays, which was also a problem for them in their loss to Glen Allen as well as 49-35 victory over Bethel to close out the regular season.

Hampton got penalized on the go-ahead Phoebus TD as well as the 2-point try, which will be assessed on the kickoff it appears.

 

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Another INT on defense by Jayden Javier of Phoebus gives the Phantoms the ball with a 34-28 lead in the heavy rain at Darling Stadium at their own 43. With 6:08 to play in the third quarter, the Crabbers badly need their defense to show some pride and step up.

 

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Boy, did Hampton's defense ever need that... now we'll see if the Crabbers offense - behind the leadership of QB Marcus Chapman Jr. and RB Casey Lassiter - can put together a go-ahead drive in the rain as the fourth quarter approaches.

 

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Can a much-maligned Phoebus defense keep Hampton from re-claiming the lead?

Marcus Chapman's pass on 3rd & 7 from the Phoebus 46 is a bit high and over the head of his intended receiver. Now it's decision time for Coach Woodrow Wilson.

 

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Jordyn Hill's confidence is rising with each rep and big play he makes. Folks should realize that the Phantoms are full of some key underclassmen - sophomores and freshmen that are gaining valuable playing time and developing for the years to come - so watch out beyond this 2025 campaign.

 

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There is something to be said about "never under estimate the heart of a Champion," as former Houston Rockets NBA Coach Rudy Tomjanovich once said. These Phantoms have won four state titles in a row and are showing plenty of heart in this matchup with a rival that handled them earlier in the season.

Casey Lassiter returns the ensuing kickoff for Hampton just three yards away from midfield.

Still lots of time for Hampton in this one, but they're going to need to score quickly and figure out a way to tackle Tyree Diggs better to rally.

 

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It was a low shotgun snap from the center and Marcus Chapman had the presence of mind to pick it up calmly, fake the handoff to Casey Lassiter, where the Phoebus defense clamped down on him, and the signal caller of the Crabbers used his athleticism on the keeper to the end zone.

Now Phoebus will have it at their own 36, looking to put together a time-consuming drive with 6:41 remaining, to eliminate their archrivals.

This has become a fascinating watch.

 

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Another big run from Phoebus senior running back Tyree Diggs, exploding 37 yards along the edge down to the Hampton 27.

The Phantoms are accomplishing the mission -- burning clock and extending the lead.

 

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Hampton coughs it up in the red zone and that will do it -- the Phoebus Phantoms are still alive, playing yet again on Thanksgiving weekend.

What a coaching job by Jeremy Blunt and his staff. Major kudos to them.

 

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Phoebus (8-3) will now travel to Lafayette (11-1) and Wanner Stadium in Williamsburg for the Region 4A Finals next weekend.

 

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Full Game Replay Courtesy of Hampton Media Network on YouTube: