In Battle of 757 v. 804, Maury Comes Out On Top!
Seven years ago Maury came to the Dawk for a state semifinal game but they did not play Varina, they played Highland Springs. Maury left the stadium that night a 71-28 loser. Maury and Varina did meet the following year but that meeting was held at the 757. That too was a state semifinal and it went in favor of the Commodores.
Just the Commodores second meeting with the Blue Devils and second trip to the Dawk, the results were different yet similar. Maury came to the 804 and got their first win on Route 5 and second over the Blue Devils. It was a hard fought battle that was much closer than their last trip to the Dawk but the same outcome versus last meeting with Varina; Maury on top 14-13.
As someone who has been to Varina for decades now, the scene by 7:30, 8:00 pm was somewhat nostalgic of the years where Varina was the dominant force in the Central Region. Cars lined Michael Robinson Way, Messer Road and Laburnum Avenue. Varina’s lots were filled and John Rolfe Middle was filled. Those fans spilled into the stands as the decibel level increased as the night went on. The fans from both sides let their voices be heard. An intoxicating aroma of the finest fried foods spilled into a humid night. That humid night also meant cramping for several players.
The atmosphere was great and the game delivered.
There were many themes on this night, one of which was defense if we are being honest. Has to be the case when you are talking about two championship caliber teams facing off against one another. Coach McCain said as much following the game in speaking about not stopping but containing what the Blue Devils could do on offense. Two touchdowns for both teams tells you as much as well.
3 of those 4 TD’s came on offense. Up until about 7 minutes to go in the game the Varina defense had shutout the Maury offense. On the flip side, the Blue Devils had scored TD’s on the ground. The first TD to end the Maury shutout came from Darren Williams.
The second Blue Devil TD came from Michael Farley in the third quarter.
Turnovers did not do either team any favors either and strengthens the case for defense a theme in this one. Maury saw Javonti Hughes with a scoop & score for the first points of the night.
Later Tajuan Pair would intercept the Kaleb Wyche. Zarod Capers, DaMari Carter and SirPaul Cheeks would each come away with a pick off of Dominick Everette.
With Varina’s defense stepping as often as they did with INT’s you would think Varina would have been the one to come out on top. The problem for Varina is they were beating themselves just as much as Maury. The turnovers hurt but so too did the penalties that seemed to just pile up throughout the game. By my count the Blue Devils were penalized eleven times and one of those flags brought back a SirPaul Cheeks touchdown that could have been a difference maker in a 1-point contest.
The game came down to the fourth quarter, however.
The Blue Devil forced a turnover on downs. On offense the Blue Devils crossed the 50 but could not convert on 4th & 2. First play from scrimmage is a 52-yard shot to Jahvon Wiggins from Dominick Everette to give Maury the lead. Again, the Blue Devils faced a 4th & 2 and could not convert. Credit the Maury defense for locking down when it mattered the most.
Varina was running out of time, the defense needed to make a stop but Tayshawn Branche would do what the Blue Devils couldn’t and convert. Moments later Maury faced a 3rd & 4 and it would be none other than Javonti Hughes who scored the first TD of the night for Maury to seal the game with back-to-back runs totaling 23 yard. Most importantly another first down meant Maury could run out the clock.
For as much as Maury won this contest, so too did Varina lose this contest. Turnovers, penalties and inefficiency on fourth down would be too much for Varina to overcome.
| Time | Play | Score |
| 1Q – 2:12 | Javonti Hughes 55-yard scoop & score. PAT good. | Maury 7-0 |
| 2Q – :23 | Darren Williams 19-yard run. PAT good. | Varina 7-7 |
| 3Q – 2:46 | Michael Farley 12-yard run. PAT no good. | Varina 13-7 |
| 4Q – 7:13 | Jahvon Wiggins 52-yard catch from Dominick Everette. PAT good. | Maury 14-13 |
Players of the Game
Jahvon Wiggins of Maury had 5 catches for 160 yards which included the game-winning touchdown along the Maury sideline.
Darren Williams of Varina had his biggest game yet as a Blue Devil with 21 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Coach Speak
Post-Game Nuggets
This is Varina’s first loss at home since last season versus Indian River.
In both meetings between Maury & Varina the games have been decided by 3 or fewer points.
Varina is on a 3-game slide versus the 757 with losses to Indian River, Phoebus and now Maury. Blue Devils take on IC Norcom next.