Warwick Ends Phoebus Winning Streak at 51

Terius Brown scored three touchdowns as the Warwick ended the Phoebus Phantoms‘ 51-game winning streak with a 34-20 win at Todd Stadium in Newport News. It marked the win in the series for the Raiders since 2001 when they beat the Phantoms, 10-7, with Marcus Vick – younger brother of former NFL Pro Bowler and current Norfolk State Head Coach Michael Vick – at quarterback.

The Phantoms were trying to match the VHSL record of 52 consecutive victories that the school shares with Riverheads. Phoebus won 52 in a row from 2008-11, as did Riverheads from 2019-22.

Brown only had 11 carries, but finished with 227 yards rushing. His three touchdowns covered 54, 65, and 21 yards. He broke through the middle of the Phoebus defense for a 54-yard touchdown run two minutes into the game for a 7-0 lead. The next time he touched the ball, Brown appeared to run the same trap play and gained 65 yards with 5:52 to go to give the Raiders a 13-0 lead.

Terius Brown had three long touchdown runs for Warwick as they beat Phoebus for the first time since 2001

Phoebus answered with a 72-yard scoring drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback Maurikus Banks with 2:25 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Warwick added another touchdown following a 79-yard drive. Freshman Avione Tucker scored from 36 yards out to give Warwick a 20-7 lead.

Three interceptions were the highlights right before halftime, with Phoebus throwing two and Warwick throwing one in between. It was the only pass attempt for the Raiders in the game.

Phoebus started the 2nd half with a 15-play, 84-yard drive that took almost eight minutes off the clock. Tyree Diggs ran it in from 1 yard to cut the Warwick lead to 20-14 with 3:59 to go in the 3rd.

Tyree Diggs had a rushing touchdown for Phoebus, which saw its 51-game winning streak come to an end and 26-game winning streak against Warwick halted (Photo by Will Garlick of VirginiaPreps.com)

The touchdown, a bone-chilling hit on the kickoff, and a penalty seemed to shift the momentum in favor of the Phantoms. Brown was stopped for a 4-yard loss on the 1st snap, but then broke free for a 73-yard gain to the Phoebus 23-yard line.

The Phantom defense held, but the offense had to start at their own 16-yard line. On 2nd down, Banks’ arm was hit by senior Zavion Studwell, and the ball ended up in the hands of lineman Du’wuane Skipwith, who returned it for a touchdown. The Raiders led 27-14 heading into the 4th quarter.

Banks appeared to have injured his arm early in the 4th quarter, and the Phantoms did not attempt a pass the rest of the game. Banks finished 6 of 13 for 45 yards before the 4th quarter. He added 56 yards rushing, including a touchdown.

A turnover on downs gave Warwick a 1st-and-10 at the Phoebus 21-yard line, and Brown added to his breakout day with a 21-yard score.

Phoebus added a late touchdown with 30 seconds left in the game when a blocked punt was recovered in the endzone.

Warwick’s breakthrough, which moves their record to 3-2 overall on the season, will certainly bolster their power rating for the playoffs in Region 5B. They became the first Peninsula District team to defeat Phoebus since Woodside did so 15-0 on October 21, 2016. The Phantoms had won 68 consecutive district games.