PD history

[Damosthene]

Guys, I start this thread in response to all the little history lessons we have creeping up in other threads.I love reading about the history of PD football and am sure many of you do as well.So let's take things back.....

I want the good stuff.Like todays top teams when they weren't so hot and bottom dwellers at their best.Game changing moments, triumph and tragedy, I want it all.

I'll start....1993 my senior year at KHS.I was in the band and had attended nearly every football game since I was a freshman.We had a good football team back in those days with coach Newsome at the helm.That was the only year that we beat Hampton.I remember being on the home side and everyone just going nuts as the clock ticked down.I don't even remember the score but I do distinctly recall playing the fight song and the warpath song over and over and over even after the game.Much respect to Hampton, out of all the games we won in my entire 4 years at KHS we never celebrated like that.

[BruinMom]

Hmm...so long ago I don't remember the year :) but I'll never forget Bethel winning the last game in the old Darling Stadium against Hampton before it was renovated to what it is today. I don't remember the score either, but I'll never forget being at the game! I'm sure some of you diehards will know the year....

[phsblue&gold]

I have a feeling everybody's greatest moment will be knocking off the Crabbers. I have to give credit where it's due. Well I may as well add miy memory. I remember the first time Phoebus beat Hampton 20-14 in 1990 (I believe). The game actually wasn't as close as the score indicated because Phoebus was in control all night until very late in the game. Darling Stadium was jam packed that night. The fans went crazy. The Phoebus band was rocking "Talking Out The Side Of Your Neck" (And were loud). Some players were even crying because that game pretty much solidified Bill Dee and the Phoebus Phantoms had arrived! It took 11 years later to beat the Crabbers again but that game pretty much was the beginning of Phoebus being a consistent powerhouse. This is why the Crabber nation speak so loud about their proud program because they are the history of the PD. Man, I'm getting old. I can't believe that was 18 yrs ago.

[Damosthene]

I have a feeling everybody's greatest moment will be knocking off the Crabbers. I have to give credit where it's due. Well I may as well add miy memory. I remember the first time Phoebus beat Hampton 20-14 in 1990 (I believe). The game actually wasn't as close as the score indicated because Phoebus was in control all night until very late in the game. Darling Stadium was jam packed that night. The fans went crazy. The Phoebus band was rocking "Talking Out The Side Of Your Neck" (And were loud). Some players were even crying because that game pretty much solidified Bill Dee and the Phoebus Phantoms had arrived! It took 11 years later to beat the Crabbers again but that game pretty much was the beginning of Phoebus being a consistent powerhouse. This is why the Crabber nation speak so loud about their proud program because they are the history of the PD. Man, I'm getting old. I can't believe that was 18 yrs ago.

I remember that game.Everyone was shocked when we read the paper the next day.

[phsblue&gold]

Another game I remember was the 1989 game between Warwick and Phoebus. It was a cold, game with major playoff implications. Both defenses were knocking the crap out of each other. (Please don't hold me to the scoring, but I know I'm close). This had to be the best 4th qtr I ever seen based on the intensity. Warwick kicks a 37 yard field to put the Raiders up 9-6 with about 4 mins left and then Phoebus drives the ball with precision downfield and scores a touchdown. It's now a little over a minute remaining, with Phoebus leading 13-9 and the Phantom crowd going nuts. At the blink of an eye, the Raiders' Treymane Jernigan scoops up the kickoff and suddenly he was gone 94 yards to the house and Warwick pulls off a stunning 16-13 upset. The Raider fans went crazy. They were in the playoffs as were Phoebus (Whom were trying to clinch the PD that game). Phoebus however clinched a tie for the District after beating Kecoughtan 3-0 a week later but lost to Wilson in the Playoffs.

[Damosthene]

Remember the Hampton Phoebus game where Blizzard caught the 2 in the back of the endzone?That was live on TV, we had a packed house and my dad is a HHS alum.That was a crazy night.I still have a food and drinks out and a packed house for live PD games at my house. I also have great memories of listening to Tony Mercurio broadcasting live on 1310 AM.I recall when Kecoughtan beat the Ronald Curry era Crabbers on a last second pass.That year we had Quillen at QB and Howard Dunlap at reciever.The next year virtually the same KHS team lost to HHS 28-17.That was the year both HHS and KHS went to the state title game at NSU.If you were there you will remember how cold it was that day.

[phsblue&gold]

Remember the Hampton Phoebus game where Blizzard caught the 2 in the back of the endzone?That was live on TV, we had a packed house and my dad is a HHS alum.That was a crazy night.I still have a food and drinks out and a packed house for live PD games at my house. I also have great memories of listening to Tony Mercurio broadcasting live on 1310 AM.I recall when Kecoughtan beat the Ronald Curry era Crabbers on a last second pass.That year we had Quillen at QB and Howard Dunlap at reciever.The next year virtually the same KHS team lost to HHS 28-17.That was the year both HHS and KHS went to the state title game at NSU.If you were there you will remember how cold it was that day.
That Phoebus/Hampton game of 94 was a classic and probably is the most remembered game in the PD. To correct you, it wasn't Bobby Blizzard that caught that 2 pt conversion, it was Noel Rainey. I remember when Howard Dunlap caught a pass on the last play of the game but he was ran down and stopped at the 1 yard line by Ronald Curry in the rain. I do remember Kecoughtan beating Hampton because Curry only lost 2 games and the other was the controversial playoff game to Deep Creek. I also remember that hot Saturday afternoon game that Hampton beat Kecoughtan 20-17 when the Crabber D stopped Kecoughtan at the goal line on the last play. Who can forget Bethel's Allen Iverson's games against IC Norcom in Portsmouth and Huguenot in Richmond in the playoffs. He single handily won those games and went on to carry the Bruins to the State Champonship. Who can remember when Denbigh beat Hampton 14-7? I think it was in 1992 or something like that. I know it was the biggest upset ever at that time.

[Krabber69]

I can remember when York High School was in the PD and playing very competitive against the Crabbers in the Late 60s. I also remember losing to Kecoughtan, I think it was back in 67 and their coach jumping in the Bay/James River as promise to his team if they beat Hampton. Side Note: I remember the Hampton Band being known as Marching 100 and spelling the word HAMPTON with Red and White Sousaphone bell covers across the back row. Newport News High had the Greatest fight Song I think the name of it was "The Giant" . One of those new / renamed Newport High Schools should have adopted it . :confused2: Hey, what did that side note have to do with the thread ....hehehe

[phsblue&gold]

Damosthene, who was that KHS reciever that played in the early 90's and was drafted by the Cowboys? There was also another receiver that played at Kecoughtan during the Alan Bacchus, Jerrod Mayo days a few years ago. I think he ended up going to the Naval Academy. I could not remember their names.

[Phoebus_Dynasty]

Damosthene, who was that KHS reciever that played in the early 90's and was drafted by the Cowboys? There was also another receiver that played at Kecoughtan during the Alan Bacchus, Jerrod Mayo days a few years ago. I think he ended up going to the Naval Academy. I could not remember their names.

Tyree Barnes is the one who went to Naval Academy.

[phsblue&gold]

Tyree Barnes is the one who went to Naval Academy.
That's him. Thanks Dynasty. Dynasty, there is a guy on Virginiapreps.com talkin smack about his Lake Taylor Titans. He's trying to imply that they deserve to be ranked ahead of Phoebus. I'll be right back.

[Damosthene]

Macey Brooks was the reciever from the early 90's.He was actually drafted for baseball by the San Francisco Giants in his senior year of HS.Kecoughtan has had some really good recievers over the years, which is amazing considering we have never had a great passing QB.What KHS is most known for is LB's.

[sixerfan885]

Macey Brooks was the reciever from the early 90's.He was actually drafted for baseball by the San Francisco Giants in his senior year of HS.Kecoughtan has had some really good recievers over the years, which is amazing considering we have never had a great passing QB.What KHS is most known for is LB's.



Macey Brooks played ball with my nephew at James Madison. He was drafted by the Cowboys in the 4th rd. He was the 4th receiver on the team and really didn't see anytime. He ended his short NFL career in Chicago. Injuries plaqued his pro career. That kid was something special in college and during the preseason for the Boys

[sixerfan885]

PD football brought the best out of Hampton and Newport News back in the day.

Darling Stadium-was known for having a good time on a Friday/Saturday night. I can remember Thorpe Jr high overlooking the east endzone. For those who didn't want to pay the $1 to get into the game, you could stand in the boarded up window frames of the school. It was encased in all brick. Usually you would see at least 5 or 6 doing it each game. Then you had the snack bar underneath the home side (now the away side). It was known for hot dogs and usually either someones mother or aunt was working in there, so you know the "hook up" was on. Beside the west endzone, you had a little grass area along the fence, right beside the endznoe seats. This was a special area for all who played rec league ball. You would wear your jersey to the game and play all night with other kids from other teams. Did I not mention how you were able to walk all around the stadium freely? You could enter anyone one of the three entrances and walk around. The only time Darling was packed, was for the Bethel/Hampton, Saturday 2pm contest. This was the only time when the city of Hampton shut down (other than the annual Xmas day parade that went along Mercury Blvd). You would have to get there early for this one. Never was a dull moment then


Todd stadium- really was jumping off until the post season hit. It seem like an eternity to walk up those steps to get to your seat. The stadium didn't have endzone/neutral seating, but the two sides made up for that. I always felt that they kept the grass in poor condition doing the season there. It seems that it was always brown and not green like Darling. Darling just had to many holes (from the soccer games ). Todd was also known for their hot chocolate. Sounds crazy but, people use to flock to the concession stand for this. The Hardees and the McDonalds use to make a killing after each game.

The PD has some good memories, and I'm pretty sure more will follow:clap2::clap2::clap2:

[bleedblu&gold]

Great Post D!

My To 3....

3) I moved to HPT in 98. My first Pheobus vs Hampton experience was the season Pheobus, Hampton and Heritage shared the PD title. Hampton hadnt lost a game in like 12 season (lol) but they lost a huge like 4 or 5 OT nail biter to Heritage the first game of the season. When we played we were both 7-0. It was my first full year at Phoebus so I didnt know how deep the rivalry went, but all I knew was that we HATED I mean HATED Hampton w/ a passion (lol). Both teams were stacked
PHS:QB-Kelcy Pierce (Ronnie Hendricks cousin),RB-"Bubba" Adibi,WR- Maurice Shanks, Slot-Carlos "Benedict Arnold" Campbell lol, Jason "Bad Man" Fann and others on D. Anyway we scored on the first drive. And were goin crazy. Hampton didnt score until the 3rd or 4th quarter. Late fourth quarter, 7-7 and Hampton is driving. 4 and like 16 w/ a min and some change left. Hag drops back and throws a pass out to Muffin, (that everybody swore he scooped off the ground). Of course the ref didnt see it. 1st down Hampton. Then the coaches son trotts out and kicks a field goal in the closing seconds....It was a sad sight in those stands. We were so close we could taste it. I have never seen people actually sobbing over a football game like they were at a funeral lol. People were throwing water bottles and :censored:. That's when I found out how much these two schools hate each other.:mad2:


2) The next year, PHS vs Bethel 4 OT stunner. All I remember was Leon Mizzelle throwing a strike to Shanks in the back of the endzone on the 4th down of the 4th OT. The crowd went BANANAS!:clap2:

1) The time we beat Hampton on that 1st chip run! I dont remember the score, I really dont remember anything about the game (I think Phil Brown, and "Baldy" showed out). I just remember, feeling like a kid a Christmas in those stands watching them boys put a beating on Hampton. I didnt even go to Pheobus anymore, I was in college! lol. But I could have cryed. Ah man, greatest game I've ever been to in my life. Im tearing up just thinking about it. lol:dance:

Speaking of Travis "Baldy" McWright. He never gets mentioned when people talk about great backs in the PD. I know he only started for one season but I believe he was the first back from a Hampton school to surpass 2k YDs. Dude was quick and strong as an ox for his size (Warwick Dunn type). He should get more props. He didnt have a college career, but one of the best backs to come out of PHS imo.

[phsblue&gold]

Hold up, hold up! Where are the Crabber fans with their memories? I know they have a lot to share.

[sixerfan885]

Hold up, hold up! Where are the Crabber fans with their memories? I know they have a lot to share.


Phsblue&gold, thats the problem with the memories

this thread isn't long enough. I don't think Bill Gates can get Microsoft to create something of that magnitude:lol::lol::lol:

[Phoebus_Dynasty]

My favorite memory from the PD is Hampton vs Phoebus the year Phoebus went 14-0. The score was 0-0 in 2nd quarter until Philip Brown picked off Hampton's QB pass and as he was turning the corner a defender had him in his grasp until Quincy "Tweety" McCright blind sided the defender and LAID HIM OUT!!! Phil ended up scoring. The Phantoms went on to win like 26-7.

The same season Phoebus vs Kecoughtan had two classic games one in the regular season and one in the ER finals. In the regular season matchup Phoebus' DJ Parker threw an INT right to Jerod Mayo, and Mayo took the ball about 70 yards for what looked like an easy score until Parker chased him down and Phoebus held Kecoughtan to a field goal.

The worst memory is when Phoebus stacked team in 05 lost to a two man team in Hampton (Fenner and Tyrod). The worst part about the game was seeing Tyrod score on the first play of the game, especially knowing it was the same play that we went over in practice all week. But Darnell Dixon broke it everytime in practice :lol:

[sixerfan885]

Hold up, hold up! Where are the Crabber fans with their memories? I know they have a lot to share.


on a serious note though,

some ever lasting thoughts from the Pd would probably seeing things like Kenny Stadlin kicking a 50yd field goal against Bethel (80') to win the PD. Or Curtis Brown running a 90 yd td against Phoebus (83). This was a guy playing fullback and no one on the Phoebus D could catch him. It wasn't a sweep or a toss, it was a straight up dive play and no one could catch him. :confused:

having the pleasure to see the Solomon brothers (Ferguson) do their thing

Rodney Womble (Menchville) own the PD (83) except when he face Hampton and Bethel

Scott Woodlief (Kecoughtan) leading the PD in passing (84) I believe

Bethel going up to Cinncinnati Moeller High School in Ohio (82) and only losing 17-10. If you know about high school football on a national level, Moeller has or was consistently in the top 5 in the nation back then.


Walter Bailey (80-82) Bethel tailback/safety completely destroying everyone who got in his way. Playing against GW Danville, he broke a defenders arm while he was the ball carrier. Back then and still now, that is unheard of. Thats football 101, lowering your shoulder and throwing that "flipper"

Rodney Howard, Bethel (84') running for 212yds against Hampton the first meeting of that year. In the second contest, he only managed 31 yds (I believe).


Kecoughtan defeated Hampton in (84). This set the stage for the final game of the season Hampton/Bethel. If Hampton wins, the will win the PD, if Bethel wins Kecoughtan will win the PD and go on to the playoffs. Coach Koz allowed some of the Kecoughtan players on the Bethel sidelines for moral support (I still remember seeing Terry Noel jumping up and down trying to keep Britt, Vann and others motivated. Good try, but Lenny and the Crabbers won 31-10.

Hampton/Bethel (80 or 81') game, Bethel was the home team and their band was getting ready to play the national anthem. The Crabba Band had performed at the Crab festival in Md, earlier that morning and it was questioned if they would make the game in time. I was sitting on the Bethel side (because the away side was so small) and I can remember everyone standing for the national anthem. All of a suddden, you would see all of the Crabber fans standing and cheering. People on the Bethel side (me included) had no clue on what was going on. Then you see the Crabba band (columns of two's) marching in playing cadence. Once they got into the endzone, Mr Anson (director) told them to stop. Once the national anthem was played, then they continued on into the stands. Never seen two bands on the field at the same time with one playing the national anthem. I believe this set the scene for the rest of the day

Oh yeah, did I mention Andre Cason (Green Run) playing against Hampton to open the 84'-85 year in Darling. Cason was all state 100 m champ. He was lined up against Craig Overton a junior then. Craig was all regional that year (maybe I'm wrong on that) but all state the following year. Well as predicted, Andre got by Craig on a few occassions, but he didn't have the ball when he did. Alot of speed and no hands. Green Run was rated #2 in the state and Hampton was #1. Hampton won in a very convincing way

Great Bridge (84) defeated Hampton at Todd Stadium in the first rd of the playoffs. The Crabbers were heavely favored and Great Bridge beat them with seconds to spare. That school was quiet for a week after that game

All in all, the PD has been very good showcasing true talent!!;)

[bruindad]

Hmm...so long ago I don't remember the year :) but I'll never forget Bethel winning the last game in the old Darling Stadium against Hampton before it was renovated to what it is today. I don't remember the score either, but I'll never forget being at the game! I'm sure some of you diehards will know the year....

That game was early November 1987 we won 16-0, held Mike Stefanko to negative yards rushing!