Pd Football

[raiders]

i enjoy watching football in the peninsula district, and was wondering what you guys predict how good teams are going to be this year? Note some players that will be noticeable throughout the season.

[soreloser189]

Ummm, Pheobus and Hampton. Actually I don't know, I dont watch the PD alot.

[Ballboy]

Phoebus is working hard to pull another state championship out :-). One person I hear a lot about would be: Dominic Davenport.

[Bob Killen]

It appears that Hampton and Phoebus will be the favorites once again in the PD. Both are returning a lot of veterans and you have to expect some new faces from
both schools to appear for the first time in the PD.

[PDfan]

Phoebus has to be the up front leader. They are the State Champions. They have a lot of talent returning this year. Led by Tahj Boyd-QB, Nathaniel Motley-FS, Reid Evans-WR/DB, Dominic Davenport-OL/DL, Darius McMillian-LB, and the entire offensive line with the exception of Maurice Hampton. Boy it should be a good year in the post Tyrod Taylor/ Dennis Mathis era.

[Bob Killen]

I think Hampton will get the nod again this year. They have 35 returning players from last years varsity and a decent jr varsity squad.

[whocares]

Who is Hampton's QB for next year? It can't be someone with any playing experience, and at a position as important as QB experience means a lot.

[Lynn Burke]

Who is Hampton's QB for next year? It can't be someone with any playing experience, and at a position as important as QB experience means a lot.

I think Matt Mitchell goes into fall practice as the No. 1 QB. He played some in relief of Tyrod Taylor last year.

[Bob Killen]

Matt Mitchell demonstrated last year that he can throw the football with a great deal of accuracy. This could very well be "Hampton's Ace-In-The-Hole" for the 2007 season.

Phoebus' Tahj Boyd could give a lot of teams fits this year.

[PDfan]

Yeah the Phoebus fan EXPECT for Hampton to get the nod. This is NOTHING new at all. Phoebus understands and accepts their role (even though THEY are the ones witht he rings). Hampton returns 35 players with is normal. But please don't use their JV squad in the equation. They were DISMANTLED at their own home field by the undefeated Phoebus JV....... But good luck to both programs in the upcoming season.

[Bob Killen]

Mike Smith always considers his Jr. Varsity program, all good coaches seek as much experience and talent coming from the jv ranks. That's why many move up and down during the year.

You can't judge a jr varsity team based soley on what they did at that level a year ago. But, when playing with more experienced and returning players on varsity, many of the "rookies" seem to play as veterans.

Should be another good season!

[phantomfan]

This should be a most interesting season. Hampton, which has relied on a great quarterback and Phoebus a great running back. Neither team has any experienced player in those positions coming into the season. I'll just say for now the PD is wide open.:eek:

[Crash]

A recent blog from Jim Stefani's on our areas players to watch:

Tyrel Wilson DL/LB 6'3 220 Hampton Virginia

Tyrel is following in his father, James', footsteps as a star for the always talented Crabbers. James went on to star at Tennessee. Tyrel was a rare freshman starter, as a sophomore he earned First Team Newport News Daily Press All-Area honors from his DE position in lesading the Peninsula District's top defense. A tremendous young talent, his coach told Doug Doughty of the Roanoke Times that he “will be the best football player in the country by the time he’s a senior.” And this from the program that produced former USA Today National Player of the Year Ronald Curry. I don't think there is another city in America with two such talented sophomore defensive linemen as Wilson and crosstown rival Dominic Davnport of Hampton Phoebus.

[phantomfan]

In case any one wants to know, Phoebus won the 7 on 7 competition at Hampton University against teams like Oscar Smith (D6) and Hermitage. Now Phoebus has a legitamate passing game. What about Hampton and the rest of the district?:rolleyes:

[Bob Killen]

Should be a very interesting year. Hampton without Taylor at QB and Phoebus will try and fill the void, left with the loss of Mathis and Brown, in the backfield.

Expect Phoebus to go to the air a lot more this year, but I expect them to put together another good ground game.

See you in the stands.

[PDfan]

We all know that it is TOTALLY a surprise to hear of Phoebus winning a passing league tournament. That just goes to show that Coach Dee has a lot of confidence in QB Tahj Boyd and his progression within in the Phantoms system. BUT please do not let that blind you at all into thinking that Coach Dee lacks ANY confidence in his returning offensive line and running backs that are stepping up. I mean come on now with a backfield of Mathis and Brown how would you expect there to be an opportunity for another back to step in. So yes the backfield will be new, but that doesn't mean they're not experienced in the system.... I see a fun and bright season for the returning STATE CHAMPIONS.... Good luck Phantoms!!!!

[Bob Killen]

I don't think that everyone was "totally surprised" that Phoebus won a passing league tournament. Tahj Boyd is a more mature and stronger QB coming into this season.

Coach Dee has always had a strong running game and his offense and defensive lines will be pretty good again this year. As for Mathis and Brown.......yes someone will step in and play those positions. Dee has a good group of kids coming up from a solid jr. varsity team. They know the system, but one thing is for sure. You will not see another Haroon Brown type player for sometime. Brown was the best fullback I've seen play at Phoebus since the school opened ............ ........and I have seen a lot.

[PDfan]

You will not see another Haroon Brown type player for sometime. Brown was the best fullback I've seen play at Phoebus since the school opened ............ ........and I have seen a lot.

Sir I was just wondering, since I am not origionally from the Hampton Roads area and have only been here and following high school sports for the last 11 years. What other fullbacks or tailbacks have been produced in this area that are on the same level as Brown and Mathis were? Who opened the door and led the ways for those two exceptional backs? Thanks in advance....

[Bob Killen]

There are numerous backs from other schools in the Eastern Region that have produced great football players at every position, not just fullbacks. My reference to Brown applies specifically to Phoebus High School.

As far as "opening the doors" and leading the way, I'm sure that every high school player has role models when they are young, but without good coaching and self-discipline players will not achieve the level of a Haroon Brown.

I've seen some great players from many different schools. I have missed only three PHS high school games since it opened and Haroon Brown was the best all-around at that position.........in my opinion.

[phantomfan]

Let us not forget Nathaniel Adibi at that position and who led the Phantoms to their first and many more to come State Championships.:first:

[Bob Killen]

I don't believe anyone has forgotten Nathaniel and Xaiver Adibi. They were great players at Phoebus.

I believe if you were to ask Coach Dee, he would agree that Haroon Brown was the best all-around fullback to play at PHS.:cell:

[PDfan]

I've seen some great players from many different schools. I have missed only three PHS high school games since it opened and Haroon Brown was the best all-around at that position.........in my opinion

Great to see that you enjoy Phanton football. All I can say now is to strap on tight and be ready for a ride. This season is DEFINITELY going to be an interesting one!!!! Good luck to ALL of the programs out there...... I don't want to sound bad and all, but the Penninsula District HAS to be the most exciting one. In past years just think about it, if you lost just ONE game there was a strong possibility that you could miss the playoffs.... Boy if that isn't pressure. Hmm now let's just see if the Bethel coach really is ready for some real football......

[Bob Killen]

I totally agree with your post. Year after year, it seems like the Eastern Region champion runs through the PD.

If the new coach at Bethel can get those athletes over there ready and serious about playing, it could be an interesting year. Won't be long until we find out.

Hope your favorite team(s) have another great year!

[phantomfan]

Check out this link http://www.spsk12.net/schools/kfhs/football/index.htm
:hippie:

[Bob Killen]

This is an awesome link. Thanks for sharing it with me. I have marked my calendar.

[PDfan]

Bob. Hope you're out there at Kings Fork tomorrow. It should be a GREAT show of young talent. It should be a GREAT show.

[Bob Killen]

I will be in the stands! See you at the game!

[PDfan]

make sure you dress for the heat. it's supposed to be pretty warm out there tomorrow.

[Bob Killen]

I will come prepared for a hot one.
Thanks!

[pdfan8]

To tell all of yall the truth yeah we all know hampton and phoebus are going to be good but the team yall need to really watch out for is woodside!!!

[PDfan]

Woodside lost TOO many important components. Their QB, TB, and LB that were the anchors of their team. I have seen them play in 2 passing leagues now and I hope that they have a strong ground game. They have a young QB that has BIG shoes to fill. Good luck to him and the rest of their program.

I like you name though...... pdfan-8

[Lynn Burke]

Remember that this year the Eastern Region playoffs expand to 8 teams in Division 5 and 8 in Division 6. That means if a team from the region makes it to the state championship game, it will play 15 games instead of 14.

[phantomfan]

Have any of the rules changed to make the playoffs other than 2 more teams? And if you can, please explain the rules. :confused2: thanx

[Lynn Burke]

Have any of the rules changed to make the playoffs other than 2 more teams? And if you can, please explain the rules. :confused2: thanx

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. In the past, in Division 5 and 6 in the Eastern Region, each of the four district champions automatically qualified for the playoffs in its division, then the VHSL rating scale was used to fill out the four-team brackets.

As I understand it, the only change is the D5 and D6 playoffs are expanded to 8 teams, meaning three weeks of regional playoffs and 4 more wild card teams in each division.

[PassingonBy]

Anyone know anything about a kid named Deubinair Foster, he's a senior at Hampton. I know he's looking around at schools and wanted to know how he looked and his chances at the next level

[Bob Killen]

I'm not familiar with that name, but hopefully someone from the DP will respond with some information.

[Lynn Burke]

I'm not familiar with that name, but hopefully someone from the DP will respond with some information.

I know the name, but can't provide any information except that I think he was a sprinter on the track team last spring.

Dave Johnson is headed for the Phoebus-Oscar Smith scrimmage. When he sees this, perhaps he can provide more information.