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Football: Phantoms o-line wins the battle up front

By JENNIFER L. WILLIAMS | jwilliams@dailypress.com

HAMPTON — Cold metal doesn’t sound like much of a hand-warmer, but it was working just fine for Phoebus offensive tackle Andre Purnell.

The senior was one of the first players to hoist the trophy after the Phantoms’ 26-0 victory over Indian River in Friday’s Eastern Region Division 5 final at Darling Stadium.

Purnell and company pushed Indian River’s defensive front around to the tune of 189 yards, 145 of which running back Shawne Alston piled up on 34 carries.

Their performance was a huge factor as Phoebus (13-0) advanced to Saturday’s state semifinals.

"They always block good, but they were blocking extra good tonight and we all got the job done," Alston said. "We always come out and play hard, but today they just came out pushing extra hard and we got the win."

Purnell pointed out that the Braves’ defensive line was known as the fantastic four, and the matchup was hyped before Friday’s game.

Was Phoebus’ offensive line feeling pressure?

"Yes there was because they don’t respect our line," Purnell said. "Everybody on our line was on the all-district team and they still took us lightly.

"And they had a defensive line called the fantastic four, so we just wanted to show them what we had up front. We had our fantastic five."

Coach Bill Dee didn’t sugarcoat the importance of getting some push to give the offense a chance. Early production showed the night would be long for the Braves.

"Our goal tonight was just to come out here and execute what we had practiced, run our base stuff and not get too fancy," said Phoebus center Robbie Davis.

"Coach Dee told us in the locker room in the beginning that we’re going to have work hard and it was going to be a battle up front. We knew they had a good defensive front and we had to come out here and execute. That’s just what we did."

Davis, whose father, Kevin, is an assistant principal at Phoebus, was also one of the first to get his mitts on the trophy. He had warmed those hands enough all night not to have a single mishap on a snap with quarterback Tajh Boyd.

Although players acknowledged the nippy night was less than fun, they have their eyes on the prize. A state title is two games away.

Intense practices all week had prepared them to advance.

"We knew we had to play with a chip on our shoulder and know we’re not going to let down," said Phoebus guard Ja’Quan Hogan. "Our backs just find the holes. After the play they come and give us respect because they know it’s hard on that line.

"And without the line, we ain’t going nowhere."