HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL REPORT
757Teamz Football
Kempsville seeks a second straight win, Green Run's explosive offense has Stallions thinking postseason
By Larry Rubama
757Teamz |
The Kempsville team comes out fired up for the start of Friday's game at Tallwood High School on October 4, 2019 in Virginia Beach, Va. (Mike Caudill / The Virginian-Pilot)
Kempsville ended a 63-game losing streak last week when the Chiefs jumped out to a 20-point lead and held on to beat Bayside 32-28.
Now the Chiefs will try to accomplish something else that hasn't happened in awhile: A winning streak.
The Chiefs — who hadn't won a game since 2013 — will try to win back-to-back games for the first time since 2010 when they face winless First Colonial on Friday.
Chiefs coach Daryl Cherry said the win has been huge.
"It is a proud moment for all of us," he said. "I am grateful to have a staff, community and players to trust in me and the process it took to get us here."
According to the Virginia High School League record book, the Chiefs' streak was the second-longest, behind only George Wythe of Richmond, which lost 68 games in a row from 2004-11.
This has been a season of losing streaks coming to an end.
Denbigh snapped a 32-game losing streak, Granby ended a 17-game losing streak and Western Branch stopped a 14-game skid this season.
The longest area losing streaks now belong to Bruton (17 games) and Lakeland (10 games).
District titles all but decided
District titles are all but determined with two weeks left in the regular season.
Salem (8-0) has clinched at least a tie for first place in the Beach District with two games remaining. The SunDevils, who have allowed just 19 points this season, finish the season against Bayside and Cox.
Last season was the first time in 15 seasons that Oscar Smith didn't win at least a share of the Southeastern District crown. The Tigers (7-1 overall, 7-0 district) can clinch it with victories over Grassfield and Great Bridge.
Maury (8-0 overall, 5-0 district) hasn't won an outright Eastern District title since 1990, but the Commodores can do that with victories over Norcom and Granby.
Phoebus (7-1 overall, 7-0 district) took command of the Peninsula District last week when the Phantoms defeated previously unbeaten Woodside. The Phantoms, two-time defending district champions, finish the season against Heritage and Menchville.
The Bay Rivers District could be decided this week when Warhill (8-0 overall, 6-0 district) travels to York (8-0, 6-0 district). Lafayette, which lost to York, could gain a share of the title if Warhill beats the Falcons. The Lions and Rams play in a regular-season finale.
Green Run has playoff hopes, explosive offense
Many teams are battling for postseason spots, including Green Run.
The Stallions (4-4) are No. 10 in Class 5 Region A with games against Cox and Landstown remaining. The top eight teams make the playoffs.
Green Run has turned it around thanks to its explosive offense, averaging 22.5 points a game compared to 8.2 points last season.
The Stallions are led by quarterback Xzavier Myles-Kemp, who has completed 180 of 247 passes for 2,189 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, with six interceptions. His many targets include Antonio Sablon III (62 receptions, 842 yards, 9 TDs), Tayon Halloway (50 receptions, 586 yards, 7 TDs), Daitron Walker (37 receptions, 456 yards, 3 TDs) and Lakeem Rudolph (25 receptions, 262 yards, 4 TDs). Running back Sammy Wiggins has rushed for 838 yards and four touchdowns.
"I feel as if our offense has flourished because of the numerous playmakers we have all around," said Stallions coach Brandon Williams. "I knew we could be very explosive with what we have."
He hopes it translates into just the program's second playoff appearance since 2014.
"It has been awhile since we have been in the playoff hunt," Williams said. "And by being in striking distance of a Class 5 berth, it's enough motivation to finish strong."
Churchland's Aiden McLaurin (19) celebrates with teammate Na'Shawn Bunch after scoring in the Truckers' 20-0 home win Oct. 26, 2019 over Norcom in Portsmouth,. (Jason Hirschfeld / The Virginian-Pilot)
Pupil beats teacher in Portsmouth
Churchland got some respect in Portsmouth last week when the Truckers beat Norcom 20-0.
It was the Truckers' first shutout of Norcom since 2008. It also ended the Greyhounds' dominance in the series, as Norcom had won the past three meetings and nine of 10.
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The game also had special meaning for Truckers head coach Dontrell Leonard, as he was going against Norcom coach Robert Jackson. Jackson was an assistant coach at Norfolk State when Leonard played for the Spartans. Leonard also coached with Jackson for many seasons when Jackson was the head coach at Salem.
"I am a Robert Jackson understudy. I was there with him for 11 years," Leonard said. "I still respect him, but this victory was huge."
That experience helped Leonard at the start of the game when the Truckers recovered a squib kick on the opening kickoff. Churchland scored five plays later to grab the lead and the momentum.
"We practiced that all week," Leonard said. "So I kind of worked on that and thought it would work."
Larry Rubama, 757-446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
Kempsville
Green Run
Bob Saget returns to TV, maybe Norfolk