Phantastic! Phoebus Wins 3rd State Title
Newport News, VA - At a packed Todd stadium, the Phoebus Phantoms and the Thomas Edison Eagles met with the State Championship on the line. Phoebus, the traditional powerhouse, and Edison, the upstart team on a hot streak would do their best to settle the old argument of substance versus style. Having already knocked off a heavy title favorite (Stonebridge) and pounding an undefeated Deep Run squad 20-3 in the semis, the Eagles were no longer flying under the radar. Senior quarterback Shawn Lloyd came into the game playing his best football of the season, and his performance in the state final would challenge the record books. On the other side, the Phantoms would bring the substance; a bruising rushing attack led by 2,000 yard rusher Dennis Mathis, and a relentless pass rush. As a team, Phoebus had the advantage in size and speed, but Edison had the play makers. The question coming into the game: Which would prevail?
Edison got things started on their first drive of the game, converting a key third down pass which led to a Paul Bergstrom field goal. Phoebus responded immediately with a 65 yard kick-off return touchdown by Aaron Hawkins to give the Phantoms a 7-3 lead. The Phantom defense gave its offense great field position after an interception at the 35 yard line. Mathis ran easily through some gaping holes in the defensive line, and fullback Haroon Brown finished the short drive with a 3 yard plunge into pay dirt. The Eagles would not go away however, and after the teams traded punts, Lloyd started to heat up in the second quarter, finishing off a brilliant 62 yard drive with a 17 yard strike to Michael Rhoden. The drive lasted just over a minute, and the gauntlet had been laid: could the quick strike offense of the Eagles keep up with the two-headed rushing attack of the Phantoms? On their next possession, Edison appeared to have held when a Phoebus drive stalled inside Eagle territory. Facing a third and long, Coach Dee showed he had something in his bag of tricks, and Mathis found a wide open Reid Evens on a 37 yard half-back pass inside the 5 yard line. Brown would finish the job from there; giving his team a 21-10 lead with just over three minutes left in the half. Fortunately for the Eagles that was plenty of time for Lloyd, and the senior led his team on a 77 yard drive that ended with a beautiful 14 yard pass in the back of the end zone to star wide receiver Ben Barber. Barber, who took several viscous hits over the middle, was actually forced to the sidelines 3 plays before his touchdown catch. He ended the first half with over 100 yards receiving and his team trailing 21-17.
The second half began with both teams playing superb defense. There was no scoring in the third quarter, but Phoebus opened the fourth quarter with a Mathis touchdown. The 9 play drive covered 74 yards with Mathis and Brown taking turns plowing through the Edison defense. As they had done all game, the Eagles would answer quickly; this time taking just 26 seconds to go 65 yards with Rhoden adding his second touchdown on the day from 14 yards out. Barber would haul in the 2 point conversion and the Eagles cut the lead to 28-25. Edison' got the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead, but the Phantom defense would make the play they needed with Evans going up high to intercept a pass intended for Baber. On the ensuing possession, Brown broke free from a pile of would-be-tacklers for a 50 yard run, and setting up the clinching Mathis touchdown and a 34-25 victory. The win gave Phoebus their third State Title in 6 years.
Notes: Edison ended the game with 334 total yards, Phoebus 311. Eagles 341 passing and -7 rushing. Phantoms 243 rushing and 68 passing. No turnovers for Phoebus. Defense forced 2 picks, and had 8 sacks.
Stats: Edison: Lloyd 21-35 for 341 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions. Barber 9 catches for 138 yards. Rhoden 6 for 110. Phoebus: Brown 20 carries for 138 yards. Mathis 26-122
