2016 Phoebus Phantoms Preview

Phoebus Phantoms
Peninsula District, 3A-East
Head Coach: Jeremy Blunt (5th Year)
2015 Record: 12-2 Overall (lost to Magna Vista 28-23 in State Semis)

For the 15th straight year, the Phoebus Phantoms reached the playoffs and won at least eight games in the process of doing so as the 2015 squad finished 12-2 overall, bowing out to Magna Vista in the 3A State Semis by a count of 28-23 in a game where they rallied from 28-0 down. That marked the most games they've played in a season since last winning a State Championship back in 2011.

After winning seven state titles in a span of 11 years from 2001-11, the Phantoms have been ousted in four straight postseasons. Last year's team got off to a strong start of 6-0 before losing to arch rival Hampton 19-7. Phoebus' success mostly came through its defense, which held nine foes last year to single-digits in points and surrendered 170.1 total yards per game.

Blunt envisions the 2016 Phantoms being very dangerous on the offensive side of the ball. "With the amount of talent that we will have from the skill position, guys will have to accept their roles. As long as guys buy into their roles, this year's offense will do special things," he said. Andre Jackson (5-11, 170) was a 2nd Team All-Conference 27 selection at receiver as a junior. He'll be one of the prime targets through the air along with sophomore Berry Hargrave (6-0, 175).

Ordinarily, the departure of a running back like JoMari Becnel, a 1st Team All-State selection, would have a program concerned about how to replace production. Not the Phantoms because they "three tailbacks that would start at most places," in juniors Daniel Wright (6-1, 225), Kecoughtan transfer Dequandre Edwards (5-10, 200) and Daequan Fleming (5-10, 200), which will make for an interesting competition for carries. Plus, you can add a more than serviceable fullback to the mix with senior Jaylen Holloway (5-9, 230), who "brings a physical presence to the game," according to Blunt.

Justin Wright excelled at the quarterback spot in 2015 with a pair of 250-yard performances in the playoffs, though he has gradated and in steps senior Iziah McNair (5-10, 165), who Blunt describes as a passer that's, "smart with an ability to sit in the pocket and pick defenses apart." Three guys who started a number of games between as sophomores and juniors a year ago will stabilize the offensive line.

"Up front we will be bigger and stronger than we have been in recent years," noted Blunt." Senior LT Keshawn Battle-Patterson (6-4, 215), junior LG Tim Young (6-4, 320) and senior RT Rahkim Saylor (6-2, 270) provide experience with a pair of newcomers - sophomore center Donovan Cooper (6-0, 250) and junior RG Kameron Wilson (5-10, 270) - stepping into full-time starting roles.

Eight individuals that started in at least one game last year are back defensively for the Phantoms, a team known for smothering its opponents on this side of the ball and quite comfortable being in low-scoring ballgames, as the 7-0 triple-overtime win over Bethel from 2015 would suggest.

"We have ton of experience coming back from last year making us very confident this coming season," commented Blunt. "This defense will be very opportunistic and capable of creating a large amount of turnovers while assisting the offense by putting points on the board."

Deshawn Pope (5-9, 165) at defensive back and Shadarius Horne (5-10, 210) from his linebacker spot were both chosen Second Team All-State as juniors in 2015. Joining Pope in the secondary is fellow First Team All-Conference 27 DB Johnathan Gregory (6-3, 170), a senior, along with Jackson and junior free safety Damion Charity (6-1, 165). Juniors Peyton Ryder (5-10, 210) and Darrell Bryant (5-11, 200) will be paired with Horne at linebacker.

In an effort to stay fresh and healthy, the Phantoms plan to, "utilize our depth this year by rotating guys in and out," Blunt said. Developing some quality bodies to help out Battle-Patterson, Holloway and senior DE Cory Jackson (6-0, 220) - who's also a projected starter at tight end - will be essential. Senior Marcus Taite (5-10, 220) looks to be another guy that sees significant snaps on the d-line at either tackle or end.

With some proven parts on defense, several of which are scholarship-level players on that side of the, the Phantoms could boast a defense like no other in Group 3A.

"This defense has the potential to be the top defense in the state this coming season," believes Blunt. "There are a number of things that will need to take place in order for that to become a fact. However, with the amount of experience, along with the combination of speed and strength that we have returning, this year's defense can be explosive game in and game out."

Replacing a playmaker like Hamlin, who did so much for them on special teams as well, won't be easy. But they may not need to depend on just one guy so much for a play that sparks them. On offense, the Phantoms possess a three-headed monster running the ball and weapons on the outside along with body in the trenches that should help ease the transition for McNair as a first-year starter under center.

"When everything is clicking and in sync, it will be hard to key on one aspect of our offense," Blunt stated. "As long as we work, buy in and sell out, this offense has the potential to average six touchdowns a game."

At a program as well established as Phoebus, anything less than a Championship is considered - sometimes unfairly - not good enough. Following a couple of playoff exits that were extremely tough to swallow, they took a step closer towards getting back to that title game last year. The necessary pieces are in place to take another step, something that if they do will make for a very short trip for the fans with the 3A title game being held at nearby William & Mary.

Matthew Hatfield has covered football and basketball since 2004 for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a staff writer for Tar Heel Illustrated. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him every Saturday at 10 AM on ESPN Radio 94.1, plus watch him on the Cox 11 Sports Report.