NORFOLK — Maury football coach Dyrri McCain describes his Commodores’ season-opening schedule as “a gauntlet,” and that might be understating things.
They open with Maryland 4A semifinalist Wise, follow with a rematch against the Highland Springs team they lost to in the Class 5 state championship game in December, then face Class 4 state champ Dinwiddie, before their Eastern District opener against perennial Class 3 state power Lake Taylor. What better way to prepare than a scrimmage against reigning Class 3 state champion Phoebus?
Phoebus was, after all, 15-0 a year ago, edging out the Commodores for the top spot in the final 757Teamz rankings.
If their showing Thursday at Powhatan Field is any indication, the Commodores are ready for the tough competition ahead. They defeated Phantoms 13-0 in a benefit game, a contest played under regular game conditions for the first half, minus contact on the quarterbacks or special teams.
New starting quarterback Au’Tori Newkirk appears poised for big things for Maury after completing 9 of 14 passes for 89 yards in a half. He had a run of 45 yards early in the game, but the Phantoms’ defense — generally solid throughout — forced a punt.
Newkirk led the Commodores to scores on the next three possessions. He completed passes of 15 and 11 yards to set up Leon Clark’s 10-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Andrew McClung added a 32-yard field goal to cap Maury’s next series.
Newkirk added to his big first half with an 11-yard run and completions of 15 and 16 yards. That set up McClung’s 46-yard field goal that made it 13-0 midway though the second quarter.
“I was pleased with how he played,” McCain said, noting that it was only the junior left-hander’s second start.
McCain was also pleased with the power running of Clark, Damari Palmer and Melvin Lowe.
“We’ve got some really good backs,” he said.
McCain was, rightfully, very pleased with his defense. It limited Phoebus’ new quarterback, Trent Mitchell, to three completions on 10 passes and allowed little more than 50 yards in the first half.
“You had Isaiah Wiggins flow to the ball, and I saw Ari Watford set the edge and make a couple of tackles,” McCain said. “Back side in, we had Leslie Hines make a few plays, Jahvon Simmons had an interception and Fred Wiggins had a strike off the edge.
“They played team ball and I liked what I saw.”
Phoebus coach Jeremy Blunt liked what he saw from his team defensively, as Brenden Thompson and the front seven often put a strong rush on Newkirk. The Phantoms’ offense will need some time to re-establish an identity after graduating first-team all-state quarterback Nolan James, first-team all-state running back Ty’Reon Tayor and the All-Tidewater Player of the Year, receiver Jordan Bass.
Blunt noted the Phantoms had some good opportunities Thursday but failed to take advantage. Most notable were Davion Roberts’ 40-yard run nullified by holding and Mitchell’s overthrow of wide-open Keyontae Gray on what would’ve been a touchdown.
Blunt is confident that dual threat Mitchell, yet to start a varsity game, will be very good. Like McCain, Phoebus’ coach thinks Thursday’s scrimmage will help his team get ready for a schedule that includes perennial Hampton Roads power Oscar Smith in the opener and Class 4 semifinalist Warwick in the regular-season finale.
“You learn a lot about yourself,” Blunt said of playing against a team with Maury’s intensity. “This thing right now is about chemistry, and I liked that I saw chemistry.
“Outside of that one drive, (the defense) played lights out.”
