His performance brought a smile to Commodores head coach Dyrri McCain’s face.

He remembers when he played with McDaniel’s father, Damon Sr., at Hampton University.

“It feels like yesterday that I was seeing baby Dame come to the games and seeing him run around when his dad and I were teammates,” he said. “It’s a great experience to be able to coach him now. He’s learned, developed well and taken the coaching well so far. His best is ahead of him, if you ask me. I’m sure wide receiver coach Darius Blount would agree, too.”

The younger McDaniel, who transferred from Western Branch, has nine receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown this season.

The elder McDaniel was one of the top receivers in the country when he came out of Landstown High, where he teamed with former star Percy Harvin. A four-star prospect, McDaniel began his career at Florida State before he transferred to Hampton.

McDaniel is still No. 1 in South Hampton Roads in single-season receptions with 92, second in single-season yards with 1,574 and third in single-season touchdowns with 22.

The Commodores, who have won 17 games in row dating back to last season, host Dinwiddie High on Friday.

McCain said he’s proud of his team’s focus and execution so far.

“We are still growing as a team, but I like the direction that our veterans are leading us in,” he said. “Our veterans are taking the right steps right now.”

The Commodores are ranked No. 66 nationally by MaxPreps and are the No. 1 team in the state.

Unlikely hero leads York: The unlikely hero of York’s 2-0 start to the season is kicker/punter Sebastian Benitez-Marrero. Cut during varsity soccer tryouts in the spring, Benitez-Marrero informed head coach Doug Pereira he’d like to give football a try.

“I said, `Why not? We need a kicker,’ ” Pereira said.

In his first game, the Falcons’ 21-6 comeback win over Gloucester, Benitez-Marrero made all three extra-point kicks, had several booming punts and two well-placed pooch kickoffs the Falcons recovered. After missing his only extra-point try against Warhill last week, Benitez-Marrero was called on to attempt his first field goal with the game tied at 14 in the final seconds.

Pereira says Benitez-Marrero was so unfamiliar with kicking field goals that he lined up six yards behind the holder. “I guess he thought he was going to get a running start, like on a kickoff. Then, fortunately, Warhill called timeout to ice him.”

During the timeout, Pereira instructed Benitez-Marrero to line up closer, same as if he were kicking an extra point. Benitez-Marrero then split the uprights from 32 yards with 1 second remaining, giving the Falcons a 17-14 victory.

“His teammates were excited and mobbed him,” Pereria said. “There was no doubt about the kick — it would’ve been good from 45 yards.”

Howard is answer for Tabb: It was an open question in the preseason: Who would replace the 1,242 rushing yards 2024 graduate Cam Dixon had for Tabb a year ago. Landon Howard is the answer.

A 5-foot-7, 160-pound senior, Howard has rushed for 275 yards and three touchdowns for the Tigers in the first two games, victories of 17-0 over Heritage and 37-20 over Jamestown. He ran for 174 yards and touchdowns of 21 and 18 yards against Jamestown, bettering his 155 yards and one TD his junior season.

Tigers coach John Byron says Howard’s rise is no accident, but rather the result of tireless work. He said that Howard never missed an offseason workout and has transformed himself into one of the Bay Rivers District’s strongest players with a 425-pound squat to go with a 260-pound bench press and power clean.

“He has worked for four years to have the kind of senior year he’s having,” Byron said. “All coaches want their players to be about the process and Landon really enjoys the process.”

Howard’s hard work has given him stamina to go with his strength. He not only runs the ball, but he starts at linebacker and plays on most special teams.

“He almost never comes off of the field,” Byron said. “There were 178 plays in the Jamestown game and I’d guess he was in on 170 of them.

“Landon is everything you want in a team captain and a football player.”

Jordan making up for lost time: Warwick senior Jaylen Jordan sat out the 2023 season with a knee injury. He’s making up for lost time with a plethora of defensive and special-teams contributions as the Raiders are off to a 3-0 start.

A defensive end, Jordan already has three sacks. He also has 10 quarterback pressures to lead a defense that has not given up a point as the Raiders have outscored their opposition 146-0.

“If he doesn’t get the sack, he’s going to disrupt the pass because he’s coming so hard off of the edge,” Warwick coach Corey Hairston said of Jordan, who also plays at tight end and wing for the offense.

Jordan has also been a special-teams terror with two blocked punts and several near blocks. Hairston said Jordan is invariably the first man down the field on the kickoff team and has several tackles for that unit.

“He worked hard during the offseason to get back and has been so good, you’d never know he was hurt last year,” Hairston said.

New Warriors QB starts fast: Nansemond River quarterback Tyrell Grant Jr. is off to a great start this season.

The senior has completed 36 of 48 passes for 393 yards and six touchdowns with one interception to help the Warriors begin the season 2-0. He’s also rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

“Tyrell has been very efficient and is definitely our field general,” Warriors coach Alonzo Ricks said about Grant, who transferred from Norcom High. “He can do so many things with the ball in his hands and is like having a coach on the field. He has been great so far and so looking forward to the special things that we count on him doing throughout the rest of the year.”

Nansemond River will need another big game from him Thursday night, when the Warriors travel to play Oscar Smith for a Southeastern District showdown. Last season, the Warriors upset the Tigers 42-28. It was the first time the Warriors topped the Tigers since 2002.

The Nansemond River-Oscar Smith game is one of four in the Southeastern District that have been moved to Thursday because of traffic concerns related to the Luke Bryan country music concert Friday in Chesapeake.

The games that have been moved all will be played at 7 p.m. Thursday: Deep Creek at Grassfield, King’s Fork at Great Bridge, Nansemond River at Oscar Smith and Western Brach at Hickory.

Lakeland’s game at Booker T. Washington remains scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.

That was the case with the Commodores in their three previous meetings against perennial power Highland Springs as the Springers won all three meetings, including the 2022 Class 5 state championship game.

But the Commodores beat Highland Springs, who have since moved to Class 6, during the regular season last year.

The newly minted rivals play against Friday at Highland Springs, just east of Richmond.

Commodores coach Dyrri McCain knows beating the Springers on the road will be difficult, but it just got tougher because Highland Springs lost to Phoebus last week in a game that was dominated by the Phantoms. The Commodores (1-0), ranked No. 1 in Hampton Roads, beat Wise of Maryland 20-14 in their season opener.

Highland Springs (1-1) hasn’t lost back-to-back games since 2010.

“After our game against Wise, I told them Highland Springs isn’t trying to lose back-to-back games,” he said. “They’re not trying to lose back-to-back games at home. They’re not trying to lose back-to-back games against teams from the 757. And they’re not trying to lose back-to-back games against us.”

A loss would drop Highland Springs to 1-2 this season, which would be the program’s worst start since 2008, when the Springers started 0-3.

“So I know they’re going to come ready to play,” McCain said. “So we have to set the energy.”

In the Beach District, fifth-ranked Green Run’s game against Princess Anne has been canceled and ruled a forfeit for the Stallions because of low numbers on Princess Anne’s roster.

Sign up for 757Teamz Extra, a high school sports newsletter

No. 1 Maury (1-0) at Highland Springs (1-1), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Maury 28-14. Marty’s pick: Maury 35-6.

Thursday’s games

757Teamz Top 15

#2 Phoebus (1-0) vs. Woodside (1-1) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Phoebus 34-0. Marty’s pick: Phoebus 42-0.

#12 Poquoson (1-0) vs. Grafton (0-1) at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Poquoson 27-13. Marty’s pick: Poquoson 35-14.

Bay Rivers District

York (1-0) vs. Warhill (1-1) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Warhill 34-20. Marty’s pick: York 14-13.

Peninsula District

Menchville (1-1) vs. Bethel (0-2) at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Bethel 27-21. Marty’s pick: Menchville 21-20.

Friday’s games

757Teamz Top 15

#3 King’s Fork (1-0) at Western Branch (1-1), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: King’s Fork 33-20. Marty’s pick: King’s Fork 28-21.

#4 Oscar Smith (2-0) vs. Great Bridge (1-0) at Great Bridge MS

Larry’s pick: Oscar Smith 41-14. Marty’s pick: Oscar Smith 48-7.

Kecoughtan (0-2) vs. #6 Warwick (2-0) at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Warwick 48-0. Marty’s pick: Warwick 56-0.

Hickory (1-0) at #7 Indian River (2-0), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Indian River 41-6. Marty’s pick: Indian River 38-10.

New Kent (0-1) vs. #8 Lafayette (2-0) at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Lafayette 41-0. Marty’s pick: Lafayette 47-7.

#9 Salem (1-0) at Landstown (1-1), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Salem 28-26. Marty’s pick: Salem 27-13.

#11 Cox (2-0) at First Colonial (0-2), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Cox 42-13. Marty’s pick: Cox 35-6.

Deep Creek (1-0) at #13 Nansemond River (1-0), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Nansemond River 27-26. Marty’s pick: Nansemond River 24-16.

Tallwood (0-2) at #14 Ocean Lakes (1-0), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Ocean Lakes 21-20. Marty’s pick: Ocean Lakes 14-8.

Bay Rivers District

Jamestown (0-2) vs. Tabb (1-0) at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Tabb 33-6. Marty’s pick: Tabb 42-13.

West Point (0-2) at Bruton (2-0), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Bruton 27-0. Marty’s pick: Bruton 38-0.

Beach District

Bayside (1-1) at Kempsville (1-1), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Kempsville 27-20. Marty’s pick: Kempsville 30-24.

Eastern District

Booker T. Washington (0-2) at Churchland (0-2), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Churchland 33-0. Marty’s pick: Churchland 40-6.

Norview (0-2) at Norcom (1-1), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Norcom 33-13. Marty’s pick: Norcom 46-8

Peninsula District

Gloucester (1-1) vs. Hampton (1-1) at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Hampton 34-6. Marty’s pick: Hampton 28-14.

Non-district

Manor (0-2) at Lakeland (0-1), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Lakeland 20-13. Marty’s pick: Lakeland 37-7.

Hopewell (0-1) at Lake Taylor (0-1), 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Lake Taylor 20-14. Marty’s pick: Hopewell 20-14.

Private schools

Catholic at Roanoke Catholic, 7 p.m.

Christchurch at Greenbrier Christian Academy, 7 p.m.

Fredericksburg Christian at Isle of Wight Academy, 7 p.m.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy at Collegiate, 7 p.m.

Norfolk Academy at St. Christopher’s, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’s games

Heritage (0-2) vs. Denbigh (0-1) at Todd Stadium, noon

Larry’s pick: Heritage14-13. Marty’s pick: Heritage 21-12.

How they fared

Larry Rubama: 21-2 last week; 41-7 (85.4%)

Marty O’Brien: 19-4 last week; 39-9 (81.2%)

Passing

(Completions/attempts in parentheses)

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

K’Saan Farrar, Green Run — (23/32) 474 yards, 7 TDs

Kamarri Kirby, Indian River — (26/40) 411 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT

J’Shaun Reddin, Granby — (17/25) 363 yards, 9 TDs

Joedee Shelton, Norcom — (21/46) 338 yards, TD, 1 INT

Will Englert, Great Bridge — (10/16) 315 yards, 4 TDs

Kyle Buggs, Smithfield — (17/25) 236 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT

CJ Spence, Kempsville – 12 for 21, 233 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INT

Tyrell Grant Jr., Nansemond River — (22/28) 224 yards, 3TDs, 1 INT

Noah Colon, Ocean Lakes — (3/7) 187 yards, 2 TDS

Deandre Artis-Boone, King’s Fork — (9/14) 165 yards, 2 TDs, INT

Jeremy King, Windsor — (2/6) 163 yards, 2 TDs, INT

Au’Tori Newkirk, Maury — (19/23) 153 yards, 2 TDs

Derrick Cook, Western Branch — (12/28) 149 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs

Ethen Doscher, Bayside — (15/31) 131 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Micah Lance, Atlantic Shores — (35/52) 632 yards, 13 TDs, 2 INTs

Tyson Moravic, Greenbrier Christian — (15/24) 447 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT

Parker Codington, Norfolk Academy  — (15/22) 148 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INTs

Rushing

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Dontavius Booker, Churchland — 40 carries, 271 yards

Ky’Nique Baines, Western Branch — 44 carries, 255 yards, 1 TD

Charles Jackson III, Green Run — 18 carries, 246 yards 7 TDs

Kinye Martin, Smithfield — 38 carries, 219 yards, TD

Max Palmerton, Cox — 27 carries, 215 yards, 4 TDs

Rob Hughes Jr, Kempsville – 30 rushes, 213 yards, 2 TD

Logan Powell, Windsor — 33 carries, 201 yards

Willie Moore, Salem — 19 carries, 188 yards, 1 TD

Charlie Wilson, Menchville — 13 carries, 175 yards, 2 TDs

Tyre Jefferies, Cox — 33 carries, 173 yards, 4 TDs

Ravon Moore, Indian River — 21 carries, 166 yards, 3 TDs

Will Foley, Norfolk Academy  — 26 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD

Drevyon Tharrington, Granby — 16 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD

Javuan Walker, Hickory — 16 carries 150 yards 4 TDs

Jeremy King, Windsor — 26 carries, 149 yards, 2 TDs

Cortez Phillips, Norcom — 14 carries, 126 yards, 3 TDs

Javon Ford II, King’s Fork — 14 carries, 124 yards, TD

Melvin Brown, Nansemond River — 20 carries, 116 yards, TD

LaDarius Adams, Menchville — 17 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD

Javion Collins, Windsor — 34 carries, 104 yards, 2 TDs

Landon Howard, Tabb — 20 carries, 99 yards, TD

Brady Matthews, Hickory — 11 carries, 97 yards 1 TD

Au’Tori Newkirk, Maury — 9 carries, 87 yards

Scooter Williams, Salem — 3 carries, 87 yards, 2 TDs

Noah Colon, Ocean Lakes — 10 carries, 84 yards, 2 TDs

Cameryn Simmons, Maury — 10 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

DJ Caban, Greenbrier Christian — 29 carries, 405 yards, 5 TDs

Jack Weaver, Atlantic Shores — 24 carries, 296 yards, 2 TDs

Will Foley, Norfolk Academy — 5 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TDs

Receiving

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Jayden Anderson, Green Run — 11 receptions, 242 yards, 4 TDs

Travieon Slaughter, Indian River — 9 receptions, 202 yards, 2 TDs

Zalen Smith, Norcom — 6 receptions, 132 yards, TD

Knahlij Harrell, Green Run — 6 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TDs

Maquell Johnson, Norcom — 7 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TDs

Qwanterius Tillman, Great Bridge — 3 receptions, 124 yards, 1 TD

Eamon Cuffee, Granby — 6 receptions, 120 yards, 3 TDs

Ammon Rawlings, Smithfield — 4 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TDs

Shaineek Wright, Granby — 5 receptions, 113 yards, 3 TDs

Devin McGill, Ocean Lakes —  2 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD

Jaidan Cameron, Great Bridge — 2 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TDs

Tyron Kellam, Kempsville – 5 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD

Fleetwood Turner, Windsor — 2 receptions, 93 yards

Matthew Outten, Norcom — 4 receptions, 91 yards

Jahmel Mackey, King’s Fork — 5 reception, 70 yards 2 TDs

Jaemarree Parker, Western Branch — 4 receptions, 70 yards, TD

Merlin Lance, Smithfield — 3 receptions, 70 yards, 2 TDs

James Releford V. Kempsville – 4 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD

Calvin Brown, Nansemond River — 4 receptions, 61 yards

Quincy Gilmer, Nansemond River — 6 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD

LeBron Bond, Maury — 7 receptions, 51 yards, 2 TDs

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Josh Sibley, Atlantic Shores — 9 receptions, 195 yards, 3 TDs

Chris Higgins, Atlantic Shores — 9 receptions, 181 yards, 3 TDs

Ethan Gosman, Greenbrier Christian — 8 receptions, 176 yards, 3 TDs (3 games)

Corey Williams, Atlantic Shores — 8 receptions, 158 yards, 2 TDs

Tackles

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Tristen Williams, Green Run — 19 tackles (5 TFL)

Makari Brown-Porter, Western Branch — 18 tackles (2 TFL)

Manny Taylor, Green Run — 17 tackles (3 TFL)

Kamari Cuffee, Granby — 16 tackles ( 2 TFL)

Adin Waters, Western Branch — 14 tackles (2 TFL)

Elijah Ringold, Great Bridge — 14 tackles (2 TFL)

Christopher Frasier Jr., Western Branch — 14 tackles

LaDarius Adams, Menchville — 13 tackles (5 TFL)

Corvin Watson, Granby — 13 tackles (4 TFL)

CJ Smith, Maury — 13 tackles (2 TFL)

Antonio Moore, Kempsville – 12 Tackles (TFL 1)

Kam Johnson, Green Run — 12 tackles (8 TFL)

Davon Bains, Menchville — 12 tackles (5 TFL)

Taylor Vogel, Ocean Lakes — 12 tackles (1 TFL)

Will Flythe, Smithfield — 11 tackles (7 TFL)

Travis Wiggins, Granby — 11 tackles (6 TFL)

Jaylan McKenzie, Kempsville – 11 Tackles (5 TFL)

Eugene Saunders, Menchville — 11 tackles (4 TFL)

Jaeva Trotter, Granby — 11 tackles (4 TFL)

Hector Ortiz, Bayside — 11 tackles (1 TFL)

Lincoln Nicosia, Cox — 11 tackles

Jaxon Ramsey, Western Branch — 11 tackles

Charlie Wilson, Menchville — 11 tackles

Brandon Juene, King’s Fork — 10 tackles (2 TFL)

Travis Freeman, Nansemond River — 10 tackles (1 TFL)

Darryl Veal Jr, Kempsville – 9 Tackles (2 TFL)

Ikaika Leao, Hickory — 8 tackles (5 TFL)

Craigory McNeil, Great Bridge — 8 tackles (1 TFL)

Cortez Phillips, Norcom — 8 tackles (1 TFL)

Hudson Williams, Windsor — 8 tackles

Xavier Gresham, Nansemond River — 7 tackles (4 TFL)

Zachary Walton, King’s Fork — 7 tackles (3 TFL)

Gary Aidi, Kempsville – 7 Tackles (2 TFL)

Ernest Jones, King’s Fork — 7 tackles (1 TFL)

Quentin Forbes, Great Bridge — 7 tackles

Kamran Mosley, Churchland — 7 tackles

Fabian Wells, Salem — 7 tackles

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Campbell Clark, Atlantic Shores — 24 tackles (4 TFL)

Josh Long, Atlantic Shores — 20 tackles (4 TFL)

Tyler Craig, Atlantic Shores — 19 tackles (5 TFL)

Nathan Chay, Norfolk Academy  — 19 (1 TFL)

Ian Hitching, Greenbrier Christian — 18 tackles (4 TFL)

Levi Belford, Atlantic Shores — 16 tackles (6 TFL)

Jack Weaver, Atlantic Shores — 16 (7 TFL)

Brady Countiss, Greenbrier Christian — 13 tackles (4 TFL)

Ethan Gosman, Greenbrier Christian — 12 tackles (2 TFL)

Jack Payne, Norfolk Academy  — 11 (3 TFL)

Mathew Downes, Greenbrier Christian — 10 tackles (3 TFL)

Sacks

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Kam Johnson, Green Run — 4 sacks

Will Flythe, Smithfield — 4 sacks

Taylor Vogel, Ocean Lakes — 3.5 sacks

Zakhary Cole, Granby — 3 sacks

Xavier Gresham, Nansemond River — 3 sacks

Ikaika Leao, Hickory — 3 sacks

Markus McCoy, Salem — 3 sacks

Gary Aidi, Kempsville – 2 Sacks

Jiwan Mack, Cox — 2 sacks

Nasir McCarter, Cox — 2 sacks

Jaylan McKenzie, Kempsville –   2 Sacks

Manny Taylor, Green Run — 2 sacks

Travis Wiggins, Granby — 2 sacks

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Brady Countiss, Greenbrier Christian — 4 sacks

Josh Long, Atlantic Shores — 3 sacks

Interceptions

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Jaemarree Parker, Western Branch — 3 interceptions (2 for TDs)

Shaineek Wright, Granby — 3 interceptions (1 for TD)

Jaylen Hatton, Kempsville – 3 interceptions

Jaden Gilliam, Warwick — 2 interceptions

Elius Graham, Menchville — 2 interceptions

Bradley McGrath, Smithfield — 2 interceptions

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Dexter Edmunds, Atlantic Shores — 2 interceptions

Corey Williams, Atlantic Shores — 2 interceptions

Field goals (long)

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Brycen Widlhelm, Cox — 2 (29 yards)

William Monument, Nansemond River — 1 (45 yards)

Jean-Pierre Bile, King’s Fork — 1 (39 yards)

Max Clatterbuck, Kempsville — 1 (33 yards)

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Charlie Gross, Norfolk Academy  — 1 (long 22)

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

When he was thrust into the starting quarterback position at Oscar Smith High as an underclassman, he didn’t back down despite the doubters.

He went on to become a five-star recruit and led the Tigers to their first state title in 2008, rewriting the Virginia High School League and South Hampton Roads record books with 119 career touchdown passes (still first in VHSL history) and 10,725 passing yards (second).

But Sims — the 2009 Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Player of the Year and Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year — is facing a challenge that’s bigger than any defensive lineman or linebacker he’s ever faced.

After turning around programs in Richmond, he returned to Hampton Roads last season to become the head football coach at Princess Anne High.

When he took over, the Cavaliers had a 17-game losing streak that began in 2021. They’ve won only 58 games since 2000, including just three winning seasons.

Now the losing streak has grown to 29 and they’ve been outscored 101-0 in the first two games this season.

More bad news came this week: The Cavaliers may have to forfeit their game against Green Run because they don’t have enough players.

Sims said they have “18 healthy players.”

A decision on whether his team will play comes Wednesday afternoon.

This is not what Sims expected, or anyone else, when he took over.

“A lot of people do have expectations, but I also think a lot of people understand the situation that I’m in,” said Sims, who played collegiately at Alabama, Virginia and Winston-Salem State, and later signed with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. “It’s not like I came home and took over a seven-, eight-, nine-, or 10-win team. I took over a team that hasn’t won a game in two years. So I think people have a realization about it.”

Sims has had previous success turning around losing programs.

When he was hired at John Marshall High in Richmond, he took the Justices from 1-9 to 4-7 and 6-5 — their highest win total since 2012. They also made the playoffs the past two seasons.

In 2020, he was named the head coach at J.R. Tucker in Richmond. He helped the Tigers win their first three games in 2021 and finished 4-5 and made the Class 5 Region C playoffs for the first time since 1992.

In his final season there, the Tigers went 2-8 and missed the playoffs.

“So this isn’t the first time I’ve been in this situation taking over a program,” Sims said. “Every program that I’ve taken over has either been 0-10 or 1-9.”

But what he’s facing now doesn’t compare to his experience in Richmond.

“To be honest, this may be the toughest one, just from a logistical standpoint,” Sims told me before the season began. “We don’t have a feeder program. They probably have the smallest enrollment in the city of Virginia Beach. So a lot of those things affect the overall building of the program. And it’s a different time and age in high school football.”

What’s worse, he doesn’t see any signs of things turning around anytime soon. Not when players jump from one football program to another each season.

This season alone, there were more than 50 significant players at new schools in Hampton Roads.

“If you don’t do anything with what you have, you won’t have it long,” Sims said about transfers. “That’s just the nature of how high school sports has changed. You don’t get time to build. You can’t talk about what you did four or five years ago. Kids don’t care.

“We live in a world now where the only thing that matters to them is what did you do last year. That’s it. Nobody wants to be a part of the building. They want to come in when it’s already built.”

The only thing keeping Sims from throwing in the towel is his own competitive nature, the players and his coaches.

“We’ve been in a situation where you’re like, ‘Man, is it worth it?’ ” he said. “But it helps when you got good people around you. They keep you going. They help you. But at the end of the day, only one guy has to see it and hear it on a day-to-day basis. I know we can’t give up.”

Sims remains motivated.

“Regardless of the situation, regardless of what we’re going through and what we’re dealing with, that doesn’t change my mentality and mindset,” he said. “Every day, I have to come and compete. Every day, I got to find a way. Nobody cares about why we haven’t had success. Nobody wants to hear a copout, and I’m not going to give you one. I can’t afford to pay any attention to the noise because the kids I do have are counting on me.”

The Packers finished above .500 each of those seasons and, with the offense and defense contributing in equal measure, could do so this season. One of the breakthrough standouts is quarterback Kyle Buggs, whose dad, assistant coach Kermit Buggs, guided Surry County to a state title in 1999. He’s thrown for more than 300 yards in two games.

Buggs has reliable targets in Amon Rawlings and Merlin Lance, not to mention one of the area’s quickest and most talented running backs in Kinye Martin. Martin ran for 150 yards in the win over Churchland.

Head coach Tracey Parker, defensive coordinator for Phoebus’ state champs in 2021, says the line of Michael Williams, William Flythe, Derek Boone and Deion Bowe has been key to a much-improved defense that has allowed just 13 points in two games.

“That was the program’s biggest win since I’ve been here,” said Parker, in his third year as Packers head coach. “It lets us know all of the hard work in the offseason has paid off, but we’re working each game and each practice to get better.”

All-around effort spurred Phantoms

When your defense holds a program with five state titles in the past decade to 76 total yards and pitches a shutout while the offense rolls up 331 yards — both of which Phoebus did in its 23-7 domination at Highland Springs — it’s difficult to nitpick.

But the Phantoms do need some work on their punt return team, which recovered its own fumble early, then fumbled the ball away twice, the second of which the Springers ran in for a touchdown and their only points. On a positive note, Farriss Knight kicked a 40-yard field goal, the longest for Phoebus in years.

But the big special teams highlight was Brenden Thompson’s punishing tackle on the opening kickoff. Thompson, an all-state linebacker, flew through the air to level the Springers’ returner, prompting high fives and head butts from at least a half-dozen teammates.

If there was any question about whether sophomore quarterback Maurikus Banks (135 yards passing, 65 rushing) has any reliable long-ball receivers, Romeir Smith and Tenton Mitchell answered that with catches that will join Thompson’s tackle on the season highlight-reel video.

Smith tipped a Banks throw over the middle to slow it down, then dove at full stretch to catch the ball for a 35-yard gain. That set up Banks’ 22-yard screen pass to Davion Roberts (104 yards rushing) for a TD. Trenton Mitchell made a leaping 40-yard reception, while riding through the air on a defensive back’s shoulders, to set up Knight’s field goal.

Dukes welcome special team member

Windsor head coach Benjamin DuBois promises that Friday night’s game against Middlesex will be “special.”

That’s because senior Cage DeBruyne will be on the field.

DeBruyne isn’t the team’s star player, but he’s no doubt the biggest motivator.

DeBruyne, a junior, has cerebral palsy, is confined to a wheelchair and has been unable to participate in high school sports activities.

That is until this season, when DuBois gave him an opportunity to become a member of the team.

DuBois took it a step further when he coordinated with Middlesex staff to get DeBruyne into this week’s game.

“Cage is everything that you would want out of a football player,” he said. “He is present every day, works hard at any and everything that you give him to do, and never has an excuse.”

Getting on the football field is only one goal of DeBruyne’s.

The other?

“To ultimately walk across the stage at his graduation in his walker,” DuBois said. “With the amount of support that he gets from our coaches, players and school staff, I know he will accomplish that goal.”

Sign up for 757Teamz Extra, a high school sports newsletter

Panthers are rolling

With wins of 36-0 over Northampton and 38-0 over Nandua, Bruton is clicking on all cylinders. The Panthers, who could barely keep 17 players on the roster when they got outscored 875-67 in 17 consecutive losses from 2018-20, boast 17 seniors on a 60-player roster.

Senior Ashton Bell has thrown for more than 400 yards and six touchdowns in the first two games. Sophomore Anthony Henderson Jr., one of the top Division I recruits on the Peninsula, has 11 catches for 255 yards and three TDs. The defense is led by a pair of relentless defensive ends in senior Tyler Pollock (11 tackles, two tackles for loss) and 6-foot-6, 200-pound junior Troy Walson (four sacks).

The Panthers are in the final season of a hybrid schedule, with five Bay Rivers District and five non-district games, before returning to a full district schedule next year. Fourth-year coach Barrington Morrison, the architect of the Panthers’ turnaround, predicts the team will end its 26-game district losing streak this season.

“That’s a big priority for us,” he said. “I think we would’ve done that last year if not for some key injuries.

“We’ll be very disappointed if we don’t win some district games this season.”

Commodores’ Bond has next

Maury has had some extraordinary wide receivers over the past several seasons, including All-Tidewater players KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Ahmarian Granger.

Next up is LeBron Bond.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder was first-team All-Tidewater last season with 47 receptions, 1,347 yards — fifth on the all-time South Hampton Roads list — and 16 touchdowns and totaled 1,754 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns.

He’s gotten off to a great start this season with five receptions, including two for touchdowns, to help the Commodores beat Wise of Maryland 20-14.

“That (win) means a lot,” he said. “They’re a good team in Maryland, so we had to show up.”

Newkirk pass to Bond. Extra point failed. Maury 6, Wise (MD) 0 pic.twitter.com/0h9GudP6Aw

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) September 6, 2024

Bond, rated the No. 11 senior in Hampton Roads, has committed to Indiana.

Commodores coach Dyrri McCain said he’s excited to see what Bond will do this season.

“He’s special. He’s elite. He’s different. And he’s a playmaker,” he said. “He’s waited his turn from guys who have have gotten their touches. Now it’s his time.”

Gators host defending state champion

The last time Greenbrier Christian started the season 3-0 was during the spring 2021 COVID season.

Prior to that, the Gators started 4-0 in 2011.

This season, they’re 3-0 and have outscored opponents 170-18 with victories over Kenston Forest, Broadwater Academy and Fuqua.

Greenbrier Christian — which plays eight-player football because of its small enrollment — has a big challenge Friday night when the Gators host defending eight-player VISAA Division I state champion Christchurch, which is 2-0 and has outscored its opponents 76-14.

“This early divisional contest is huge,” said Gators coach Kevin Washington. “They won it all last year, and we won it three years ago when my seniors were freshmen.”

He’s also excited about the game because of what a win would do for the program.

“The program is heading in the right direction,” he said. “Our confidence and school pride has soared, games are packed, and the community is excited to cheer on the team.”

The Gators are led by quarterback Tyson Moravec (15-24, 447 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT), running back DJ Caban (29 carries, 405 yards, 5 TDs) and wide receiver Ethan Gosman (8 receptions, 176 yards, 3 TDs).

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

Marty O’Brien, 757-897-2917, mjobrien@dailypress.com

Last season, the Commodores beat the Pumas by nearly three touchdowns. Maury went on to win the Class 5 state title, while Wise won 12 in a row to win the Maryland 4A state title.

On Friday night, it was a little bit different as the Commodores, ranked No. 1 in the 757Teamz Top 15, had to survive a last-second Hail Mary to the end zone to beat Wise 20-14 in the season opener for both teams.

“It helped us last year when we faced these situations. This is just another test for us. It lets us know that we’re not invincible and we need to get better,” said Maury coach Dyrri McCain. “We saw a bunch of guys who were trained to be ready for this moment, and we finished.”

Maury survives 20-14 over Wise pic.twitter.com/TcgKmRcWGO

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) September 7, 2024

The Commodores took an early lead when Indiana commit LeBron Bond scored on a 25-yard pass from Au’Tori Newkirk, but the extra point failed. They added to their lead a short time later when Newkirk and Bond hooked up again, this time on a 2-yard touchdown pass, to take a 13-0 lead.

“It was fourth-and-1, and I was asking Coach for the ball,” said Bond, who finished with four receptions for 36 yards and two touchdowns. “And he put the ball in my hands and we scored.”

It seemed like the Commodores might run away with the game, but Wise, located in Upper Marlboro outside of Washington, D.C., got an 89-yard return on the ensuing kickoff to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Eric Wedge to cut the deficit to 13-7 before the half.

The Pumas took the lead in the third quarter on Wedge’s 1-yard touchdown pass to DeCarlos Young and a PAT kick with 4:08 left.

Simmons with the 17-yard TD run.
Maury 20, Wise (MD) 14 (3Q) pic.twitter.com/kT6VjuCE1y

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) September 7, 2024

But the Commodores regained the lead when Cameryn Simmons scored on a 17-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter.

Wise had two chances to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, including a long heave in the final seconds, but the Commodores broke up the pass in the end zone.

“It was very big for the program,” Maury defensive back Kendall Daniels Jr. said about the win. “Anything can happen at that moment, but we’ve prepared ourselves for that every day at practice.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

The fighter was Norfolk legend Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker and he was fighting Poli Diaz on HBO.

As Davis, a lightweight contender and U.S. Olympic silver medalist, watched the video, he saw energy that surrounded Whitaker prior to the fight. It included the Norfolk State University Spartan “Legion” Marching Band high-stepping out of the tunnel leading Whitaker to the ring.

Davis watched as fans jumped to their feet and cheered for Whitaker.

Korn, the director of communications and fighter development at Top Rank Boxing, knew this would motivate Davis to want to bring a fight back to Norfolk.

And on Nov. 8, Davis, along with his brothers, Kelvin and Keon, will fight at Scope.

Davis, nicknamed “The Businessman,” enters his homecoming celebration with an 11-0 record with seven knockouts and will meet Argentina-born knockout artist Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight main event. The fight will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Davis, 25, is ranked No. 3 at lightweight by the WBO, IBF and WBC. He earned those rankings with two devastating showings to begin the year, starting with February’s sixth-round TKO of former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza.

Now Davis is the headliner in the biggest boxing event Scope has seen since Whitaker defended his welterweight crown against Buddy McGirt in October 1994.

“As a young kid growing up in Norfolk, I dreamed of accomplishing enough to headline a card at Scope Arena one day,” Davis told Top Rank. “My boxing idol is the legendary Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker, and I want to pack that arena like he used to. He’s the greatest from my city, and I’m honored to continue that legacy. I can’t wait to put on a spectacular show against a tough opponent in Gustavo Lemos. Everyone from the 757 will be in my corner.”

Davis and his brothers were in Norfolk on Thursday to officially announce the fight.

David said he’s excited for his brothers, who are collectively known as DB3 — Davis Brothers 3.

“I think it came right on time,” Davis said about the timing of this fight. “I’m happy we’re doing it, and I’m happy it’s here.”

When the fight was first announced last month, Keon wasn’t expected to fight on the card as he was still an amateur with Olympic dreams like his brother. But that changed.

“For me, it means a lot,” Davis said about having his younger brother on the same card. “I wanted him to go to the Olympics, but I was kind of leaning towards him going pro more. Since he made his own decision going pro, I’m excited, especially that he’s making his debut on my undercard. It makes it even better.”

Keon, 23, said it’s great to not only make his professional debut on his brother’s card, but also at home.

“It hasn’t really hit me. I’m definitely grateful for this opportunity. I just can’t wait for it to happen,” he said. “A lot of people don’t get this opportunity, so I’m going to take full advantage. I’m going to go out there and get the knockout that I’m looking for.”

Kelvin “Nite Nite” Davis is a junior welterweight who recently beat Kevin Johnson of Detroit to win an eight-round majority decision and improve to 13-0.

He knows how special this opportunity is to be fighting at home with his brothers.

“We always wanted it to happen, and we always dreamed for it,” said Kelvin Davis, 27. “Now that it’s really here, and it’s really true and it’s really happening, it’s kind of like unbelievable.”

He also knows it’s going to have a huge impact on the Norfolk community.

“They can see that’s real, and it’s really going on,” he said. “Especially fight night and fight week, they’ll see ESPN and the Scope. I know we’re going to touch a lot of people.”

The Davis brothers have also included the Whitaker family in the big event.

“We’re going to take some things from the legendary Sweet Pea for sure,” Keyshawn Davis said. “We want to include his family during fight week. It’s going to be crazy.”

They invited Whitaker’s oldest son, Dominique, and nephew, Donald Bryant, to Thursday’s press conference.

“It’s another native coming back out. It means a lot to us to keep that name flowing,” Bryant said. “It’s awesome. I’ve proud and thankful. It’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to him doing big things and do what he does best.”

Dominique Whitaker remembers his father’s 10 fights at Scope, including the fight against Diaz, which he won a unanimous decision to retain the WBA, WBC and IBF lightweight titles

“It means a lot to have boxing back here in Norfolk and back at the Scope,” he said. “I remember when he brought out the Norfolk State band and everything. That was crazy. It was loud and very entertaining.

“To see (Davis) show love to my pops, it means a lot. It seems surreal. And for him not to be here makes it even more surreal.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

The 6-foot-9 power forward, who was the 2024 All-Tidewater Player of the Year, chose the Rams over Butler and Miami.

“I chose VCU because of the coaching staff and how I have been treated since day one,” he said. “After my official visit, I didn’t want to visit nowhere else. I felt at home.”

Barksdale was unstoppable during the Class 5 state tournament as he averaged 17 points and 15 rebounds during the postseason, including a 17-point, 14-rebound performance on VCU’s home court — Siegel Center — to help the Wolverines beat L.C. Bird for their second consecutive state title.

Barksdale, who recorded 25 double-doubles last season, also was named the Class 5 Player of the Year, the Class 5 Region B Player of the Year and the Peninsula District Player of the Year.

He talked about he hopes to bring to VCU.

“Fans can expect a a great teammate with a hard work ethic,” he said. “As well as many wins, competing for an A10 championship and an NCAA run.”

Barksdale is rated a four-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals. He is rated the No. 5 senior in the state by ESPN and No. 9 by On3 and 247Sports. He is rated the No. 16 power forward nationally by Rivals, No. 19 by 247Sports, No. 20 by ESPN and No. 68 by On3. And he’s rated the No. 119 player nationally by Rivals and No. 143 by 247Sports.

He also had offers from Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Richmond, Norfolk State and Hampton.

Passing (Completions/Attempts, Yards, TDs, INTs)

Public schools

K’Saan Farrar, Green Run — (12/18) 292 yards, 4 TDs

Kamarri Kirby, Indian River — (16/28) 239 yards, 2 TDs

Tyrell Grant Jr., Nansemond River — (22/28) 224 yards, 3TDs, 1 INT

Ashton Bell, Bruton — (9/16) 217 yards, 2 TDs

Joedee Shelton, Norcom — (12/27) 204 yards, TD, INT

Deandre Artis-Boone, King’s Fork — (9/14) 165 yards, 2 TDs, INT

CJ Spence, Kempsville – (9/15) 162 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Ethen Doscher, Bayside — (10/14) 100 yards, 4 TDs

Kyle Buggs, Smithfield — (9/13) 100 yards, 3 TDs

Saeed Williams Jr., Warwick —  (11/21) 100 Yards

Private schools

Micah Lance, Atlantic Shores — (26/39) 385 yards, 11 TDs, 1 INT (2 games)

Tyson Moravic, Greenbrier Christian — (8/15) 162 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT (2 games)

___

Rushing

Public schools

Ky’Nique Baines, Western Branch — 25 carries, 205 yards, 1 TD

Willie Moore, Salem — 19 carries, 188 yards, 1 TD

Amari Pryear, Bethel — 21 carries, 163 yards

Max Palmerton, Cox — 10 carries,134 yards, 2 TDs

Peter Henderson, Bruton — 14 carries, 130 yards, TD

Charles Jackson III, Green Run — 12 carries, 129 yards 4 TDs

Javon Ford II, King’s Fork — 14 carries, 124 yards, TD

Eric Crane, Warhill — 10 carries, 124 yards, 3 TDs

Cortez Phillips, Norcom — 12 carries, 124, 3 TDs

Jeremy King, Windsor — 15 carries, 119 yards, 2 TDs

Tyree Wilson, Lafayette —  7 carries, 119 yards, TD

Logan Powell, Windsor — 16 carries, 119 yards

Melvin Brown, Nansemond River — 20 carries, 116 yards, TD

MJ Roberts, Gloucester — 14 carries, 114 yards, TD

Brandon Nesbit, Oscar Smith — 15 carries, 111 yards, TD

Carson Strickland, Warhill — 10 carries, 105 yards, 3 TDs

Landon Howard, Tabb — 20 carries, 99 yards, TD

Scooter Williams, Salem — 3 carries, 87 yards, 2 TDs

Rob Hughes Jr, Kempsville — 21 carries, 81 yards

Joedee Shelton, Norcom — 10 carries, 80 yards

Ty’jae Curtis, Oscar Smith — 8 carries, 72 yards, TD

Cameron Glenn, Warwick  — 12 carries, 72 yards, TD

LaDarius Adams, Menchville — 9 carries, 72 yards, 0 TDs

Kinye Martin, Smithfield — 12 carries, 71 yards, TD

Jahmel Mackey, King’s Fork — 5 reception, 70 yards 2 TDs

Private schools

DJ Caban, Greenbrier Christian — 24 carries, 296 yards, 3 TDs (2 games)

Jack Weaver, Atlantic Shores — 19 carries, 248 yards, TD (2 games)

___

Receiving

Public schools

Jayden Anderson, Green Run — 5 receptions, 144 yards, 2 TDs

Anthony Henderson Jr, Bruton — 7 receptions, 139 yards

Travieon Slaughter, Indian River — 6 receptions, 133 yards, TD

Keon Batts, Warwick — 4 receptions, 106 yards, TD

Fleetwood Turner, Windsor — 2 receptions, 93 yards

Knahlij Harrell, Green Run — 4 receptions, 88 yards, 2 TDs

Zalen Smith, Norcom — 4 receptions, 82 yards, TD

Maquell Johnson, Norcom — 5 receptions, 76 yards, TD

Karl Arline Jr., Norcom  — 3 receptions, 70 yards

Matthew Outten, Norcom — 3 receptions, 66 yards

Brandon Freeman, Bruton — 2 receptions, 63 yards, 2 TDs

Quincy Gilmer, Nansemond River — 6 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD

Calvin Brown, Nansemond River — 4 receptions, 61 yards

Private schools

Josh Sibley, Atlantic Shores — 8 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TDs (2 games)

Ethan Gosman, Greenbrier Christian — 5 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TDs (2 games)

Corey Williams, Atlantic Shores — 5 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TDs (2 games)

Chris Higgins, Atlantic Shores — 7 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TDs (2 games)

___

Tackles (Tackles For Loss)

Public schools

Tristen Williams, Green Run — 11 tackles

Kwan Jackson, Bethel — 10.5 tackles (1 TFL)

Jamir Nesbeth, Lafayette — 10 tackles (4 TFL)

Brandon Juene, King’s Fork — 10 tackles (2 TFL)

Travis Freeman, Nansemond River — 10 tackles (1 TFL)

Keith Cherry, Kecoughtan — 9 tackles (1 TFL)

Tracy Pope, Warwick — 8 tackles (4 TFL)

Tory Brownson, Gloucester — 8 tackles (1 TFL)

Christopher Frazier, Western Branch — 8 tackles

De’zhawn Smith, Green Run — 8 tackles

Manny Taylor, Green Run — 8 tackles

Aaron Hall, Bethel — 7.5 Tackles

Xavier Gresham, Nansemond River — 7 tackles (4 TFL)

Zachary Walton, King’s Fork — 7 tackles (3 TFL)

Kareem Cribbs, Gloucester — 7 tackles (2 TFL)

Iziah Emery, Warwick — 7 tackles (2 TFL)

Adin Waters, Western Branch — 7 tackles (1 TFL)

Ernest Jones, King’s Fork — 7 tackles (1 TFL)

Fabian Wells, Salem — 7 tackles

Charlie Wilson, Menchville — 7 tackles

Jaden Bryant, Bethel — 6.5 tackles

Treveon Styles, Norcom — 6 tackles (3 TFL)

Davon Bains, Menchville — 6 tackles (3 TFL)

Justin Irby, King’s Fork — 6 tackles (2 TFL)

Jaylan McKenzie, Kempsville — 6 tackles (2 TFL)

Eugene Saunders, Menchville — 6 tackles (2 TFL)

Xavier Carter, Warwick — 6 tackles (1 TFL)

Darrin Banks Harrold, Bruton — 6 tackles

Jaxon Ramsey, Western Branch — 6 tackles

Private schools

Campbell Clark, Atlantic Shores — 17 tackles (4 TFL)

Ian Hitching, Greenbrier Christian — 13 tackles (3 TFL)

Josh Long, Atlantic Shores — 10 tackles (4 TFL)

Tyler Craig, Atlantic Shores — 10 tackles (3 TFL)

___

Sacks

Public schools

Tracy Pope, Warwick — 4 sacks

Xavier Gresham, Nansemond River — 3 sacks

Scott Klaiss, Gloucester — 3 sacks

Markus McCoy, Salem — 3 sacks

Colby Bartley, Gloucester — 2 sacks

Will Flythe, Smithfield —  2 sacks

Kam Johnson, Green Run — 2 sacks

Jaylan McKenzie, Kempsville —  2 sacks

Private schools

Josh Long, Atlantic Shores — 2 sacks

___

Interceptions

Public schools

Jaden Gilliam, Warwick — 2 interceptions

Private schools

Dexter Edmunds, Atlantic Shores — 2 interceptions

___

Field goals (Long)

Public schools

Willam Monument, Nansemond River — 1 (45 yards)

Jean-Pierre Bile, King’s Fork — 1 (39 yards)

Aidan Gerda, Lafayette — 1 (30 yards)

Brycen Widlhelm, Cox — 1 (29 yards)

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

Ocean Lakes’ girls won the Class 5 state cross country championship, which was their third state title in four seasons under coach Mike Nestor. The Dolphins, who also won the title in 2020 and 2021 in Class 6, will be led by seniors Khadija Sissoko (ninth at state), Grace Thompson (10th), Riley Gomez (20th), Lauren Rakov (30th) and Lindsay Meadows (45th). Freshman Elizabeth Gong also is expected to contribute.

Jamestown’s girls took the program’s first state cross country title when the Eagles won in Class 4 last year. The Eagles graduated Kylie Brooks, who was the runner-up, and Raini Mayo and Claire Bauer, who finished 11th and 19th, respectively. But they return Emily Dahl, who placed 13th, Hailey Shearer (34th) and Nettie Haines (73rd).

Catholic’s boys have won three consecutive Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools boys cross country titles and finished sixth at the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state meet. They are led by junior Josh Seidensticker, who placed fifth at the TCIS meet and ninth at the VISAA state meet. They also have senior Roy Fullmer (12th at TCIS, 24th at VISAA),  senior Raul Acevedo (eighth at TCIS, 48th at VISAA), and junior Matt Healey (14th at TCIS, 91st at VISAA).

Norfolk Academy’s girls are the defending TCIS champions and finished fourth at the VISAA Division I state meet. The Bulldogs, who are chasing their third consecutive TCIS title, will be led by sophomore Jane Earp, won the TCIS title and finished sixth at the state meet. Other key contributors will be junior Ella Stufflebeem (fifth at TCIS, 26th at VISAA), junior Allie Keffer (19th at TCIS, 43rd at VISAA), junior Kate Fine (11th at TCIS, 55th at VISAA) and sophomore Catherine Adams (10th at TCIS, 57th at VISAA). Also watch out for Paisley Enos, Maite Guzman, Carol Earp and Genevieve Stone.

Granby’s girls will be the favorites in the Eastern District as the Comets return four runners who placed in the top 10 at the district meet in sophomore Ella Pringle (third), junior Julie Poffenbarger (fourth), junior Jessie Woollett (fifth) and sophomore Arianna Rivera (seventh).

757Teamz top 10 boys runners

1. Grafton senior Connor Linehan ran 15 minutes, 55 seconds to finish seventh at the Class 3 state cross country meet.

2. Landstown senior Darryl Hawkins ran 16:14 to place 13th at the Class 6 state cross country meet.

3. Bruton senior Jayden Curry ran 16:15 to place fourth at the Class 2 state cross country meet. He also led the Panthers to a state outdoor track title as he won the 1,600 meters (4:16.97) and was runner-up in both the 800 and high jump.

4. Lafayette senior A.J. Koval ran 16:31 to place 15th at the Class 3 state cross country meet.

5. Princess Anne senior Daniel Rockey ran 16:41 to place 11th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

6. Warwick junior Nate Cochran ran 16:50 to place 14th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

7. Grassfield junior Benjamin Giffing ran 16:53 to place 31st at the Class 6 state cross country meet.

8. Poquoson junior Jacob Wines ran 16:55 to place 15th at the Class 2 state cross country meet.

9. Jamestown senior Jeffrey Linton ran 16:57 to place 26th at the Class 4 state cross country meet. He also won the 1,000 meters at the Class 4 state indoor meet.

10. Cape Henry junior Michael McKnew ran 17:03 to place third at the VISAA Division I state cross country meet. At the state outdoor meet, he won the 800 (1:58.29) and 1,600 (4:21.66). He set a meet record in the 1,600 meters (4:18.95) at the TCIS outdoor meet.

757Teamz top 10 girls runners

1. Poquoson junior Elizabeth Trant ran 19 minutes, 2 seconds to place fourth at the Class 2 state cross country meet.

2. Jamestown junior Emily Dahl ran 19:39 to place 13th at the Class 4 state cross country meet.

3. Warwick junior Ariana Logsdon ran 19:40 to place fifth at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

4. Ocean Lakes senior Khadija Sissoko ran 19:59 to place ninth at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

5. Ocean Lakes senior Grace Thompson ran 20:01 to place 10th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

6. Hickory sophomore Alexis Rice ran 20:06 to place 13th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

7. Hickory junior Morgan Kimener ran 20:17 to place 14th at the Class 5 state cross country meet. She also finished sixth at the region meet in a personal-best 19:36.

8. Grassfield senior Hannah Stevens ran 20:17 to place 40th at the Class 6 state cross country meet.

9. Maury junior Sophia Sadr ran 20:20 to place 16th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

10. Norfolk Academy sophomore Jane Earp ran 20:22 to place sixth at the VISAA Division I state cross country meet.

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com.