Gametime Henrico: Sept. 18-24, 2023

The Mavericks’ football team is looking dangerous at the halfway point of the season. After their dominant 42-7 victory over Deep Run last week, the Maps now sit at a perfect 5-0 record and are atop the standings in Region 5C. It was another rushing clinic for the Mavericks, led by running back Kevin China, who totaled 150 yards on just 12 carries on the night. But it was running back Butter Stephenson who got the Mavs on the board first, scoring a touchdown in the first quarter and another in the second quarter (from five yards out) to give his team a 14-0 lead. Ryan Bland then ran for a touchdown from eight yards out with three minutes remaining in the half, and China added another, also from eight yards out to make it 28-0 with 1:48 remaining in the half. In the third, Bland would find the end zone for the second time again, running it in from seven yards out, before Spencer Phillips recovered a fumble that resulted in the touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Mavs are not only 5-0 for the second straight year, but they have been in complete control of every game played thus far. This Freeman offense is averaging 37 points per game, and the defense is allowing just 6 points per game. The Mavericks will have a strong opponent in their next game however, when they will face Glen Allen (3-1) on the road.

Godwin High School

For the first time this season, the Godwin Eagles’ football squad lost a game, 26-6 to the Hermitage Panthers (3-1). Godwin’s record is now 4-1. The score was 14-0 going into the fourth quarter, but Hermitage quickly made it a three-possession game with another touchdown. Eagles’ quarterback Daniel Viener would then find running back Jackson Eakes on a 26-yard passing touchdown to get his team back within two scores and make things interesting in the fourth quarter. However, the defense could not stop what ended up being a dominant rushing performance by Hermitage (260 rushing yards on the night) and allowed a big run in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. Viener’s passing touchdown was his only completed pass on the night, but he was effective in the running game, rushing 10 times for 50 yards. Eakes was effective in both the passing and running game, totaling 75 yards of total offense along with his fourth quarter touchdown. Previous to the loss versus Hermitage, the Eagles defense was a key to their perfect start, allowing just 13 points a game across their first four games. They are still tied for the second best record in Region 5C but will be tested by their next three opponents, who have a combined record of 9-3 (Tucker, Thomas Jefferson and Freeman). First up, the Tucker Tigers (1-3) who are coming off of their first victory under head coach Brice Fitts.

Hermitage High School

The Panthers’ football team took care of business last week, defeating a previously undefeated Godwin Eagles team and came out victorious, winning convincingly by a score of 26-6. Running back Earlonte Winston was electric, rushing for 160 yards on 25 carries. Winston put the Panthers on the board first with a five-yard rushing touchdown to give his team a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, quarterback Benjamin Yeanay connected with Cayden King on a 15-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 at the half. After a quiet third quarter, Winston found the end zone again, this time on a two-yard rushing touchdown. After the Eagles responded with their first points of the game, Steven Bowers finished things off with a 20-yard rushing touchdown. The Panthers have now won their third straight game following their loss to Oscar Smith in week one and have since outscored their opponents 52-26. At the halfway point of the regular season, the Panthers are looking like a serious contender in Region 5C. They will look to keep this momentum going as they face Deep Run (1-3) in their next game at home.

Highland Springs High School

The Springers’ football squad put on another show last weekend, defeating Riverbend 45-7 to improve to 4-1 on the season. After a safety put the Springers up 2-0, running back Eric Byrd found the end zone, taking the handoff 60 yards to the house. In the second quarter, Cole Varner ran it in for six to put his team up 16-0. Minutes later, quarterback Kristian Martin scored on a quarterback sneak to make it 22-7 at the half. The Springers were in full control for the rest of the game, piling on points with a 30-yard rushing touchdown from Martin with 10 minutes remaining to make it 39-7, before Evan Ford closed out the scoring for the night with a rushing touchdown. Since their loss to Maury, the Highland Springs defense has allowed just seven points, and the offense is running on all cylinders. Though the Springers are behind 5-0 Douglas Freeman in the standings, they are still looking like the clear favorites in Region 5C. Their next game will be against the Henrico Warriors (1-3) this Thursday.

Tucker High School

The Tigers improved to 1-3 on the football field this season after defeating John Marshall (2-4) 37-16 last Thursday. They were in complete control from the very start, getting on the board first with a rushing touchdown from senior running back Johnny Patrick. Near the end of the first quarter, defensive back Damare Hawkins forced a fumble, and lineman Andrew Weippert recovered to set up Damian Graham, who scored on a 20-yard rushing touchdown 10 seconds into the second quarter to put Tucker up 14-0. Moments later, quarterback Chase Roberts found receiver Jaiden Blue on a 37-yard pass to set up Patrick for his second rushing touchdown of the night, this time from a yard out to make it 21-0 at the half. With nine minutes left in the third quarter up 29-0, defensive lineman Kennon Bell forced the fumble, scooped it, and was tackled on the John Marshall 25-yard line to put the Tigers offense in position for their final score of the night. This marked the first win for Tucker under head coach Brice Fritts. The Tigers will be tested in their next game, however, as they will go on the road to face the Godwin Eagles (4-1) this Friday.

Varina High School

The Blue Devils football team improved to 2-1 on the season after a 28-0 shutout victory over a Henrico Warriors team that had seemed to just find its identity offensively. The first quarter was a chess match defensively, leaving both offenses scoreless going into the second quarter. Quarterback Linwood Johnson wasted little time getting things going from the start of the second quarter and got the Blue Devils on the board first with a three-yard passing touchdown to sophomore receiver DaMari Carter. Just seconds later, Varina got possession of the football back, and Johnson connected with senior Jordan Edwards on a 30-yard touchdown pass to put the Devils up 14-0. Minutes later in the second quarter, senior running back Naseer Smith crossed the goal line from 15 yards out, and Johnson threw another 30-yard touchdown pass to senior Eric Smith shortly after to close out the scoring for the night. From there, the defense took control of the game and shut down a Henrico offense that was averaging 31 points per game. Varina’s next matchup will be on the road against Mechanicsville (1-3) this Friday.