NORFOLK, Va. — When the Phoebus Phantoms Class of 2025 won their first state championship, the school was still Class 3. Shortly after their win, Varina won the Class 4 title on the same field.
Four years later the Phantoms have changed class, moving up to 4, but the results have been the same. Seniors enter today's state title game at Liberty needing one win for a 4 peat to complete their high school career.
Their opponent....Varina, adding a full circle element to the state championship game at Liberty University.
The Phantoms got on the board first with a made field goal. It was Varina, however, that found the end zone first, taking a 6-3 lead. Phoebus hasn't trailed often in 2024, but sophomore quarterback Maurikus Banks ensured it wouldn't last long. Banks found Romeir Smith just before halftime to give the Phantoms a 9-6 lead at the break.
In the second half the defense stepped up for Phoebus, as they have so often this season, shutting out Varina for the rest of the game.
As the defense stymied the Blue Devils, Davion Roberts and the Phantom running game found success. Roberts broke multiple tackles on a run to the Varina goal line, only to fumble just shy of a touchdown. Offensive Lineman Marcus Hopson wasted not time scooping the ball and crossing the plane in one motion putting Phoebus up 10.
Banks added a rushing touchdown to cement the final score of 23-6. Another impressive number in a long line of them for a senior class that lost a single game in their 4 years. The run started with a state championship, and ended today the same exact way.