Maury is putting a new twist on that time-honored saying “to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.” Already as good as any football program in the state, the Commodores in 2024 are showing a philosophy more like “to stay the best, you’ve got to beat the best.”
While the final seven games of the defending Class 5 state champion Commodores’ schedule are against Eastern District opponents they outscored by a combined 439-27, they will start ’24 against the three powerhouses they began 2023 with.
The Commodores (15-0 in 2023) will open at home on Sept. 6 against Maryland power H.D. Wise, according to the Virginia High School League master schedule released Thursday. Maury won last year’s meeting 34-14 in Upper Marlboro, handing Wise its only defeat in 12 games.
A Sept. 13 rematch at Highland Springs follows. Maury won their 2023 meeting 23-14, handing the Springers their only regular-season loss to avenge a defeat in the 2022 Class 5 state championship game.
A trip on Sept. 20 to Dinwiddie, a team Maury beat 46-29 a year ago, is next. Dinwiddie was the defending Class 4 state champion heading into that game and is expected to be one of Phoebus’ biggest roadblocks to defending that crown — which would give the Phantoms four consecutive state titles.
Phoebus, also 15-0 a year ago, enters 2024 with 35 consecutive victories — stalking its own state record of 53. But the Phantoms are not being overly protective of the current streak as they will open their season Sept. 6 at 2023 Class 6 state runner-up Highland Springs.
“We want to give our players every opportunity to prepare to be their best, so we’re going to schedule the toughest non-district game we can every year,” Phoebus coach Jeremy Blunt said recently.
Barring a surprise, the Phantoms should win their next seven games as they enter the season with 58 consecutive Peninsula District victories. Should that streak get to 65 as expected, Phoebus will have to battle to stretch it to 66 as it hosts Warwick in a game that likely will decide the PD title. Phoebus edged Warwick 10-2 in a district title showdown a year ago.
Green Run rolled through the 10-game Beach District schedule unbeaten last season. It faces its three closest pursuers — Cox (Sept. 20), Kempsville (Sept. 27) and Salem (Oct. 4) — in consecutive weeks this season.
King’s Fork negotiated a trio of close victories — beating Nansemond River (24-21 in two overtimes), Indian River (20-14 in two overtimes) and Oscar Smith (21-19) — to win the Southeastern District. The Bulldogs will face Nansemond River on Sept. 27, Indian River on Oct. 4 and Oscar Smith on Oct. 25.
Warhill went unbeaten in the 2023 regular season, denying Lafayette a Bay Rivers District title for a rare season with a thrilling 27-21 win in a James City County matchup. Lafayette, which advanced to the Class 3 state championship game, figures to be the favorite against graduation-depleted Warhill when the teams meet on Oct. 11.
It is possible that the regular-season finale on Nov. 7 between Lafayette and visiting Poquoson, a Class 2 state semifinalist a year ago, will decide this year’s Bay Rivers champion.
Games to watch in 2024
Aug. 30: Hermitage at Oscar Smith
Sept 6: Phoebus at Highland Springs
Sept. 13: Maury at Highland Springs
Sept. 20: Green Run at Cox
Sept. 20: Maury at Dinwiddie
Sept. 27: King’s Fork at Nansemond River
Oct. 4: Indian River at King’s Fork
Oct. 4: Green Run at Salem
Oct. 5: Hampton vs. Phoebus at Darling Stadium
Oct. 11: Lafayette vs. Warhill at Wanner Stadium
Oct. 18: Nansemond River at Indian River
Oct. 25: King’s Fork at Oscar Smith
Nov. 2: Warwick vs. Phoebus at Darling Stadium
Nov. 7: Poquoson vs. Lafayette at Wanner Stadium
Marty O’Brien, mjobrien@dailypress.com
