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Blog LIVE Game Blog - Warwick (9-0) at Phoebus (8-0)

Phoebus has it at their own 20 following the touchback that came moments after the stunning fourth down touchdown. A quick pass of 4 yards to Romeir Smith. Avion Rodriguez hurries the Maurikus Banks pass on 2nd & 6 that is incomplete.

On 3rd & 8, Banks looks to scramble and ends up losing his footing. Tracy Pope tags him down for a loss of 2.

Phoebus burns a time-out with 3:21 to go before 4th & 8 from their own 22.

Blog LIVE Game Blog - Warwick (9-0) at Phoebus (8-0)

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One of the gutsiest plays I've seen and major props to WR Keon Batts, who gave the defensive back covering him a head fake move to his left and then bolted right on what was a deep post. Throw was on the money by Saeed Williams, too.

The Warwick fans are celebrating like they never have before as this could go down as one of their biggest moments - and comebacks - ever.

But the Phantoms are three-time defending State Champs for a reason, riding a 43-game winning streak. They won't go quietly into the night.

Blog LIVE Game Blog - Warwick (9-0) at Phoebus (8-0)

A 15-yard personal foul penalty on Phoebus gets Warwick closer to midfield, at their own 40. After an incomplete pass, tailback Niz'john Humphrey gains 7 on the ground. Their 3rd & 3 pass along the far sideline is incomplete, broken up by Phantoms DB Trenton Mitchell.

A bit surprised that Warwick Coach Corey Hairston is leaving the offense out there with 4:49 to go on 4th & 3. With 1 time-out though, he's taking the chance from his own 47...

Blog LIVE Game Blog - Warwick (9-0) at Phoebus (8-0)

As I'Ziah Emery makes unofficially his 12th total tackle of the afternoon, a holding penalty is called on the reigning three-time State Champion Phantoms. Phoebus tries a reverse pass that is incomplete. They might not want to get too cute in this spot, looking at 2nd & 10 from their own 30. Another penalty on Phoebus - this time a false start - will back them up 5 more.

Warwick still has enough time here, even with just one time-out. Their offense has not done a whole lot, so tilting field position for their next possession.

A great gain for Phoebus on a wheel route with QB Maurikus Banks to RB Davion Roberts picks up 22 yards to give them a convertable - no, not a car, let me change that... - a mangeable third down situation. However, the 3rd & 3 pass on what looked to be an out route is broken up by Cartier Carey. Really fine play by the Warwick DB.

Win or lose - - I'm quite impressed with the battle by the Raiders in this one and what they've done all season long, especially considering they saw their marquee player, 4-Star ATH and Maryland commit Messiah Delhomme, suffer a broken leg back in May. Many Raiders fans will wonder what if they had him...

Nonetheless, the Raiders are getting the ball back as Phoebus is punting it away with a 14-10 lead with 5:42 to go.

Blog LIVE Game Blog - Warwick (9-0) at Phoebus (8-0)

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The adventures on special teams continue for the Phantoms, and if they are unable to hold on and win this one, it'll haunt them.

Warwick gets a good drive starter with QB Saeed Williams Jr. completing a pass underneath to Julio Carrecter for 13 yards. Following a 3-yard run from Cam Glenn, the Raiders get called for a holding penalty. Only a 2-yard run from Glenn on the 2nd and long play. Running on this Phoebus defense feels next to impossible at times unless you have a top-tier threat from the backfield.

Protection breaks down on 3rd & 15 for Warwick, which watches QB Saeed Williams Jr. just throw it away.

Possession No. 5 of the second half for Phoebus begins at their own 40 with 6:56 to go in regulation.

Blog LIVE Game Blog - Warwick (9-0) at Phoebus (8-0)

Maurikus Banks scoots outside on the QB keeper for 5 yards to the Warwick 19 on first down. Running with a low center of gravity, Davion Roberts - known as "The Bull" - is able to move the chains down to the Raiders 8-yard line.

However, the Warwick defense stiffens again - - with I'Ziah Emery getting a tackle and real crucial stop coming on 3rd & Goal from the 2 being a stop by junior DB Jaeson Disnew when RB Davion Roberts slipped while getting the handoff.

Phoebus now is trying a field goal, following a penalty, that backed them up to the Warwick 9.

Blog LIVE Game Blog - Warwick (9-0) at Phoebus (8-0)

It's a quick 3 & out for the Warwick offense on their third possession of this third period. They gain 4 on the ground with Cam Glenn, but the superb linebacker play continues whether it's the Warwick defense on the field or Phoebus. Kaleb Tillery was in on the stop behind the lin of scrimmage.

Staring at another 3rd down passing situation, the Raiders have Saeed Williams Jr. drop back to pass and he's sacked by Troy Solmona. Punting time for the Raiders...

Blog LIVE Game Blog - Warwick (9-0) at Phoebus (8-0)

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That's a major deal to get those points for Warwick, now giving them belief they can hang around and win this thing in crunch time.

Phoebus begins at their own 21 with 3:15 to go in the third quarter and after an incomplete pass the Warwick run defense does its job. They limit Davion Roberts to just a gain of 3. A quick screen to Tyree Diggs is sniffed out by Xavier Carter. Both Carter and I'Ziah Emery have been terrific today, combining for 19 total tackles by my count so far.

Another Phoebus is coming with 2:09 to go in the third period and this time the snap is a lot better. It takes a hop, fielded at the 17-yard line by Julio Carrecter, who tries to reverse his field, but Otis Howard drops him for a loss.
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