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Blog LIVE Game Blog - #5 Warwick (6-4) at #4 Hampton (7-3)

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Greetings from the frigid tundra of Darling Stadium for this Saturday afternoon Region 4A Quarterfinal Playoff matchup featuring the fifth-seeded Warwick Raiders (6-4) and the fourth-seeded Hampton Crabbers (7-3).

We'll have updates here, via Twitter @hatfieldsports and @ReeseNobles all game long... stay tuned!
 
Before we get to kick-off, let's take a look at our snapshot preview and picks from earlier...

Region 4A – #5 Warwick (6-4) at #4 Hampton (7-3) . . .
A year ago, the Raiders beat the Crabbers 16-7 in the regular season. Earlier this season, the Crabbers had to rally in the second half as Teddy Watson came in at QB for usual starter Max Pietrykowski and completed a couple of long third down passes to lift them to a 28-26 victory.

This has been a lopsided series over the years to say the least though. Dating back to 1948, Hampton leads it 64-8-1. Before a 24-21 upset in 2009, Warwick hadn’t beaten the Crabbers since 1965. Even wilder is the fact that Hampton has shut out the Raiders 30 times.

Warwick does enter the re-match with plenty of momentum, having steamrolled Gloucester 49-6 in the regular season finale. Just 14 days prior, Gloucester beat Hampton 20-12.

Matt Hatfield Says: Warwick 21-12
VHSL-Reference.com Says: Hampton 24-21
Coach Ed Young Says: Hampton 21-12
 


A great drive for Hampton to open as QB Max Pietrykowski was 4 of 6 for 55 yards - completing passes to Khalil Gunn twice and Aiden Gibson twice. The Crabbers converted a 4th & 2 from the Warwick 41 on the series.

We haven't seen Gunn move, and that's not a good sign. As many are huddled around him, including the Hampton medical staff.
 
Both offenses go 3 & out. Hampton went to Teddy Watson for Max Pietrykowski for their second series. They gained just 1 yard on 3 plays on that second series and punted it back to Warwick.

But Warwick's punt after going 3 & out, well, it did not work out too well.

 
On the next kickoff, Warwick muffs it and nearly sees Hampton recover... except the ball goes out of bounds. So the Raiders' second possession starts at their own 45 with 5:49 to go in the opening quarter.

Warwick's play-calling has been a bit perplexed. They try an option pitch on 2nd & 13 and lose a yard. On 3rd & 14, it's a completion from QB Derick Nixon to Quali Delaney, who would've had a chance to move the chains except he got eaten u by the turf monster and lost his footing.

The punt by Warwick is downed at the Hampton 32, where the Crabbers will begin their third series with 3:57 to go in the opening stanza.
 
The Crabbers are on the move again as Teddy Watson hits Jahvon Richardson for a 33-yard completion on 2nd & 6. Warwick's coverage is having all kinds of issues, particularly in the seams and down the field. Watson has two receivers open on 3rd & 16 from the Raiders 36, but he misfires and the Crabbers will punt.

So Warwick appears to dodge a bullet during this extremely long opening quarter that has taken nearly 40 minutes of real time. Torian Howerton's punt goes straight up in the air and only travels about 8 yards, although there is a flag on the field and appears to be on Warwick.
 


Warwick badly needs Buchanan to return as he's been one of the best ninth grade running backs in all of Virginia, especially in Hampton Roads. The Raiders resume with him on the sidelines and with a 1st & 10 at their own 34. A bad snap by the center does QB Derick Nixon no good as he is swallowed up by Aaron Westbrook-Howard for a loss of 9.

Coach Corey Hairston uses a time-out with 1:03 to go in the opening period as the Raiders are faced with 2nd & 19 from their own 25. They need to get the passing game going. Hampton has run 17 plays and this upcoming play will be just the 10th for Warwick from scrimmage.
 


A great slant pattern and completion on 3rd & 7 from their own 48 with Nixon finding Elijah Smith gave Warwick the chance to score and they quickly capitalized. Finally, the Raiders attacked the middle of the field. Those opportunities have been there all day.
 
Hampton is close to moving into Warwick territory on their fourth possession after the afternoon as Teddy Watson finds Max Pietrykowski (he can play QB AND WR) for a gain of 9, then Watson rushes ahead for 3 between the tackles.

The offensive line for the Crabbers - featuring from left to right the likes of Jaqueaz woods, Michael Davis, Demarius Fox, Samari Smith and Alfonso Muckerson - has been rock solid so far. That unit is always coached up well by Mike Smith and longtime assistant Danny Mitchell, the line coach who molds them well.

No sacks from that Warwick pass rush, and the Crabbers are taking advantage with stop routes in their passing game. The latest is a 15-yard completion from Watson to Aiden Gibson.

Warwick's DB's are playing too far off... they need to press up or dial up some pressure with a blitz.
 
Warwick finally busts through for a big tackle for loss with Russell Collins bringing down Teddy Watson 6 yards behind the line. Hampton burns a time-out before 3rd & 16 from the Warwick 42 with 8:16 till half-time. They go deep and Watson overshoots his intended receiver, but as he did, he was hit as Warwick brought the pressure with Israel Wellons.

A 31-yard punt by Hampton that gets a good roll has Warwick starting at their own 11 with 8:01 to go in the second quarter.
 
Good news for Warwick - freshman RB Bryce Buchanan has returned to action. His first carry since the injury gets swallowed up for no gain with Caleb Diaz there to make the stop, unblocked. But QB Derick Nixon breaks off a 51-yard run and Warwick has done a great thing here by speeding up the tempo, catching Hampton off guard before they can get lined up. It results in a 5-yard penalty as well. However, the Raiders lose a couple after a first down.

With 4:14 to go in the second period, Warwick will use a time-out before a crucial 3rd & 7 from the Raiders 12-yard line.
 
On 3rd & 7, Warwick's pass is intercepted by Julian Williams of Hampton in the end zone. Before that, QB Derick Nixon was a perfect 4 of 4 for 79 yards passing.

On the very next play, Hampton's Seann Hassell breaks off a 50-yard run. But he fumbles with Jeyson Campusano forcing it and Messiah Russell recovering. The Raiders take over at their own 26 with 3:55 before the break. Corey Hairston's crew has time to piece together a drive before the half.
 


Warwick converts as Bryce Buchanan hauls in the pass from Derick Nixon along the Raiders sideline. Much of the drive has been a quick pace with Nixon doing quite a few QB blast runs between the tackles and it appears to be wearing down the Hampton defense to a degree.
 
Some numbers at the break...

HALF:

Hampton 14:

Max Pietrykowski - 4-6 for 55Yds. 1-0 TD/Int. ratio; 1Rec. 9Yds.
Teddy Watson - 3-11 for 57Yds; 5Car. 1Yds.
Aiden Gibson - 3Rec. 47Yds.
Khalil Gunn - 2Rec. 23Yds. TD
Jahvon Richardson - 1Rec. 33Yds.
Caleb Diaz - 9 Tackles (7 Solo)
Marcus Triggs - 5 Tackles (4 Solo), TFL, Fumble Recovery

Crabbers - 26 plays for 163 total yards (7-17 for 102 pass yards; 9 rushes for 61 yards, 1 lost fumble); 1 turnover; 4 penalties for 23 yards


Warwick 13:
Derick Nixon - 7-10 for 128Yds. 1-1 TD/Int. ratio; 14Car. 83Yds. TD
Bryce Buchanan - 8Car. 40Yds; 1Rec. 16Yds.
Jayden Watkins - 2Rec. 35Yds.
Elijah Smith - 1Rec. 48Yds.
Messiah Russell - 1Rec. 9Yds. TD
Jayland Jones - 4 Solo Tackles, PBU

Raiders - 35 plays for 238 total yards (7-10 for 128 pass yards, 1 intercept; 25 rushes for 110 yards, 1 fumble); 2 turnovers; 4 penalties for 36 yards
 
Warwick gets the ball to begin the second half and they'll try to continue the momentum they established to end the second quarter.

The Raiders start at their own 44. They hand it off to Bryce Buchanan and then QB Derick Nixon keeps it. A pass interference penalty on 3rd down puts the Raiders in Hampton territory. On the next play though, it's a Warwick turnover - their 3rd of the day.

 
Warwick will call their second time-out of the half with 4:18 to go in the 3rd period. The Raiders are faced with a 3rd & 16 from the Hampton 38. Derick Nixon will likely be going to the air, but must be careful with 2 INT's to go with his 8 of 12 for 128 yards and touchdown strike for the time being.

Pass is deflected by Torian Howerton. Raiders lining up to go for it on 4th & 16. They complete the pass to move the chains... but a holding penalty will bring it back. The Raiders now send on the punt team.
 
So Hampton gets their second possession of the 3rd period at their own 29 with 3:55 to go in the quarter. Crabbers Coach Mike Smith has gone back to alternating QB's - Teddy Watson and Max Pietrykowski. Each offers a different element. Following an encroachment penalty on Warwick, the Crabbers go to the air on 3rd & 3 from their own 36 and Watson's pass is incomplete, broken up by Warwick defender Raul Martinez. He - Martinez that is - has been making his presence felt the last couple quarters.

Warwick brings the house trying to block the punt. Hampton gets it off. It's fielded at their own 31 and Aaron Westbrook-Howard makes a crisp tackle.

So the Raiders 3rd possession of the half will come with 2:46 left in the 3rd period from their own 36. A false start backs them up 5 yards. That's the 10th penalty for 84 yards. Half of those penalties have been in this period alone.
 
Warwick QB Derick Nixon has really impressed with me with his guts and toughness in this game, plus ability to make defenders miss and slip out of tackles. He just spin moved a Hampton defender and gained 13 yards on 2nd & 15. On 3rd & 2 though, the Hampton defense with Marcus Triggs and Caleb Diaz is ready. The Raiders line up to go for it on 4th & 1, but back-to-back penalties force Warwick to punt it away with just 52 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

While the Hampton defense deserves praise for bending, not breaking, the Raiders have to feel like a lot of their issues have been self-inflicted today.
 


Let's just say Mike Smith - who I believe with a win today would move within 5 victories of 500 in his illustrious career - was not happy about that call. From up here, it looked like Teddy Watson got the pass complete to Jahvon Richardson as he was heading to the ground... but couldn't say with certainty.

On 3rd & 22, it's Watson finding Aiden Gibson for a 36-yard completion into Warwick territory.
 
Warwick has another good drive going and Corey Hairston nearly used his final time-out with 8:06 to go, but instead took the delay of game penalty. That was big because it's 2nd & 9 from the Hampton 20 instead of 2nd & 4 from the 15. I might've said heck with it and burned it there.

On 3rd & 5 - the Raiders hit the screen pass with QB Derick Nixon finding Quali Delaney for a 12-yard completion down to the 7.
 


Warwick has now scored 19 unanswered points. Does Hampton have some playoff magic left in them? They've fumbled twice in this half and may have to turn to their passing game. The question is: with Mad Max or Teddy Watson?
 
Hampton starts at their own 37 with 6:07 remaining in the contest, needing a touchdown to win.

It's initially Max Pietrykowski as the QB, who option pitches it out to Jaeonte Jones for 5 yards. Then in comes Teddy Watson and he completes an 8-yard pass to Torian Howerton. Then Watson rushes for 10 yards down to the Warwick 40.

Surprisingly to me, Warwick uses a time-out to get their defense straight with 4:54 to play. That's a time-out they could use if they get the ball back with two or three minutes to go and trail. Hampton has 2 time-outs remaining, which is a bit surprising as well since they are known to use some to prevent a delay of game infraction.
 
Israel Wellons nearly sacks Teddy Watson and hits him as he throws. The ball goes flying into the air and a Warwick defender is unable to haul in what should've been an interception. Hampton Coach Mike Smith uses a time-out before 2nd & 10.

There's a couple of ways to look at that play...

For Hampton, it might be their day now as they dodged the bullet. In Warwick's case, they know they can get pressure if they bring it and might be able to get their 4th takeaway of the day if they don't dwell on that near turnover.
 
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