UPDATE: Poquoson Islanders delivered a commanding performance, defeating Southampton 42-6 in the Class 2 Region A semifinals on November 10, 2023, at Poquoson Middle School. The Islanders’ explosive Wing-T rushing attack dominated the field, amassing an impressive 429 rushing yards without a single pass attempt.
This decisive victory propels the No. 2 Islanders (11-1) into a highly anticipated regional championship against No. 1 Armstrong (12-0), who narrowly defeated No. 4 Thomas Jefferson 20-13 in the other semifinal. The championship showdown is set to take place at Armstrong’s home field in Richmond, marking a significant challenge for the Islanders, who have claimed the regional title for the past three years.
Initially, Southampton (7-5) seemed poised to challenge Poquoson, thanks to their standout quarterback, Zayden Pope, who entered the game with over 2,000 passing yards this season. The Indians started strong, with Pope completing five passes for 40 yards and driving his team to the Poquoson 15-yard line. However, the Islanders’ defense held firm, taking over on downs and igniting their relentless rushing game.
Austin Conley led the charge for Poquoson, carrying the ball nine times for 154 yards and scoring on a 39-yard run to kick off the scoring. Following an interception by Dom Galacgac, the Islanders swiftly capitalized, completing a 48-yard drive that culminated in a 4-yard touchdown run by Cody Little, extending the lead to 14-0.
The Islanders’ defense continued to shine, limiting Southampton to just 150 total yards while forcing key turnovers. A fumble recovery at the Southampton 19 set up another quick score, with Galacgac rushing in from 19 yards to push Poquoson’s lead to 21-0 with just over 10 minutes left in the first half.
Southampton’s efforts finally earned them a score when Miguel Bradshaw connected with Qmarai Allen on a trick play for a 35-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 21-6. However, a penalty on Southampton after the kickoff allowed Poquoson to swiftly respond with a 21-yard touchdown run by Galacgac, restoring the lead to 28-6 before halftime.
Despite several attempts to regain momentum, Southampton struggled against an unyielding Poquoson defense. The Islanders’ pass rush was relentless, sacking Pope five times throughout the game, with Brayden Agnese, Carter Jones, and Nate Quiroz leading the charge.
The second half showcased Poquoson’s dominance as Conley broke free for a stunning 62-yard touchdown run on the second play, followed by another score from Conley just moments later after Little’s impressive 42-yard run. This extended Poquoson’s lead to an insurmountable 36-point margin with a running clock initiated in the third quarter.
Coach Elliott Duty praised his team’s performance, stating,
“I thought we did a good job blocking tonight, everybody… to limit a team like that to one big play, I think we did OK.”
As Poquoson gears up for their championship clash against Armstrong, fans are already buzzing with anticipation. The Islanders will seek to maintain their winning streak and secure a fourth consecutive regional title. Stay tuned for updates on this thrilling matchup!
