HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The Phoebus Phantoms will try for their fourth-straight state championship and 49th win in a row when they take on Varina from Richmond on Saturday in Lynchburg for the Class 4 crown.

The Phantoms’ winning streak nearly ended at 44 games before topping Warwick in dramatic fashion earlier in the season.

In 2021, Phoebus won its eighth state championship by holding off Liberty Christian to take the Class 3 state title. The Phantoms had won seven state titles between 2001 and 2021, but it hadn’t won a state title since 2011 before the 2021 win.

But now, Phoebus has won three straight state titles, following up the 2021 championship with Class 4 titles in 2022 and 2023.

In 2022, the Phantoms won big over Heritage for the Class 3 state title.

But in 2023, in their move to Class 4, the Phantoms won in a more dramatic way.

Pinned deep in its own territory, Phoebus’ Keyontae Gray took a pass from Maurikus Banks and burst into the open field, crossing the goal line with one second left for an 86-yard touchdown to seal a 21-14 win over Salem, from the western part of the state.

Phoebus 2024 record: 13-0: (Outscored opponents 582-58, seven shutouts. Have won 48 games in a row.)
Varina 2024 record: 12-1 (Outscored opponents 441-154)

Phoebus head coach Jeremy Blunt on Varina: “They’re here for a reason. You don’t make it to the state championship for no reason. It’s a worthy opponent we’re gonna face and we understand that, and I believe they feel the same. It should make for some great football on Saturday.”

Phoebus head coach Jeremy Blunt on what a 4th-straight state title would mean: “It will mean everything, that’s what it’s all about. You set out with your goals and objectives at the beginning of the year. To see all these kids continue to push forward and continue to push forward and keep those goals and objectives in mind while they do so, you want to see them check that box.”

Phoebus running back Davion Roberts: “We’ve been here before, multiple times at that. We’ve won it so we know how to win and we know what it takes to win.”

Phoebus wide receiver Romeir Smith: “We just go out there and finish the job every time. This is nothing but hard work. Everything we do is earned. We’re back here for a reason, we’re the best in the state.”

Class 4 state championship:
Phoebus (13-0) vs. Varina (12-1), 5 p.m. Saturday
Liberty University in Lynchburg

State championship previews

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