BREAKING: Poquoson High School’s football team surged to a stunning 42-6 victory over Southampton in the Class 2 Region A semifinals on November 10, 2023, at Poquoson Middle School. The Islanders, ranked No. 2, showcased their formidable Wing-T rushing attack, amassing an impressive 429 yards on the ground without a single pass attempt.
This decisive win propels the Islanders (11-1) into a highly anticipated contest against No. 1 Armstrong (12-0), who edged out No. 4 Thomas Jefferson 20-13 in the other semifinal. The championship showdown will take place at Armstrong’s home field in Richmond, further intensifying the stakes as Poquoson aims for a fourth consecutive regional title.
Despite Southampton’s hopes, led by quarterback Zayden Pope, who has thrown for over 2,000 yards this season, the Indians (7-5) struggled to keep pace. Early in the game, Pope moved the team to the Poquoson 15-yard line, but the Islanders’ defense held firm, turning the tide in their favor.
Austin Conley ignited the scoring with a spectacular 39-yard touchdown run on Poquoson’s opening drive. The Islanders didn’t look back, as Dom Galacgac intercepted a pass from Pope, leading to another touchdown by Cody Little, pushing the score to 14-0.
Poquoson’s defense, relentless throughout the match, limited Southampton to just 150 total yards, with only 126 yards coming through the air. The Islanders capitalized on a fumble recovery to score again, extending their lead to 21-0 with 10:06 remaining in the first half.
Southampton managed to get on the board with a trick play, where Miguel Bradshaw threw a 35-yard touchdown to Qmarai Allen, closing the gap to 21-6. However, Poquoson’s response was swift. Following a Southampton penalty, Galacgac powered through to score another touchdown, bringing the score to 28-6 before halftime.
As the second half began, Poquoson continued to assert dominance. Conley added to the tally with a 62-yard touchdown run, and moments later, he ran in another score, bringing the lead to a staggering 36 points and triggering a running clock with 7:57 left in the third quarter.
Poquoson’s head coach, Elliott Duty, praised his team’s performance, stating,
“I thought we did a good job blocking tonight, everybody. The linemen, tight ends, running backs all did a good job opening holes.”
He emphasized the team’s defensive efforts, noting the challenge of limiting a potent passing offense to just one big play.
As Poquoson prepares for its showdown against Armstrong, excitement builds for what promises to be an electrifying championship game. Fans and followers are encouraged to stay tuned for updates as the Islanders aim to continue their dominance in the region.
