The outcome of Thursday’s two football games in the Bay Rivers decided a couple of important things in the district heading into Friday, when the final three regular-season contests will be held.
One is that Grafton and Jamestown still have something to play for. Another is that Lafayette High will be raising a district football championship banner in their gym for the first time since 2007.
Here’s a closer look at what each game means the rest of the way:
Smithfield 22 Tabb 0
For Smithfield, the victory meant a share of the Bay Rivers title with Lafayette, who the Packers defeated 34-27 in one of the best games of the season back in late September, along with a No. 1 seed in the Division 4 playoffs. That’s quite an accomplishment for a team under the direction of a first-year head coach – Clark Harrell – who finished the season 1-9 a year ago.
Tabb, on the other hand, loses its chance of clinching a spot in the postseason on their own terms, although the Tigers are still in the hunt. Had Tabb won, it would have immediately ended the playoff hopes of both Grafton and Jamestown, who along with the Tigers, are currently vying for the sixth and final berth in Division 4.
Instead, Tabb must now wait for the outcomes of tomorrow’s York-Grafton and Jamestown-Warhill contests.
Should both Grafton and Jamestown lose, the Clippers could have the edge being the only team to beat Smithfield this season, which counts for a ton of points. However, Tabb would still have a chance depending on outcomes elsewhere in the region.
If only one team wins tomorrow, that team will advance to the playoffs. If both Jamestown and Grafton win, Grafton will advance having accumulated more points with victories over Smithfield and York (should they beat the Falcons Friday).
Lafayette 43 Poquoson 19
Both teams entered the game already guaranteed a spot in the Division 3 playoffs, but the victory was far from meaningless for Lafayette.
The Rams not only secured themselves at the least a No. 2 seed as well as a first-round bye in the D3 playoffs, but they also clinched a share of the Bay Rivers District title, their first since 2007.
The benefits of a first-round bye for Lafayette are twofold. Not only will it give the Rams an extra week’s worth of preparation, but it will also provide the players with time to rest. Star running back Jahlil Green, for example, who averages close to 20 carries a game this season and leads the district in rushing yards and touchdowns, limped off the field Thursday with an apparent leg injury.
