Yorktown, Va. – The Bay Rivers District football race came to a dramatic close on Thursday night as two historic programs secured the district championship and a third celebrated an unbeaten campaign.
Lafayette and Poquoson Earn Co‑Championship
Lafayette opened the night with a dominant performance against Tabb, rolling to a 42‑7 victory. The Rams set the tone early when Bryce Johnson burst through for an 86‑yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. A fumble recovery by Joey Cook in the end zone doubled the lead, and quarterback Baum Hogge added a go‑ahead score on a goal‑line sneak. Lafayette entered halftime up 21‑7 and never looked back, finishing the game 42‑7 to improve to 8‑1 on the season.
Poquoson’s Islanders also finished 8‑1, edging Smithfield 13‑7 to claim a share of the district title. The win marked Poquoson’s sixth straight victory after a loss to Tabb earlier in the season. Both schools will head into the postseason on eight‑game winning streaks, a testament to the consistency of their programs.
Indian River Completes Perfect Season
Across the district, Indian River delivered a flawless 10‑0 regular‑season record, defeating Hickory 48‑7. The Braves posted a 28‑0 halftime lead and extended it to 35‑0 before Hickory finally found the scoreboard. This marks Indian River’s first undefeated campaign since 2018 and secures the school’s first outright Southeast District title in the same year.
Other District Results
Thursday’s action produced several decisive victories across the region:
- Warhill 43, Gloucester 0
- King’s Fork 27, Nansemond River 21
- Oscar Smith 78, Western Branch 0
- Grassfield 35, Deep Creek 0
- Great Bridge 36, Lakeland 0
- Maury 45, Granby 0
- Booker T. Washington 21, I.C. Norcom 14
- Phoebus 56, Menchville 13
These results set the stage for the upcoming postseason, where the district’s top teams will vie for regional honors and a shot at the state championship.
Looking Ahead
Coach Andy Linn of Lafayette noted that his squad has not lost since an opening‑night defeat to Smithfield, emphasizing the importance of staying focused as the playoffs approach. Poquoson’s coaching staff highlighted the resilience shown after an early‑season loss, while Indian River’s head coach praised the team’s discipline and depth that carried them through a perfect schedule.
Fans across the Bay Rivers District can expect an exciting playoff weekend, with each co‑champion looking to add a district title to their season résumé and the Braves aiming to extend their historic run.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
