Raiders roll, set up a clash for Peninsula District title
HAMPTON — No. 4 Warwick added more to its season of bests with a 36-0 win over No. 14 Hampton in a Peninsula District game Friday night at Darling Stadium.
The Raiders (9-0, 8-0 district) opened a season with nine victories for the first time in 100 years of football, while their eighth consecutive shutout ties a school record set 79 years ago. A third consecutive victory over the Crabbers marks the first time the Raiders have accomplished that feat in 67 years.
What the Raiders never have done is win the Peninsula District during their 58 seasons in the league. They can scale that mountain Oct. 28 if they win their showdown with perennial district champion Phoebus when they face off at Todd Stadium.
Led by the stellar play of defensive linemen Christian Corbin, Antwone Vazquez and Adonus Watson, the Raiders held the Crabbers to 81 yards. The Crabbers had a couple of early chances to move into scoring position, but were bedeviled by dropped passes.
With leading rusher Calvin Chester sidelined by an injury, Hampton could not generate any running game, and the Warwick defense gifted its offense good field position much of the night. Quarterback Eduardo Rios and running back/receiver Messiah Delhomme were among numerous Raiders to take advantage.
Best known for his passing, Rios ran 20 yards to set up his 2-yard touchdown run as Warwick led 7-0 midway through the first quarter. The Raiders’ defense put the next points on the board via a safety as a Crabbers lineman was called for an illegal block in the end zone.
The Raiders started from a short field after Ri’jon Hammond returned the ensuing kickoff 26 yards. Delhomme and Rios alternated 11-yard runs, then Rios threw to Delhomme for a 7-yard score that increased the Raiders’ lead to 16-0 in the second quarter.
The second half was similar, with the Warwick defense stifling the Crabbers while its offense scored quickly after short punts that gave them short fields. Hammond ran for a 23-yard touchdown in the third quarter and Delhomme added a 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Rios completed just three passes, but two were for scores. His second TD pass was good for 60 yards to Julio Carrecter, whose punt block set up one of the earlier TDs. Hammond (70 yards) and Rios (61 yards) led the Warwick rushing attack.