Mayo delivers on his promise for Phoebus
After two dropped interceptions in a spring playoff game, his pair of pick-sixes help the Phantoms reach region final
HAMPTON — Kymari Gray’s two interception returns for touchdowns in the first three minutes of Phoebus’ region playoff win over then-defending state champion Hopewell this spring might have felt like lightning striking twice in the same place, but Phantoms coach Jeremy Blunt would like to have seen two more.
Blunt thought Jalen Mayo dropped two possible pick-sixes in the Phantoms’ 28-7 win. He mentioned that to Mayo after the game and revived the topic a few days before the rematch Saturday in the Class 3 Region A semifinals.
“We talked throughout the week, and I asked him, ‘If you get those opportunities again, what are you going to do with them?’ ” Blunt said. “The kid just gave me ‘the look’ and I knew what that look meant.”
Mayo said, “His words never
“Being a receiver, I understand the receivers’ routes, their leverage, their breaks and can read a quarterback’s eyes to see where the ball is going, like I did on the second interception.”
left my head. That’s why I said I’d never drop another one and the next time we played (Hopewell), I’d make it count.”
True to his word, Mayo, a 6-foot2, 180-pound senior, returned interceptions 24 and 87 yards for touchdowns to lead the Phantoms to a 27-7 win over the Blue Devils in the Class 3 Region A semifinals.
The victory moves the top-seeded Phantoms (11-1) into the region championship game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Darling Stadium against No. 2 York (11-1). The winner will host the Region B
champion on Dec. 4 in the Class 3 state semifinals.
Mayo did more than just talk about his desire following the spring game against Hopewell. He’s spent hours at a machine, turning at the last second to catch balls and virtually never dropping them.
Mayo’s quick thinking and reactions benefited him on the first interception Saturday. As Hopewell’s quarterback fell forward to the ground in the grip
— Jalen Mayo
of Phantoms linebacker Kaleb Tilley, Mayo realized he would get the pass off before the receiver did and beat him to the ball on his way to a wide-open path to the end zone.
The score gave the Phantoms a 14-7 lead on the final play of the third quarter. “That turned the game around,” Blunt said as the Phantoms dominated the fourth quarter of what had been an evenly played contest.”
Mayo’s two interception returns for scores made him the third Phantom to achieve that feat in 2021. Donald Gatling returned two picks for TDs in the fall season opener against Lake Taylor.
The second interception featured the repertoire of skills that make Mayo dangerous not only as a cornerback and safety, but also as a receiver: his good hands, speed and ability to read breaks. Mayo’s 24 receptions for 476 yards and seven touchdowns are a close second to Gray’s team-high 25 catches for 491 yards and 13 TDs.
“Being a receiver, I understand the receivers’ routes, their leverage, their breaks and can read a quarterback’s eyes to see where the ball is going, like I did on the second interception,” Mayo said.
With his (4.6-second 40-yard dash) speed, size, work ethic and enthusiasm for the game (football has been a first love since he saw a rec league game in Hampton at age 6), you’d think Mayo would be on some college’s radar screen. He’s not, but he remains patient.
“I’m confident I’ll play in college and the school that picks me won’t be making a mistake,” he said.
He’ll focus on that later. His primary concern at the moment is helping the Phantoms get back to the state playoffs.
Mayo was a freshman when they lost to Heritage of Lynchburg 24-20 in the Class 3 state championship game as their last-minute drive fell just short. A JV player then, he served as team manager during the playoffs and remembers the disappointment the seniors felt at the loss.
“I don’t want to end that way, so I’m going to push my team as hard as I can to get back and to win,” he said. “It’s all about the saying: ‘Big Team Little Me.’
“If you’re just about yourself and not your teammates, get off the field.”