Green Run moves a step closer to its first Beach District football title in 26 years
When Brandon Williams was hired as Green Run’s football coach, the former Norfolk State player spoke about loyalty and accountability as pillars for a successful program.
Four years later, Williams and the No. 3 Stallions (7-0) are elite and inching closer to their first Beach District title since 1995.
Green Run shut out rival Bayside 35-0 Friday at Bayside, morphing a 7-0 halftime lead into a rout.
“Since Day One we always preach accountability and loyalty,” Williams said. “We’ve definitely taken our hits around here, and these guys have started to finally buy in to what we’re trying to preach to them. And it’s showing on the field.”
Quarterback Xavier Davis accounted for 247 total yards, completing 11 of 19 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
“We knew Bayside was a rivalry game,” Davis said. “We knew it was gonna be intense. We knew it’d be a physical game. ... We just came out and played the best game we could and obviously made some mistakes in the first half, but we put it up and 35-0, so overall a good game.”
Penalties and turnovers on both sides made for a sloppy first half. Keylen Adams took a quick pass 30 yards for a score before turnovers derailed Green Run’s offense.
Three times Bayside recovered or returned a turnover into Green Run territory, and all three times the Stallions’ defense rose to the occasion.
Bayside gained just 96 total yards.
“That’s big-time defense. That’s championship defense,” Williams said. “When the defense has its back against the wall, that’s how you know you’re a good defense, and our defense stepped up tonight. I’m proud of them.”
Quedrion Miles had two interceptions and returned the second 40 yards for the game’s final score.
“The defense definitely held it down,” Davis said. “We got their back most of the time and they got our back. If we can’t get the job done, we can trust them to keep the score down to zero.”
Christian Parham rushed for two touchdowns in the second half to showcase another of Green Run’s many weapons.
Players like Parham, Tayon Holloway, Tasean Young-Stieff and Sammy Wiggins make for an electric offense that the senior Davis loves to lead.
“All of them can take it to the crib,” Davis said. “Makes my job a little bit easier. Obviously, I still gotta make the throws and I like the fact that my o-line keeps me protected. ... We’re just all-around a good team.”
Ray Nimmo, 757-446-2364, ray.nimmo@pilotonline.com
