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Most other teams would have considered this a rebuilding season. The Central High Chargers welcomed 19 new starters this year, with just two returnees on offense and one on defense. And yet, the team is  7-3 at this stage, winning their first playoff game 49-14 over Greensville County last week.
Now they’re ready for more, getting set to take on top-seeded Poquoson this Friday. The Islanders, 10-1 on the year, are the reigning two-time Region 2A champions. The first seed in the region, they are currently ranked No. 2 overall in the state in Class 2 by VirginiaPreps.com. 

And they’re coming off their own blowout win, having shut out eight-seeded John Marshall 67-0. 

Some teams would be leery of taking on a team this heavily favored. Chargers Head Coach Will Thomas sees it as a great opportunity. 

“(The season is) winding down and I feel like we haven’t gotten that signature win this year,” Thomas said. “You know, that one where maybe you shouldn’t have won, but you won. A game where it feels like it’s 50/50. Altavista was close, where we lost by a touchdown.  For me looking at it, I know it’s not going to be easy, but it would be great.”

For the season, Poquoson is averaging 30.8 points per game and are known for a stingy defense, yielding just 9.7 points per contest.  The only foe to score more than 21 on them was Class 4 member Smithfield, which came in a 34-31 quadruple-overtime thriller.  The lone loss to date was 14-6 in the regular season finale to unbeaten Lafayette, the Class 3 runner-up from last year.

‘They really execute well’ 

The Central High Chargers, meanwhile, comes in with similar statistics. They’re averaging 32.7 points per game in this “rebuilding” season, while giving up just 12.8. That defensive average would be even smaller, had it not been for a 28-7 loss against Buckingham back on Oct. 22. That game was one of just twice on the season when the Chargers scored less than 20 points, the other time happening back in September, in a 14-7 loss to Mecklenburg County. But as younger players develop and Central High improves, Thomas believes beating the Islanders is possible. He just knows the Chargers will have to come out swinging on offense. 

“I know Poquoson is really good and extremely well-coached. We’re going to have to have some big plays offensively, which is tough because of how tough they are and playing there,” Thomas added.  “They’ll bend here and there, but watching that Lafayette game was just a slugfest.  They play the way I like to play with two or three yards here and there, run the same play about 47 times, but they really execute well.”

Class of ‘26 rises up for Central High Chargers 

At times, Central’s defense was much-maligned in 2023, as they gave up 30-plus points on five separate occasions. In the end, that defense fell apart, as they lost to Southampton 44-30 in the first round. They’re already past that in this ‘rebuilding’ year, improving on both sides of the ball with multiple first-time starters. 

“Our defense is playing well.  We’ve had a few hiccups here and there, given up some big plays on occasion, but nothing too out of the ordinary,” Thomas noted.

“Against Buckingham, we gave up some big plays at times, but it wasn’t the defense’s fault.  Our offense couldn’t move the ball consistently.  A lot goes to that Buckingham defense, too, because they haven’t given up very many points.  They’re aggressive and really good at what they do.  Not playing as many kids both ways has been a big thing that has helped us this year.”

Thomas pointed to a host of players for the turnaround on that side of the ball.

Junior linebacker Keno McCain Jr. has enjoyed a breakout year, often leading the team in total tackles and making the splash plays that his teammates feed off of during key moments.  McCain was the team’s leader in total stops with 10 in the victory over Greensville.

“He’s really played great at linebacker.  When we started in August, he initially wasn’t in the first two groups there.  Those first four or five games at linebacker he was really unbelievable,” Thomas stated.

Another integral performer from the Class of 2026 is in the trenches, Ameer Hicks.

“Ameer has been a tremendous defensive lineman for us,” added Thomas.  “He’s lost like 100 pounds from last year to this year.  He was about 340 last year and was on J.V. last year.  We go after it in practice and we can’t block him in practice.  At d-tackle, he’s played really well for us.  He’s so strong and has gotten much quicker.”

Junior defensive back Conner Buchanan has stepped to the forefront as a reliable playmaker, nabbing two interceptions in their playoff win over Greensville County.

“Buchanan was our lone returning starter on defense and really performed well at corner.  They’ll throw at him because he looks small.  He’s a good tackler and has had some interceptions, too,” Thomas pointed out.  “Even though teams aren’t scared of him because he’s all of 130 pounds, he usually holds his own.”

A family connection 

Even from the Class of 2027, the Central High Chargers are getting a lift from offensive standout Chad Mattox, younger brother of William & Mary linebacker and former Lunenburg standout Connor Mattox.

“Chad has played great on defense, too.  At times, he’s our best defensive player, even though we try not to play him as much on defense to save him for the offensive side of the ball,” Thomas commented.  “He’s been running the ball for us and had a great run against Buckingham.”

And now it’s almost time to pack up and board the bus. The focus has been there in practice, the goal is clear. Central High players and their coach want to go on the road and stage an epic upset, finally claiming that signature win.