Expectations for Southampton High School’s varsity football team remain high as ever, galvanized this year by the 2023 squad recording the program’s first playoff win in more than 20 years.

The results for last year’s team were mixed, as it finished with an overall record of 6-6, but the No. 7-seeded Indians were able to pen an exciting chapter in the program’s history when they upset host No. 2 Central Lunenburg High School 44-30 in the Region 2A Tournament quarterfinals.

Travis Parker returns for his sixth year as Big Red’s head coach, and he kept the bar high as he explained the expectations he and the team have for the 2024 campaign.

“Our expectations are, No. 1, to win the Tri-Rivers District Championship, No. 2, win the Region 2A Championship, and No. 3, play in the (Class) 2 State Tournament and ultimately bring home Southampton’s fifth state championship,” he said.

Parker and his staff will be looking to meet these expectations by continuing to develop young men into skilled student-athletes who can play football at the collegiate level.

Parker highlighted a few such players who the 2024 Indians will miss.

Chris Blue, who starred for Big Red last season as a linebacker and halfback, will be playing football at Virginia State University this coming season on a scholarship.

Punter Aaron Braid was excellent at “flipping the field” for Southampton for the past two years, and he will be attending and playing football for Averett University.

Kashawn Marrow was a four-year starter for the Indians on the offensive line, and though he suffered a leg injury that prematurely ended his 2023 season, he still earned a roster spot at Christopher Newport University.

Parker also put a spotlight on Tremir Roberts, a four-year varsity wide receiver and defensive back who stepped up behind center for the latter half of the 2023 season when quarterback Zayden Pope was sidelined by injury.

But the 2024 Indians have some promising prospects looking to stand out like their predecessors did, and some of them were already shining alongside them, like wide receiver/punt and kick returner Steven McClenny. 

Parker noted that McClenny was an all-district, all-region and all-state player in 2023.

“His production as a wide receiver was over 1,500 all-purpose offensive yards and 15 touchdowns,” the coach said. “We are happy to have him on our team for his senior year. His speed and athleticism are explosive. We expect him to surpass his 2023 contribution.”

Parker then highlighted Pope, now a junior who is back to health and back behind center.

“In 2023, he was our starting quarterback as a sophomore until he broke his collarbone midseason,” the coach said. “He had a great offseason, and we look forward to him leading our offense from the quarterback position.”

Senior Javonte Lynch will continue to be a leader from the running back position.

“We expect him to pick up where he left off at the end of the 2023 season,” Parker said. “Javonte earned all-district honors because of his over-1,000-rushing-yard performance in 2023.”

The coach stated that sophomore Michael Dubovsky, junior Braylon Dent and senior Timmy Jones Jr. are returning starters on the offensive line who will anchor Big Red’s offense up front.

Parker pointed to a trio of players he expects to help lead Southampton on defense, starting with linebacker/strong safety Lavon Lashley Jr.

“He enters his senior year after ending the 2023 season on a high at strong safety,” Parker said. “We believe his strength, high football IQ and speed will make our defense very good this season.”

Kelin Benjamin, now a junior, started at outside linebacker in 2023.

“We are expecting him to do very well for us because of the experience he got last season,” Parker said.

Lastly, after noting that Jones would help anchor the team’s line on offense, the coach highlighted him again.

“He is a senior who had a very good junior year on the defensive line,” Parker said. “He earned all-district and all-region honors in 2023. He will anchor our defense up front.”

This will be Southampton’s second season playing at the Virginia High School League’s Class 2 level after moving there from Class 3 due to reduced enrollment, but Parker indicated that he and the team are still benefiting from the tests provided by the Class 3 opponents that remain on the schedule.

“We look forward to our non-conference, (Class) 3 opponents Colonial Heights, Petersburg and Lakeland to gauge our development before going into district play in the second half of the season,” he said.

Big Red opened the season Thursday, Aug. 29, with a 38-35 victory on the road against Colonial Heights High School.

Next, Southampton (1-0) visits Westmoreland High School on Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m.

 

2024 Southampton High School Indians Schedule

Aug. 29: Colonial Heights – away – 7 p.m.

Sept. 6: Westmoreland – away – 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Petersburg – away – 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Bye

Sept. 27: Lakeland – at home – 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Sussex Central – at home – 7 p.m.

Oct. 10: Brunswick – at home – 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: Greensville County – away – 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: Surry County – away – 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: Windsor – at home – 7 p.m.

Nov. 8: Franklin – at home – 7 p.m.