757Teamz football Top 15: Showdown between No. 2 Phoebus and No. 3 Oscar Smith arrives early this season

There’s no longer a wait til November for the anticipated showdown between South Hampton Roads power Oscar Smith and Peninsula juggernaut Phoebus.

After the teams met late in the regular season the past two years, the No. 2 Phantoms pay a visit to Chesapeake at 7 p.m. Friday to take on the third-ranked Tigers. It’s the third meeting in as many seasons between the two, and here’s hoping this one is more competitive: Oscar Smith won 42-0 in 2022, Phoebus won 56-0 last season.

Oscar Smith opened its season with a win over Hermitage last week, while Phoebus’ game against the Tigers is the Phantoms’ season opener.

Elsewhere in the top 15, top-ranked Maury gets underway with a home game against Wise of Maryland.

Staffers Sonny Dearth, Jami Frankenberry, Jim McGrath, Marty O’Brien, Larry Rubama, Michael Sauls and Dylan White voted in the poll.

Team, record, first place votes, total votes and last week’s ranking are included.

1. Maury 0-0 (6 first-place votes), 104 votes — 1

This week: at Wise (Md.), 7 p.m. Friday

2. Phoebus 0-0 (1), 97 — 2

This week: at Oscar Smith, 7 p.m. Friday

3. Oscar Smith 1-0, 88 — 3

This week: vs. Phoebus, 7 p.m. Friday

4. Green Run 1-0, 87 — 4

This week: vs. Cox, 7 p.m. Thursday

5. Warwick, 1-0, 79 — 5

This week: vs. Bethel at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m. Friday

6. Western Branch, 1-0, 74 — 6

This week: vs. Benedictine, 7 p.m. Thursday

7. Lake Taylor, 1-0, 67 — 7

This week: Idle

8. King’s Fork, 1-0, 52 — 9

This week: Idle

9. Lafayette, 1-0, 47 — 10

This week: vs. St. Christopher’s at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.

10. Warhill, 1-0, 38 — 11

This week: at Matoaca, 7 p.m. Friday

11. Nansemond River, 1-0, 37 — 13

This week: Idle

12. Cox, 1-0, 24 — 14

This week: at Green Run, 7 p.m. Thursday

13. Bayside, 1-0, 21 — NR

This week: vs. Tallwood, 7 p.m. Thursday

14. Salem, 0-1, 15 — 8

This week: at Ocean Lakes, 7 p.m. Thursday

15. Norcom, 1-0, 11 — 15

This week: vs. C.H. Flowers, 7 p.m. Friday

Also receiving votes: Indian River 6, Grafton 1, Granby 1, Poquoson 1.

Dropped out: Indian River (0-1).