Defending Group AAA, Division 5 state champions, the Phoebus Phantoms open their 2007 season tomorrow night in a big-time match-up versus Maury. Head coach Bill Dee will certainly miss departed seniors such as OL Maurice Hampton (Maryland) and FB Haroon Brown (Maryland), but he returns a host of talented players led by top 2009 class prospects QB Tajh Boyd and DL/OL Dominik Davenport.

The 6-2, 200-pound Boyd completed 66 of 126 passes for 854 yards and nine touchdowns last season as a sophomore. From the end of the 2006 season until now, Boyd worked hard to improve his game. The result is more confidence heading into an important junior season.

“I did a lot of work in the offseason,” Boyd said. “People have told me I look better and to just keep it up, so that gave me more motivation to push. I still have to keep working, though.

“Right now, I feel like I still have to work on my reads a little more. But I feel like I’ve improved my speed, so I can make more plays.”

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