ALL-STAR WEEKEND - GAME #2 - The VHSCA All-Star Game Ends Tied at 28

by Jim McGrath, recruit757

HAMPTON — In a game as wild and wooly as the weather surrounding it, the Red and Blue teams degrees, but ended with bouts of heavy rain and wind. In the end, it was the player who possibly traveled the farthest to participate that decided the game’s outcome.
of Virginia squared off at Darling Stadium on Sunday for the VHSCA All-Star Game. The players traveled from all over Virginia to take part in the game, which started with weather conditions of sunny and 75

With ten seconds remaining and trailing 27-24, the Red Team, coached by South County’s Gerry Pannoni, faced fourth down-and-three at the Blue 20-yard line. Pannoni looked in the direction of his kicker, Jordon Stout, from tiny Honaker High School, located deep in the southwest corner of the state, just 40 miles southeast of Elkhorn City, Kentucky. Earlier in the quarter, and with a chance to tie the game, Stout had attempted a 37-yard kick that cleared the crossbar and would have made the distance from 55 yards. However, the ball went over the goal post and was ruled a miss.

Stout would not miss a second time. His second 37-yard attempt was perfect, ensuring the tie.

“I was hoping for another chance,” said Stout, who is being recruited heavily by Virginia Tech, Arkansas and Bowling Green. “The first one went over the goalpost, and I thought they were going to call it good.”

Stout would have one more important kick, as the Reds’ special teams still had to make a stop on Hampton’s electrifying return man, Dazz Newsome, on the ensuing kickoff.

That prospect was not a guarantee. In the first quarter, Newsome had provided the game’s most exciting play. Standing at midfield awaiting a punt, the ball bounced ten yards in front of the Virginia Tech-bound Newsome, who looked as if he would allow the Red team to down the ball. However, on the third bounce, and amidst a trio of Red special teamers, Newsome grabbed the ball out of midair and started running through the middle of the coverage. Once he reached the 25, Newsome broke toward the right sideline and scored on an improbable 52-yard return, which gave the Blues a 14-3 lead.

On the final kickoff, Stout and the Red team managed to avoid Newsome by kicking the ball into the end zone. On the next play, Brady Dodson intercepted an errant Blue pass, but the Reds last-ditch pass with three seconds to go sailed wide.

The Red team got on the board first. After an interception gave them possession at the Blue 45, Jake Sturgill (Abingdon) found Elijah Smith (Stafford) for a 16-yard pass. A personal foul penalty gave the Reds an additional 15 yards, setting up a 1st-and-10 situation from the 14, and leading to Stout’s 32-yard field goal, giving Pannoni’s team an early 3-0 edge.

John-Luke Asbury connected with Trevon Stewart on a 45-yard TD pass, to put the Blue team ahead 7-3. Nevertheless, after Newsome’s touchdown, the Reds stormed right back, with Jack McDaniel (South County) finding Elijah Smith (Stafford) for a long 71-yard score to make the score 14-10.

Five of the game’s six touchdowns came on plays of 45 yards or more. In the second quarter, Sturgill connected with Kris Thornton (Osbourn) for a 59-yard touchdown. However, Aidan Marshall’s field goal with seven seconds left in the first half evened the score at 17.

The game was chock full of turnovers, including seven interceptions between both squads. Toward the end of the third quarter, Stafford’s Mondell Hampton got a hold of a Red pass and returned the ball 50 yards for a score that put the Blue team ahead 27-17, and within the grasp of putting the game away.

Yet the Red team remained resilient. After a Jason Scales pickoff gave the Reds possession at the Blue 23, it was Jamorya Cousin who ran the ball five consecutive times, with his fifth, a nine-yarder, pulling the Reds to within three points, and leading to the game’s decisive kick by Stout.

The VHSCA (Virginia High School Coaches Association) game, directed by Hampton’s legendary coach Mike Smith, has become the concluding contest of the All-Star games and unofficially marked the end of the players’ high school careers.

It was a point that was noticed by several of the participants, who were picked by a draft this year rather than being assigned to a team by geography.

A trio of South County players, quarterback Jack McDaniel, cornerback Veronta Jones, and lineman Cameron Lucas, stood in front of their bench 20 minutes after the game and looked back on their high school careers.

“It was the best four years of my life,” said McDaniel, who started the season as the Stallions’ backup, but ended up leading the D.C.-Metro area in touchdown passes with 36.

“I’ll miss the brotherhood aspect of it, the camaraderie,” added Jones, who like McDaniel, has attracted interest from a number of FCS schools in the Pioneer, Patriot, and CAA conferences.

“High school football shaped me as a person,” said Lucas. “The trials and tribulations made me more humble. I realized that others cannot be blessed with my size (6’7”, 310 lbs.) and opportunities.” Lucas is focusing his college effort on playing for an HBCU (Historically Black College & University), and has received the most interest from Norfolk State and Delaware State.

All three players expect to make their final decisions close to the official Signing Day in early February.

Quarterback Bryce Witt of 4A runner-up Dinwiddie was also reflective.

“It has gone by so fast,” said Witt, who has drawn interest from a number of Division II and II schools, including U. VA-Wise. Speaking of the game itself, he likened the experience to stepping up a level in competition. “You have a lot of fun meeting guys that you don’t know – the best athletes in the state. But, they’re a little faster, and better.”

– Jim McGrath

RED 10, 7, 0, 10 — 27
BLUE 14, 3, 10, 0 — 27

1st Quarter
Red: Stout 32 FG
Blue: Stewart 45 pass from Asbury (Marshall kick)
Blue: Newsome 52 punt return (Marshallkick)
Red: E. Smith 71 pass from McDaniel (Stout kick)

2nd Quarter
Red: Thornton 59 pass from Sturgill (Stout kick)
Blue: Marshall 26 FG

3rd Quarter
Blue: Marshall 37 FG
Blue: Hampton 50 int. return (Marshall kick)

4th Quarter
Red: Cousin 9 run (Stout kick)
Red: Stout 37 FG

Red Blue
First downs; 8, 10
Rushes-yards; 25-37, 20-43
Passing yards; 223, 94
Comp-att-int.; 10-27-4, 7-20-3
Penalties-yards; 2-20, 7-65
Punts-avg; 4-31, 5-38
Fumbles-lost; 1-0, 1-0

ALL-STAR WEEKEND - GAME #1 - Richmond (804) Outlasts Hampton Roads (757) 14-7 at I-64 Bowl

L.C. Bird's Shedrick McCall gained 191 yards on 28 carries
to lead the 804 Team to a 14-7 win over Hampton Roads (757)

by Jim McGrath, recruit757/recruit804

VIRGINIA BEACH – For one more weekend, high school football is alive and well in Virginia, as a trio of All-Star games are taking place in Hampton Roads.

In Virginia Beach, the I-64 Bowl made its debut at the Sportsplex on Saturday. While the name was new, the game was not. Established by Playmaker’s Sports Marketing, this is actually the third game. In 2014, the inaugural game was called the Adidas 757 High School All-Star Football Game, and was held at Powhatan Field in Norfolk. The following year, the game was retooled and renamed, as the Virginia National Guard All-Star Game.

Regardless of the moniker, the objective remained mostly unchanged. While other games featured Peninsula players versus their Southside counterparts, for this year, PSM President Craig Spruill and Event Coordinator Oliver Walmon knew that they needed to find a new niche to distinguish their game from the others. With this in mind, they changed the opponents, combining the Peninsula and Southside teams into a coordinated 757 team, while attracting a new opponent. For this, they merely had to look 60 miles up the road to the River City, Richmond.

Thus, a new battle was born – the battle of Hampton Roads versus Richmond prep football. And in this edition of the I-64 Bowl, it was the team from the state capital that emerged victorious, as Team 804 defeated Team 757 14-7.

The game featured approximately 40 players from Hampton Roads against 40 from Richmond. This year’s version attracted some All-American talent, including Cox’s Jordan Williams, Bishop Sullivan’s Tahj Capehart, Indian River’s Devon Hunter and Benedictine linebacker Ellis Brooks, as well as All-Staters such as Phoebus’ Jonathan Gregory, recently named the 3A Defensive Player of the Year.

Not all of the players are All-American or All-State. In fact, according to Walmon, the purpose of the game is to give the some of the lesser known players a chance to shine under a bright light.

“We have had at least 30 players from previous games that received scholarships,” said Walmon. “This gives the athletes who may not have received any offers yet a chance to showcase their talent. There are a number of coaches from Division I to Division III who will view the DVD of this game and extend an offer to an athlete.”

Other players continue to wait on their decision, such as Menchville’s Nick Webster, a linebacker and punter. Monarch head coach Ray Savage Jr. has done a remarkable job getting his athletes noticed as eight players moved on to play at various colleges after a 1-9 season with Menchville. This year’s Menchville team was also 1-9, but several players have attracted college notice, something that Webster noted, but he also hopes for more looks.

“I got a couple of offers from schools,” said Webster, noting that they were for partial scholarships. Asked what he could gain from playing in an All-Star game of this caliber, Webster thought toward the future.

“It’s like playing in a college game before you go to college.”

The 804 team, coached by L. C. Bird’s Chamont Thompson, had the momentum from the opening kickoff on Saturday, a kick that made the ball travel 25 yards in the air before bouncing off the chest of a 757 player and landing in the hands of an 804 player.

Starting at the 50-yard line, quarterback Trey Laughlin handed off to Bird’s Shedrick McCall for six straight plays. McCall was effective, gaining 23 yards and a first down on his first five runs. On the sixth play, a fourth-and-one from the 757’s 27-yard line, McCall took the hand off and dashed through the middle, running untouched for the team’s first score.

After a short drive failed for the 757 squad, Laughlin and McCall went right back to work. McCall carried six more times, moving the ball from the 804’s 27-yard line to the 42 of the 757 team. On the drive’s seventh play, Laughlin finally called another number, his own, sweeping right, and then breaking toward the middle of the field, avoiding at least five tackles on his way to a 42-yard touchdown. The extra point made the score 14-0, which held up through a scoreless second quarter.

The 757’s offensive team found its way to the scoreboard late in the third quarter. Facing direct pressure from a defensive front, led by Rashard Ashby (L.C. Bird), Indian River quarterback Keyshawn Brown scrambled back and forth behind the line of scrimmage at his 40, before launching a bomb that found his receiving teammate Germeek Knight at the 20-yard line. Knight faked out two defenders and coasted into the end zone. Bethel’s John Vassilakopoulos’ extra point cut the lead in half at 14-7.

McCall led all rushers with 191 yards on 28 carries.

The game capped a weekend of festivities, which included a jersey ceremony at Buffalo Wild Wings in Newport News on Friday night with former NFL player Wali Ranier. At the jersey event, a lifetime achievement award was given to former longtime Bethel football coach Dennis Kozlowski. Kozlowski won a state title at Bethel with a young quarterback named Allen Iverson.

– Jim McGrath

Team 757 0, 0, 7, 0 — 7
Team 804 14, 0, 0, 0 — 14

1st Quarter
804 – McCall 27 run (kick good)
804 – Laughlin 42 run (kick good)

3rd Quarter
757 – Knight 60 pass from Brown (Vassilakopoulos kick)

Virginia 6A State HS Football Championship: Westfield Ousts Oscar Smith 34-28 in Double Overtime Rematch

by Jim McGrath, recruit757

WESTFIELD 34, OSCAR SMITH 28 (2 OT)

HAMPTON – Mirroring last year’s instant classic, the rematch of the 6A state football championship between Westfield and Oscar Smith was every bit as exciting as last year. And when the Tigers’ Deangelo White’s carry on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line was thwarted by nose tackle Nauz Calhoun just short of the goal line in the second overtime, it was the Bulldogs who emerged as the repeating state champions 34-28.

The game was Westfield’s to lose as they entered the fourth quarter with a 21-7 lead. Yet, VHSL all-time passing touchdown leader Shon Mitchell brought the Tigers back – first, with a 33-yard scoring pass to Khalik Perry, followed by Mitchell, who finished a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard sneak into the end zone with seven seconds remaining in regulation.

Since Oscar Smith had missed the previous extra point, the Tigers had to convert a two-point conversion to complete the tie. With the game on the line, Mitchell pitched to White who swept left and dove into the end zone, ensuring the overtime.

“We didn’t want overtime,” said Mitchell (17-30, 320 yds. 3 TD). We had caught momentum and wanted to beat them in regulation. But they are tough. That’s the type of team that gets punched in the mouth and punches right back.”

Oscar Smith’s Cam’Ron Kelly and Westfield’s Nathaniel Chung exchanged touchdowns in the first overtime, setting up the climatic finish.

After two incompletions from the ten-yard line, Westfield quarterback Rehman Johnson (14-26, 221 yards, 4 TD, INT) found Ivory Frimpong in the back corner of the end zone, and the senior receiver stayed inbounds to give the Bulldogs a 34-28 lead.

With their final possession, Mitchell handed off to White for four yards, and then was dropped for no gain as he tried to find an open receiver. The Tigers received a false start penalty, and then fumbled on the next play, with only a savvy save by Keyon Watson ensuring just a one-yard loss. Mitchell had to scramble again on the next play, but rushed to the left sideline and picked up eight yards to set up the game-deciding play.

With the win, Westfield (13-2) earned its second consecutive state title and fourth in school history. Oscar Smith (13-2) made it to the state final in its first season under Coach Bill Dee, who came to the Tigers after amassing 243 wins at Southampton and Phoebus, along with four 5A state titles as the Phantoms’ coach, before entering the college ranks for several years and returning to the prep sidelines.

For the Bulldogs, a gain in confidence after starting the season 4-2, helped fuel their championship run.

Said Johnson, “Coach (Simmons) gave me the confidence to run our plays and the trust for me to throw the ball. He realized our talent and potential and opened up the playbook.”

Added Simmons, “I liked to think that we were crescendo-ing. We had adversity in the midseason, but this was a sign of how far we have come.”

Mitchell, who at times had trouble deciphering Colonial Forge’s defense last weekend, combined with Thomas Woodhouse in the game’s opening minute to make a strong statement. Mitchell found Woodhouse on an underneath route, and the senior receiver took the ball the rest of the way to the end zone to complete a 69-yard touchdown pass. Austin Benoit’s extra point gave the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

Mitchell completed seven of nine passes in the first quarter, and was successful at finding gaps in the Bulldog defense. But, like Colonial Forge last week, the Bulldogs began to drop eight defenders against the pass.

“They ran an inverted Cover-2 where the safety goes over to help,” said Mitchell, who will be playing for William and Mary next year. “But there’s no excuse. We had the momentum.”

However, Westfield was just getting warmed up. With Johnson under center, the Bulldogs are known for their ability to hold on to the ball. Their offense had sporadic spells earlier in the season, but Westfield hit all of their cylinders last week in a 42-12 thrashing of South Lakes in the 6A North Region final.

After Woodhouse’s touchdown, Johnson went to work, completing a seven-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that chewed up a mere 1:16 off the clock and culminated with Johnson finding tight end Nolan Cockrill open in the end zone for a seven-yard score, evening the score at seven, which is how the opening quarter ended.

Mitchell’s ability to find open receivers ceased in the second quarter as the large defensive front of the Bulldogs found their way through the Tiger line and sacked him for a pair of losses. He managed to complete just two of six passes for the rest of the half.

Meanwhile, Westfield was continuing its methodical roll. Johnson found Sean Eckert open in the right corner of the end zone after a down-and-out route. His six-yard TD put Westfield ahead 14-7 at the half.

The Dogs carried their momentum into the second half, cobbling together an eight-play, 71-yard drive, that ended with Chung finding the end zone on a four-yard run.

Shon Mitchell finished his prep career with 123 touchdown passes to extend his Virginia state record. He also will finish as the all-time state leader for completions and yardage.

– Jim McGrath

WESTFIELD      7, 7, 7, 0, 7, 6 — 34
OSCAR SMITH 7, 0, 0, 14, 7,0 — 28

1st Quarter
OS – Woodhouse 69 pass from Mitchell (Benoit kick)
WF – Cockrill 7 pass (Delaney kick)

2nd Quarter
WF – Eckert 6 pass from R. Johnson (Delaney kick)

3rd Quarter
WF – Chung 4 run (Delaney kick)

4th Quarter
OS – Perry 33 pass from Mitchell (kick failed)
OS – Mitchell 2 run (White run)

Overtime
OS – Kelly 10 pass from Mitchell (Benoit kick)
WF – Cockrill 6 pass from R. Johnson (Delaney kick)

2nd Overtime
OS – Frimpong 10 pass from R. Johnson (kick failed)
  
                         WF      OS
First downs; 15, 14
Rushes-yards; 35-115, 35-85
Passing yards; 221, 320
Comp-att-int; 14-26-1, 17-30-0
Penalties-yards; 5-43, 10-87
Punts-avg; 5-36.6, 5-44.6
Fumbles-lost; 2-0, 2-0
Time of possession; 34:36, 37:24

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS: Rushing: Westfield – Nathaniel Chung 17-46, Rehman Johnson 8-37, Nolan Cockrill 4-19, Matt Cirillo 3-11, Sean Eckert 2- (-2). Total 35 for 120. Oscar Smith – Deangelo White 13-43, Shon Mitchell 15-23, Keyon Watson 5-11, Khalik Perry 1-5, Keshon Artis 1-3. Total 35 for 125. Passing: Westfield – R. Johnson 14-26, 221 yds. 4 TD, INT. Oscar Smith – S. Mitchell 17-30, 320 yds. 3 TD. Receiving: Westfield – Ivory Frimpong 5-95, TD; Eckert 3-29, TD; Cockrill 3-23, 2 TD; Kevin Petrillo 2-62, Cirillo 1-12. Oscar Smith – Perry 8-139, TD, CamRon Kelly 4-73, TD; White 3-29, Thomas Woodhouse 2-79, TD.

Virginia 5A State HS Football Championship: Highland Springs Outlasts Stone Bridge 35-29 in Rematch

As seen on Recruit804.com

HIGHLAND SPRINGS 35, STONE BRIDGE 29

HAMPTON – With a last-minute drive, Highland Springs captured their second straight 5A state championship, coming back from a 13-point deficit to defeat Stone Bridge 35-29 on Saturday at Armstrong Stadium.

After Bradley Block’s third touchdown of the game cut the Springer lead to 28-27 with 1:22 remaining in the game, the Bulldogs called a timeout to discuss their conversion options. According to Stone Bridge coach Mickey Thompson, there wasn’t much of a discussion.

“We were going for it the whole time,” said Thompson, who has now taken the Bulldogs to seven state championships, but won only once, in 2007.

The decision proved to be correct as Leland Girdy swept in from the two-yard line to give Stone Bridge a 29-28 lead with 1:14 left in the game. From there, the Bulldogs attempted a squib kick that landed in the hands of Billy Kemp, who returned the ball 36 yards to the Springer 33.

“Our kicking game caused a short field for our defense all day,” said Thompson. “We aim left, and the ball goes right. They would get 25-30 yards on kickoffs, and sometimes I don’t know what the heck is going to happen.”

A 12-yard pass to Chris Thaxton gave the Springers a first-and-10 at the 21. On the next play, an 18-yard pass to Isiaiah Winstead moved the ball to the 3. From there, Carter found Thaxton wide open in the middle of the end zone for the game winner.

“We ran a slant, slant, flat, and I ran an outside wheel route” said Thaxton of the game-winning catch. “The safety turned one way, and I got open.”

Stone Bridge opened the game in complete control, dominating the run (126 yards rushing in first quarter) and time of possession. Their first drive (ten plays, 43 yards) was a ground game clinic. After an incomplete pass, Leland Girdy opened with a nine-yard sweep, followed by a pair of Block carries totaling ten yards. Josh Breece gathered a first down with his 16-yard run, setting up a first-and-goal from the 8. On fourth-and-2, Block took the direct snap and bulled through his line into the end zone. Block’s extra point gave the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead.

The Springers took the ensuing kickoff just over the midfield line, and Kemp’s 19-yard run opened up a first-and-10 opportunity for Highland Springs at the Stone Bridge 30.  But the Springers would get no farther, with Carter dropped on the 30 after a four-yard run on 4^th-and-9, giving Stone Bridge the ball.

The Dogs wasted no time. Breece snapped off runs of 17 and 21 yards, giving the “home” team first-and-10 at the Springers 36. Two plays later, Girdy’s 13-yard dash led to another first down, at the 17. An offsides penalty against Highland moved the ball inside the 10. From there, Lawyer drove for seven tough yards, and then Block pushed ahead for a single yard, and then another; however, his last push crossed the goal and gave the Dogs a 13-0 lead. The two-point conversion failed after a fumbled snap and Stone Bridge enjoyed a 13-0 lead after the first quarter.

A 33-yard kickoff return by Rell Coley gave the Springers great field position at the Bulldog 37 to end the first quarter, but the Stone Bridge defense held strong and forced a fourth-and-2, stopping Carter after no gain. With their three plays, the Dogs failed to move the ball, and then compounded their error by electing to go for a first down with fourth-and-seven at their own 32. Josh Lawyer was wrapped up after gaining only a yard, leaving the Springers with their first true scoring threat at the Bulldog 33.

With renewed opportunity, Carter went right to work, first scrambling for a 14-yard gain, and then running through a seam in the middle of his line for a 19-yard touchdown. Jack Notley’s extra point closed the Stone Bridge lead to 13-7, which held up until halftime.

Speaking of the short drive, Carter noted that his nerves had gotten the better of him early in the game. “I had to calm down and take a deep breath,” said the senior, who completed 14 of 25 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns, and added 78 yards on the ground.

Highland Springs coach Loren Johnson saw the Stone Bridge decision that led to the first touchdown as a turning point.

“There are multiple turning points in a game. That was definitely the first one,” said Johnson, who has now won three titles as head of the Springer program, including last year’s 27-7 win over the same Bulldog team.

Perhaps more amazing was that Stone Bridge held a 32:42-15:18 edge in time of possession. In fact, all of Highland’s 21 fourth-quarter points were scored in a period of 2:14.

STONE BRIDGE                    13, 0, 0, 16 -- 29

HIGHLAND SPRINGS            0, 7, 7, 21 -- 35

1^st Quarter

SB – Block 1 run (Block kick)

SB – Block 1 run (run failed)

2^nd Quarter

HS – J. Carter 19 run (Notley kick)

3^rd Quarter

HS – Winstead 13 pass from J. Carter (Notley kick)

4^th Quarter

SB – Breece 22 run (Breece run)

HS – Harkless 62 run (Notley kick)

HS – J. Jackson 48 pass (Notley kick)

SB – Block 1 run (Girdy run)

HS – Thaxton 3 pass (Notley kick)

          SB    HS

First downs;     24, 16

Rushes-yards;  70-401, 22-181

Passing yards;  2, 196

Comp-att-int;   1-9-2, 14-25-0

Penalties-yards; 6-60, 12-86

Punts-avg;     1-41, 0-0

Fumbles-lost;  0-0, 1-1

Time of possession; 32:42, 15:18

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS: Rushing: Stone Bridge – Josh Breece 27-213, Bradley Block 22-96, Leland Girdy 12-78, Josh Lawyer 7-17, Easton Turner 2- (-3). Total 70 for 401. Highland Springs – Juwan Carter 13-84, Willie Harkless 3-71, Billy Kemp 1-19, Shyrie McKeiver 4-9, Team 1- (-2). Total 22 for 181. Passing: Stone Bridge – Easton Turner 1-8-2, 2 yds. Leland Girdy 0-1-0, 0 yds. Highland Springs – Juwan Carter 14-25-0, 196 yds. 3 TD. Receiving: Stone Bridge – Leland Girdy 1-2. Highland Springs – Chris Thaxton 5-42, TD, James Jackson 4-83, TD, Isiaiah Winstead 3-39, TD, Billy Kemp 1-24, Shyrie McKeiver 1-8.

Hampton Roads Game of Week #15: Oscar Smith Moves to 6A State Title Game With 27-20 Win Over Colonial Forge: Mitchell's Record Breaking TD Pass Comes with 10 Seconds Left in Game

As seen on recruit757.com:

Shon Mitchell sets a new record with his final pass of the day and the Tigers move on

by Jim McGrath, recruit757

OSCAR SMITH 27, COLONIAL FORGE 20

For Shon Mitchell, his 6A state semifinal game story could not have been better if a Hollywood screenwriter had penned it.

With 16 seconds left in a game tied at 20, Mitchell dropped back to pass from the Eagle 22, looked to his right and saw receiver Khalik Perry three yards behind his defender and angling toward the bright orange pylon in the back of the end zone. Mitchell’s arching pass found Perry, who caught the ball and fell backwards, securing the game winning touchdown, as Oscar Smith scored the game’s last 14 points to pull out a 27-20 win over Colonial Forge.

With the win, Oscar Smith will now face Westfield, from Chantilly, in next week’s 6A state championship, which will be played next Saturday at Armstrong Stadium on the campus of Hampton University. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 49-42 in last year’s title game, one which took three overtimes to decide. That game broke a perfect 13-0 season for Oscar Smith, and was followed by the departure of then-Coach Richard Morgan.

The game-winning play was set up by a Colonial Forge fumble with just over a minute left, a ball that was buried under a sea of players at the Eagle 40 before being awarded to the Tigers. On the third play, Mitchell found Perry over the middle for a 18-yard gain, to put the ball at the 22 and set up the climatic ending.

For Mitchell, his final pass of the day was historic. With his 120th career passing touchdown, the William and Mary-bound senior passed former Tiger Phillip Sims for the all-time Virginia state prep record. With the win, he will have a chance to add to the total next week, as Oscar Smith will play one more game, a state title rematch with Westfield, who earned their spot with an easy 42-12 win over South Lakes.

Storybook ending? After the game, Mitchell was asked to describe his feeling about the perfection of the finale. “Awesome,” quipped the mindful signal caller. “That’s the only word to describe it.”

It wasn’t awesome in the beginning.

There was the first quarter interception of Mitchell by Josh Sarratt, which occurred on a play from the Tiger 5 and led to Colonial Forge’s second touchdown, one which gave them a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter. There were the three other passes that landed right in the hands of Eagle defenders, only to be dropped. There was the interception to open the second half, as Sarratt once again picked off Mitchell, and returned the ball to the 12, resulting in a Jadon Redding field goal to bump the Forge lead to 20-14, and stifle the bit of momentum the Tigers had built before halftime when Keyon Watson’s two-yard touchdown burst closed the Eagle lead to 17-13.

In fact, for the first 47 minutes of the football game, the Tigers’ longest pass was the 39-yarder thrown by wide receiver Cam’Ron Kelly to Thomas Woodhouse to ignite a seven-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in Watson's touchdown.

“They were rushing three and dropping eight. That made it hard to find somebody open,” said Mitchell after the game. Speaking of the game-winning score to Perry, he noted, “All respect to Khalik on that one. He got open and made a great catch.” As far as the near interceptions went, he added, “You gotta have a short-term memory.”

Along with Perry, it was Woodhouse who made key plays. The senior receiver caught three passes for 71 yards, and the two combined for the game’s most notable special teams play. Punting from midfield, Perry blocked the Colonial Forge kick, which bounced sideways and was scooped up by Woodhouse, who scampered 40 yards for the Tigers first touchdown of the day.

“He balled it today,” said Mitchell.

Woodhouse was also diplomatic. Asked about his biggest play of the day, the senior receiver recalled another play, before talking about his teammate D’Angelo White, and then coach, Bill Dee.

“I felt for Deangelo,” said Woodhouse, talking about White, who carried four times for eight yards before leaving the game just before halftime with a knee injury. White, the Tigers leading rusher with over 1,100 yards, played in last week’s 13-0 win over Woodside, just one day after the passing of his father, and scored a crucial touchdown. “I lost my father just before last season, so I know what he’s going through,” said Woodhouse.

His thoughts moved to Coach Dee, who is leading the Tigers to the state championship game in his first season at Oscar Smith, after a storied career at Phoebus where he won four 5A state titles with the Phantoms, and then moved to coaching positions at Christopher Newport, and Old Dominion, before returning to the high school ranks this year.

“We’re not used to playing from behind, but Coach always the says the game is not over. You have to trust the process. Coach Dee came here in his first year and instilled trust in us.”

Dee was less concerned about the outcome of the South Lakes-Westfield contest, at least for today.

“I was worried about this one today. We fought to the bitter end,” said Dee who has now won 256 games at the high school ranks and will be traveling to a familiar site next Saturday, Armstrong Stadium, for next week’s state championship. “Our guys have been in these battles, and just don’t quit.

Asked if Dee’s four state titles might help the Tigers against Westfield, the team that beat them in last year’s final, Woodhouse managed a smile, one that was deserved after a hard day on the field.

“It helps.”

– Jim McGrath

COLONIAL FORGE 14, 3, 3, 0 — 20
OSCAR SMITH 7, 6, 7, 7 — 27

1st Quarter
CF – Barnum 2 run (Redding kick)
OS – Woodhouse 40 return on blocked punt (Benoit kick)
CF – Roberts 19 pass from Barnum (Redding kick)

2nd Quarter
CF – Redding 37 FG
OS – Watson 2 run (kick failed)

3rd Quarter
CF – Redding 21 FG
OS – Artis 8 run (Benoit kick)

4th Quarter
OS – Perry 22 pass from S. Mitchell (Benoit kick)

                       CF OS
First downs; 14, 13
Rushes-yards; 36-76, 26-53
Passing yards; 128, 215
Comp-att-int; 11-21-2, 15-32-2
Penalties-yards; 3-20, 10-73
Punts-avg; 4-30.7, 5-34.0
Fumbles-lost; 3-1, 1-0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS: Rushing: Colonial Forge-Antonio McCray 15-57, Kenard McNeal 3-6, Ernesto Bowen 3-5, Liam Kauthen 1-2, Omaro Barnum 1-2, TD, Ethan Garwood 9- (-1), Josh Sarratt 3-5. Total 36 for 76. Oscar Smith – Keyon Watson 14-26, TD; Thomas Woodhouse 2-10, Keshon Artis 3-12, TD; DeAngelo White 4-8; Shon Mitchell 3-(minus 3). Total 26 for 53. Passing: Colonial Forge – Garwood 10-20-2, 109 yards, 2 INT; Barnum 1-1-0, 19 yards, TD. Oscar Smith – Mitchell 14-31-2, 176 yards, TD, 2 INT; CamRon Kelly 1-1-0, 39 yards. Receiving: Colonial Forge – Mark Roberts 4-62, TD; Mitchell Shinskie 1-19; Kareem Burgess 2-17; Zack Kindel 1-14; Sarratt 2-12; McCray 1-4. Oscar Smith – Woodhouse 3-71; Khalik Perry 4-73, TD; Watson 3-38; Kelly 4-30; White 1-3.