Football mid-season report: Favorites are leading, but it's not over yet

All three preseason favorites – Green Run, Lake Taylor and Oscar Smith – are atop their respective districts as teams have reached the midway point of the season.

But there’s a lot of football left, and the first half wasn’t without surprises.

A quick glance at South Hampton Roads’ Group AAA districts at midseason:

BEACH DISTRICT

So far: Green Run and Ocean Lakes are the district’s remaining unbeaten teams at 5-0. The Stallions’ big-play offense has been difficult to stop with the combination of QB Jeraud Simmons and RB Dejor Simmons. Ocean Lakes has done it with defense. The Dolphins, under first-year head coach Chris Scott, have given up just 37 points all season. Kellam (4-1) looms a game back.

MVP candidates: At Green Run, both Jeraud and Dejor Simmons are candidates. But WR Tavon Gatlin has been key on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Then there’s Kellam RB James Taylor, who leads South Hampton Roads in rushing despite missing a game with an injury.

Biggest surprises: Rebuilding Salem, the two-time defending Beach champion, lost two of its first three games and is 3-3. Tallwood is 4-2 after last week’s victory over Bayside.

Fast fact: Tallwood has won three consecutive games despite scoring eight or fewer points in each of them.

Key upcoming games: Kellam at Ocean Lakes, Friday; Ocean Lakes at Tallwood, Oct. 10; Green Run at Ocean Lakes, Oct. 17; Kellam at Green Run, Oct. 31.

EASTERN DISTRICT 

So far: Lake Taylor has dominated, yielding an average of 5.4 points per game, and outscoring its first two district foes 54-10. Maury is the only other 2-0 district team after knocking off Norcom last week. The Greyhounds started the season 4-0 but lost to Maury a day after WR Rashawn Finney died from gunshot wounds he suffered two weeks earlier.

MVP candidates: Defensive stalwart (LB Mike Privott) and offensive sparkplug (RB Boogie McCray) lead Lake Taylor. McCray has rushed for 636 yards and 10 TDs.

Fast fact: Lake Taylor, which has won or shared each of the past four Eastern District titles, is riding a 15-game district winning streak.

Biggest surprise: Norview’s pass-and-catch combo – QB Daniel Church and WR Marcus Hall – have been atop South Hampton Roads’ statistical leader boards most of this season. The Pilots averaged just 71.4 yards per game through the air last season.

Key upcoming games: Maury at Lake Taylor, Friday; Lake Taylor at Norcom, Oct. 17.

SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT

So far: Oscar Smith looks ready to make another postseason run after demolishing its first four district opponents. Western Branch also is unbeaten, setting up a crucial game between the Chesapeake rivals this week.

MVP candidates: Looks to be a two-horse race between Oscar Smith players. QB Phillip Sims (971 passing yards) has been extremely efficient, and RB/LB Perry Jones (484 rushing yards, 10 TDs) dominates on both sides of the ball.

Fast fact: Oscar Smith is 42-1 in its past 43 district games.

Biggest surprise: Grassfield, in its second year of existence, started the season 4-0 before last week’s 37-0 loss to Oscar Smith. The Grizzlies’ only victory last year was by forfeit.

Key upcoming games: Western Branch at Oscar Smith, Friday; Indian River at Great Bridge, Friday; Indian River at Western Branch, Oct. 31.