Oscar Smith notebook: Former Tiger great Easley sees state title in person

BLACKSBURG

Ken Easley, one of Oscar Smith’s most famous alumni, traveled nearly six hours to see his former high school compete for the Group AAA Division 6 state title on Saturday.

Easley, a multi-sport star at Oscar Smith from 1973-77, said he made the trip to show his support for the Tigers.

When he played for Oscar Smith, Easley was All-Southeastern District, all-state and All-Tidewater but he admitted to not having much team success.

That’s why he felt compelled to make the drive from South Hampton Roads for the game.

“There have been a lot of us through the years who have toiled for a long time for an opportunity like this,” he said. “This is Oscar Smith’s first time in the state championship, and I live in the state, so why would I miss it.

“I’m proud of them and proud of coach (Richard) Morgan and happy for all of the students at Oscar Smith through the years. It’s just a wonderful occasion.”

Easley said he has been following the Tigers since he moved back to South Hampton Roads from Seattle in 2001. He even spoke last year at the Tigers’ athletic banquet.

“I told them, ‘You’ve knocked on the door a couple of times,” said Easley, who was inducted into the Oscar Smith High Hall of Fame in 1987. “I told them the next time you get an opportunity you’ve got to kick it in. And that’s what they’re doing today, they’re kicking it in.”

Easley, who was an All-American defensive back at UCLA and starred in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks, said watching the Tigers win the school’s first-ever state title was rewarding and worth the trip.

“It’s great for the school, and it’s great for the kids,” said Easley, who remembers the school having just 860 students compared to nearly 2,500 now. “I just hope that everyone who has been associated with Oscar Smith for all of these years can appreciate this.”

The current Oscar Smith football stadium still bears his name, along with former NFL players Steve DeLong and Ed Beard.

Hampton Roads reigns in Group AAA

Oscar Smith and Phoebus are the state’s two best football teams in Group AAA.

Unfortunately, they won't play each other.

Oscar Smith, the Division 6 state champion, and Phoebus, the Division 5 state champion, didn't play during the regular season and because they’re in different divisions, they can’t meet in the state playoffs.

But the two teams have developed a pretty good relationship and respect for one another thanks to a scrimmage game this past August. So much so that following Phoebus’ 37-13 victory over Dinwiddie, many of the Phantoms’ players talked to the Oscar Smith players as they prepared for their game with Osbourn.

“They came over and told us to keep it up and stay focused,” said Tigers wide receiver Brandon Davis.

“When we were warming up, they came up and said, ‘Let’s represent 757,’” said wide receiver Tim Smith, referring to the area code. “They said they knew we could do it.”

So who would win between Oscar Smith and Phoebus?

“We scrimmaged them and they beat us 14-0, but I would never doubt our team,” said safety Terrion Simmons. “I always think we can win.”

Davis said it would be a game that would definitely pack the stands.

“I think it would be a real close game between two of the best two teams in the state,” he said. “I think it would be real good.”

Added Smith:

“It would be a tight game. But we are cool with them, so we really can’t talk bad about each other.”

This won't be the last game in Lane Stadium for some Tigers

Oscar Smith linebacker Perry Jones had a lot of time to think on the Tigers’ trip to Blacksburg.

One of the things he thought about was playing at Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium in college.

Jones, along with teammate Tim Smith, will play against Virginia Tech when they go to Virginia in the fall.

“I thought about that on our ride up here,” he said. “So I know I got two more trips here, so this isn’t my last trip.”

After seeing how Smith and Jones performed Saturday, the Hokies probably wish they had both players. Jones rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and Smith finished with six receptions for 224 yards and four touchdowns.

“They were looking at me but said they wanted to process me more before offering me a scholarship,” Jones said. “I’m just glad that I came out in my last high school game with a victory. This team means a lot to me.”