Tigers' coach critical of VHSL decision to play

CHESTER

To play or not to play?

While five of the Virginia High School League's 12 state football semifinals were postponed Saturday because of inclement weather, Oscar Smith and Thomas Dale played on.

And Oscar Smith coach Richard Morgan left little doubt about where he stood on that decision after his heavily favored and previously unbeaten team lost 20-17 in overtime on a frigid, wet Saturday in Central Virginia.

"I think it's an absolute joke that the state of Virginia allowed us to play today," Morgan said, referring to the VHSL. "I cannot believe people would not make a different decision on the health and welfare of kids. The teams in Northern Virginia cancel ed the games because they knew that kids shouldn't be on the field like this."

Thomas Dale (11-2) ended Oscar Smith's 28-game winning streak - and kept the Tigers (13-1) from defending their Group AAA Division 6 state championship - on a soppy, wind-swept field.

Temperatures dipped below 40 by the end of the game, and a field already mushy before kickoff worsened as rain continued to fall. The sleet started after halftime and a light snow came late in the fourth quarter.

The five state semifinals that were postponed Saturday, including the other Division 6 semifinal between Lake Braddock and Battlefield, all were played north or west of Richmond. Thomas Dale is about 15 miles south of there.

Reached by telephone Saturday evening, Tom Dolan, the VHSL's assistant director, said there are two questions

• Can teams reach the facility?
• Can the facility be cleared enough for fans to attend?

"Football is a game that's played in adverse conditions," Dolan said. "The fact that the field was wet really wasn't an option."

Dolan said Morgan and Oscar Smith principal Paul Joseph asked Thomas Dale officials to consider postponing the game. Dolan said he spoke to Joseph, telling him he "respectfully disagreed," and Dolan made the call to play.

That decision undoubtedly changed Oscar Smith's game plan. Quarterback Phillip Sims averaged 21 attempts and 224 yards in the Tigers' first 13 games this season. On Saturday, Sims was 3 of 10 for 46 yards.

"The pass just wasn't going to work out here today," Morgan said.

Thomas Dale, though, relished the horrendous field conditions, a week after winning 7-0 in similar conditions at Hermitage. The run-oriented Knights attempted nine passes Saturday, completing three for 30 yards.

"This was the perfect conditions. Perfect," said Thomas Dale quarterback Demitrius Campbell. "This is what we dreamed of. This is the type of game we want. We're a smash-mouth type of school."

The Knights rushed for 201 yards, led by Demetrick Jackson's 181. Oscar Smith's J.C. Coleman rushed for 204 yards on 27 attempts.

"It was challenging, but we try to block out the elements and the weather and just come out here like we did in little league," Jackson said. "We've got big guys up front that just dig their feet in the ground and just keeping pushing forward."

Thomas Dale plays in next Saturday's state championship game at the University of Virginia.

Oscar Smith, meanwhile, lost in the state semifinals for the second time in three seasons.

The Tigers won their first state title in any sport last season, defeating Osbourn 54-24 in snowy conditions at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.

"I'm not saying that's why we lost," Morgan said of Saturday's playing conditions. "I'm saying that game should not have been played today."

Jami Frankenberry, (757) 446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com