High school football: Friday's spotlight games

Grassfield at Oscar Smith

Fans are in for a treat if this playoff game – at 7:30 p.m. today – is anything like the last time Oscar Smith played Grassfield in the Eastern Region Division 6 semifinals. In 2009, Oscar Smith pulled out a 28-21 win in the final seconds. The Tigers won 21-14 earlier this season.

Starring roles

Grassfield (10-1) The Grizzlies have proven to be a run-oriented team led by sophomore Vincent Lowe, who has rushed for 936 yards and eight touchdowns. Isaiah Harper also has contributed with 615 yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Blake LaRussa has thrown for 431 yards and five touchdowns.

Oscar Smith (10-1) The Tigers are led by quarterback J.J. Williamson, who has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Running back J.C. Coleman, who returned last week after missing three games with an ankle injury, has 1,205 yards and 16 touchdowns. Receivers Zack Jones and Sequan Gooding each have more than 500 yards.

Plot twists

Oscar Smith is making its ninth consecutive playoff appearance, having won three of the past four Eastern Region Division 6 titles. The Tigers lost last year to Bayside in the championship game.

This Tigers team has had to grow up quickly following a season-opening loss to nationally-ranked Gilman (Md.).

“We were searching for our identity,” said coach Richard Morgan, who is 17-7 in the playoffs. “Because of that, it’s been one of the more rewarding seasons.”

The last time the two teams met – Oct. 28 – the Tigers were without Coleman and playing on the road.

“They showed me everything I needed to know about my team that night,” Morgan said of a 21-14 win. “They gutted it out. From then on, I knew what kind of kids I had in my locker room and that’s the thing you will carry with you through the playoffs.”

The Grizzlies are making their second appearance in the region semifinals. If they are to advance to their first region final, they must mix up their offensive scheme to keep the Tigers guessing.

How it will end

Larry Rubama says Tigers prevail, again. Oscar Smith, 34-23.

Jami Frankenberry says Home field. The cage. Enough said. Oscar Smith, 24-17.

Saturday's spotlight

Phoebus (9-2) at Lake Taylor (9-1), 7:30 p.m.

Could this be the season that Lake Taylor finally knocks off Phoebus?

Titans coach Hank Sawyer hopes so.

Lake Taylor is 0-4 against Phoebus. The Phantoms went on to win state titles each time.

Three of the four meetings against Phoebus have been close games, including a 20-19 overtime loss in the 2009 region final.

"We have nothing to lose," Sayer said, "because nobody thinks we’re going to win."

Phoebus, the five-time defending region champion, has lost twice this season, including a 14-9 loss to Woodside that snapped a state-record 52-game winning streak. But the Phantoms, the three-time defending Group AAA Division 5 state champions, have won 16 consecutive playoff games and 23 of the past 24. Their last playoff loss was to Stone Bridge in the 2007 state semifinals.

Sawyer said a positive about his team this year is that none of the players have faced Phoebus.

"They were all on JV the last time we played them," he said. "So we have a young team, but we feel the future is now."

The Titans are led by senior Mike Tyson, the Eastern District Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. Tyson, a defensive back, leads the team with seven interceptions. On offense, he has 29 receptions for 613 yards and nine touchdowns.

Lake Taylor also has running backs Brandon Moore and Torrey Palmer, who have rushed for 981 and 905 yards, respectively. Also watch for QBs Delmond Williams and Donavan Powell, who have combined for nearly 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Phoebus is led by running backs Desmond Belfield and Anthony Pittman. Both have rushed for more than 900 yards this season and totaled 21 touchdowns.

"We have to stop their running game and stop (Romond) Deloatch," Sawyer said. "They’re a very good team and we know it."

Larry says Lake Taylor 27-23

Jami says Lake Taylor 21-14