Oscar Smith vs. Salem: A closer look

OSCAR SMITH TIGERS

Top players

QB J.J. Williamson 135 for 237, 2,245 yards, 29 TDs, 9 INTs.

RB J.C. Coleman 160 rushes, 1,312 yards, 17 TDs.

WR Sequan Gooding 32 receptions, 566 yards, 5 TDs.

WR Zack Jones 35 receptions, 634 yards, 12 TDs.

The buzz  Oscar Smith's string of consecutive Eastern Region titles ended at three with last year's loss to Bayside in the championship game. The Tigers are making their eighth straight region title game appearance and defeated Salem in last year's region semis. This year, the Tigers have won 11 straight games since opening with a loss to nationally-ranked Gilman School of Maryland. RB J.C. Coleman is healthy after missing three games with an ankle injury. The Virginia Tech commit rushed for 107 yards last week and has more than 4,200 career yards. QB J.J. Williamson, who committed to Hampton, has 13 TDs - and zero INTs - in the past five games.

SALEM SUNDEVILS

Top players QB Bucky Hodges 115 for 181, 1,987 yards, 25 TDs, 5 INTs.

RB Divante Walker 137 carries, 1,590 yards, 24 TDs.

WR James Church 26 receptions, 303 yards, 3 TDs.

The buzz  Salem is making its first region championship appearance since losing to Oscar Smith in 2007 - the second of back-to-back title-game meetings for the teams. Salem won in 2006. This season, Salem shook off an 18-14 loss to Ocean Lakes to win seven consecutive games and the Beach District championship. QB Bucky Hodges, one of the area's top-rated recruits in the Class of 2013, has accounted for 31 TDs and rushed for 377 yards. RB Divante Walker has three 200-yard rushing games, including a season-high 241 against Cox. LB Joshua Lawson, a first-team All-Tidewater pick last year, has returned to the lineup after missing the first 11 games with a leg injury.

The picks 

Larry Rubama says Oscar Smith, 34-31. Jami Frankenberry says Salem, 28-24.