The Virginian-Pilot
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Centreville’s football team spent most of the regular season winning by blowout.
The Wildcats have shown in the playoffs that they also know how to win tight games.
Centreville (13-1), which faces Oscar Smith (13-1) in the Group AAA Division 6 state title game Saturday in Charlottesville, has outscored its opponents 491-179 this season.
The Wildcats’ past three playoff games have been nail-biters: a 21-18 win over Lake Braddock, a 27-24 win over Westfield for the Northern Region title, and a 10-9 win over Hermitage in last week’s state semifinals.
“Playing in the conference we play in, we play tough games every week,” Centreville coach Chris Haddock said, referring to the Concorde District. “Our guys are battle-tested. They’ve been in adverse situations, and they don’t shy away from them.”
A main reason the Wildcats are so comfortable in tight games is that their roster is packed with veterans. Centreville has five players – all seniors – with significant offensive statistics this season.
Quarterback Mitch Ferrick has thrown for 1,519 yards and 20 touchdowns with three interceptions. Manny Smith (1,716 yards, 20 TDs) and Connor Coward (424 rushing yards, 497 receiving yards, 12 total TDs) key the running attack. Wide receiver Chase Walter (47 catches, 671 yards, eight TDs) and tight end Ken Ekanem (18 catches, 325 yards, eight TDs) are the top receiving threats.
Seniors also lead the defense. Linebacker Bret Fite tops the team with 92 tackles. Ekanem, a defensive end, recorded 4.5 of the team’s 10 sacks in the state semifinal win. Coward, a linebacker, blocked a field-goal try in the final minute of the region final.
“For any team in any sport to be successful, the seniors have to play the best games of their lives,” Haddock said. “And our guys are playing at their highest levels.”
Offensively, Centreville prefers to run the ball, though Ferrick has shown the ability to win games. Despite not using much trickery or fancy plays, the Wildcats have scored 40 or more points eight times this year.
“We have five kids who can hurt you,” Haddock said. “And they’ve all done a nice job with the ball in their hands. So if you load up on one guy, someone else can hurt you.”
Haddock, in his second season at Centreville, has quickly turned around the Wildcats.
Centreville previously won a region title in 2000, when it won its lone state championship. The Wildcats went 4-16 in the two seasons before Haddock took over. They went 9-3 last season.
“When I took the job I believed this was one of the programs with the ability to be in a state title game,” Haddock said. “I just didn’t know it would be in Year Two.”
THE GAME
Group AAA Division 6 championship
Oscar Smith (13-1) vs. Centreville (13-1), 4 p.m. Saturday at Scott Stadium, University of Virginia
Tickets: $10
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Oscar Smith not Centerville
I agree with Everyone here. I want to hear about Smith! I went There in the 80's not to Centerville, and my son Plays there now not at Centerville. Our guys are gearing up for a big game and Should have the support of the local newspaper and community. Come on guys get on the "football" and start getting the Right story in the paper...
GO SMITH! THIS IS YOUR GAME! We love and support You Tigers!! I for one will be at the game and NOT sitting on Centervills side, which side are you guys going to be on huh?
Coverage of the Oscar Smith Tigers Football Team is Lacking
Jamie and Larry, I have been following you since I arrived here five years ago and I must say, you are not doing the Tigers justice this year. Why is there an article about Centerville in the Pilot? I am sure the Washington post did not fill up their valued space with an article about Smith. Profile a coach, a player. Talk about what our alumini are doing in college-Sims at Alabama, Funderburke at Arkansas, Harrell at UNC, Boykin at Maryland, Jones and Smith at UVA. Profile the atmosphere at the school. Go to a practice. Anything but a coverage on Centreville. Coach Morgan is the only one who needs the 411 on this team and I am sure this coaching genius has done his homework. We need to know about our Tigers please!!
I woke up and thought this was...
I woke up and thought this was the Washingotn Post, too slanted towards Centerville... Go Smith! You've been here before, do what you do!
Ditto!! Is this the Post or the Pilot??
We are five days past Oscar Smith's victory over Battlefield and all we have on the Tigers are two brief articles on them a few days ago. I too thought I was reading the Washington Post, who, by the way, does a incredible job in covering their area sports. The pictures from the Battlefield-OS game were Pulitzer worthy (here is a link to the photo gallery: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/oscar-smith-burries-no-8-battlefield-42-14/2011/12/03/gIQAfAGrQO_gallery.html#photo=10). Can we pleeease get some daily updates/articles on the Tigers quest for their 2nd title in four years? The other sports will still be there when we are done. We salute u coach Morgan and the great job u have done for this community. Gooo Tigers!!
Centerville v OFS Article
Yes, it would be nice to see more coverage of our local teams moving on to state play-offs and championship games. The article on the Smith offensive line was a good one but there's certainly more to be said for this program and the school than what we've generally seen. However, it is also nice to be able to learn at least a little about our opponent without having to search the web. Thanks for the brief look at what the Tigers will be facing. With any luck we'll bring back that trophy. GO TIGERS!!!