Oscar Smith seniors are poised to go out on top

CHESAPEAKE

Four quarters.

That’s all the time left in Oscar Smith’s season and in the high school careers of 20 Tigers seniors – among them star quarterback J.J. Williamson and running back J.C. Coleman.

The Tigers (13-1) play Centreville (13-1) at 4 p.m. today at the University of Virginia’s Scott Stadium in Charlottesville for the Group AAA Division 6 state championship.

“We were talking and we were saying how Monday was our last Monday practice,” said Williamson, who will play at Hampton University next season. “It’s kind of tough. But as long as we get our goal of a state championship then that’s all that matters.”

Oscar Smith is playing in its second state championship game after beating Osbourn 54-24 in 2008. Centreville beat Deep Creek 28-26 in 2000 for its only state title.

Tigers coach Richard Morgan sees similarities in Centreville and Osbourn. Centreville has an aggressive blitzing defense and lines up in different formations to send people at the quarterback. Defensive end Ken Ekanem, a highly regarded 6-4, 245-pounder, had 10 tackles and 4.5 sacks last week against Hermitage.

“But they take a lot of chances with their blitzes,” Morgan said. “They’re going to play man-to-man just like Osbourn did against us in 2008. If we can figure out where the blitz is coming from and get it blocked, then we’re going to have a lot of one-on-one opportunities.”

The Tigers did that to perfection in 2008. Each time Osbourn brought the blitz, quarterback Phillip Sims picked the Eagles apart; there was no safety help in the secondary because of the man coverage. Sims, who now plays at Alabama, threw for 334 yards and six touchdowns in one of the most lopsided Division 6 state finals.

Oscar Smith has the weapons to repeat that success against Centreville with Williamson, Coleman and receivers Zack Jones and Sequan Gooding.

Williamson has thrown for more than 2,800 yards and 37 touchdowns. Coleman has rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns, and Jones and Gooding have totaled more than 1,700 yards for 23 touchdowns.

“They have many kids who can go the distance on every play,” Centreville coach Chris Haddock said. “That makes every snap nerve-racking. We have to be able to tackle. They’re going to make their share of plays. We have to keep them from hitting the home run.’

Offensively, Morgan said Centreville is a lot like Battlefield – last week’s opponent – in that the Wildcats focus on the run and don’t throw the deep ball.

“They use the wing a lot and do a lot of motions and shifts,” Morgan said.

The Wildcats are led by running back Manny Smith, who has rushed for 1,718 yards and 20 touchdowns. Running back Connor Coward has more than 400 yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Mitch Ferrick (1,514 yards, 19 touchdowns) and receiver Chase Walter (48 receptions for 683 yards) key the passing game.

“There are only two teams left,” Williamson said. “We’ll battle it out on Saturday and I know we’ll be the last team standing.”

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com