Oscar Smith's opponent looks for repeat of 2010

Battlefield football coach Mark Cox sees an eerie similarity between his team this season and last year’s group.

On Oct. 15, 2010, the Bobcats lost 24-21 to Osbourn, dropping to 5-2.

On Oct. 6, 2011, the Bobcats lost 28-21 to Osbourn, falling to 5-2.

After the loss to Osbourn last season, the Bobcats didn’t lose again on their way to the Group AAA Division 6 state title.

And Battlefield, located in Haymarket, has won five straight since this season’s loss to Osbourn. The Bobcats (10-2) host Oscar Smith (12-1) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the state semifinals.

“When we lose to Osbourn, for some reason we start playing a lot better,” Cox said. “We’ve gotten better each week.”

Centreville (12-1) plays at Hermitage (12-0) in Saturday’s other Division 6 state semifinal. Winners advance to the championship game at the University of Virginia on Dec. 10.

Battlefield has reached the semifinals for a third straight season without any star players or blue-chip recruits.

Junior quarterback Ryan Swingle has thrown for 1,690 yards and 13 touchdowns. Michael Tolliver leads the team in rushing with 887 yards and 14 touchdowns, while fellow senior Andrew Smith has 735 rushing yards and 10 TDs.

The key, Cox said, is that trio’s ability to share responsibility in a single-back set.

“We like to control the ball by running it,” Cox said. “And that helps set up passes for Ryan.”

The Bobcats aren’t likely to start winging the ball against Oscar Smith, though. Top receiver Trent Saflin has 46 catches for 674 yards and five touchdowns, and no one else on the team has 20 catches. Plus, tight end Brandon Whaley has been limited lately by a broken hand.

Battlefield has won five straight by 90 total points, scoring at least 27 in each game. Improved health has played a role in the streak, with Smith’s broken hand healed and Saflin recovered from a hamstring injury.

But the biggest reason for the run is a quiet confidence in knowing how to handle the postseason, Cox said. The Bobcats have won the Northwest Region title three straight years Battlefield lost in the state semifinals in 2009.

“I don’t have to tell them anything any more,” Cox said. “They know what to expect, and they know what it takes now.”

The game

Oscar Smith (12-1) at Battlefield (Haymarket), 2:30 p.m. Saturday

Tickets  Oscar Smith will sell tickets from noon to 2 p.m. today at the school’s main office. Cost is $10.