Records fall, but so does Oscar Smith

Oscar Smith running back Lonnie Andrews reflects on his team's loss. (Chris Tyree photos | The Virginian-Pilot)

By Jami Frankenberry
The Virginian-Pilot

CHESAPEAKE

Phillip Sims already had 470 passing yards, and with his team trailing by three points, Oscar Smith High School’s sophomore quarterback was itching to add to it.

He never got a chance.

Westfield pounced on a fumbled kickoff return late in the fourth quarter to keep Sims on the sideline, then ran out the clock to survive with a 24-21 victory over the Tigers in a Group AAA Division 6 semifinal Saturday.

The Bulldogs scored the winning touchdown with 2:40 remaining, and regained possession when Oscar Smith’s Jamal Wilson lost the football on the ensuing kickoff return.

Despite setting a passing record, Phillip Sims is sacked by Westfield High School players.

Westfield (14-0) punched its ticket to next Saturday’s Group AAA Division 6 state championship game at the University of Virginia. The Bulldogs play at 4:30 p.m. against Woodbridge, a 42-27 winner over Hermitage.

The Tigers (13-1) saw their season end on a day when Sims was brilliant and wide receiver Todd Harrelson played like the mouse in a vintage “Tom and Jerry” cartoon, with Westfield defenders swiping at air for most of four quarters.

Harrelson finished with a state-tournament-record 15 catches for 349 yards; Sims completed 26 of 43 passes and three touchdowns, all of which went to Harrelson.

Sims’ 470 yards and 26 completions are state tournament records, but they were little consolation after a loss in Oscar Smith’s first state semifinal appearance.

“It hurts, man,” Sims said. “It hurts. That’s the only way I can describe it.”

Spectators crammed into Oscar Smith’s stadium – the parking lot was filled an hour before kickoff – to see a showdown of unbeaten heavyweights who have dominated opponents all season.

They saw an astounding performance by Sims and Harrelson. They also watched an impressive performance by Westfield quarterback Mike Glennon, who threw for 256 yards and a touchdown and guided the Bulldogs on a 12-play, 62-yard drive to win it.

For most of four quarters, especially in the second half, the stage belonged to Sims.

Sims, who turned 15 in August, rallied the Tigers from a 17-7 deficit late in the third quarter after a 49-yard touchdown run by Westfield’s Brian Kennedy and a 1-yard score by Glennon.

Sims found Harrelson for touchdown passes of 44 and 68 yards on consecutive plays in the fourth quarter to put Oscar Smith in front 21-17 with 9:41 left. Sims threw for 271 yards after halftime.

“We knew they were going to be fast and athletic,” said Kennedy, a linebacker. “Our defensive backs were in one-on-one coverage, so we knew we had to put pressure on (Sims), but he just made the plays.”

Sims, though, took his final snap with 7:30 left, following a three-and-out.

Westfield marched 62 yards in 4:39, with Glennon completing 6 of 8 passes for 59 yards. On third-and-goal, Glennon hit Randy Johns for a 5-yard touchdown.

Oscar Smith’s Todd Harrelson breaks up a pass to Westfield’s Johnny Pickett.

Sims, hands in his pocket, stood next to coach Richard Morgan preparing to take possession with 2:30 left as the Bulldogs kicked off.

Instead, he stayed on the sideline after the fumble, and following a few running plays and a fourth-and-inches conversion, Glennon took a few knees to run out the clock.

Oscar Smith players fell to the turf, some dropped their helmets and looked skyward or wiped away tears.

The Tigers failed on downs twice in Westfield territory, and Sims threw an interception on another trip. The Tigers reached the 15-yard line on two third-quarter possessions.

“It’s frustrating, but we had opportunities,” Morgan said. “We had the game and they took it away from us.”

Sims was among those wiping away tears afterward.

“I wanted to be out there with my teammates and make that play that decides the game,” he said. “I wanted to be out there, so that makes it more frustrating.”

Notable stats: OS-Sims 26-43-1, 470 yards, 3 TDs passing; Harrelson 15-349, 3 TDs receiving; Boykins 7-72 receiving; W-Glennon 17-32-1, 256 yards, 1 TD passing, 1 TD rushing; Johnny Pickett 7-171 receiving.

Jami Frankenberry, (757) 446-2295 or

jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com