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(Left to right) Jerod Askew , Philip Sims, Tim Smith and Evan Hailes celebrate another region title |
Virginia recruits Perry Jones and Tim Smith came to play last Friday night, helping the Oscar Smith Tigers (Chesapeake, VA) to a Division 6, Eastern Region championship win over Ocean Lakes. Jones, a 5-9, 185-pound running back/linebacker, sparkled despite playing most of the game with an ankle injury.
Jones rushed 30 times for 229 yards and all four of Oscar Smith’s touchdowns in the 28-21 win, giving the Tigers (13-0) the right to face Oakton (13-0) in the Group AAA, Division 6 state semifinals. Last season, a then undefeated Oscar Smith squad fell to Westfield in the semifinals.
“Coming off of last year, that’s just pushing us that much harder,” Jones said after last Friday night’s win. “We’re going to hit it hard at practice this week and get ready. [Last year’s experience] will help us a lot because it gives us something to work off of. Hopefully, this year we’ll get farther than last year.”
Of capturing a second consecutive region title, head coach Rich Morgan said, “It’s definitely not bad, but we’re looking for something else.”
Oscar Smith controlled much of the first half last Friday night, but a Justin Hunter touchdown reception put Ocean Lakes within seven at 14-7 at halftime.
“They came out and got a late touchdown. They had the momentum going into the second half. We didn’t lose our heads. We made a few adjustments, came out and played hard,” said Jones, who had an ankle rolled up on in the first half.
Hunter, a 6-4 junior receiver who UVa has offered, hauled in another touchdown reception in the second half to cut the Tigers lead to 28-14. An onside kick recovery and a Shamarko Thomas touchdown reception later, Ocean lakes was within seven at 28-21. On the ensuing onsides kick – one Ocean Lakes recovered – the referees ruled that the ball hadn’t gone 10 yards before being touched by a Dolphins player, so Oscar Smith was able to kneel out the clock and secure victory.
Oscar Smith’s three talented seniors – Jones, Smith and linebacker/fullback Jerod Askew – came up big in the win, just as they have throughout their careers.
“Hey, it’s their football team. They’re the captains and they are the leaders and they made the plays when they had to make them,” Morgan said. “I’m so proud of them. They’ve been through a lot in this team and they’ve helped us a lot. They’ve won four district championships and two region championships. That’s a big legacy they’re leaving, but we’re trying to get two more wins so they can leave a bigger legacy.”
Smith, a 6-1, 190-pound wide receiver, hauled in six receptions for 110 yards in the win. Most of his success came in the first half, as the Tigers moved to a power running game in the second half.
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More with Jones…
What are your thoughts on Smith deciding to join you at UVa?
“We started out as freshmen when we first met, so that’s the first four years. I guess we’ve got another four years to go,” Jones said. “We’ll try to keep making each other better when we get to UVa.”
You say UVa is recruiting you as a safety, but is there any chance you’ll try to play running back?
“Wherever they want me I’d be happy to play,” Jones said. “I just want to play.”
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More UVa commits in postseason action…
Virginia running back recruit Dominique Wallace rumbled for 187 yards and four touchdowns in the second half of last week’s Group AA, Region I, Division 4 region championship game against Powhatan, leading Chancellor (Fredericksburg, VA) to a 42-31 win. The Chargers battled back from a 28-6 halftime deficit to move on to a Group AA, Division 4 state semifinal match-up against Broad Run.
Wallace, a 6-0, 225-pound prospect, finished the game with 26 carries for 224 yards and the four scores.
Corey Lillard may be known more for his hard-hitting tackles on defense, but he certainly showed offensive prowess in Liberty’s (Bealeton, VA) 41-14 Division 5, Northwest Region championship win over GW-Danville. The 5-11, 195-pound Lillard finished last Friday’s game with 13 carries for 201 yards and four touchdowns.
Liberty moves on to face Dinwiddie in the Group AAA, Division 5 state semifinal.
