Linebacker Jahvoni Simmons capped off his high school career in style, helping Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) to its first ever state championship in varsity football.
“It means a lot. First [varsity football state title] in Ocean Lakes history. Best team in Virginia. Means a lot,” an exhausted Simmons said following last Saturday’s 30-24 overtime win over Centreville in the VHSL 6A championship game, which was held in Scott Stadium.
Centreville’s Wildcats captured the 6A crown last season, handily defeating a favored Oscar Smith squad. They returned South Carolina-bound running back AJ Turner, Vanderbilt-bound offensive lineman Justin Skule and JMU-bound skill players Xavier Nickens-Yzer and Charles Tutt, among others, from last year’s squad. As you might expect, the defending champs didn’t go down without a fight.
Down 24-10 with 5:34 remaining, Centreville answered with two big plays – a 45-yard touchdown run from Nickens-Yzer and an 80-yard touchdown reception by Tutt – to tie the score and send the game into overtime. The Dolphins pulled out the victory when senior running back Jaason Lewis, an Arizona State recruit, scored from 10 yards out.
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