Weekly Smith update via VaPilot / 757Teamz
Top-ranked Oscar Smith has little trouble with No. 6 Deep Creek in Southeastern District showdown
By Larry Rubama
757Teamz |
Mar 20, 2021 at 7:21 PM
Oscar Smith hadn’t played a football game in more than two weeks. So, you’d expect the top-ranked Tigers to come out a little rusty, right? Think again. The Tigers dominated No. 6 Deep Creek in all three phases of the game to come away with a 51-0 victory. The game was originally set for Friday, but moved to Saturday.
“We definitely feel good about it,” said Tigers coach Chris Scott. “We’re happy with the effort.”
The Tigers (3-0) thought they had the early lead when Kole Jones returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but it was called back because of a penalty. No problem. Oscar Smith found the end zone nine plays later on running back Devante Cooper’s 13-yard touchdown run. Maurice Freeman returned a Deep Creek punt for a touchdown, but it was called back for roughing the punter. The Tigers wouldn’t score again until late in the second quarter. That’s when defensive back Sherrod Covil intercepted Deep Creek quarterback Anthony Barnes and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown to help Oscar Smith take a 14-0 lead into halftime.
The second half was all Oscar Smith. After Amonte Jones’ punt return for a touchdown was called back, quarterback Ethan Vasko scrambled for a 45-yard touchdown run to put the Tigers up 21-0.
The Tigers were back in the end zone a short time later when Covil returned his second interception for a touchdown. This time, it was from 35 yards out and Oscar Smith led 28-0. Vasko added a 54-yard touchdown pass to Kevon King and a 48-yard touchdown pass to Amonte Jones, and the Tigers led 42-0. Oscar Smith closed out the scoring on special teams. First, a bad snap over the Deep Creek punter’s head led to a safety. Kole Jones, who had the previous touchdown called back, got into the end zone on a 63-yard punt return. Defensively, the Tigers had their way with Deep Creek, which hasn’t beaten Oscar Smith since 2002. The Tigers held the Hornets to 99 total yards, including just 8 rushing yards.
Oscar Smith — which hasn’t allowed a point this season — was led by Keondre Hodges (eight tackles, including three for loss and a sack), Cincere Quarterman (seven tackles, three for loss, and a sack) and Caleb Jones (six tackles, all for loss, and two sacks). “The defense has remained dominant, and that’s allowed the offense to start clicking,” Scott said.
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449,
larry.rubama@pilotonline.com