The spring was a season of redemption for Oscar Smith’s football program.
The Tigers beat South County 62-21 to win their first state title since 2011, avenging a state title-game loss to South County in 2019.
Now, the Tigers try to win two state titles in the same year because of the pandemic. Oscar Smith also aims for a yet another district title.
“Hopefully, we can do it again,” said Oscar Smith quarterback Ethan Vasko.
Vasko, the spring 2021 Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Player of the Year, is back and has plenty of company on the Tigers’ roster.
Oscar Smith has won at least a share of 15 of the last 16 district titles, although no district title was awarded in the abbreviated spring season.
Deep Creek, Indian River and King’s Fork are the most likely challengers, while Nansemond River welcomes Alonzo Ricks Jr. as its new head coach after Justin Conyers stepped down.
A look at each team in predicted order of finish:
1. Oscar Smith Tigers
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Chris Scott, 22-2 in two seasons at Oscar Smith, 126-23 in 13 seasons
Last season: 9-0 overall, 5-0 district
On the field: The Tigers graduated 16 seniors from the state championship team, including DB Maurice Freeman (Indiana) and Kole Jones (North Carolina Central). But they return DB/RB Sherrod Covil (Clemson commit) and QB Ethan Vasko (Old Dominion commit), along with RB Kevon King, WR Amonte Jones, DT Caleb Jones, DL Cincere Quarterman and C Maarten Woudsma. Covil, a four-star prospect, had 26 tackles and three INTs, while Vasko accounted for 2,230 total yards and 34 touchdowns with no interceptions in the spring. King rushed for 1,236 yards and 18 TDs, and Jones led the Tigers in TD receptions (12). The duo of Jones and Quarterman combined for 103 tackles — 65 for loss — and 20 tackles.
2. Deep Creek Hornets
Classification: Class 4 Region A
Coach: Andre Twine, 31-13 in four seasons
Last season: 6-2 overall, 5-1 district
On the field: This could be a special season for the Hornets, led by Anthony Barnes, who accounted for more than 1,300 all-purpose yards with 11 TDs. “(He’s) one of the biggest pieces on our offense,” Twine said about Barnes, who also plays in the secondary. “(He) played multiple positions and made big plays for us in the big games.” He’s joined by two of the best linemen in the area in Ryan Nolan (6-3, 325) and Walter Barnett (6-2, 320). Nolan, an Old Dominion commit, is a three-star prospect rated the No. 28 senior in the state by ESPN and No. 38 by 247Sports. He and Barnett combined for double-digit pancake blocks last season. Also watch for WR/DB Lamontae Wison to make big plays on offense. Defensively, the Hornets will be led by DL Deontae Roscoe (6-2, 235), who recorded more than 30 tackles and 12 sacks last season.
3. King’s Fork Bulldogs
Classification: Class 4 Region A
Coach: Anthony Joffrion, 3-2 in one season
Last season: 3-2 overall (Suffolk schools played only against each other in the spring)
On the field: The Bulldogs have 22 seniors, and most of them are two-year starters at their position. Virginia Tech commit Kyree Moyston, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound defensive end, will create problems for opposing teams. Last season, he had 32 tackles and 10 sacks in just five games. On the other end is Tavias Higgs (6-2, 220), who had 23 tackles and four sacks. LB Jason Cole led the team in tackles with 35 and had two sacks. Bravion Campbell (6-4, 210) will help the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball. He had 17 tackles and four sacks on defense and scored 11 TDs on offense. Nevin Goode (6-3, 280) will anchor the offensive line. Four newcomers should play key roles: Nasir Singleton (Menchville transfer) on defense, LB Ronald Jones (Tallwood transfer), WR Jahmal Mackey (Green Run transfer) and freshman Javon Ford, who will start at running back. “Our team will go as far as our discipline and senior leadership takes us,” Joffrion said. “We have a lot of athletes, but as coaches we have to do the best we can to put them in position to be successful.”
4. Indian River Braves
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Marcus Ferebee, 11-6 in two seasons
Last season: 3-3 overall, 3-3 district
On the field: The Braves got a glimpse of their promising future last season when Tyler Allison and Daeshawn Nixon showed what they could do as freshmen. Allison (6-2, 175) threw for 835 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Nixon (5-10, 170) rushed for 318 yards and two touchdowns as he split time with a senior. Now the position is all his. Both players already have offers from Maryland and Liberty. Sophomore wide receiver Malachi Hinton, who won the 100 meters at the Class 5 state track meet, will help Allison stretch the field and give the Braves a deep threat. Defensively, the Braves will count on senior LBs Donovan Owens (6-1, 190) and Deante Newsome (6-2, 220). Owens had 51 tackles and two interceptions, while Newsome had 58 tackles — 11 for loss — seven sacks and three forced fumbles.
5. Western Branch Bruins
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Rashad Cook, 2-4 in one season
Last season: 2-4 overall, 2-4 district
On the field: The Bruins haven’t had a winning season since 2016 and haven’t won a playoff game since 2013, but Cook — a former Western Branch standout — believes this team could accomplish both this season. The Bruins return nine starters, led by Cook’s son, Desmond, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound inside linebacker. A three-year starter, he had 55 tackles — 13 for loss — three sacks and three quarterback hurries in the spring. He’ll be joined by WR/DB CJ Fraser (24 tackles), WR/FS Paul Billups (20 tackles, two INTs, nine receptions, 187 yards), DE Jaden Tucker (42 tackles, two sacks), SS Kaleb Broadbent and LB Spencer Bruning.
6. Grassfield Grizzlies
Classification: Class 6 Region A
Coach: Martin Asprey, 87-53 in 13 seasons
Last season: 3-4 overall, 3-3 district
On the field: Grassfield, which opened in 2007, has been to the playoffs 11 times, including the past three seasons. The Grizzlies should be in contention again this season, led by seniors Stephen Smith, Ethan Barham and Deven Norman (6-4, 225), who anchors the defensive line. Last season he finished with seven sacks and caused two fumbles. He’ll get help from Jordae Edwards (6-0, 245), Will Lefebvre (6-5, 310) and Devin Redd (6-4, 265). Others to watch include TE Brian Young, RB Marcus Lawton, LB Landry Bigbie, DB Isaiah Akers, LB Rezwan Stover, QB Parker Lancaster and RB/FS Ashton Dunaway.
7. Nansemond River Warriors
Classification: Class 5 Region B
Coach: Alonzo Ricks Jr., first season
Last season: 4-1 overall (Suffolk schools played only against each other in the spring)
On the field: Ricks guided Churchland to a 23-40 record in six seasons. He’s excited about this team’s potential, led by junior QB Nolan James and running backs Ben Williams and Alex Goodman. The line is anchored by Ashtin Ancheta (6-2, 320), Darren House (6-1, 230), Jalen Wilks and Madsen Jean. Also watch for RB/LB Mike Thomas, TE/LB Manny Ezeogu, Zion Thomas-Fugate, Nasir Holland and Seth Murphy.
8. Great Bridge Wildcats
Classification: Class 4 Region A
Coach: Brian Boerboom, 5-16 in two seasons
Last season: 1-4 overall, 1-4 district
On the field: For the Wildcats, it starts with leadership, and Boerboom loves his team captains: OL/DL Duane McNair, OL/LB Brett Jatczak, WR/LB Jediah Fernandes and RB/DB Devin Gagnon. “They are all great kids,” he said. Boerboom describes his offense as “organized chaos.” The offense, which will be a multiple spread, will be run by QB Zion Frink. Others to watch include WR/DB Elijah Gray and WR/LB Landon Buckner.
9. Hickory Hawks
Classification: Class 5 Region A
Coach: Donnell Brown, 6-19 in three seasons
Last season: 1-4 overall, 1-4 district
On the field: The Hawks try to put together their first winning season since 2011. They will be led by seniors DL Matt Bohannan (6-4, 270), WR/DB Brandon Still and LB Evan Faulkner. Brown calls Bohannan “the best kept secret in the 757,” and Still averaged 22.3 yards per catch last season and scored six touchdowns. Faulkner led the team in tackles last season. “(He’s) an old-school linebacker that plays with extreme physicality,” Brown said of Faulkner.
10. Lakeland Cavaliers
Classification: Class 3 Region A
Coach: Joe Jones, 0-14 in two seasons
Last season: 0-4 overall (Suffolk schools played only against each other in the spring)
On the field: The Cavaliers haven’t had a winning season since 2016, but Jones said his team continues to improve: “This team is bigger, stronger and faster, and ready to play. This team has endured tons of negativity and has come out better on the other side.” He hopes it will translate into victories this season. The Cavaliers will be led by senior RB/DE Malachi Dokes, senior WR/DB Treaveon Newby, junior RB/LB Damarion Jordan and junior OL/DL Zack Bowen. The offense will be led by sophomore QB Alkendric Overton. Others to watch include senior Reggie Cross, juniors Tyler Davis, Jakobe Little and Justin Royes, and sophomore Antonio Ramirez.
Larry Rubama, 757-446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com Follow @LHRubama on Twitter.
