757Teamz Previews & Picks | Top-ranked Oscar Smith and No. 6 Deep Creek clash in Southeastern District showdown
Top-ranked Oscar Smith has had two weeks to prepare for a game circled on its calendar.
Now it’s here: the Tigers (2-0) host sixth-ranked Deep Creek in a Southeastern District showdown at 4 p.m. Saturday. The game was originally set for 6:15 p.m. Friday.
Oscar Smith has won at least a share of 15 of the last 16 district titles.
“We’re extremely excited,” said Tigers quarterback Ethan Vasko, who has been a threat throwing or running the ball. “Everyone is ready, especially after that bye week. Everyone is pumped up ... Hopefully it’s going to be a good one. I can’t wait.”
The Tigers haven’t allowed a point this season in outscoring opponents 119-0.
It starts up front with defensive linemen Caleb Jones, Jah’ke Hilliard and Keondra Hodges. They also have linebackers Maurice Freeman, Tae’Ron Richardson and Marqaz Young, and the secondary is led by Sherrod Covill.
Offensively, Vasko has spread the ball around, while running back Kevon King (6 TDs) gives the Tigers balance.
Deep Creek, though, has outscored opponents 68-23, including a come-from-behind victory over Indian River.
The Hornets (3-0) haven’t beaten Oscar Smith since 2002.
But Vasko knows this is going to be a tough challenge.
“Everyone knows we just got to go out there and play Smith football,” he said. “If we do that, everything will work out.”
Larry Rubama: Oscar Smith 35-20. Marty O’Brien: Oscar Smith 35-14.
Friday’s games
All games at 7 p.m. at the home school unless noted.
757Teamz Top 15
Norcom (1-2) at No. 2 Lake Taylor (3-0)
Buzz: Lake Taylor quarterback Jeff Foster led the Titans to a come-from-behind victory over Booker T. Washington last week. The Greyhounds desperately need a win as they try to snap a two-game losing streak with their playoff hopes fading. They are led by RB Darian King (327 yards), and FS Jaden Ratliff and LB Teon Garland (18 tackles each).
Larry: Lake Taylor 27-17. Marty: Lake Taylor 28-6.
Norview (2-1) vs. No. 3 Maury (2-1)
Site: Powhatan Field
Buzz: Maury, the defending Class 5 state champion, bounced back from a loss to Lake Taylor with a 64-6 win over Granby. They are led by QB EJ Gibson (581 yards, 6 TDs), RB Demonte Dunlap (390 all-purpose yards, 4 TDs) and Ahmarian Granger, who is dangerous at wide receiver or quarterback with 452 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns. Norview first-year coach Ian Rapanick has the Pilots off to their best start since 2016. WR/DB MarQeese Dietz (8 receptions, 129 yards; 10 tackles, INT).
Larry: Maury 34-20. Marty: Maury 17-6.
Kellam (0-2) at No. 7 Princess Anne (2-1)
Buzz: Princess Anne has bounced back nicely after losing the season opener to Salem, outscoring the past two opponents 92-7, including a big win over Ocean Lakes last week. QB Ryan High has thrown for 753 yards and six TDs and rushed for 178 yards and five scores. Defensively, linemen Hunter Sherman and Jayden Truesdale have totaled 30 tackles. Kellam, which lost to Bayside 34-0 last week, is led by Kemari Copeland (12 tackles).
Larry: Princess Anne 37-13. Marty: Princess Anne 42-7.
No. 9 Ocean Lakes (2-1) at Tallwood (0-2)
Buzz: Ocean Lakes lost to Princess Anne last week, while the Lions had a bye. The Dolphins likely must win out to keep their playoff hopes alive. QB Landon Spell (418 yards, 4 TDs), RB Karvelis Scott (204 yards, 2 TDs) and WR Carlton Winston (12 receptions, 179 yards) lead the way. The Lions try snap a five-game losing streak dating back to 2019 season.
Larry: Ocean Lakes 35-13. Marty: Ocean Lakes 35-13
No. 10 Woodside (0-1) vs. Hampton (0-1)
Site: Darling Stadium
Buzz: Neither showed a lot of offensive pop in hard-fought losses to quality opponents to open the season, but both were good defensively. The difference here might be that Hampton’s top skill players – QB Teddy Watson and RB Adam Hatcher in particular – are a little ahead of Woodside’s at this point.
Larry: Hampton 21-14. Marty: Hampton 14-7.
First Colonial (0-3) vs. No. 12 Green Run (0-2)
Site: Kellam
Buzz: Both teams are looking for their first win of the season, but for different reasons. Green Run won its season opener over Kempsville 42-0, but had to forfeit for using an ineligible player. Last week, the Stallions battled with Salem before losing 28-27. The Stallions’ Tayon Holloway has scored three TDs and Jevon Hill has 16 tackles. First Colonial, which was outscored 116-6 in its first two games, forfeited its game to Cox last week.
Larry: Green Run 41-0. Marty: Green Run 49-6.
Heritage (0-2) vs. No. 13 Warwick (1-0)
Site: Todd Stadium
Buzz: The wet grass at Todd Stadium, and Woodside’s solid defense, slowed Warwick on Tuesday, but QB Derek Nixon, RB Bryce Buchanan and WR Kysaun Jones provided glimpses in the 21-6 win of an offense that will be formidable. The Raiders’ defense that limited the Wolverines to 11 yards is already formidable and then some.
Larry: Warwick 27-13. Marty: Warwick 32-6.
Nansemond River (0-0) at No. 15 King’s Fork (1-0)
Time: 6 p.m.
Buzz: King’s Fork rolled to a 36-point win over Lakeland in the season opener to give first-year coach Anthony Joffrion his first victory. They were led by QB Cameron Butler (7-13, 99 yards, 2 TDs passing), Vantanio Gray (117 rushing yards) and Bravion Campbell (2 TDS). This is the season opener for Nansemond River.
Larry: Nansemond River 27-26. Marty: Nansemond River 28-21.
Beach District
Bayside (2-1) at Landstown (1-2)
Buzz: Bayside QB Aeron Williams threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score to help the Marlins blank Kellam. Landstown, on the other hand, lost to Kempsville 21-0. It was only the third time the Eagles have been shut out in a district regular-season game since 2014. Landstown is led by Denzel Lowry (11 tackles) and Iosefa Tanoai (8 tackles, four sacks).
Larry: Bayside 27-20. Marty: Bayside 28-14.
Eastern District
Booker T. Washington (0-2) at Wilson (0-2)
Buzz: Booker T. Washington has had the much more difficult schedule as the Bookers played Maury and Lake Taylor, the defending Class 5 and 4 state champions, respectively. Wilson has been outscored 82-7 in losses to Norcom and Norview.
Larry: Booker T. Washington 34-0. Marty: Booker T. Washington 41-6.
Southeastern District
Grassfield (1-2) at Hickory (0-3)
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Buzz: One week after upsetting Indian River, Grassfield lost to Western Branch. Hickory is looking for its first win of the season after losing to Indian River 52-12.
Larry: Grassfield 20-13. Marty: Grassfield 21-6.
Indian River (1-2) vs. Great Bridge (1-1)
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Site: Colon L. Hall Stadium at Great Bridge Middle
Buzz: Indian River got its first win of the season last week with a victory over Hickory. The Braves are led by freshman QB Tyler Allison (545 yards, 6 TDs) and RB Brylon Payne (222 yards, TD) and WR Zakia Minggia (11 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs). Great Bridge lost to Deep Creek last week 33-0.
Larry: Indian River 34-20. Marty: Indian River 40-21.
Bay Rivers District
Warhill (2-1) vs. Jamestown (1-2)
Site: Wanner Stadium
Buzz: Although you’d think Jamestown coach Thad Wheeler might be familiar with Warhill, having coached there five seasons (2014-18), that’s likely not true because the Lions have 24 freshmen. Warhill possesses just a tad more offensive punch, perhaps decisive in what figures to a hard-hitting, low-scoring game.
Larry: Warhill 27-20. Marty: Warhill 15-14.
Tabb (1-1) vs. Poquoson (0-1)
Site: Poquoson Middle School
Buzz: Poquoson’s offensive showing in a 41-31 loss to New Kent was impressive for a long-delayed season-opener. But the depth-shy Islanders allowed 6.8 yards per carry on the ground and face another huge challenge in Tabb’s big running backs Xavier Martin and Corey Kidwell.
Larry: Tabb 14-13. Marty: Tabb 21-20.
Saturday
No. 3 Phoebus (2-0) vs. Kecoughtan (0-0)
Time: Noon
Site: Darling Stadium
Buzz: Kecoughtan, out of COVID quarantine, plays its first game under former Nansemond River assistant Jeff Super. Phoebus, very good defensively thus far, displayed lots of rust on offense through much of its first seven quarters. But the Phantoms hit their stride in rallying to beat Hampton 23-12 behind QB Mark Wagner (201 yards passing), RB Ty’Reon Taylor (120 yards rushing) and WR Kymari Gray (eight receptions, 74 yards).
Larry: Phoebus 41-13. Marty: Phoebus 35-7.
Granby (0-2) vs. No. 11 Churchland (2-0)
Time: 6 p.m.
Site: Powhatan Field
Buzz: Churchland, which had a bye last week, tries to start 3-0 for the second consecutive season. Granby is still searching for its first win of the season after playing Lake Taylor and Maury.
Larry: Churchland 23-13. Marty: Churchland 35-0
Grafton (0-3) at New Kent (2-1)
Time: 1 p.m.
Buzz: Because of field conditions, the game has been moved from Friday and to the Parks and Rec Field across the street from New Kent High (bring lawn chairs). New Kent ran for 301 yards in a 41-31 win last week at Poquoson, led by freshman Aquavious Dunbar, who carried 11 times for 108 yards and three touchdowns.
Larry: New Kent 27-7. Marty: New Kent 35-6.
Monday
Denbigh (1-1) vs. Menchville (1-0)
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Todd Stadium
Buzz: Peninsula District bottom feeders for years, both programs are improved. RB Geo Hales, who ran for more than 1,000 yards the past two seasons, leads Menchville’s offense and had a 32-yard interception return for a TD in the 20-14 win over Bethel. Marion Fogg had two interception returns for touchdowns in Denbigh’s 27-12 win over Heritage last week.
Larry: Menchville 27-13. Marty: Menchville 28-14.
Tuesday
Hampton (0-1) vs. No. 13 Warwick (1-0)
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Todd Stadium
Buzz: This will be game No. 3 for both, assuming their games on Friday go off without a hitch. Hampton had dominated this rivalry, winning all but one game since 1965, until Warwick won two of the three games played the past two seasons – a 19-14 victory in the Class 4 Region A playoffs in 2019 included.
Larry: Warwick 21-20. Marty: Warwick 14-13.
How they fared
Marty O’Brien: 10-7 last week, 39-11 (78%)
Larry Rubama: 12-5 last week, 39-11 (78%)
