Oscar Smith rolls past Grassfield in Class 6 Region A semifinal
Oscar Smith had little trouble with Grassfield on Thursday as the Tigers rolled to a 48-0 win over the Grizzlies in a Class 6 Region A semifinal.
The game started nearly 30 minutes late because of a medical emergency in the school’s parking lot.
The delay didn’t slow down the Tigers, who will play host to Thomas Dale for the region championship next week. Thomas Dale, from Chester, beat Franklin County 41-31 Thursday night.
The Grizzlies helped Oscar Smith on the opening kickoff when their failed onside attempt gave the Tigers the ball on the Grassfield 42.
Five plays later, Tyvon Norfleet scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead. The play was set up by big runs from Norfleet and Kevon King that put Oscar Smith in scoring position.
After a Grassfield punt, the Tigers were back in business. King did all of the damage by racking up 55 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run to put Oscar Smith up 14-0.
The passing game got involved in the action in the second quarter, led by Kole Jones.
First, he scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ethan Vasko.
That was followed by a 78-yard touchdown pass, where he zigged and zagged across the field before finally outrunning the Grassfield secondary. The Tigers missed the extra point but had a comfortable 27-0 halftime lead.
Oscar Smith’s defense did the rest, with assistance from Jones.
The Tigers (6-0) delivered several jarring hits, including two by Jones. He also had an interception in the end zone that thwarted a Grassfield scoring opportunity when the Grizzlies moved the ball to the Oscar Smith 6.
Following the turnover, Jones scored his third touchdown of the evening on a 70-yard pass from Vasko, and the rout was on.
Grassfield (3-4) advanced to the playoffs after it beat Great Bridge in the regular-season finale to surge ahead of Ocean Lakes to gain the final playoff spot. The Grizzlies are now 0-19 against Oscar Smith in school history.
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
