Oscar Smith and Thomas Dale coaches are good friends. But Tigers showed no mercy in winning Class 6 Region A title.
Oscar Smith coach Chris Scott described going against Thomas Dale coach Kevin Tucker as like playing “one-on-one with your brother.”
Scott and Tucker were teammates at Hampden-Sydney, with Tucker being a year ahead of Scott.
On this day, little brother won as Oscar Smith beat Thomas Dale, of Chesterfield County, 49-3 to win the Class 6 Region A title Saturday.
“We’re good friends, so it’s so tough ... and our families know each other well,” said Scott, who also beat Tucker last season. “But as competitive as we are, you’re trying to win harder because of that. But at the end of the day, I definitely respect him and everything he’s done, and love him. It’s fun to compete against him when you respect and care about another guy on the other side like that.”
The Tigers (7-0) will host Massaponax High, of Spotsylvania County, next week in a state semifinal. The game day and time have yet to be determined. Massaponax advanced by beating Patriot 56-21 to win the Class 6 Region B title.
The Tigers came in averaging 55 points a game, while the defense had allowed just six points all season.
Quarterback Ethan Vasko and wide receiver Kole Jones got the offense going in the first half as they hooked for touchdown passes of 9 and 21 yards.
The Tigers then put the ball in the hands of running back Kevon King, who scored on runs from 85 yards and 14. He finished the day with 203 yards rushing.
“Each week there’s been kind of a guy who has had, if you want to call it, a breakout game,” Scott said. “For us, we’ve been able to see what the defense has given us and be able to take advantage of opportunities when they try to overplay one way or another. With Ethan back there, being able to run or throw the ball is a great equalizer. Then you have Kevon King. It’s the most balanced team that I’ve ever had a chance to coach.”
Thomas Dale came in averaging 35.6 points a game, but the Knights could only muster a first-half field goal.
“Last week they rushed for over 300 yards, so we knew those guys were going to be tough,” Scott said. “They moved the ball here and there, but at the same time that defensive front, with Caleb Jones, got after it and put pressure on the quarterback.”
The Tigers added some insurance in the second half when Vasko threw two more touchdowns, both to Amonte Jones, from 22 and 45 yards. Vasko, who also rushed for a touchdown, finished the day with 270 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
