Salem, Oscar Smith, Phoebus win Easily
Virginia Beach, VA - If anyone was worried that the Sundevils were looking ahead to next week, it didn't matter. Salem looked unstoppable in a 56-12 win over Tallwood. Running back Kevin Whaley was named to the All-Gameday team this week, and showed why with over 350 yards in total yards. On the first play of the game he showed off his arm with a 40 yard pass to set up a Sundevil score. On Salem's next possession, Whaley danced around several Lions on his way to a 93 yard touchdown run and a 14-0 lead. Whaley would add on two more touchdown runs and an 83 yard kick-off return touchdown for good measure. Whaley would rush for 201 yards on the day, and the game was never in doubt. The top team in the region flexed their collective muscles in the first round, but should be tested next week.
Chesapeake, VA - By the time the fans had settled into their seats at Oscar Smith high school, the game was already over. The Tigers scored on their first three possessions on drives that cover 40 seconds, 43 seconds, and 1 minute 56 seconds. 21-0 before the first quarter had ended, and the rout was on. Instant offense, combined with stifling defense, and Oscar Smith coasted to a 34-0 win in a 'road' game that was held at the Tiger's own stadium in a scheduling quirk. Wide receiver, Jamal Wilson opened the scoring with a 40 yard reverse on a third down play. Kenny Royster scored on runs of 75 and 5 yards respectively, and when Western Branch left time on the clock at the end of the half, Philip Simms led the Tigers on a 35 yard drive that took up 24 seconds and ended with a 9 yard pass to fullback Perry Jones for a 27-0 lead at the break. The teams traded punts for most of the second half, but back-up running back Lonnie Andrews burned the Bruins one last time on an 83 yard touchdown run that completed the scoring. The Tigers out-gained the Southeastern district co-champions 336 to 80 in total offense, as the Bruins never could get things going. The game marked the end of Western Branch head coach Lew Johnston's storied 22 year career.
Hampton, VA - Dennis Mathis ran 30 times for 159 yards as the Phoebus Phantoms took advantage of early mistakes by Lake Taylor to win easily 24-0 in a first round Division 5 match-up. After opening the game with a solid drive that ended in a field goal, the Phantoms got the ball right back after the Titans fumbled the ensuing kick-off. Tajh Boyd hit William Wheeler for a touchdown and a 10 point lead. Lake Taylor again turned the ball over, this time on an interception, and Phoebus turned that into points again with a Boyd 6 yard run which put the Phantoms up 16-0. The Titans never got rolling, putting up just 152 in total offense. Penalties and turnovers did them in as well. The Phantoms will take on the Maury Commodores in a re-match of last season's 49-48 double-overtime classic which Phoebus won thanks to a missed extra point.
