After 4 Tries, Oscar Smith Finally Advances......
For Oscar Smith's football team, the fourth time was truly a charm. On the Norfolk State University field on Friday night, the Chesapeake squad finally jumped over the hurdle that knocked them down the past three seasons, charging past Salem 17-9 to take home the regional title of which they'd repeatedly come within a game, including a loss to the Sun Devils last season. On Dec. 1, the Tigers host the Northern Region champion Westfield Bulldogs (13-0) on Saturday.
Living up to the title of his NFL counterpart, Phillip Sims threw for 207 yards and gunned touchdown passes to Kerry Boykins and Todd Harrelson, and the Tiger defense ended all-time Eastern Region rushing titlist Kevin Whaley's career with a 63-yard performance.
Across the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton's Phoebus squad had an even easier time of things, defending its Eastern Region Division 5 title with a 26-0 shutout of visiting Indian River. The Phantoms, taking home their 20th consecutive victory, take the next step toward defending their state title when they head to Stone Bridge High School in Ashubrn, Virginia next weekend for the AAA state semifinals.
Shawn Alston led the way on offense for the Phantoms with 138 yards and a trio of touchdowns, while the Phoebus defense held the Braves to 78 yards and six first downs.
