Osbourn Grabs Title From Woodbridge
Sophomore Timmy Keith had the biggest impact on the game, scoring 3 times offensively for the Eagles.
Photos By: Barry deNicola / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
Osbourn's Jerell McFadden took full advantage of the Woodbridge defense rushing for over 100 yards in the win.
Photos By: Barry deNicola / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
Junior wide receiver Demetrius Quarles scored on a long touchdown pass and had an interception return for a touchdown for the Vikings.
Photos By: Barry deNicola / Gameday | VIEW GALLERY
WOODBRIDGE, VA - On paper the Northwest Regional title game should have gone one direction, but that is why they say: "you have to play the game". The Woodbridge Vikings were the heavy favorite entering Friday's contest, touting a perfect 11-0 mark on the season. The Osbourn Eagles, who had just one week ago dispatched the top-seeded team in the regional tournament, were looking to keep their winning ways alive. When the winds finally died down at A.T. Howard Stadium and the dust had settled from another "Gameday Instant Classic" it was the Osbourn Eagles holding the championship trophy for the 2nd time in 3 seasons.
Woodbridge took the ball on their opening possession and drove down the field into Osbourn territory until De'Antwan "Rocket" Williams and Frank Buckley could not make a clean handoff exchange in the backfield, and the Eagles pounced on the football and took over control. Ball control and fumbles would plague the Vikings all night in this contest. With a short field to work with Osbourn got underway. The Eagles drove the field with a steady dose of Jerell McFadden. Osbourn then gave Timmy Keith a chance to get the job done, and did he ever. Keith took the reverse handoff from McFadden and proceeded to gouge the Woodbridge defense for a 15 yard touchdown run and the early 7-0 lead.
The teams then settled into a pattern, either not sustaining drives or turning over the football. Osbourn averted disaster during the 1st quarter when a bad snap went over the punter's head. Woodbridge in turn put the ball on the ground again and Osbourn took possession. It was not until late in the 1st half that Woodbridge would show some life. On the first play of a drive that began at the 5:34 mark of the 2nd quarter, Frank Buckley connected with Demetrius Quarles who took the receiver screen 70 yards almost untouched for the score. Woodbridge's extra point was blocked and the Eagles still had the lead 7-6 with 5:20 to play in the half.
On Osbourn's next possession things would get worse and the Eagles would watch their lead disappear. After Osbourn had worked the ball deep into Vikings territory Thomas Keith was scrambling and trying to make a play when he tossed the ball into the middle of the field hoping one of his receivers could make a play, unfortunately for Keith the only player who had a chance at the ball was Quarles for the Vikings. Quarles took the interception all the way back untouched for the go-ahead score and a 14-7 lead with just 2:36 to play in the opening half. It felt as if the momentum was back on the home side again, and this would be the point Woodbridge would start to pull away. Wait one minute, the Eagles marched right back down the field throwing the football to 4 different receivers and moving into the red zone with just under 1:00 to play in the half. Thomas Keith dropped back and found his favorite target, younger brother Timmy Keith for the tying touchdown from 10 yards out.
The Eagles had gotten away from the first half with a tie and it started to fee as if they really thought they had what it would take to win the game. With the winds blowing and temperatures dropping, the Eagles had elected to stay near the field during the halftime break braving the elements on the cold and windy night.
Osbourn started the 2nd half with the football and made the most of it taking a 17-14 lead on a Tyler Schultze 29-yard field goal with 8:28 to play in the 3rd quarter. Again the action slowed between the teams as the field position battle took full control of the game. Osbourn used their single wing look on offense to keep the clock moving into the 4th quarter, still holding on to the slim 3 point advantage.
Woodbridge's defense would make a stand with 8:45 to go in the game. Osbourn was in punt formation and the snap form the center to the punter was not even close. Woodbridge would fall on the ball after Osbourn could do nothing to attempt the punt. Woodbridge took over on the Osbourn 8 yard line and it took just 2 handoffs to Rocket to get the Vikings back on top. Woodbridge had the 20-17 lead with 8:01 to play for the regional title.
Osbourn wasted no time taking back control of the game. On the 2nd play from scrimmage on their very next possession Jerell McFadden went to the air. He found Timmy Keith behind the Woodbridge defense for the 64 yard touchdown strike and the 24-20 lead with still over 7:30 to play in the game.
Woodbridge had to get a touchdown to win the game and they put the ball in the hands of their star, Rocket Williams. Williams led the Vikings offense down the field and inside the Eagles' 10 yard line with just under 4 minutes to play in regulation.
On 1st down and goal Buckley handed off to Williams who pushed the pile to the 5 yard line. Williams again took the handoff on 2nd down and came just short of the goal line at the 1-foot line. The Osbourn defense needed to dig in and keep the Vikings out of the end zone. Buckley again handed off the Williams on 3rd down and the Eagles defense held in the middle, again stopping Williams shy of the goal line. Coach Keith King of the Vikings called a timeout to come up with the potential game-winning play. Williams would again get the football on 4th down. Williams took the handoff and plowed into the line, but their was nothing there, Williams spun off the pile and headed for the far-side goal line and looked to have the score in his grasp when C.J. Jackson made the play of the game. Jackson took the correct angle on Williams and met him shy of the goal line, and was able to corral Williams to the ground short of the goal line. Woodbridge had failed to cross the line and found themselves down 24-20 with just 3:31 to play and 2 timeouts remaining.
Jerell McFadden guided the Eagles from the shadow of their end zone and out to the 40 yard line before the Osbourn "victory" formation would go into effect. Osbourn's fans stormed the field as the clock ticked away to zero, and the Eagles had again upset a higher ranked team and captured the Northwest Region Division 6 crown.
Osbourn will now move on to face the winner of the Varina and Meadowbrook game that takes place Saturday afternoon. The game will be hosted by Osbourn with a game-time yet to be determined next Saturday. Stay tuned to GamedayMagazine.com for photos of this game.
Velocity Sports Performance Players of the Game
Woodridge: WR/DB, Demetrius Quarles
Quarles finished Friday's contest with 4 rushes for 42 yards, 1 catch for 70 yards and a touchdown. Quarles was also responsible for the only defensive touchdown of the game with his 80 yard interception return for a touchdown in the 1st half. Quarles will be an impact player for the Vikings next season as he is only a junior.
Osbourn: WR, Timmy Keith
Although only a sophomore Keith is one of the top players on the Osbourn roster. Keith rushed 4 times for just 28 yards, but his production came on the receiving end of passes. Keith caught 7 balls for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns to help guide the Eagles to the regional crown.
