Preview: Varina vs. Osbourn
RB Jerrell McFadden has been stellar in the playoffs for the Eagles, and will be tasked to keep his team on track if they are to advance to the State Final...
Photo by Barry deNicola / Gameday Magazine
QB Thomas Keith has many weapons he can go to in the prolific Osbourn offense...
Photo by Barry deNicola / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
WHERE: Osbourn High School
WHEN: Saturday, November 29th, 2008
KICKOFF: 1:30 PM
PREGAME: 1:15 PM
MEDIA COVERAGE:
Gameday Radio Division 6 Semi-finals Broadcast Live
Worldwide Online at www.GamedayMagazine.com
BROADCAST TEAM:
Richard Colven (Play By Play)
Derek LeComte (Color Commentary)
MANASSAS, VA- Let's be honest. Teams like the Osbourn Eagles are the reason we love high school football playoffs. To some, they have no business being here. But after starting 3-4, they have ripped off 5 straight wins, including rematches with undefeated powerhouses Battlefield and Woodbridge, to make it to the State Semi-finals.
Now, towering in the way of this Cinderella story are the 12-0 Varina Blue Devils. Some would argue that the Devils are also unexpected visitors, or at least a year early. They boast a first year coach and a roster laden with Junior talent. No one emerges from the Central region without winning some major contests, however, and the Blue Devils will be satisfied with nothing less than a State championship.
Let's set the picture. On paper, this looks like a mismatch, nolo contendre, keep the bus warm. The Varina offensive line outweighs Osbourn by over 50 pounds on average (273-219 lbs). They've won more games, scored more points, gained more yards, and have more Division I prospects. But the games are decided on the field, and the field on Saturday, November 29, will be in Manassas, VA. And the home field will be defended by a sudden team of destiny who believes. Given that, who really is the underdog?
Osbourn Coach Steve Schultze is the evangelist behind the Eagles surge. Schultze added single wing formations to the spread offense sets to keep defenses guessing, and it has helped upend the previously unbeaten Bobcats and Vikings. Leveraging blinding speed to keep defenses chasing has worked so far, but will it work against the much bigger Blue Devils?
Senior Jerrell McFadden powers the Eagle offense. #4 does it all over the field: rushing for 1,060 yards and 12 TDs in 189 attempts (5.6 avg), catching 17 passes for 178 yards (10.5 avg), completing 6 of 11 passes for 275 yards and 3 TDs, and putting up 313 return yards.
McFadden is not a one-man-show, however, as the Keith brothers are a powerful combination on offense. Senior QB Thomas has completed 70 of 154 passes for 1,054 yards, 8 TDs and 8 INT. He also has rushed for 887 yards and 9 TDs on 151 attempts (5.9 avg). His favorite receiver is his brother, Sophomore Timmy, who leads the Eagles with 31 receptions for 590 yards (19.0 avg) and 7 TDs. The brothers accounted for all 3 TDs (Thomas running for 1 and passing for 1, Timmy catching 2, one a 65 yarder that was the difference maker from McFadden) in their 24-21 upset of Woodbridge.
So far the Osbourn offense has been enough to outscore opponents, who have scored, on average, over 20 points per game. Against the Blue Devils, however, the Osbourn defensive line must neutralize Varina's superior size. The Blue Devil offensive line packs over 50 pounds of beef more than the Eagle defensive front five (273 lbs. to 219 lbs.) This battle will be key to the game. Can the Eagles use defensive schemes and speed to make the stops? Can they bend, but not break, especially with strong kicker Cory Gray on the Blue Devil roster?
This task is daunting, to be certain. Varina is talented and tested. The Blue Devils were challenged in their league, especially with wins over Hermitage and Highland Springs. Both were comeback wins, where the Blue Devils showed a lot of poise. In the playoffs, it took a blocked extra point in overtime against Hermitage and a hard fought victory against Meadowbrook, powered by a bruising running attack and break-out performances by WR Bobby Smith.
The Blue Devils make the best of their advantage on the line of scrimmage. The offensive line averages just over 6 feet and 268 pounds, including guards Sakori Wilson (6'0, 260) and De'Antre Rhodes (6'4, 290), and LT Marquis Wallace (6'4, 298) . The defensive line is a little smaller and faster at an average 227 pounds, but is anchored by Rhodes at tackle and speedy defensive ends Jamel Coles and Curtis Harris.
This play by the big uglies leads to a strong rushing attack by RB Tre Johnson. Over 12 games, Johnson has rushed for 1950 yards and 21 TDs in 229 carries. He is comfortable rushing behind his blockers between the tackles, and he is especially dangerous when he gets to the outside with his speed. QB Norrell Hermon is also a rushing threat as is RB/TE Donald Upshaw.
However, the playoff playmaker has been Smith. The senior has been the Blue Devils' top pass catcher over the season with 48 catches for 901 yards. However, 237 of those yards have come in the two playoff games (6 catches for 142 yds. vs. Meadowbrook, 6 for 95 vs. Hermitage) - accounting for over 25% of his production on the season. He averages nearly 20 yards per catch and has 11 TDs. Junior Jarrell Harrison is also steady with 22 catches for 341 yards and 5 TDs.
The difference in this game may be Varina's solid and stingy defense. While the offense puts up close to 30 points per game, the Blue Devils allow just over 10, with 2 shutouts. The line combines size and speed, as Rhodes goes both ways, plugging up the middle with Brandon Wells. A solid linebacker core is led by Div. I prospect T.K. Hester, who has moved from CB to linebacker and has not missed a beat. He is joined by bruiser Addonis Robinson and secondary standout CBs Jamal Townes and Ishmael Banks and Safety Nick Taylor.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Osbourn Offense vs. Varina Defense
Osbourn must keep the Varina defense guessing and chasing to win. If the Eagles can combine the deception and determination to control the game and score over 25 points, then they should win. T.K. Hester and company may not believe it, but the Eagles might be the most explosive and confident offense they've faced.
Osborn's Speed vs. Varina's Size
Especially on the defensive side, the Eagles must find a way around the superior, Division I caliber Blue Devil linemen. They need to make the line of scrimmage a pile of bodies and make every tackle or else Varina could run all over them. If the Eagles force the Blue Devils to the air, this game could get very interesting.
Expect a key play on special teams. An onside kick, pick-6, or return for a touchdown could be the difference. Play from scrimmage tactics could result in a standstill, which means the coach that makes a bold call on special teams play could turn the tide.
Prediction
Certainly, the Blue Devils can be called a juggernaut destined for a tilt vs. the Oakton Cougars or Oscar Smith Tigers for all the marbles. However, the Eagles have turned around from 3-4 to being two wins away from the championship. Their heart cannot falter, and they will continue to need the big plays that have gotten them to the ball. Will the clock strike midnight for the upstart Eagles?
I want to believe, but I have to go with the "weight" of the evidence. Varina's offense will be a clock and yardage consuming machine. Osbourn will counter with offensive heroics from the Keith brothers and McFadden, but in the end, Bobby Smith will pad his resume with another TD catch for the win: Varina 20, Osbourn 17.
