Preview: Osbourn vs. Oscar Smith
The Osbourn Eagles enter Saturday's contest at 9-4 while the Oscar Smith Tigers are a perfect 14-0.
Photos By: Dave Bernhardt / Jeff Schryver
Osbourn's Thomas Keith has been in control of the offense all season long, totaling over 2,100 yards from scrimmage.
Photo By: Dave Bernhardt
Oscar Smith's Tim Smith has been the go-to guy all season long for Phillip Sims. The University of Virginia commit will look to lead the Tigers to the title Saturday.
Photo By: Jeff Schryver
OSBOURN EAGLES VS OSCAR SMITH TIGERS
WHERE: LANE STADIUM, BLACKSBURG
WHEN: DECEMBER 6TH, 2008
KICKOFF: 4:07PM (APPROX.)
PREGAME: 3:30PM
MEDIA COVERAGE: GAMEDAY RADIO NETWORK ONLINE AT WWW.GAMEDAYMAGAZINE.COM
BROADCAST TEAM:
JUSTIN WADDLE - PLAY-BY-PLAY
GRANT PAULSEN - COLOR COMMENTARY
DEREK GOODE - SIDELINE COLOR COMMENTARY
The Osbourn Eagles are getting set to take on the Oscar Smith Tigers for the Group AAA Division 6 championship, a match-up that nobody could have predicted. Not many people gave the Eagles a fighting chance to even make it out of the Northwest Regional playoffs, yet here they are. Osbourn has been on one of the most spectacular runs in recent memory, knocking off 3 consecutive undefeated teams in the playoffs to make another appearance in the state finals. Oscar Smith on the other hand has been one of the favorites all season long to be playing in this game. The Tigers are ranked as high as #11 in the country in some polls, and after a nail-biting 10-7 win over Oakton last Saturday the Tigers look to become the 2nd team in VHSL history to go 15-0. The Westfield Bulldogs achieved that feat a year ago topping Woodbridge, one week after a come from behind win over Oscar Smith.
The teams have taken different roads to this game with the Eagles dropping 4 contests in the regular season and getting into the playoffs as the #4 seed in the Northwest Regional playoffs. The Tigers on the other hand went unblemished, but were beat out for the top seed in the Eastern Regional tournament by Ocean Lakes. Osbourn used wins over Battlefield, Woodbridge, and Varina to advance to this week's championship with a 9-4 record, while Oscar Smith took care of business against Woodside, Bethel, Ocean Lakes, and Oakton to enter Saturday's game with a 14-0 mark.
KEY PLAYER WATCH
Presented By: Fuddruckers of Ashburn
OSBOURN EAGLES
-- QB, Thomas Keith - Keith appears for Coach Schultze when the Osbourn offense opens the formation into the spread look. Keith is a very versatile player and a true dual-threat quarterback. Keith has amassed over 2,100 total yards from scrimmage during the 2008 season, and has totaled 20 touchdowns. Even though Keith is only a junior he plays with poise and has made minimal mistakes when throwing downfield.
-- RB, Jerell McFadden - McFadden has been the true "x-factor" for this team throughout the playoff run. McFadden moved from quarterback to the running back position early in the 2008 season, and he has not missed a beat on offense, whether he is asked to run or make the occasional throw. McFadden also starts in the Osbourn secondary and returns kicks and punts. On the season McFadden has over 1,200 yards rushing, 200 yards passing, and 200 yards receiving, all while adding 14 total touchdowns.
-- WR, Timmy Keith - If you don't know already then the answer is yes, Timmy is the younger brother of Thomas Keith. Timmy is just a sophomore and he plays like an upperclassman. Keith runs precise routes and the communication with his brother on the field without saying a word has been a big key to the Eagles run this postseason. Keith can also be utilized to run the football for Coach Schultze. Keith has over 600 yards receiving with 7 touchdowns.
-- NG, Tyler Brown - Brown is the nose guard for the Eagles, even though he only stands 5'11" and weighs in at 192 pounds. Some would classify Brown as undersized, but the way he plays every play you forget about his size and really focus on his motor. Brown has been able to knife through offensive lines all season long, and route to being one of the defensive leaders on this team. Brown has also been able to talk to his teammates about being in this game before, as he was a member of the 2006 title team along with Jerell McFadden.
OSCAR SMITH TIGERS
-- QB, Phillip Sims - Sims is the lynchpin in the Tigers offense. Sims is having a very productive junior season and has been accurate throwing the football. Even though he lost 3 Division I receivers after last season he has been able to guide the Tigers to the title game. Sims has the size at 6'2", 215 pounds, and the arm to throw the deep ball or run if he is asked to. The Oscar Smith offense goes as he goes, and even though they were held to just one offensive touchdown last week the Tigers can put points on the board at anytime.
-- WR, Tim Smith - Smith is the one holdover wide receiver from last year's state semi-final team. Smith, a UVA commit, can stretch the field and give Sims a man deep on almost every play. Smith caught a touchdown last week against Oakton, something he has been able to do all season long. Smith's size and ability have created more than one mismatch this season for the Tigers, as Smith is 6'0" 185 pounds.
-- LB, Jerod Askew - Askew is one of the best line backers in the state of Virginia. His ability to cover the field on the defensive side of the football has helped lead the Tigers to their perfect mark and 6 shutouts en route to this game. Askew is one of the hardest hitters on the defensive side of the football, and his 6'0" 230 pound frame is hard to block for any offensive player.
-- LB, Perry Jones - Jones helps to give the Oscar Smith defense even more firepower along with Askew. Jones was an all-state selection a year ago, and this year he wants one more accolade, a state title. Even though he is only 5'9" and 190 pounds he is able to fly to the football and cover the field from sideline to sideline. Jones uses his size to his advantage, being able to get past blockers before they know he is gone and make plays in the offensive backfield.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Presented By: Fractured Prune
OSBOURN SECONDARY VS OSCAR SMITH PASSING GAME
Phillip Sims to Tim Smith could be heard quite often Saturday afternoon if the Osbourn secondary does not bring their best. Osbourn's secondary will be tested with the passing game of the Tigers. Oscar Smith has been able to put points on the scoreboard all season long, and will be looking to continue that trend in the state finals. CJ Jackson and Chaz Bates will have the tough job of covering the wide receivers for the Tigers. The Eagles will also need Jerell McFadden to contribute on defense from his safety position. If the Eagles are going to stay in the game against Oscar Smith the secondary will have to make more than one bug play against the passing attack of the Tigers. ADVANTAGE: OSCAR SMITH
OSCAR SMITH LINEBACKERS VS OSBOURN RUNNING GAME
The Tigers tout two of the state's best at linebacker and have recorded 6 shutouts this season. Osbourn has the ability to run the football out of both the spread and single wing formations. The Eagles will have to be able to run effectively against Jones and Askew and the rest of the Tiger linebackers. Osbourn has been able to run for over 2,400 yards this season with 34 touchdowns. The Osbourn offensive line has been able to open up running lanes, and the pressure that the Oscar Smith defense will put on the offensive line will be a major determining factor in this one. Osbourn has been successful even when they are going against bigger and better defenses, despite only averaging around 230 pounds across their offensive line. ADVANTAGE: OSCAR SMITH
OSBOURN COACHES VS OSCAR SMITH COACHES
Many say "coaches don't play and thus cannot affect a game that much", but I beg to differ in this situation. Osbourn coach Steve Schultze and Oscar Smith coach Richard Morgan have done everything possible to prepare their teams for this contest. Schultze led his team to this game just 2 seasons ago, and he knows how the environment and pressure can affect his team. Both teams are very well coached and the ways in which the coaching staffs have been able to push their players to excel within their physical abilities is the biggest reason why we are looking at these teams in the state finals. ADVANTAGE: OSBOURN
KEYS TO VICTORY
Presented By: Moe's Southwest Grill
FOR OSBOURN
--Do what has gotten you this far, playing sound football and within your physical ability.
--Learn from those who have been here. Look to those seniors who were on the 2006 state championship team to keep from getting caught up in all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the game.
--Continue to believe in yourselves. It does not matter if nobody in Blacksburg gives you a chance, if you believe you can get it done that is all that matters for one more week.
FOR OSCAR SMITH
--Get on top early. Use your weapons and make the Eagles be the first team to change game plans.
--Finish. A year ago you fell in the state semi-finals, remember that game and use it as motivation to take the trophy home.
--Defensive pressure. Make the Eagles uncomfortable when they have the football by creating pressure and forcing mistakes.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Presented By: Atlanta Bread Company
The Oscar Smith Tigers come in to this contest giving up an average of 6.6 points per game with 6 defensive shutouts, while averaging 40.2 points per game on the offensive side of the ball including 9 times over the 40 point mark. The Osbourn Eagles are averaging 27.3 points per contest while only scoring 40 plus points 3 times this season. The Eagles are giving up 20.8 per game with no shutouts on the year. The Eagles are also 5-3 versus teams with winning records, while the Tigers are an impressive 8-0 against winning teams.
OSCAR SMITH RECORDS SINCE 2000
2000: 5-5
2001: 4-6
2002: 7-3
2003: 9-2*
2004: 11-1*
2005: 11-1*
2006: 10-2*
2007: 13-1*
2008: 14-0* (TO DATE)
OSBOURN RECORDS SINCE 2000
2000: 0-10
2001: 0-10
2002: 2-8
2003: 4-6
2004: 3-7
2005: 10-2*
2006: 14-0**
2007: 4-6
2008: 9-4* (TO DATE)
* - Playoff Appearance
** - State Title
EXPERT ANALYSIS
Cinderella is coming to the final ball; the only question is whether midnight will strike before the clock hits all zeros Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. The Osbourn Eagles believe in themselves even if nobody else does. The Oscar Smith Tigers know they should have been in the state finals a year ago and are determined to carry home the trophy. This will be a better game than people think. The Tigers offense did not put up their usual big numbers a week ago, most of that attributable to the stout Oakton Cougars defense, while the Osbourn offense put up impressive numbers en route to their 3rd highest output of the season. Whoever hoists the trophy after this game will deserve it. Both of these teams have hard hitters and big play potential with their speed players. I am torn between the "expert's" obvious choice in this one, and the football fan in me that loves the underdog. I am simply going to end this preview like this...the team that wins Saturday's title will have played an almost perfect game on both sides of the football and on special teams.
