LIVE 6A Championship Blog - Oscar Smith (13-1) vs. Westfield (12-2)

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Follow the LIVE 6A State Championship BLOG with Oscar Smith (13-1) vs. Westfield (12-2) in a re-match from last year's triple-overtime classic won by the Bulldogs at Hampton University's Armstrong Stadium with Matthew Hatfield here...

 

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It'll be Westfield kicking to Oscar Smith to start. A chilly, yet gorgeous and sunny Saturday afternoon from Hampton University.

Westfield kicker Brian Delaney - who has been a weapon all year long and is headed to UVA - boots the opening kickoff in the end zone for a touchback.

Oscar Smith begins at its own 20.

 

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Westfield's Russell Steinhilber, a junior DB, breaks up the first pass of the game by Oscar Smith QB Shon Mitchell - the VHSL's all-time leader in touchdowns thrown, pass yards and completions.

Deangelo White, junior RB for the Tigers, gains 6 to bring up 3rd & 4. Mitchell on the QB keeper gets more than enough for a first down, picking up 13 yards near the 40 yard line. Very important start for the Tigers to avoid going 3 & out.

 

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Appeared the Tigers had a big pass completion on 2nd & 12 into Westfield territory - Mitchell to Thomas Woodhouse. But it comes back on a hold and likely takes the run out of the equation. They face 2nd & 27 from inside their own 25 yard line. A short pass gets them near the 30. Third and long upcoming.

That penalty might've been the drive killer for the Tigers in hopes of scoring on their opening possession.

 

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Another penalty - an illegal forward pass on third down - brings up a loss of down and forces Oscar Smith to punt on 4th down. Good booming kick means Westfield will start at its own 33-yard line with 8:50 to go in the first quarter. Still scoreless.

It'll be interesting to see if the Oscar Smith defense, so good at taking the ball away from opponents (26INT's), can victimize a QB in Rehman Johnson who has been picked just five times all year.

 

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This might be a day where Westfield has to depend on the passing game a great deal to generate scoring chances offensively as their running game has been stuffed on the first two attempts. Brings up a 3rd & 7 from their own 47-yard line.

Khalik Perry nearly comes up with an INT that would've been a 55-yard pick-six, but he's unable to hold on to the ball as he broke on the pass. Westfield to punt now. Bulldogs dodged a bullet there.

 

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Another great kick, this time on a punt, by Westfield secret weapon and UVA commit Brian Delaney. Easily the best at kicking I've seen this year and there have been some good ones across VA this season. It's a touchback, meaning the second straight series for Oscar Smith begins at their own 20 yard line.

Shon Mitchell with a read-option keeper, and then Deangelo White runs the ball. True to his roots, Coach Bill Dee looking to try to establish the run today and that open up some play-action and shots down the field in the passing game.

 

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Sun is finally starting to set... which is good from the glare that has been in my eyes since this game started, but bad in that it's going to darker and colder soon. Current temp is at 39 degrees.

Westfield, facing a critical 3rd & 9, move the sticks with a precise pass by Rehman Johnson to the sideline. They're now at their own 41-yard line, Johnson spins away from trouble and almost throws an INT to Cam'Ron Kelly. The sophomore has 8 INT's on the year and 4 in these playoffs. Don't rule out him getting that ninth of the year and fifth of these playoffs.

 

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Westfield's Kevin Petrillo - known more for his defensive prowess at linebacker than offensive skills - hauls in a pass of 52 yards from QB Rehman Johnson.

Petrillo was wide open. He literally stopped to haul that in and caught it before racing 25 yards.

On the next play, there's a penalty on Oscar Smith on an incomplete pass and then Johnson hits Nolan Cockrill for a touchdown from 7 yards out. Delaney's extrap oint ties the score up.

3:40 left 1stQ - Westfield 7, Oscar Smith 7

 

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Westfield defensive linemen Aaron Daise and Logan DeMoney are chasing down Smith QB Shon Mitchell. On 3rd & 5 - it's Mitchell hitting Thomas Woodhouse for a tough completion in traffic. Woodhouse gains 10 yards as Joey Free brings him down.

Tigers now have it at their own 39-yard line and show trips right, single-back and then go to Khalik Perry on a screen. Perry skirts out around 50.

In their trips sets, the Westfield defense is going to have to tackle well in space and keep those gains to a minimal to test whether or not they are willing to run on those second and third downs.

 

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Another big play to Khalik Perry on a quick screen, but what would've been long gain is wiped out on a holding penalty. Take away a few of those flags and Oscar Smith may be in front instead of tied at 7-all as we tick near a minute left in the opening quarter here at HU.

On 2nd & 6 from the Westfield 46, Mitchell is flushed out of the pocket and hits Cam'Ron Kelly, good enough to move the chains.

 

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End 1stQ - Oscar Smith 7, Westfield 7

When we begin the second period, it'll be 2nd & 11 from the Westfield 41-yard line for the Tigers.

Oscar Smith has to feel good in that they are getting some favorable matchups in the passing game and the Westfield pass rush has yet to disrupt Shon Mitchell (William & Mary commit) as far as his timing goes.

Mitchell was 7 of 9 for 117 yards. The Tigers held a 154-89 advantage in total yards as well.

On the Westfield side of things, they could easily be down two scores here, but they were able to take advantage of a busted coverage by Smith and their kicker is certainly proving to be a key factor in field position. The bigger factor he becomes as the game progresses, the better their chances are of winning.

 

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On 3rd & 7 from the Westfield 37-yard line, it's another trips left formation for Oscar Smith and they are unable to complete the pass with two receivers near the ball. Credit the Bulldogs for having four defenders all near those two targets.

On 4th down with Mitchell airing it out down the right sideline, it's a bit off the mark as Joey Free was hanging right alongside Thomas Woodhouse.

So Westfield gets the stop and takes over at their own 37.

 

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Westfield takes a shot deep down the field after a penalty backs them up to 2nd & 23 from their own 39-yard line. Rehman Johnson is unable to connect with his receiver deep down the field, but did show off quite a bit of arm strength on the bomb.

A Bulldogs run on third down goes nowhere as LB Keshon Artis and company are there to halt the ball carrier to a short gain. Westfield punts it away.

9:13 left 2ndQ - it's still tied at 7 between Oscar Smith and Westfield as the Tigers begin at their own 19-yard line. Another booming punt from Delaney.

 

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However, on the next pass, Mitchell holds on to the ball just a bit too long as Nolan Cockrill and Zachary Jewell team for the sack. The Tigers go vertical on 2nd & 19 from their own 28-yard line and there's a penalty on the incomplete. The call is offensive pass interference and Westfield will accept and push them back instead of letting it be 3rd & 19.

Western Branch did a similar thing against Oscar Smith, in a regular season game that they led 17-7, and it ended up burning the Tigers with Mitchell escaping the pressure and firing a bomb for a touchdown. Oscar Smith came back to win that game 35-17 and later beat the eighth-seeded Bruins in a 21-14 defensive tussle in the opening round of the playoffs.

Westfield's defense doesn't let that happen as it is J. Eric Schweiger sacking Mitchell on the very next play.

 

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As we tick under 6 minutes left in the first half, Oscar Smith punts it away for the first time this evening. Westfield will take over at their own 33-yard line after a 49-yard punt by Oscar Smith's Shon Mitchell. The record-setting quarterback can do more than just throw the football.

Still deadlocked at 7.

 

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Excellent quarterback draw by Westfield's Rehman Johnson, playing more poised against this Oscar Smith defense than I probably expected (and more poise than most QB's have against them). He gains 14 yards on the run.

His cool hand at the controls of this offense has the Bulldogs in position to get a score and take the lead before the half. Oscar Smith had two near picks earlier in the contest and they are looking for a spark play from their defense.

With three receivers lined up to his right, Johnson will keep it and go up the middle inside the Oscar Smith 35 to move the chains.

 

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Nathanel Chung with a nice run before being stopped by Branden Delbridge after he picks up 7. No gain by Chung on the big hit from Keshon Artis.

Then on 2nd and Goal, it's the corner route as Rehman Johnson hits Sean Eckert for a TD of 6 yards.

1:20 left 2ndQ - Westfield 14, Oscar Smith 7

 

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Another touchback by Delaney (what's new, right?). Oscar Smith QB Shon Mitchell appeared to scramble for 15 yards, but a holding penalty backs the Tigers up to their own 9-yard line. On 2nd & 21, it's Mitchell connecting with Khalik Perry for 11 yards to make it a more manageable third down situation.

Yet again, Mitchell showing off better mobility for the Westfield fans that haven't seen him live in a year, but after avoiding the sack and taking off for a positive gain, he comes up just a couple yards shy of a first down. Smith takes the safe approach and punts the ball away.

13.3 seconds left in the 2ndQ - Westfield 14, Oscar Smith 7. Bulldogs at their own 24 and would expect a knee to go to half-time.

 

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Some half-time numbers of note...

For Westfield:
Rehman Johnson - 7-13 for 123Yds. 2-0TD/Int. ratio; 5Car. 35Yds.
Nathanael Chung - 6Car. 14Yds.
Kevin Petrillo - 2Rec. 62Yds.
Ivory Frimong - 2Rec. 32Yds.
Sean Eckert - 2Rec. 22Yds. TD
Zachary Jewell - 4 Tackles, 1.5TFL

Bulldogs - 27 plays/173 yards (14-50 rushing); 2-2 in the red zone; 2-4 on 3rd down; 2 penalties for 20 yards

For Oscar Smith:
Shon Mitchell - 9-15 for 141Yds. 1-0TD/Int. ratio; 8Car. 27Yds.
Deangelo White - 6Car. 22Yds; 2Rec. 11Yds.
Khalik Perry - 4Rec. 45Yds; 2.5 Tackles
Thomas Woodhouse - 2Rec. 79Yds. TD
Jahmeek Jones - 3.5 Tackles

Tigers - 29 plays/190 yards (14-49 rushing); 0-0 in red zone; 3-7 on 3rd down; 0-1 on 4th down; 6 penalties for 60 yards.

 

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Westfield has come out with a very workmanlike drive to begin this 2nd half, mixing in some runs with their passing plays.

Bulldogs are inside the Oscar Smith 10-yard line and can take a big step towards another state title by going ahead 21-7 with a TD to finish this masterful drive.

 

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After the officials initial signal a touchdown reception by Westfield WR Ivory Frimpong on 2nd & Goal from the Tigers 8, another referee says the ball hit the ground on the pass and it's incomplete. Probably was the right call, couldn't tell from my angle, but the Westfield fans aren't too pleased.

A pass on 3rd & Goal is incomplete, however, a flag is down. This will go against Oscar Smith and give Westfield the ball at the 4 of the Tigers.

 

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Oscar Smith badly needs to answer that scoring drive by Westfield, which was as textbook as Head Coach Kyle Simmons would want, with one of their own. Otherwise, it could be a state title repeat for the Bulldogs, who are trying to move to 3-0 all-time in the postseason against Oscar Smith.

 

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Khalik Perry continues to step up in the clutch as he rises to the occasion again on 3rd & 5 with a 39-yard reception. Westfield had a defender get caught covering a Tigers receiver on the wheel route and Perry streaked down the middle portion of the field for Mitchell to find him.

Now, as outlined in our Keys to Victory, Oscar Smith must execute in the red zone here. It's 3rd & 7 from the Westfield 12-yard line.

 

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Shon Mitchell has to escape the pressure in the pocket, gets a chip from Aaron Banks and ends up scrambling for a couple yards on thir down before Nauz Calhoun tackles him.

On 4th & 6 from the 11, his pass is incomplete. Oscar Smith wanted a defensive pass interference penalty, but it's incomplete.

Westfield takes over, leading 21-7 with 3:45 left in the third period. The Tigers need their defense to force a 3 and out and give their offense another shot with good field position to dig back in this one.

 

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A sound, disciplined series defensively for Oscar Smith as Westfield will punt it away on 4th & 14 from their own 21-yard line.

Throughout the season, the Tigers have had some impact plays on special teams - blocking a punt (Nansemond River game and Colonial Forge last week), getting big return yardage against others. But not today, at least yet, as Westfield's third aspect of the game is mighty sharp.

Delaney's punt pins Oscar Smith at their own 25-yard line. The Tigers have been unable to get anything going in the running game, so the Westfield defense has really only been worried about the pass, except the few occasions where Mitchell is able to spin out of trouble and extend a play. More times than not though, their defensive front has converted on him.

 

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Appeared to be a catch on 3rd & 2 by Cam'Ron Kelly of Oscar Smith along the sideline. Officials say no it was incomplete. A great effort, nonetheless, by Kelly. Once again though, the Westfield defense buckles down on money downs.

Oscar Smith punts to end the third period and they don't get a favorable bounce.

End 3rdQ - Westfield 21, Oscar Smith 7.

Bulldogs have it at midfield to begin the fourth period.

 

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Trying to get something started after a 3 and out by the Westfield offense early in the fourth quarter, Oscar Smith gets a 3 yard run from Khalik Perry. Shon Mitchell can't escape a host of Bulldogs on the next play and it's Israel McClain (5-7, 163 pound sophomore LB), bringing him down.

On 3rd & 7 from their own 28, Mitchell gets dumped again as it's Zachary Jewell with the pressure and sack. Oscar Smith forced to punt again.

Westfield's defensive line turned it up another notch when the second quarter began and haven't let up.

 

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We mentioned earlier here on the Blog that Oscar Smith needed some kind of lift defensively and Khalik Perry provides it on an INT. It's the 27th INT by the Tigers on defense this season. He had a pretty solid return on the play, too.

Westfield's coaches wanted a penalty, claiming one of their players was tripped on the play.

But the Westfield defense has the back of their offense, as has been the case all season long. Aaron Daise and Nauz Calhoun bear down on Shon Mitchell and get to the triggerman. There are times where Mitchell holds onto the football a tad too long and that might've been one of those cases, although Westfield's secondary deserves a ton of credit.

 

[FireAllCoachesEveryDay]

How would you rate Deangelo White, junior, for next year? What is his actual height and weight? Thanks.

 

[Anon1750207916]

 

[Anon1750207916]

How would you rate Deangelo White, junior, for next year? What is his actual height and weight? Thanks.

Good question - White is listed at 5-10, 180 pounds. Has good speed. A few schools may wonder if he's more of a running back or defensive back at the next level. Solid FCS target with the potential to get on the radar of some FBS programs. Like his ability in the return game and catching passes out of the backfield, even if he's not used as an every-down back.

 

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All the momentum is shifting towards Oscar Smith and the Tigers are traditionally a program that can get on a hot streak and turn the game around in the blink of an eye.

With Westfield on its own 25-yard line, QB Rehman Johnson makes his most dangerous, risky throw of the evening as he rolls right and is almost intercepted by Branden Delbridge. Fortunately for Johnson, his intended target / teammate Sean Eckert basically played defensive back on it and prevented Delbridge from coming up with the INT.

 

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Just when a team think it has Westfield right where they want them - as Oscar Smith was starting to believe - the Bulldogs show their Championship pedigree, poise and mettle.

Needing a boost out of the ground game, Nolan Cockrill (listed as the 6'3" 230 pound junior tight end) lines up in the backfield and rumbles about 17 yards. Then it's Ivory Frimpong with a crucial 14-yard gain as they are showing a balanced attack on this drive, looking to get some points to put a victory on ice.

Oscar Smith's defense came up with enormous stops as well as takeaways last week against Colonial Forge. They'll have to come up bigger than ever before to stay in this one as Westfield preps for a 3rd & 5 from the Tigers 34-yard line with just a little over 3 minutes to play.

 

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Reset button - Westfield 21, Oscar Smith 13 with 3:10 left to play.

Westfield has it at the 33-yard line of Oscar Smith, looking at 4th & 4. They are lining up to punt. The Bulldogs do so and kick it out of bounds.

Oscar Smith takes over at their own 20-yard line with 3:03 to play.

Does Shon Mitchell have a magical comeback left to cap his Tigers career left in him?

 

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Oscar Smith does not begin this ever critical possession with a great drive-starter. The Tigers are called for delay of game.

Joey Free keeps Khalik Perry from hauling in a pass from Shon Mitchell.

Sophomore DB Taylor Morin with a big hit on the pass intended for Perry on second down that's incomplete. Now 3rd & 15 from the 15. Might be 2-down territory given the circumstances.

Cam'Ron Kelly with a gigantic 49-yard reception for Oscar Smith to the Westfield 36. Unbelievable.

 

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Five yards on first down for Oscar Smith. Westfield is having to drop more guys than it can send after Shon Mitchell, who reverses field, goes out of bound and picks up the first down. The William & Mary commit shows his smarts there and why he's among the best in VHSL history at his position.

2:16 to play and the Tigers trail Westfield by 8. Smih has it at the 23-yard line of Westfield.

 

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Shon Mitchell is sacked, loses the football on a fumble, a teammate recovers, but Westfield is called for a penalty on a face-mask.

Clock continues to run, ticking under 1:20 to play. Smith forced to burn a time-out with 1:13 remaining. It's 3rd & 20 from the 34-yard line of Westfield. Only 1 time-out left for the Tigers.

 

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Mitchell goes to Cam Kelly and he catches the pass, then a horse collar penalty on Westfield at the absolute worst time puts the Tigers at the 13-yard line of the Bulldogs with under a minute to go and the clock still rolling.