Oscar Smith 15, Indian River 14

VaPrepsRod

Senior
Jul 5, 2008
58,360
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Quite possibly the best game that I've ever seen live.

Oscar Smith was all but dead with under four minutes left down 14-2, but scored off a double reverse pass to cut lead to 14-8, then got the game-winning touchdown on a punt return with 43 seconds left.

Recap coming from Matthew Hatfield.
 
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Bounty13

Sophomore
Oct 15, 2011
427
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From what I could see in the video IR sent everyone downfield for coverage and only had 4 players protecting the punt, while OS sent 8 on the block. Not sure what IR was thinking.
 
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540teamz

Senior
Sep 9, 2015
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This was truly a great game. Indian River is full of Upper Classmen, transfers. Likely the best players from other teams in the Southeastern District vs the up & coming Tiger underclassmen that Coach Morgan has proclaimed to be a better defense than last year's team!

The Tiger fan's, like me, never gave up on this team today. Coach Morgan has these kids believing in his team concept and this game could be a stepping stone to another district Championship. With Western Branch, Great Bridge, King's Fork, and Grassfield still left on their schedule, there are no guarantees. But, Indian River may have been the best team they'll face until the play-offs.

As a fan of High School Football, games like today are far more entertaining and fun to watch. I hope the area top teams get to play each other more. The Northern Region schools are opening their schedules more to other districts this season. Hopefully, the Beach and Peninsula District Schools will choose to do the same. Heck, even getting some games with Richmond Schools would be fun. The travel for the teams might not be, but some of those teams will likely host some playoff games in the near future anyway.
 
Last edited:
Jun 5, 2001
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The punt return as captured by 757 Teamz

If I was a high school varsity football coach I would NEVER punt. It's statistically of no use in high school. I might line up in fg formation and kick it out of bounds down field or something like that, but even then...
 

540teamz

Senior
Sep 9, 2015
1,144
811
113
I wondered why Indian River didn't line up in the shotgun to give them the appearance of trying for the 1st down & then quick kicking it to pin Oscar Smith deep in their side of the field. I'm sure Coach Morgan is glad they didn't! I know I am.
 

DEVILSLB99

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2005
8,685
1,162
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I would have taken the snap with my fastest player ran backwards run as much clock as I can and then run out of the end zone and gave them the 2 points. I would have then played Cover 2 man and took my chances with them trying to throw a hail mary to beat me.
 
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anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b

All-Conference
Aug 28, 2005
37,371
1,361
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This was truly a great game. Indian River is full of Upper Classmen, transfers. Likely the best players from other teams in the Southeastern District vs the up & coming Tiger underclassmen that Coach Morgan has proclaimed to be a better defense than last year's team!

The Tiger fan's, like me, never gave up on this team today. Coach Morgan has these kids believing in his team concept and this game could be a stepping stone to another district Championship. With Western Branch, Great Bridge, King's Fork, and Grassfield still left on their schedule, there are no guarantees. But, Indian River may have been the best team they'll face until the play-offs.

As a fan of High School Football, games like today are far more entertaining and fun to watch. I hope the area top teams get to play each other more. The Northern Region schools are opening their schedules more to other districts this season. Hopefully, the Beach and Peninsula District Schools will choose to do the same. Heck, even getting some games with Richmond Schools would be fun. The travel for the teams might not be, but some of those teams will likely host some playoff games in the near future anyway.
That would be pretty hard to do since the Beach District has 11 teams, I believe.