Oscar Smith Defeats Centreville at State Final
Loss of Ken Ekanem in the first quarter too much for the Wildcats to overcome, as Oscar Smith wins, 47-21.
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Centreville High School's hopes for a state title were dashed Saturday, as the Oscar Smith Tigers defeated the Wildcats at the Virginia AAA division six final, 47-21.
It was a difficult game for the Wildcats, who started off well, but struggled to overcome some enormous obstacles over the course of the game. The game had hardly started when Centreville scored two points off a snap from Oscar Smith's center, Keeland Jennette, that went through the back of the end zone. But things went south for the Cats early in the first quarter, when senior Ken Ekanem sustained a knee injury and was taken out of the game.
With Ekanem on the sideline, the Wildcats had a huge hole in their offensive and defensive strategies, and struggled for the remainder of the game.
"When you lose the best player in the state of Virginia, that's a huge impact. We'll never really know, but he plays on both sides of the ball, and he's one of the best football players in the country, and not having him certainly hurt," head coach Chris Haddock said after the game.
The Wildcats seemed to regain some confidence in the second quarter, scoring a touchdown with a pass from senior quarterback Mitch Ferrick to Chase Walter. By halftime, Oscar Smith still led 21-9, and continued to dominate in the third and fourth quarters.
With just under two minutes left in the game, the Tigers scored to reach 47, a 32-point lead. But Connor Coward answered that with a 13-yard run, which brought the score up to 21 for the Cats, with 27 seconds left in the game.
Many of fans stayed until well after the game to cheer on the Wildcats (13-2), as the announcer called out their names one by one. "They're the best I've ever seen," Haddock said, expressing his gratitude to the fans. "They're phenomenal, and I'm really, really proud that I'm a part of all this."
Lorie Stringfield-Jennette
6:17 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011
Oscar Smith Tigers did come to play as they usually do. Upon entering the stadium, from the looks of things it was all about centreville. Throughout the game the focus, only shifted when Oscar Smith Tigers did something to be penalized for or it was made to look like a penalty in many cases- the replay proved otherwise, but wasn't overuled by ratorrees ...Cheaters dont win!!!!
Julie Simpson
8:34 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011
Huh?? Oscar Smith won 47 - 21 & you're griping???
Sidney Ives
2:25 pm on Monday, December 12, 2011
From a Smith Fan. The Wildcats were a strong opponent and played tough to the end. They have a great fan base that hung in there until the final wistle and beyond. To Mitch Ferrick, Manny Smith and the other players, you guys are great athletes and I know you will do well in the future. Too bad about Ken Ekanem. I hope his injuries heal quickly. The team, the coaches, and the players are a real class act. Maybe we'll meet again next year.
Mary C. Stachyra
4:14 pm on Monday, December 12, 2011
Sidney, thanks for your comment, and for the good sportsmanship.
Jean Thoensen
7:10 pm on Monday, December 12, 2011
Oscar Smith lived up to their billing as a very fast team with an excellent quarterback who consistently finds his mark. However, their fans could use a little manners. They booed as one of Centreville's injured players was escorted off the field (can't remember if it was Ken Ekanem or not). It's good sportsmanship to applaud an injured player as he leaves the field, regardless of the team he plays for. That's true in any sport, not just football.
Sidney Ives
8:10 am on Tuesday, December 13, 2011
I've been a Smith fan for a long time and if any group behaves badly, it's gonna be the fans. With that said however, I've never seen them booing an injured player. If that was the case then I apologise on behalf of the fans. I was there and what I think you may have heard is the fans disapproval of the officiating and it happened to coincide with the player moving off the field.