Bragging rights on the line
For the first time, Oscar Smith and Phoebus will clash to see who’s the best team in Hampton Roads
CHESAPEAKE — Phoebus already has clinched the Peninsula District title and a top seed in the Class 3 Region A playoffs, and Oscar Smith won another Southeastern District crown and the top seed in Class 6 Region A.
But when the Phantoms (8-0) — ranked second in Hampton Roads — visit the top-ranked Tigers (7-1) at 7 p.m. today, it will be one of the most anticipated regular-season showdowns in recent memory between two of the most prolific football programs in the state.
Tonight’s game
No. 2 Phoebus (8-0) at
No. 1 Oscar Smith (7-1), 7 p.m. “It means a lot because this is basically for all the bragging rights in the 757,” said Oscar Smith defensive back and Clemson commit Sherrod Covil. “They’re No. 2 and we’re No.1. So we have to put on a show.”
How big is this game? Well, the National Federation of State High Schools is calling it the National Game of the Week.
For years, the two teams have met in scrimmages, only to have fans debate who was the best team at season’s end.
For the first time, they’ll get to settle the debate on the field.
“It’s definitely an exciting game for the region,” said Phoebus coach Jeremy Blunt. “For the two programs, there’s a historical reference with scrimmaging each other for years and was always a scrimmage that got us ready for the season, and now playing to get ready for our playoff runs. To play one another at the end of the season, there’s going to be a lot of excitement and hype. It gives both programs a chance to play a different set of talent we wouldn’t normally see.”
Blunt and Oscar Smith coach Chris Scott said this game is a perfect way to get prepared for next week’s postseason and hopeful state title run.
“It’s a good thing to play a Division 6 team that’s one of the best in the state and get ourselves ready for the playoffs,” Blunt said. “It’s a win in that sense.”
Added Scott: “It’s going to be a playoff environment when you’re playing against a tremendous coaching staff with a program that has a winning tradition (like) ours,” he said. “You have to bring your ‘A’ game, not only the players, but also the coaches. It’s going to bring out the best in everyone, and gets you ready for the playoffs.”
Larry Rubama’s pick: Oscar Smith, 35-27
Marty O’Brien’s pick: Oscar Smith, 31-14
Tonight
(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted) 757TEAMZ TOP 15
No. 3 Green Run at Landstown Larry: Green Run, 47-6
Marty: Green Run, 42-0
Norview vs. No. 4 Maury
(at Powhatan Field)
Larry: Maury, 41-13
Marty: Maury, 38-13
No. 5 Kempsville at Kellam Larry: Kempsville, 34-13
Marty: Kempsville, 35-7 Nansemond River at
No. 8 King’s Fork
Larry: King’s Fork, 34-20
Marty: King’s Fork, 28-21
N0. 13 Warhill vs. No. 7 Lafayette at Wanner Stadium
Larry: Lafayette, 27-20
Marty: Lafayette, 28-12
Granby at No. 10 Churchland Larry: Churchland, 47-0
Marty: Churchland, 52-0
No. 14 Salem at No. 12 Cox
Larry: Cox, 26-20
Marty: Cox, 17-14
BAY RIVERS DISTRICT Poquoson vs. Grafton at Bailey Field
Larry: Poquoson, 20-14 Marty: Poquoson, 28-13 Smithfield at New Kent Larry: New Kent, 14-13 Marty: New Kent, 21-12 York at Bruton
Larry: York, 41-13
Marty: York, 52-6
BEACH DISTRICT Ocean Lakes at Bayside
Larry: Ocean Lakes, 21-20 Marty: Bayside, 21-20 Tallwood at Princess Anne Larry: Tallwood, 20-6
Marty: Tallwood, 35-7
EASTERN DISTRICT Lake Taylor at Norcom
Larry: Lake Taylor, 33-20
Marty: Lake Taylor, 42-20
Manor at Booker T. Washington Larry: Booker T. Washington, 21-20 Marty: Booker T. Washington, 27-18
PENINSULA DISTRICT
Heritage vs. Denbigh at Todd Stadium
Larry: Heritage, 13-12
Marty: Heritage, 35-0
SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT Deep Creek at Great Bridge
Larry: Deep Creek, 41-13 Marty: Deep Creek, 44-7 Grassfield at Indian River Larry: Indian River, 33-6 Marty: Indian River, 35-14 Lakeland at Hickory Larry: Lakeland, 27-24 Marty: Lakeland, 35-28
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Norfolk Academy at Norfolk Christian
Portsmouth Christian vs. Atlantic Shores at Virginia Beach Sportsplex
St. Anne’s-Belfield at Nansemond-Suffolk
Saturday
Hargrave Military at Catholic, 2 p.m.
Records
Marty: last week, 20-2, 164-30 (85%)
Larry: last week, 20-2, 157-37 (81%)
Larry Rubama, 757-446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com Follow @LHRubama on Twitter.
Marty O’Brien, 757-247-4963, mjobrien@dailypress.com Follow @MartyOBrienDP on Twitter.