Delay well worth it
Eastern District rivals Lake Taylor, Churchland meet for Class 4 Region A title
A regular-season game between Lake Taylor and Churchland was scrapped because of COVID-19 issues.
But the Eastern District rivals will see each other this week with much more at stake: the Class 4 Region A title and a berth in the state tournament.
The Titans (5-0) host the Truckers (4-1) at 7 tonight in one of five Region A championship games involving Hampton Roads teams. Also tonight: Phoebus vs. Lafayette in a Class 3 battle of unbeatens at Wanner Stadium in the Williamsburg area, and Poquoson at Amelia County in Class 2.
In Class 4 Region A, Lake Taylor, the two-time defending Class 4 state champion, didn’t show any rust last week despite a long layoff since March 19. The Titans dominated Warwick 40-0 in a region semifinal.
Titans coach Hank Sawyer admitted he was a little concerned going into the game, since the team couldn’t practice together because of COVID-19 restrictions.
“Some of them were working out and running on their own,” he said. “And they were just dedicated to do that, even some of the linemen. We were real surprised they weren’t in as bad shape as we thought.”
Lake Taylor QB Jeff Foster accounted for three touchdowns last week and also got help from running backs Chuck Fisher and Tarreon Washington-Jacobs.
Sawyer has also has been impressed by the offensive and defensive lines, led by Isaiah Thompson and Jake Carney. Sawyer coached Thompson’s father when he was an assistant at Granby High, and coached Carney’s older brother on the Titans’ 2014 state championship team.
Churchland has enjoyed a resurgence under former Norfolk State quarterback Dontrell Leonard, who guided the Truckers to a 10-3 record last season, falling in the region championship game against Lake Taylor. Leonard is 20-20 in three seasons at the helm.
The Truckers are coming off a 38-12 win over Warhill.
Sawyer is 20-2 against Churchland in his career, but knows the Truckers are going to be tough opponents.
“I know they want to win just like we want to win,” Sawyer said.
Larry Rubama’s prediction: Lake Taylor 33-20. Marty O’Brien’s prediction: Lake Taylor 24-14.
Here’s a look at the rest of this week’s games.
TODAY Class 3 Region A
Phoebus (4-0) vs. Lafayette (6-0), 7 p.m. Site: Wanner Stadium.
Buzz: They’ve not played since 1996 in Lafayette’s final game in the Peninsula District, a 35-8 win by Phoebus. In the years since, Phoebus has won seven state titles and Lafayette has dominated the Bay Rivers District, winning a state title in four finals appearances. This season, both feature dynamic passing attacks, bruising offensive lines and fierce defenses allowing less than seven points per game. So the difference — mistakes aside — might be which team can establish the kind of ground game that was their staple in previous seasons. Sophomore Ty’Reon Taylor can run inside or outside for Phoebus from multiple sets, routinely netting
100 yards, while Lafayette prefers a run-by-committee approach from the Wing-T.
Larry: Phoebus 27-20.
Marty: Phoebus 21-17.
Class 2 Region A
Poquoson (3-2) at Amelia County (3-3), 7 p.m.
Buzz: With region favorite King William sidelined by COVID-19, Poquoson took a big step toward a first state semifinal berth since 2017 by beating Nottoway 16-12 in a region semifinal. That bodes well for the Islanders heading into the region final because Nottoway recently beat Amelia 28-0. Nonetheless, Poquoson must deal with Amelia’s significant size advantage and two athletic running backs. With 60 yards rushing and eight tackles per game, 5-foot-6, 130-pound RB/DB Karon Smith does that for the Islanders weekly. Nate Wilhite is rushing for more than 80 yards per game for the Islanders, while Brayden Hayes and Ryan McCormick are both contributing eight tackles per contest.
Larry: Poquoson 21-14.
Marty: Poquoson 21-6.
SATURDAY Class 6 Region A
Thomas Dale (6-0) at Oscar Smith (6-0), 2 p.m.
Buzz: The Tigers are 2-1 against Thomas Dale, including a 29-7 win in 2019. They have allowed just six points this season and recorded five shutouts. The offense is averaging 55 points. Last week was no different as QB Ethan Vasko threw for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns, and running backs Kevon King, Tyvon Norfleet and Devante Cooper combined for more than 200 yards and each scored a touchdown in a 48-0 win over Grassfield. Thomas Dale, of Chesterfield County, is making its eighth consecutive playoff appearance. The Knights, who beat Oscar Smith in 2009, are averaging 35.6 points a game, including last week’s 41-31 win over Franklin County.
Larry: Oscar Smith 34-14.
Marty: Oscar Smith 28-13.
Class 5 Region A
Maury (5-1) vs. Deep Creek (6-2), 2 p.m.
Site: Deep Creek Middle. Buzz: Maury is playing in its third consecutive Class 5 Region A title game. The Commodores, who have won the past two region titles, advanced with a tough win over Salem. Ahmarian Granger led the way as he rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Deep Creek beat Cox 20-7 to advance to its first region final since 2001. The Hornets, who won region titles in 2000 and 2001, held the Falcons to under 4 yards per carry and forced three turnovers to advance. This will be just the second meeting between the two teams. Maury beat Deep Creek in 2019.
Larry: Maury 27-21.
Marty: Maury 21-13.
How they fared
Marty O’Brien: 7-1 last week, 86-24 (78.4%).
Larry Rubama: 7-1 last week, 88-22 (80.0%).