Class 5 State Finals: Highland Springs 40, Tuscarora 27 - FINAL

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Greetings from Hampton University's Armstrong Stadium as the #3 seed Tuscarora Huskies (12-2) are set to take on the #2 seed Highland Springs Springers (13-1) in the Class 5 State Championship.

Tuscarora, which lost in the title game a few years ago to L.C. Bird, is seeking its first state title.

Highland Springs has won back-to-back state titles and is looking for the rare three-peat.

We'll have Updates here on the Blog and via Twitter @ hatfieldsports all day long... the Class 6 State Final will follow approximately at 4:30 as undefeated Westfield takes on Oscar Smith for a third straight year.

Buckle up and let's enjoy State Championship Sunday!

*** Watch on Facebook LIVE below! ***

 

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Highland Springs will be kicking off to Stone Bridge to begin.

Chris Broad takes the kickoff to the 32-yard line, where the Huskies will begin and needs 68 yards to find the end zone and grab an early lead.

 

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Couple of runs for Tuscarora out of the gate, including right off the bat from RB Leron West - who's closing in on 1000 yards on the season - and the Huskies gain 12 yards.

Tuscarora now looking at 2nd & 7 from their own 47. West gains only 2 as Justin Carey is in on the stop. So it's 3rd & 5 and they run West again, but it appears he's going to be a yard short as junior Eddie Davis makes a good stop.

It'll be 4th & a long 1, nearly 2, from the Tuscarora 48 and Huskies Coach Mike Burnett will go for it...

 

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Am really puzzled about the decision to go empty on 4th & 2 there.

Coach Loren Johnson of Highland Springs told me before the game that he loves the fact he'll have every starter back on defense with the exception of just two members. They come up with a great stop out of the gate.

 

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While the Springers are known to go to the air and QB D'Vonte Waller, a 6'1" junior, has shown great progression throughout the season, Coach Johnson decides to keep it on the ground here early.

But we're now looking at 4th & 1 from the 36 of Tuscarora and the Springers will go for it. They get it with junior Shy're McKeiver picking up the first down before Peter Deer drags him down after a gain of 4.

 

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Kemp came into today with 13 touchdowns receiving and 902 yards. He continues the great tradition of stellar Highland Springs wideouts - most recently the likes oF Greg Dortch (Wake Forest) and K'Von Wallace (Clemson).

 

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Tuscarora begins its second series from their own 28-yard line. They lose 2 yards on a run play, then Ethan Gick, an unheralded sophomore reciving targets, gains 5 on a reception.

Facing a critical 3rd & 7 from their own 31, Huskies junior QB Justin Allen rolls to his right and finds the reliable Adam Thorne (he's the guy who had the miraculous game-winning touchdown catch on the final play against John Champe during the regular season) to gain 10 and move the chains.

 

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Justin Allen shows solid mobility, rolling to his right and appearing to find Ethan Gick along the right sideline for a first down completion on 3rd & 4 from their own 49. However, officials rule he made the catch out of bounds.

Tuscarora initially lines up to punt it away on 4th down, but with QB Justin Allen as their punter, they shift for him to get closer to the center to make it look like they will go for it... yet, the Huskies end up quick-kicking it away.

So Highland Springs, leading 7-0, will take over at their own 27-yard line with 3:10 remaining here in the opening period.

 

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Highland Springs is doing a great job of mixing up the run and pass, using McKeiver and Billy Kemp and letting them get in space, using their speed.

Tuscarora has had some trouble tackling. They're going to have to do a better job of wrapping up on the initial contact.

 

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A 14-0 lead, which Highland Springs is knocking on the door to get, will be tough for Tuscarora to overcome... but the Huskies do have a QB in Justin Allen that can bring them back and shouldn't get frazzled by the big stage or the moment. Right now, the Huskies need to make some adjustments defensively though. That's their biggest concern.

 

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Jones slipped away from a tackle on the outside and the Springers are off to a much better start than the previous two weeks when they trailed both Hermitage in the Region 5B Championship and Nansemond River in the State Semis by double-figures.

 

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Some 1stQ Stats of note...

Highland Springs had 12 plays/98 yards (66 rushing, 32 passing), 1-2 on 3rd down, 1-1 on 4th down, 0 penalties

Tuscarora had 12 plays for 32 yards (9 rushes for 18 yards, 2-3 passing for 16 yards), 1-3 on 3rd down, 0-1 on 4th down, 0 penalties.

Chris Broad had 6 total tackles (4 solo) for the Huskies on defense, while Kendrick Jones and Alex Shafiq were credited for 3 total stops apiece for the Springers.

 

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The series began with a pitch to Caleb Coombs fort Tuscarora and he went nowhere as juniors Christian White and Eddie Davis met him on the outside right away.

 

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Kemp is certainly having quite an impact in this first half for the Springers.



Tuscarora right now is searching for answers. They've won three straight playoff games by three points or less, but at the rate we're going, I don't think this one will be close unless the Springers help with some mental errors and miscues in the form of turnovers.

 

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Tuscarora begins at their own 20 with 9:00 to go in the second period after Highland Springs' latest touchdown to go up 20-0.

After gaining 14 yards, the Huskies lose a yard and then have a pass in the flat on 2nd & 11 from their own 33 dropped. They then appear to hit a big play into Springers territory as QB Justin Allen improvises, buys time and finds talented freshman Caleb Coombs for a big gainer. Unfortunately, it comes back on a holding penalty.

Now the Huskies are looking at 3rd & 34 from their own 10. Eddie Davis is there on the coverage on the pass intended for Adam Thorne. So it's punting time. Again.

 

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Things have gone from bad to worse for Tuscarora as the punt travels just 10 yards. That gives Highland Springs golden field position, beginning at the 20-yard line of the Huskies, with just under 7 minutes to go before half-time. They lead this one comfortably, 20-0.

Tuscarora has to hold them to a field goal and keep this a three-possession game. Mounting a comeback from 20 points down against the two-time defending State Champs will be tough, but from 27 or 28 points seems pretty insurmountable.

 

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As one reporter put it here in the pressbox, "Can we start the next game?"

For those wondering, that'l be Westfield vs. Oscar Smith - for the third straight year - in the Class 6 State Championship, set for a kick-off of 4:30 PM here at Hampton University. Westfield won in 2015 in 3OT's and last year in 2OT's. Just a hunch, but my guess is that game will be closer than this one.

 

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It is really snowballing for Tuscarora. Highland Springs smells blood in the water and they're going in for the kill with a fifth touchdown of the half now.

 

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The Tuscarora defense did a good job for three straight plays, bowing their necks. But then Highland Springs comes up with a creative play call and McKeiver had just enough space to essentially walk into the end zone.

It has been a great playoff run for Tuscarora, avenging regular season defeats to Broad Run and Stone Bridge by eliminating those two Potomac District rivals in the playoffs. But they've met their match today in the two-time defending State Champs, who look built to continue this dynasty with so many speedy, athletic underclassmen on the field.

 

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What does Tuscarora do when it's in trouble? Go to Adam Thorne. He's made clutch play after clutch play all year long. However, the PAT fails.



Nothing really Highland Springs did wrong defensively on that play from my vantage point. Thorne just made a dazzling reception and was off to the races.

 

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On first play from their own 47 with 2:12 before the break, Highland Springs gets whistled for false start, then they throw a pass that is incomplete. A bit surprised by the strategy there from Coach Johnson and company, given they are up comfortably 33-6 and probably could just run clock to get to half-time.

Nevertheless, they stay aggressive and Billy Kemp picking up a solid gain on a reception. That beings up 4th & 1 from the 44-yard line of Tuscarora. A penalty on the Springers pushes them back 5 yards.

 

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A pass interference on Highland Springs, then a roughing the passer personal foul puts Tuscarora in range to kick a field goal potentially or even get a touchdown as they now are at the Springers 21-yard line with 37 seconds before the break.

Highland Springs has had some lapses at times with penalties and they'll need to avoid them multiplying to the point where it allows Tuscarora to claw back in this game that seemed out of reach a little while ago.

 

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That is a punch to the gut to Tuscarora. Now the Springers can take a couple shots in the end zone and really try to put the dagger in the Huskies.

Kempt has shined brightest on this sunny Sunday - a much better day from a weather perspective after yesterday's snowy/rainy yuck.

 

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Highland Springs will burn a time-out with 6 seconds before the half. They lead Tuscarora 33-6 and have it at the Huskies 34-yard line here on 3rd & 2. Hail Mary likely coming.

 

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Completed pass and lateral gets Highland Springs inside the 15, but time runs out.

So we've reached the break and the Springers are in complete control.

 

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Some half-time numbers...

Highland Springs 33:
D'Vonte Waller - 5-9 for 86Yds. 2-0TD/Int. ratio
Shy're McKeiver - 10Car. 56Yds. TD
Rayquan Smith - 5Car. 34Yds. TD
Dre'Shaun Taylor - 2Car. 14Yds. TD
Billy Kemp - 1Rec. 32Yds. TD; INT; 31-yard punt return
Robert Jones - 1Rec. 19Yds. TD
Kendrick Jones - 6 Total Tackles (5 Solo)
Alex Shafiq - 4 Tackles, TFL
Christian White - 4 Tackles, 0.5TFL
Eddie Davis - 4 Tackles, 0.5TFL

Springers - 29 plays for 202 total yards (20 rushes for 116 yards; 5 for 9 for 86 yards); 4 of 7 on 3rd downs; 2 of 3 on 4th downs; 4-4 in Red Zone


Tuscarora 6:
Justin Allen - 6-11 for 90Yds. 1-1TD/Int. ratio
Leron West - 10Car. 20Yds.
Adam Thorne - 2Rec. 74Yds. TD
Kyle Jenkins - 3Rec. 16Yds.
Chris Broad - 6 Tackles (4 Solo)
Matei Fitz - 3 Tackles (2 Solo)

Huskies - 28 plays for 104 total yards (17 rushes for 14 yards; 6 for 11 for 90 yards); 2 of 6 3rd downs; 0 of 1 on 4th downs; 0-1 in Red Zone

 

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It'll be Highland Springs ball to begin the third quarter as they lead Tuscarora 33-6 here in the VHSL Class 5 State Footbal Championship at Hampton University.

 

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Springers have it around midfield and on 2nd & 8, a great stop by Tuscarora's Caleb Donofrio. He's been flying around making a lot of plays not just today, but all year for the Huskies and Coach Mike Burnett. Being a senior, this is his final game and he's trying to empty the tank.

Springers lining up to go for it on 4th & 4 from the Tuscarora 44 and the pass is broken up as Adam Thorne prevenst a completion.

 

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You can watch today's Tuscarora / Highland Springs game via the NFHS Network and Facebook LIVE as Andy Hayes and Chris Bourassa bring you the call.

 

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Give Tuscarora this - they are refusing to throw the towel in and they have no quit in them.

Beginning at their own 42-yard line, Huskies QB Justin Allen finds RB Leron West for a gain of 12 yards. West then gets drilled by Billy Kemp after a run, but the Huskies are not getting intimidated.

On 4th & 10 from the 33-yard line of the Springers, the Huskies go for it and Allen finds a target come down the middle of the field at last moment.

 

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All Tuscarora needs now is a quick takeaway and they can make things interesting.

 

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And boom, we now have a ballgame folks. Things getting very interesting now.

 

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The vets and the young pups are getting in on the action - senior Chris Broad and freshman Matei Fitz combine to make the stop on Shy're McKeiver on a short gain running the ball. Now 2nd & 8 from their own 44, Highland Springs tries to run a sweep wide with Billy Kemp, but the Huskies swarm to the ball.

3rd & about 6 or 7 coming for the Springers. Highland Springs cannot afford to go backwards and I'm curious to see D'Vonte Waller respond after the INT should they go to the air here.

 

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Springers keep it on the ground on 3rd & 6 move the chains. That 1-2 combo of Shy're McKeiver and Rayquan Smith continues to get chunks between the tackles. They also have the big bruising freshman fullback on Dre'Shaun Taylr to use. Fresh set of downs now at the 47 of Tuscarora.

 

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Smith showcased his speed in the open field on that run. But it was made possible by that Springers offensive line, which features a couple of sophomores on the right side in Suraid Ware and D'onte Griggs. Griggs was the one who kicked out and made a block that helped give Smith daylight to go the distance.

 

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Tuscarora begins at their own 20, down 40-20 late in the third quarter. They get 3 yards on a run play on first down, then it's incomplete to bring up 3rd & 7. Huskies strike with QB Justin Allen to gain 13 yards. But then the pocket collapses around him as this Springers defensive front continues to use its quickness off the ball and give Allen - who was sacked twice in the first half - little time to operate.

David Goodwyn and Keeron Henderson combine for the sack. Goodwyn comes limping off after the stops, a loss of 4 to bring up 2nd & 14 for the Huskies.

 

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Thinking it'll be pass on 2nd & 14, Huskies Coach Mike Burnett and his staff fool the Highland Springs defnese a bit with a draw play. The run by Leron West gets exactly 14, brining them near midfield at their own 46. A fake run and then it's a quick screen to Caleb Coombs, but the Springers defenders are right there to stop him for a loss of a yard. Kendrick Jones, a junior who moves like a DB but is listed as a linebacker, had the tackle.

Allen rolls right on the next play and it's incomplete. So 3rd & 11 on the way.

 

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Justin Allen's pass on 3rd & 14 intended for freshman Caleb Coombs is incomplete. Since they neede 14 yards, the comeback route was there, but it was a bit too long for Coombs to get back to the ball in time and even if he caught it, the Huskies would've had a hard time moving the chains.

They got for it on 4th down and the pass is broken up by sophomore DB David Laney, who was battling D'Vonte Waller for the QB spot at the start of the season.

Highland Springs takes over at the 45-yard line of Tuscarora with 57 seconds left in the third period. We'l see if the Tuscarora defense has enough gas in the tank to get a stop and give their offense a chance with time beginning to run out on their dream of capturing the program's first state title.

 

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We've reached the End of 3 and Highland Springs is looking at 3rd & 4 from the Tuscarora 39 after a run from punishing fullback Dre'Shaun Tayler.