LIVE Blog - West Forsyth (NC) at Oscar Smith

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Greetings from Beard-DeLong-Easley Field in Chesapeake. We are minutes away from kick-off with Oscar Smith hosting West Forsyth (NC).

Updates to come all afternoon here and via Twitter @ hatfieldsports

 

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Our Preview if you missed it earlier on the site...

West Forsyth (NC) at Oscar Smith . . . Per usual, the Tigers open up in a spotlight matchup against an out-of-state foe that, like them, has a winning pedigree. Oscar Smith is hoping to reverse its fortunes of late as they’ve dropped their past six games to teams outside the state of Virginia. Their last triumph came in 2009 over Venice from Florida.

Coach Adrian Snow is in his 11th year at the helm of West Forsyth, a program that has gone 41-11 since 2014 and posted an 11-1 mark last year. Gone though is their best player in All-American defensive end K.J. Henry, who moved on to Clemson.

West Forsyth already has a game under its belt when they beat Lake Norman 26-7 last week. The Titans scored 26 unanswered points after falling behind early, getting a pair of 37-yard field goals from Christian Kaplan. Junior RB G’mone Wilson had a pair of rushing touchdowns in the win. The headline recruit on the roster is Jaquan McMillian, a three-star corner committed to East Carolina.

Oscar Smith has its fair share of talent, headed up by four-star talent and Auburn commit Cam’Ron Kelly at quarterback and defensive back. He now steps into the full-time QB job after splitting snaps there last year while playing some at running back and receiver. Other notable names with scholarship offers on the Tigers’ roster include senior receiver Jarius Howard, junior offensive tackle Omega Williams, senior defensive tackle Elijah Alston, junior linebacker Malcolm Britt and Morgan State commit T.J. Tucker, a hybrid linebacker/safety.

It is likely only a matter of time before the offers come in for Tigers junior running back Joseph Bray, now in a spotlight role as the feature ball carrier. He’s been really impressive throughout the off-season and containing him, along with Kelly’s ability to escape the pocket and break a long run, certainly should be the focus of West Forsyth’s defensive game-plan.

A matchup to watch will be in the trenches, where junior OT Isaiah Brooks (6-4, 308) is a road-grader type on the line and trying to keep a strong Tigers defensive front, headed up by Alston and newcomer Deondre Davis, a transfer from Texas, at bay. Behind them, LB Horace Sawyer is one of the hardest hitters in all of Tidewater as well. Kelly and BriQuan Harrell are two defensive backs with excellent ball skills, each capable of making a West Forsyth team with a hot and cold passing attack to be error prone.

The biggest thing Oscar Smith will stress is ball security as they can’t minimize their scoring chances with turnovers. Defensively, West Forsyth has some playmakers that can make the Tigers pay for being error prone in McMillian, junior CB James Gordon and senior inside linebacker Jack Olds.

As long as Smith comes out and establishes the run, wins the line of scrimmage and their defense gets a West Forsyth team that doesn’t appear to have a leg up in the speed and athleticism department that other recent out-of-state foes of the Tigers have enjoyed, then they should be able to take care of business at Beard-DeLong-Easley Field on Saturday.

Matt Says: Oscar Smith 23-13
VHSL-Reference.com Says: N/A
Coach Young Says: Oscar Smith 28-20
Coach Darnell Moore Says: Oscar Smith 27-14

 

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West Forsyth begins at their own 14-yard line, and on the first play, it's a fumble. Oscar Smith recovers with LB Malcolm Britt.

Tigers begin with 11:47 to go in opening period at their own 20-yard line.

 

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On 3rd & 5 - it's Oscar Smith RB Joseph Bray picking up 9 to move the chains, inside the 10-yard line of West Forsyth.

The Tigers have run the ball on each of their first three plays, sticking to the basics out of the gate and understandably why.

 

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West Forsyth didn't do its defense any favors with a turnover. As stated in our preview and radio show, you can't turn it over against the Tigers because their offense generally is able to capitalize and do so in a hurry.

 

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West Forsyth has a good drive going as they are getting some yardage with a lot of underneath comeback / stop routes. Stephan McMillian caught one from QB Shane Jarvis and turned up field to pick up 26 yards. They've moved inside the Smith 30, now facing a pivotal 3rd & 1.

 

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Coach Adrian Snow and his crew have upped the tempo and it's working in their favor.

 

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Oscar Smith Head Coach Scott Johnson, defensive coordinator Joe Jones and the rest of the staff cannot be pleased with extending the West Forsyth drive with a penalty, then getting a 15-yard penalty after the made PAT allowing them to boot the ball through the end zone uprights for a touchback.

Now we'll get to see what the Smith offense can do, responding from a score and needing to go basically the length of the field to find the end zone again.

 

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Howard had been injured for a little bit leading up to this game and if memory serves me right missed one, maybe both, of their preseason scrimmages with Salem and Phoebus. Looks like he's back in the flow of things.

That catch came against Jaquan McMillian, the standout DB for West Forsyth who is headed to East Carolina. Jaquan is wearing #3 this afternoon.

 

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Four different Tigers touched the ball that series - QB Cam Kelly, RB Aaron Acevado, RB T.J. Tucker (Morgan St. commit on defense) and WR Jarius Howard - for an emphatic answer. Exactly what HC Scott Johnson and OC Rod Johnson wanted to see from the offense to thwart West Forsyth's momentum.

The Titans begin at their own 20 with 2:23 left in the opening stanza following a touchback.

 

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A pass interference on the Oscar Smith defense extends the West Forsyth drive, their 3rd series of this opening quarter. But eventually it stalls as on 3rd & 12, QB Shane Jarvis is brought down by three Tigers, the initial contact made by Antonio Riden.

Oscar Smith starts at it own 20 with 11 seconds left in the opening period.

 

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Sometimes it's just Cam Kelly's world and we're all living in it... great improvising when things break down to extend the play.

 

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It's time for West Forsyth to change a couple things defensively. For one, they have to do a better job of wrapping up Kelly. Maybe change where they attack him from on a blitz / pressure and mix up the coverage a bit.

 

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Time-out on the field and West Forsyth is facing a 3rd & 10 from their own 39 with 7:32 till half-time. Oscar Smith leads 21-7.

West Forsyth has gone to putting Jalen Ferguson (6-2, 175 JR) in at QB. They're trying to some daylight with swing passes and plays to the perimeter. But the Oscar Smith defense is sniffing it out well on this series.

 

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An Aaron Acevado sak on 3rd down - his 2nd sack of the afternoon - and West Forsyth will be punting it away. The pocket just collapsed around QB Jalen Ferguson as Elijah Alston, Deondre Davis and that defensive front is having its way.

Tigers take over at their own 29 with 6:39 till intermission.

 

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Doesn't appear anything is wrong with Cam Kelly. Probably just a matter of Smith's coaches want to get a look at Harrell as the QB. The plan to continue to use the run to set up the pass shouldn't change that much I would think.

 

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Oscar Smith drive ends on an incomplete pass on 4th & 8 from the West Forsyth 37-yard line. Titans take over with 59 seconds before the break, trailing 21-7.

 

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The exact thing West Forsyth did not want to happen - well, except turning it over - pretty much just did as they get the ball back and go 3 and out, leaving Oscar Smith time on the clock. The Titans just gained just 4 yards on 3 plays, two of which were incomplete passes. So they punt it away.

Oscar Smith takes over at their own 19-yard line with 20 seconds remaining. They may take one shot down the field and if that doesn't generate any scoring chance, my guess would be they are content to go to the half leading 21-7.

 

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Joseph Bray gains 4 on a run and we head to the half. Oscar Smith leads 21-7.

 

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Some stats at the break...

Your 1st Half Tackles / Defensive Individual Numbers:

 

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More 1st Half Stats...

Oscar Smith 21:
Cam Kelly - 3-3 for 110Yds; 3Car. 7yds. TD
Joseph Bray - 7Car. 65Yds. TD
Aaron Acevado - 2Car. 20Yds. TD
T.J. Tucker 4Car. 18Yds.
Jarius Howard - 1Rec. 36Yds.
Brandon Brock - 1Rec. 33Yds.
Kenny Etheridge - 1Rec. 31Yds.
Romon Copeland - 2Rec. 13Yds.

Tigers - 6-7 for 129Yds. passing; 20Car. for 125Yds. = 27 plays for 154 total yards, no turnovers; 8 penalties for 87 yards

West Forsyth 7:
Shane Jarvis - 9-14 for 72Yds.
G'Mone Wilson -12Car. 17Yds.
Stephan McMillian - 3Rec. 38Yds.
Trae Archie - 3Rec. 27Yds. TD

Titans - 10-15 for 75Yds. passing; 15Car. for 9Yds. = 30 plays for 84 total yards; 1 turnover (lost fumble); 0 penalties

1 note -- Malcolm Britt also had a fumble recovery which is not seen on the above posted stat sheet.

 

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Facing 3rd & 2 from their own 45-yard line, Oscar Smith gives it to junior RB Joseph Bray and he rips off a long one to the left side in front of the Tigers sideline. He ended up running out at the 30-yard line for a gain of 25. He has 90 yards on the day.

 

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West Forsyth's defense comes up with a mini stand, though the Tigers have yet to punt on the afternoon.

 

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G'Mone Wilson returns the ensuing kickoff for West Forsyth to the 52 yards into Oscar Smith territory. At the 8:53 mark of the 3rd period, the Titans are called for their first penalty of the day. The Tigers, believe it or not, have over 100 yards in penalty infractions today.

On 4th & 14 from the Oscar Smith 35-yard line, the Titans attempt a 52-yard field goal. It is short and caught in the end zone by Ricky Thompson of the Tigers.

So Oscar Smith, leading 24-7, will begin at their own 20-yard line.

 

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Cam Kelly coughh its up on an option play and now West Forsyth's defense makes their biggest play of the afternoon to try to spark them and inject some life into the visiting squad in their effort for a comeback.

 

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Romon Copeland with a 25-yard kickoff return and Oscar Smith will start at their own 40-yard line, up 24-13 with 6:54 remaining in this 3rd period.

Joseph Bray is running with a full head of steam and kudos to Curtis Jones on the o-line, pulling out and getting a nice block on a 12-yard run that followed a 10-yard run.

Bray is at 112 yards on 10 attempts.

 

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Howard was wide open on the post. He's drawing a lot of recruiting attention from FCS schools, most notably William & Mary and Morgan State. Older brother P.J. played at Norcom as well as in college at Wake Forest. Jarius also is a strong academic student with a GPA right around a 4.0.

 

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Excellent pass breakup down the field by Smith's Aaron Acevado. However, Smith fans hold their collective breaths as he's being looked at by the medical staff with what appears to be a leg injury, and hopefully nothing more serious than a cramp.

He's eventually helped off and West Forsyth punts it away.

Smith takes over at the WF 48 with 4:02 left in the 3rd period.

 

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Joseph Bray gains 6, followed by a Smith incomplete. On 3rd & 4, Kelly keeps it and moves the chains before being tackled by Joseph Wassong of the Titans. They have it at the 30 with a pick up of 12 yards.

BriQuan Harrell is back in at quarterback and completes a pass for 13 yards to Brandon Brock. He then takes over with a run to move the chains again for Smith, now inside the 10.

West Forsyth will try to stop the Tigers now on 3rd & Goal from the 3.

 

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Oscar Smith's pass on 3rd & Goal from the 3 is incomplete. An ineligible man down field is the call on the penalty, which is declined. Smith tries a field goal and Austin Benoit boots it through.

 

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West Forsyth will not punt it away here early in the 4th period following a pass breakup on 3rd down by Tigers DB BriQuan Harrell.

 

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Oscar Smith continues to churn out yards on the ground, using multiple ball carriers in Jordan Armstrong, Aaron Acevado (now back after the leg injury / cramps earlier) and even QB Cam Kelly as they give Joseph Bray a breather.

Cam Kelly completes a pass for 9 yards to Jarius Howard and then Bray returns, making multiple defenders miss as he powers his way into the end zone at the conclusion of his run for a 12-yard score.

 

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For those wondering, the Oscar Smith run game is pounding away at West Forsyth. Previous Head Coach Bill Dee is probably looking down from the heavens smiling as the Tigers have used 7 different ball carriers, amassing close to 300 yards on the day.

 

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Archie has been one of the few bright spots for West Forsyth offensively with 4 catches for 35 yards and 2TD's. The biggest matchup advantage for Smith in this one has been their defensive front causing problems for the Titans blocking and in protection as well as trying to get the run game going.

 

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Ferguson took advantage of some secondary substitutes over the final few minutes.

Oscar Smith will notch its first win against an out-of-state foe since 2009 when they beat Venice (FL), snapping a six-game losing streak to teams outside Virginia.

 

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Final - Oscar Smith 41, West Forsyth (NC) 26.

Tigers open 1-0, while West Forsyth drops to 1-1.

More to come later...

 

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Final Stats:

Oscar Smith 41:
Cam'Ron Kelly - 5-8 for 157Yds. 1-0TD/Int. ratio; 7Car. 37Yds. TD; 2 Tackles, TFL
BriQuan Harrell - 4-7 for 32Yds; 4Car. 23Yds; 3 Solo Tackles, PBU
Joseph Bray - 13Car. 122Yds. 2TD's
Aaron Acevado - 6Car. 44Yds. TD; 4 Solo Tackles, 3TFL, 2 Sacks
T.J. Tucker - 7Car. 32Yds; 3 Tackles, TFL
Jarius Howard - 3Rec. 83Yds. TD
Brandon Brock - 2Rec. 46Yds.
Kenny Etheridge - 1Rec. 31Yds.
Elijah Alston - 5 Tackles (4 Solo), 2TFL
Malcolm Britt - 5 Tackles (2 Solo), Fumble Recovery

Tigers - 58 Plays for 477 Total Yards. 9-15 for 189 pass yards, 0 intercepts; 43 rushes for 288 yards; 1 turnover (lost fumble); 12 penalties for 131 yards.

West Forsyth 26:
Shane Jarvis - 11-18 for 75Yds. 1-0TD/Int. ratio
Jalen Ferguson - 6-9 for 80Yds. 2-0TD/Int. ratio
G'Mone Wilson - 14Car. 18Yds.
Trae Archie - 4Rec. 35Yds. 2TD's
C.J. Graham - 4Rec. 66Yds. TD
Kelvin Johnson - 11 Tackles (5 Solo)
Jack Olds - 10 Tackles (3 Solo)
Jackson North - 8 Tackles (4 Solo)
Joseph Wassong - 7 Tackles (3 Solo), TFL
Jaden Pledger - Fumble Recovery and TD return

Titans - 50 Plays for 177 Total Yards. 17-27 for 155 pass yards, 0 intercepts; 23 rushes for 22 yards; 1 turnover (lost fumble); 1 penalty for 5 yards.