LIVE Updates - Ocean Lakes (3-0) at Salem-VB (3-0)

[matthew328826]

Follow along for updates tonight in Virginia Beach as Ocean Lakes (3-0) visits Salem (3-0) in a matchup of two undefeated squads.

Worth noting is that Ocean Lakes RB Tyler Browning (270 yards, 6TD's rushing) is sidelined with a minor ankle injury. Coach Joe Jones believes he'll be back next week when they take on Cox. In his absence, the Dolphins will count on Inikio Tauti and Josh Williams to pace their ground game.

Also of note - I am not currently plugged in to an outlet in this crowded press box, so at some point we may run out of juice... we'll try not to and see if we can find one by half-time.

Time for kick-off and Ocean Lakes will get the ball to start...

 

[matthew328826]

How big was the Ocean Lakes pass interference? Huge. Allowed Salem to stay on the field and score.

 

[matthew328826]

Ocean Lakes in the midst of a 10-play drive right now, mixing in the pass nicely with the run. Xander Jedlick running the read option well as the Dolphins have moved inside the Salem 20.

 

[matthew328826]

Coaches talk about answering a score with a score all the time. Ocean Lakes Head Coach Joe Jones and OC Matt Lemn had to love to see that from Ocean Lakes with that last drive. Jedlick runs the option well and is a threat running or throwing.

Josh Williams in Tyler Browning's place has done a decent job - 7 carries for 19 yards through two possessions. Jedlick mixed in completions to Jalen Smith, Max Lamkin and Inikio Tauti for 28 yards to help advance them down the field as well.

 

[matthew328826]

If Salem doesn't get Becton blocked, it'll be hard to see their offense functioning well enough to win this game, especially with a spotty kicking game that has given the Dolphins pretty good field position on their first two offensive possessions.

 

[matthew328826]

Max Lamkin, senior wideout, has stepped up with 3 grabs for 42 yards for the Dolphins.

 

[matthew328826]

Ocean Lakes' offense has not been daunted by the usually tough defensive front of Salem. Dolphins have loosened up the defense with 52 yards through the air and they're mixing the backs of Josh Williams and Iniko Tauti to make for a balanced attack.

 

[matthew328826]

On Ocean Lakes' 4th possession with a chance to extend their lead to two scores, the Salem defense comes up with a much-needed 3 & out forced. Donte Batts, Rahshawn Lewis, Javon Parkin and Terrence Joseph have been active against the run up the middle.

 

[matthew328826]

This could potentially change things up a bit if Becton doesn't return when Salem gets the ball back. But the Sun Devils want to keep it just a 14-7 deficit. Should Salem get a handle on some of the RPO's (run-pass options) of Ocean Lakes, then they will be in good shape defensively.

 

[matthew328826]

Leading 14-7 with just over 1 minute to go before half-time, Ocean Lakes appears to be going for it on 4th & 9 from the Salem 43-yard line.

 

[matthew328826]

 

[matthew328826]

No turnovers for Ocean Lakes in the first half and they have racked up 235 yards of offense - a big difference from a year ago when they got handled in the opener by Salem.

 

[matthew328826]

Impressive offensive display for Ocean Lakes considering they are playing without their leading rusher, Tyler Browning (ankle injury). Dolphins looking sharp with 7 different backs/receivers touching the ball. Also, a 12-2 advantage in first downs for Ocean Lakes.

Take away Salem's touchdown run by Lamarco Williams and there has been no offensive production at all. Time of Possession also in the favor of Ocean Lakes heavily with 36 plays run compared to just 12 for Salem.

 

[matthew328826]

Couldn't tell who had the recovery - looked to me like Jaleel Powell, linebacker wearing #3 for the Dolphins.

 

[matthew328826]

Jedlick is doing a nice job of knowing when to hand it off and when to keep it and when to pull it away from the running back so that the defense bits down and he has daylight to run himself.

RPO's continue to work for Ocean Lakes as the Salem defense can't get off the field on 3rd and 4th down, including a penalty on 4th down a moment ago for illegal participation.

 

[matthew328826]

Ocean Lakes has run 49 plays compared to just 18 for Salem. Sun Devils need to put together a long drive.

 

[matthew328826]

Salem has had a couple of near takeaways on defense, but it's their two giveaways keeping them from closing the gap. Ocean Lakes still up 17-7 with 3:45 left in the third quarter.

Ocean Lakes passing game is sputtering a bit, just 1-of-7 through the air in the 2nd half after going 8 for 15 for 80 yards before intermission.

 

[matthew328826]

As Eddy Hendicks from ESPN Radio 94.1's Scoreboard Show points out to me here in the box...

Ocean Lakes 15-3 edge in 1st downs
Dolphins 55 plays from scrimmage, just 21 for Salem.

 

[matthew328826]

Looked to me that Jaccob Jones had the recovery for Ocean Lakes on that fumble forced by Becton.

On the next play...

 

[matthew328826]

Have to give a lot of credit to Ocean Lakes d-coordinator Chris Ramey and his 11 hats on that side of the ball, too. Outside of 2 runs tonight, they have completely bottled up the Salem offense.

Sun Devils unable to get the 4th & 22.

Dolphins take over, up by 16 with 6 minutes and change to go.

 

[matthew328826]

71 plays for Ocean Lakes compared to Salem's 29 plays... a 31-17 advantage in Time of Possession for the victorious Dolphins too.

More later...