The most an anticipated match-up of the season is finally here as Ocean Lakes faces off against Oscar Smith at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex tonight. Both teams have been on a hot streak, the Dolphins are at 12-0 and the Tigers have won 11 in a row, setting up tonight’s winner take all for the Division 6 Eastern Region Championship.
Every recent game between these two has been a battle of wills. There’s a history between Lake Taylor and Phoebus, and it’s full of struggle. End of November games are typically grueling, high stakes affairs, and this one will be no different. On Friday night, Harbor Park becomes the Thunderdome.
We can break down the Division 6 Final, previewing it for you from top to bottom, looking at Ocean Lakes and Oscar Smith in many ways while trying to predict a winner. We don’t typically take it upon ourselves to make bold predictions. After all, we want to build both teams up and see what happens once the two teams hit the field. In this case…
2012 was an exciting year in the Eastern District. Lake Taylor managed to stay on top with a 10-0 record, but Granby experienced a resurgence, as did Maury. Norcom recovered well after losing a great contingent of senior talent. The All-District teams are well represented with talent from all of the programs in the district, including a few surprises.
The TCIS All-Conference team is loaded with players from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and there’s a good reason for that. The Saints made a run all the way to the Division II Final this year. Norfolk Academy bounced back in a big way, Greenbrier Christian was strong again, and Bishop Sullivan almost had a return to the playoffs despite a coaching change and a turnover in player personnel.
The Beach District was the home for perhaps the most prolific offensive players in the region. The top quarterbacks: they were here. The top receivers were here. The Peninsula District boasted more big yardage guys, but don’t discount the backs at the Beach. Some of the biggest college prospects in the region are right here, right now.
It should be no surprise that the All-District team was tough for Peninsula coaches to pick. After all, it was a haven for running backs. Beastly linemen and athletic defensive backs; there’s plenty of those too. The PD is a perfect example of the bevy of talent that flourishes in The 757. Take a look…
Now that we’re into the playoffs, we have a special edition of the Freedom Ford Player of the Week, for just a few weeks more. It’s a special edition! The playoffs are underway. Melvin Vaughn of Oscar Smith stood out in the eyes of the fans for a very special reason.
Warwick running back Cardon Johnson spent a good part of the season on the sideline watching his teammates play. A pinched nerve in his neck kept him out of the game, but that didn’t slow down demand for the tough as nails back. Cardon was still gathering offers in the middle of the season as he made his decision. This weekend, decision time came.
There’s still time to vote for this week’s Freedom Ford Player of the Week on recruit757. Throughout the regular season, fans have been able to select the Freedom Ford Player of the Week for the region from the nominees provided. Go to recruit757 on Facebook now to register your vote. The poll question is pinned to the top of the page.