HARRISONBURG—The North Stafford Wolverines had high energy all postseason long, making big play after big play.
But the Oscar Smith Tigers stripped them of all playoff momentum in the Wolverines’ 44-0 defeat in the Class 6 state championship game Saturday afternoon at James Madison University’s Bridgeforth Stadium.
Oscar Smith (13-1) rolled to its second straight state championship and its sixth title since 2008. The Wolverines (11-4) suffered the school’s second state title game loss, as they made their first appearance on the Virginia High School League’s biggest stage since a 2004 setback to Meadowbrook in the Group AAA, Division 5 title game.
North Stafford head coach Marquez Hall reflected on his team’s season, which included the Region 6B championship, and a memorable run that garnered plenty of community support, just two years removed from a winless season.
“We worked our butts off this season, and everyone can see the progress from year one to year four,” Hall said. “We built this thing brick-by-brick and went from rock bottom to the state championship game.”
But the Wolverines were unable to find their footing in the tile contest. The Tigers’ offensive line wore down their defense throughout the game, and North Stafford didn’t generate much offense.
Oscar Smith running backs Tyjae Curtis and Reginald Wallace combined for two touchdowns and 78 rushing yards on 11 carries by the end of the opening quarter, giving the Tigers a 13–0 lead. North Stafford quarterback Chase Sullivan threw for 32 yards in the first quarter but was unable to lead his team to any points.
North Stafford’s Javier Hubbard hauled in a 21-yard reception early in the second quarter, but the drive stalled in Tigers’ territory, and the Wolverines missed a 33-yard field goal attempt.
Oscar Smith was forced to punt on its next possession, giving North Stafford a brief opportunity to make the game competitive before halftime.
The Wolverines managed 13 yards on a 7-yard scramble by Sullivan and a 6-yard reception by Jaron Ansah to move the chains. But again the drive stalled after a series of short gains, forcing North Stafford to punt back to Oscar Smith with just under six minutes remaining in the first half.
With the Wolverines’ defense reeling, the Tigers asserted control by running the ball eight consecutive times. Curtis capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, extending the defending state champions’ lead to 19–0 with 2:34 remaining in the second quarter.
Oscar Smith’s defense played lights out throughout the game, including forcing a three-and-out by the Wolverines on their next possession. North Stafford had to punt, giving the Tigers another opportunity to score before halftime. Lonnie Andrews found Travis Johnson for a short pass, and Johnson turned on the speed to go 30 yards for a touchdown.
The extra point was blocked by North Stafford, but the damage was done. Oscar Smith extended its lead to 25–0 heading into intermission. The Tigers amassed 262 total first-half yards, compared to 124 for North Stafford.
On the Wolverines’ first possession of the second half, they lost four yards on two runs, followed by an incomplete pass on third down. Things worsened when Josue Fuentes blocked their punt, scooped up the ball inside the Wolverines’ 20-yard line, and ran it in for a touchdown with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter.
North Stafford had another punt partially blocked later in the third quarter, but the defense responded when it forced and recovered a Curtis fumble.
The Tigers’ defense kept Sullivan on his heels all game. Lincoln Halliday wrapped him up for an 18-yard loss in the backfield, leaving the Wolverines facing third-and-36 at one point. On the next play, Sullivan attempted a pass downfield, but Tre’Shun Bradley intercepted it and returned it 40 yards.
The Tigers took advantage of the short field as Andrews connected with Quali Price on a 16-yard touchdown for a 37-0 lead midway through the third. With 41 seconds left in the third, Johnson caught his second touchdown pass from 30 yards out, burying the Wolverines 44–0.
Hubbard led the Wolverines offensively with 99 all-purpose yards, while his brother Antonio Hubbard was a standout on defense, finishing with eight tackles.
Sullivan was 7-of-24 passing for 84 yards and one interception. He was sacked three times.
“It was a tough game and a tough loss,” Hall said. “We couldn’t get anything going on offense and didn’t make stops on defense. But I’m proud of my guys for making it to this point.”
Andrews finished the game 7-of-14 passing for 138 yards, including three touchdown passes.
Curtis rushed for a game-high 108 yards on 13 carries, and Wallace added 80 rushing yards on nine attempts. Malachi White led the Tigers with six tackles.
Oscar Smith won the state championship last year, but that did not make this one any less special. Head coach Chris Scott praised his team for its physicality.
“The most physical team normally wins,” Scott said.
During his post-game speech, Scott also recognized his defensive coordinator Jahvoni Simmons, whose unit pitched a shutout for the second time this season.
Several Oscar Smith players said they believed they were on the better team, and their championship experience helped them cruise to victory.
