14. Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) Last season’s record: 13-1, lost in Division 6 semifinals
Coach: Richard Morgan
Key players: QB Phil Sims (6-2, 210, Jr.), LB Perry Jones (5-9, 190, Sr.), LB Jerod Askew (6-0, 230, Sr.), DT Evan Hailes (6-2, 315, Jr.), DE Jarmara Gray (6-1, 245, Sr.), WR Tim Smith (5-11, 175, Sr.)
Biggest strength: Defensive front seven, OL, QB
Question mark: Replacing three Division I WR’s
Outlook: Three of last year’s starting wideouts graduated on to Division I college football, but the Tigers still have seven starters back on each side of the ball. The passing game should remain a point of strength with Sims – already a three-year starter -- under center. As a sophomore, he threw for over 3,000 yards with 33 touchdowns. There is still a productive receiver around with Smith, who caught 30 passes for nearly 700 yards. He also returned five punts for touchdowns last season. Up front, Oscar Smith should be solid with four offensive line starters back in the lineup. The Tigers’ defense allowed only 6 points a game in ’07, but this year’s unit could be even better. Forming perhaps the best linebacker duo in the state will be Jones, a Virginia recruit who had 13 sacks and 26 tackles for loss, and fellow blue chip recruit Askew, who had 14 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. At defensive tackle, Hailes was all-state as a sophomore with 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Rounding out the talented unit is defensive end Gray, who had 17 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
Toughest games: Sept. 19 vs. Great Bridge, Oct. 3 vs. Western Branch
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