Last season, the Commodores beat the Pumas by nearly three touchdowns. Maury went on to win the Class 5 state title, while Wise won 12 in a row to win the Maryland 4A state title.

On Friday night, it was a little bit different as the Commodores, ranked No. 1 in the 757Teamz Top 15, had to survive a last-second Hail Mary to the end zone to beat Wise 20-14 in the season opener for both teams.

“It helped us last year when we faced these situations. This is just another test for us. It lets us know that we’re not invincible and we need to get better,” said Maury coach Dyrri McCain. “We saw a bunch of guys who were trained to be ready for this moment, and we finished.”

Maury survives 20-14 over Wise pic.twitter.com/TcgKmRcWGO

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) September 7, 2024

The Commodores took an early lead when Indiana commit LeBron Bond scored on a 25-yard pass from Au’Tori Newkirk, but the extra point failed. They added to their lead a short time later when Newkirk and Bond hooked up again, this time on a 2-yard touchdown pass, to take a 13-0 lead.

“It was fourth-and-1, and I was asking Coach for the ball,” said Bond, who finished with four receptions for 36 yards and two touchdowns. “And he put the ball in my hands and we scored.”

It seemed like the Commodores might run away with the game, but Wise, located in Upper Marlboro outside of Washington, D.C., got an 89-yard return on the ensuing kickoff to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Eric Wedge to cut the deficit to 13-7 before the half.

The Pumas took the lead in the third quarter on Wedge’s 1-yard touchdown pass to DeCarlos Young and a PAT kick with 4:08 left.

Simmons with the 17-yard TD run.
Maury 20, Wise (MD) 14 (3Q) pic.twitter.com/kT6VjuCE1y

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) September 7, 2024

But the Commodores regained the lead when Cameryn Simmons scored on a 17-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter.

Wise had two chances to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, including a long heave in the final seconds, but the Commodores broke up the pass in the end zone.

“It was very big for the program,” Maury defensive back Kendall Daniels Jr. said about the win. “Anything can happen at that moment, but we’ve prepared ourselves for that every day at practice.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

The fighter was Norfolk legend Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker and he was fighting Poli Diaz on HBO.

As Davis, a lightweight contender and U.S. Olympic silver medalist, watched the video, he saw energy that surrounded Whitaker prior to the fight. It included the Norfolk State University Spartan “Legion” Marching Band high-stepping out of the tunnel leading Whitaker to the ring.

Davis watched as fans jumped to their feet and cheered for Whitaker.

Korn, the director of communications and fighter development at Top Rank Boxing, knew this would motivate Davis to want to bring a fight back to Norfolk.

And on Nov. 8, Davis, along with his brothers, Kelvin and Keon, will fight at Scope.

Davis, nicknamed “The Businessman,” enters his homecoming celebration with an 11-0 record with seven knockouts and will meet Argentina-born knockout artist Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight main event. The fight will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Davis, 25, is ranked No. 3 at lightweight by the WBO, IBF and WBC. He earned those rankings with two devastating showings to begin the year, starting with February’s sixth-round TKO of former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza.

Now Davis is the headliner in the biggest boxing event Scope has seen since Whitaker defended his welterweight crown against Buddy McGirt in October 1994.

“As a young kid growing up in Norfolk, I dreamed of accomplishing enough to headline a card at Scope Arena one day,” Davis told Top Rank. “My boxing idol is the legendary Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker, and I want to pack that arena like he used to. He’s the greatest from my city, and I’m honored to continue that legacy. I can’t wait to put on a spectacular show against a tough opponent in Gustavo Lemos. Everyone from the 757 will be in my corner.”

Davis and his brothers were in Norfolk on Thursday to officially announce the fight.

David said he’s excited for his brothers, who are collectively known as DB3 — Davis Brothers 3.

“I think it came right on time,” Davis said about the timing of this fight. “I’m happy we’re doing it, and I’m happy it’s here.”

When the fight was first announced last month, Keon wasn’t expected to fight on the card as he was still an amateur with Olympic dreams like his brother. But that changed.

“For me, it means a lot,” Davis said about having his younger brother on the same card. “I wanted him to go to the Olympics, but I was kind of leaning towards him going pro more. Since he made his own decision going pro, I’m excited, especially that he’s making his debut on my undercard. It makes it even better.”

Keon, 23, said it’s great to not only make his professional debut on his brother’s card, but also at home.

“It hasn’t really hit me. I’m definitely grateful for this opportunity. I just can’t wait for it to happen,” he said. “A lot of people don’t get this opportunity, so I’m going to take full advantage. I’m going to go out there and get the knockout that I’m looking for.”

Kelvin “Nite Nite” Davis is a junior welterweight who recently beat Kevin Johnson of Detroit to win an eight-round majority decision and improve to 13-0.

He knows how special this opportunity is to be fighting at home with his brothers.

“We always wanted it to happen, and we always dreamed for it,” said Kelvin Davis, 27. “Now that it’s really here, and it’s really true and it’s really happening, it’s kind of like unbelievable.”

He also knows it’s going to have a huge impact on the Norfolk community.

“They can see that’s real, and it’s really going on,” he said. “Especially fight night and fight week, they’ll see ESPN and the Scope. I know we’re going to touch a lot of people.”

The Davis brothers have also included the Whitaker family in the big event.

“We’re going to take some things from the legendary Sweet Pea for sure,” Keyshawn Davis said. “We want to include his family during fight week. It’s going to be crazy.”

They invited Whitaker’s oldest son, Dominique, and nephew, Donald Bryant, to Thursday’s press conference.

“It’s another native coming back out. It means a lot to us to keep that name flowing,” Bryant said. “It’s awesome. I’ve proud and thankful. It’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to him doing big things and do what he does best.”

Dominique Whitaker remembers his father’s 10 fights at Scope, including the fight against Diaz, which he won a unanimous decision to retain the WBA, WBC and IBF lightweight titles

“It means a lot to have boxing back here in Norfolk and back at the Scope,” he said. “I remember when he brought out the Norfolk State band and everything. That was crazy. It was loud and very entertaining.

“To see (Davis) show love to my pops, it means a lot. It seems surreal. And for him not to be here makes it even more surreal.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

The 6-foot-9 power forward, who was the 2024 All-Tidewater Player of the Year, chose the Rams over Butler and Miami.

“I chose VCU because of the coaching staff and how I have been treated since day one,” he said. “After my official visit, I didn’t want to visit nowhere else. I felt at home.”

Barksdale was unstoppable during the Class 5 state tournament as he averaged 17 points and 15 rebounds during the postseason, including a 17-point, 14-rebound performance on VCU’s home court — Siegel Center — to help the Wolverines beat L.C. Bird for their second consecutive state title.

Barksdale, who recorded 25 double-doubles last season, also was named the Class 5 Player of the Year, the Class 5 Region B Player of the Year and the Peninsula District Player of the Year.

He talked about he hopes to bring to VCU.

“Fans can expect a a great teammate with a hard work ethic,” he said. “As well as many wins, competing for an A10 championship and an NCAA run.”

Barksdale is rated a four-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals. He is rated the No. 5 senior in the state by ESPN and No. 9 by On3 and 247Sports. He is rated the No. 16 power forward nationally by Rivals, No. 19 by 247Sports, No. 20 by ESPN and No. 68 by On3. And he’s rated the No. 119 player nationally by Rivals and No. 143 by 247Sports.

He also had offers from Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Richmond, Norfolk State and Hampton.

Passing (Completions/Attempts, Yards, TDs, INTs)

Public schools

K’Saan Farrar, Green Run — (12/18) 292 yards, 4 TDs

Kamarri Kirby, Indian River — (16/28) 239 yards, 2 TDs

Tyrell Grant Jr., Nansemond River — (22/28) 224 yards, 3TDs, 1 INT

Ashton Bell, Bruton — (9/16) 217 yards, 2 TDs

Joedee Shelton, Norcom — (12/27) 204 yards, TD, INT

Deandre Artis-Boone, King’s Fork — (9/14) 165 yards, 2 TDs, INT

CJ Spence, Kempsville – (9/15) 162 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Ethen Doscher, Bayside — (10/14) 100 yards, 4 TDs

Kyle Buggs, Smithfield — (9/13) 100 yards, 3 TDs

Saeed Williams Jr., Warwick —  (11/21) 100 Yards

Private schools

Micah Lance, Atlantic Shores — (26/39) 385 yards, 11 TDs, 1 INT (2 games)

Tyson Moravic, Greenbrier Christian — (8/15) 162 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT (2 games)

___

Rushing

Public schools

Ky’Nique Baines, Western Branch — 25 carries, 205 yards, 1 TD

Willie Moore, Salem — 19 carries, 188 yards, 1 TD

Amari Pryear, Bethel — 21 carries, 163 yards

Max Palmerton, Cox — 10 carries,134 yards, 2 TDs

Peter Henderson, Bruton — 14 carries, 130 yards, TD

Charles Jackson III, Green Run — 12 carries, 129 yards 4 TDs

Javon Ford II, King’s Fork — 14 carries, 124 yards, TD

Eric Crane, Warhill — 10 carries, 124 yards, 3 TDs

Cortez Phillips, Norcom — 12 carries, 124, 3 TDs

Jeremy King, Windsor — 15 carries, 119 yards, 2 TDs

Tyree Wilson, Lafayette —  7 carries, 119 yards, TD

Logan Powell, Windsor — 16 carries, 119 yards

Melvin Brown, Nansemond River — 20 carries, 116 yards, TD

MJ Roberts, Gloucester — 14 carries, 114 yards, TD

Brandon Nesbit, Oscar Smith — 15 carries, 111 yards, TD

Carson Strickland, Warhill — 10 carries, 105 yards, 3 TDs

Landon Howard, Tabb — 20 carries, 99 yards, TD

Scooter Williams, Salem — 3 carries, 87 yards, 2 TDs

Rob Hughes Jr, Kempsville — 21 carries, 81 yards

Joedee Shelton, Norcom — 10 carries, 80 yards

Ty’jae Curtis, Oscar Smith — 8 carries, 72 yards, TD

Cameron Glenn, Warwick  — 12 carries, 72 yards, TD

LaDarius Adams, Menchville — 9 carries, 72 yards, 0 TDs

Kinye Martin, Smithfield — 12 carries, 71 yards, TD

Jahmel Mackey, King’s Fork — 5 reception, 70 yards 2 TDs

Private schools

DJ Caban, Greenbrier Christian — 24 carries, 296 yards, 3 TDs (2 games)

Jack Weaver, Atlantic Shores — 19 carries, 248 yards, TD (2 games)

___

Receiving

Public schools

Jayden Anderson, Green Run — 5 receptions, 144 yards, 2 TDs

Anthony Henderson Jr, Bruton — 7 receptions, 139 yards

Travieon Slaughter, Indian River — 6 receptions, 133 yards, TD

Keon Batts, Warwick — 4 receptions, 106 yards, TD

Fleetwood Turner, Windsor — 2 receptions, 93 yards

Knahlij Harrell, Green Run — 4 receptions, 88 yards, 2 TDs

Zalen Smith, Norcom — 4 receptions, 82 yards, TD

Maquell Johnson, Norcom — 5 receptions, 76 yards, TD

Karl Arline Jr., Norcom  — 3 receptions, 70 yards

Matthew Outten, Norcom — 3 receptions, 66 yards

Brandon Freeman, Bruton — 2 receptions, 63 yards, 2 TDs

Quincy Gilmer, Nansemond River — 6 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD

Calvin Brown, Nansemond River — 4 receptions, 61 yards

Private schools

Josh Sibley, Atlantic Shores — 8 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TDs (2 games)

Ethan Gosman, Greenbrier Christian — 5 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TDs (2 games)

Corey Williams, Atlantic Shores — 5 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TDs (2 games)

Chris Higgins, Atlantic Shores — 7 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TDs (2 games)

___

Tackles (Tackles For Loss)

Public schools

Tristen Williams, Green Run — 11 tackles

Kwan Jackson, Bethel — 10.5 tackles (1 TFL)

Jamir Nesbeth, Lafayette — 10 tackles (4 TFL)

Brandon Juene, King’s Fork — 10 tackles (2 TFL)

Travis Freeman, Nansemond River — 10 tackles (1 TFL)

Keith Cherry, Kecoughtan — 9 tackles (1 TFL)

Tracy Pope, Warwick — 8 tackles (4 TFL)

Tory Brownson, Gloucester — 8 tackles (1 TFL)

Christopher Frazier, Western Branch — 8 tackles

De’zhawn Smith, Green Run — 8 tackles

Manny Taylor, Green Run — 8 tackles

Aaron Hall, Bethel — 7.5 Tackles

Xavier Gresham, Nansemond River — 7 tackles (4 TFL)

Zachary Walton, King’s Fork — 7 tackles (3 TFL)

Kareem Cribbs, Gloucester — 7 tackles (2 TFL)

Iziah Emery, Warwick — 7 tackles (2 TFL)

Adin Waters, Western Branch — 7 tackles (1 TFL)

Ernest Jones, King’s Fork — 7 tackles (1 TFL)

Fabian Wells, Salem — 7 tackles

Charlie Wilson, Menchville — 7 tackles

Jaden Bryant, Bethel — 6.5 tackles

Treveon Styles, Norcom — 6 tackles (3 TFL)

Davon Bains, Menchville — 6 tackles (3 TFL)

Justin Irby, King’s Fork — 6 tackles (2 TFL)

Jaylan McKenzie, Kempsville — 6 tackles (2 TFL)

Eugene Saunders, Menchville — 6 tackles (2 TFL)

Xavier Carter, Warwick — 6 tackles (1 TFL)

Darrin Banks Harrold, Bruton — 6 tackles

Jaxon Ramsey, Western Branch — 6 tackles

Private schools

Campbell Clark, Atlantic Shores — 17 tackles (4 TFL)

Ian Hitching, Greenbrier Christian — 13 tackles (3 TFL)

Josh Long, Atlantic Shores — 10 tackles (4 TFL)

Tyler Craig, Atlantic Shores — 10 tackles (3 TFL)

___

Sacks

Public schools

Tracy Pope, Warwick — 4 sacks

Xavier Gresham, Nansemond River — 3 sacks

Scott Klaiss, Gloucester — 3 sacks

Markus McCoy, Salem — 3 sacks

Colby Bartley, Gloucester — 2 sacks

Will Flythe, Smithfield —  2 sacks

Kam Johnson, Green Run — 2 sacks

Jaylan McKenzie, Kempsville —  2 sacks

Private schools

Josh Long, Atlantic Shores — 2 sacks

___

Interceptions

Public schools

Jaden Gilliam, Warwick — 2 interceptions

Private schools

Dexter Edmunds, Atlantic Shores — 2 interceptions

___

Field goals (Long)

Public schools

Willam Monument, Nansemond River — 1 (45 yards)

Jean-Pierre Bile, King’s Fork — 1 (39 yards)

Aidan Gerda, Lafayette — 1 (30 yards)

Brycen Widlhelm, Cox — 1 (29 yards)

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

Ocean Lakes’ girls won the Class 5 state cross country championship, which was their third state title in four seasons under coach Mike Nestor. The Dolphins, who also won the title in 2020 and 2021 in Class 6, will be led by seniors Khadija Sissoko (ninth at state), Grace Thompson (10th), Riley Gomez (20th), Lauren Rakov (30th) and Lindsay Meadows (45th). Freshman Elizabeth Gong also is expected to contribute.

Jamestown’s girls took the program’s first state cross country title when the Eagles won in Class 4 last year. The Eagles graduated Kylie Brooks, who was the runner-up, and Raini Mayo and Claire Bauer, who finished 11th and 19th, respectively. But they return Emily Dahl, who placed 13th, Hailey Shearer (34th) and Nettie Haines (73rd).

Catholic’s boys have won three consecutive Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools boys cross country titles and finished sixth at the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state meet. They are led by junior Josh Seidensticker, who placed fifth at the TCIS meet and ninth at the VISAA state meet. They also have senior Roy Fullmer (12th at TCIS, 24th at VISAA),  senior Raul Acevedo (eighth at TCIS, 48th at VISAA), and junior Matt Healey (14th at TCIS, 91st at VISAA).

Norfolk Academy’s girls are the defending TCIS champions and finished fourth at the VISAA Division I state meet. The Bulldogs, who are chasing their third consecutive TCIS title, will be led by sophomore Jane Earp, won the TCIS title and finished sixth at the state meet. Other key contributors will be junior Ella Stufflebeem (fifth at TCIS, 26th at VISAA), junior Allie Keffer (19th at TCIS, 43rd at VISAA), junior Kate Fine (11th at TCIS, 55th at VISAA) and sophomore Catherine Adams (10th at TCIS, 57th at VISAA). Also watch out for Paisley Enos, Maite Guzman, Carol Earp and Genevieve Stone.

Granby’s girls will be the favorites in the Eastern District as the Comets return four runners who placed in the top 10 at the district meet in sophomore Ella Pringle (third), junior Julie Poffenbarger (fourth), junior Jessie Woollett (fifth) and sophomore Arianna Rivera (seventh).

757Teamz top 10 boys runners

1. Grafton senior Connor Linehan ran 15 minutes, 55 seconds to finish seventh at the Class 3 state cross country meet.

2. Landstown senior Darryl Hawkins ran 16:14 to place 13th at the Class 6 state cross country meet.

3. Bruton senior Jayden Curry ran 16:15 to place fourth at the Class 2 state cross country meet. He also led the Panthers to a state outdoor track title as he won the 1,600 meters (4:16.97) and was runner-up in both the 800 and high jump.

4. Lafayette senior A.J. Koval ran 16:31 to place 15th at the Class 3 state cross country meet.

5. Princess Anne senior Daniel Rockey ran 16:41 to place 11th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

6. Warwick junior Nate Cochran ran 16:50 to place 14th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

7. Grassfield junior Benjamin Giffing ran 16:53 to place 31st at the Class 6 state cross country meet.

8. Poquoson junior Jacob Wines ran 16:55 to place 15th at the Class 2 state cross country meet.

9. Jamestown senior Jeffrey Linton ran 16:57 to place 26th at the Class 4 state cross country meet. He also won the 1,000 meters at the Class 4 state indoor meet.

10. Cape Henry junior Michael McKnew ran 17:03 to place third at the VISAA Division I state cross country meet. At the state outdoor meet, he won the 800 (1:58.29) and 1,600 (4:21.66). He set a meet record in the 1,600 meters (4:18.95) at the TCIS outdoor meet.

757Teamz top 10 girls runners

1. Poquoson junior Elizabeth Trant ran 19 minutes, 2 seconds to place fourth at the Class 2 state cross country meet.

2. Jamestown junior Emily Dahl ran 19:39 to place 13th at the Class 4 state cross country meet.

3. Warwick junior Ariana Logsdon ran 19:40 to place fifth at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

4. Ocean Lakes senior Khadija Sissoko ran 19:59 to place ninth at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

5. Ocean Lakes senior Grace Thompson ran 20:01 to place 10th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

6. Hickory sophomore Alexis Rice ran 20:06 to place 13th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

7. Hickory junior Morgan Kimener ran 20:17 to place 14th at the Class 5 state cross country meet. She also finished sixth at the region meet in a personal-best 19:36.

8. Grassfield senior Hannah Stevens ran 20:17 to place 40th at the Class 6 state cross country meet.

9. Maury junior Sophia Sadr ran 20:20 to place 16th at the Class 5 state cross country meet.

10. Norfolk Academy sophomore Jane Earp ran 20:22 to place sixth at the VISAA Division I state cross country meet.

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com.

I didn’t pray to win, but I prayed that God would allow me to run to the best of my ability and bring Him glory.

Through my career, God allowed me to have much success.

Now I’m not saying God wanted me to win over other competitors, but I do believe God works for the good of those who love and serve Him.

That brings me to something that happened last week.

Lake Mary of Florida shocked Taiwan last Sunday in the Little League World Series, rallying for a 2-1 win in extra innings. It’s the state’s first LLWS title and the sixth straight tournament won by a U.S. team.

But heading into the team’s final at-bat before extra innings, things didn’t look good as Lake Mary trailed 1-0.

ESPN cut to Florida manager Jonathan Anderson giving his team a final pep talk before they went to the plate.

“Oh, what a story it’s going to be, boys,” Anderson told his team. “One of the first days that we got here, I came down here, a man prayed over me. OK, he saw my dad later, he said, ‘It’s already been written.’ We are already the champs. The Lord put it in his book. We are just going to finish the story right here, right now.

“Stay calm, stay composed, stay within yourself, but understand it has already been written,” he continued. “It’s already ours. We just have to finish it here. We just have to play this inning. Understand?”

The team replied, “Yes sir.”

He added, “Here we go,” Anderson told the team. “It’s our summer. It’s our game. We are gonna come out on top.”

After a scoreless seventh inning, Taiwan was unable to get the automatic runner home from second base in the top of the eighth, setting the table for Florida to capture the title.

On the first pitch of the bottom of the eighth, Hunter Alexander dropped down a bunt to the right side.

Pitcher Chiu Wei-Che fielded the ball cleanly, but his throw to first sailed into right field when no one was at the bag, letting the runner from second score and giving Florida the win.

The bunt that was heard around the world

Here's the historic play that won Florida their first-ever #LLWS title pic.twitter.com/Ba0HjhRFQC

— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 25, 2024

When it comes to religion, some people were bothered by Anderson’s message.

What many also may not realize is Anderson didn’t even know that ESPN turned his mic on and was recording this intimate moment between him and his team.

I spoke to him earlier this week about many things, including the win and his faith.

“We’re a faith-based family. So that was already engrained in us the whole entire time,” Anderson told me one day after his Lake Mary team was honored with a parade in front of thousands of fans at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. “But if you trust in the Lord, anything is possible.”

More than 400 miles away, watching the game unfold in Chesapeake, were friends Jeff Guill and Joe Smith.

Earlier in the week, they had been in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the site of the Little League World Series.

Guill has been to four of the past five Little League World Series. Smith, along with his son, Isaiah, were making their first trip.

While they were there, they saw three of the Florida players and Anderson walking around.

Smith and Guill stopped them and chatted with them.

After talking for a few minutes, Guill and Smith asked if they could pray with them.

Anderson said, “Absolutely.”

Guill prayed with them, while Smith took pictures.

The next day, Guill and Smith ended up sitting behind Anderson’s father, David, and other family of the players from Florida.

Before they left, Smith told Anderson’s dad, “It’s already been written in the book, you’re going to win.”

Guill and Smith returned to Chesapeake. They watched the championship game together.

Then they heard Anderson’s talk and what he said about their encounter. Both were shocked in amazement.

“It made me feel good, but I was more grateful that no matter what, whether they won or loss, that they glorified Jesus with their play,” Smith said. “They did their part, and God took care of the rest.”

Guill, who leads Christian Embassy’s Men’s Ministry in Chesapeake, said that experience is going to change many, including the players’, lives.

“I just want them to know that Jesus Christ is in everything. He’s there for us, even in a ballgame,” he said. “Prayer is so important and it changes everything. People will say, ‘Doesn’t God love the kids from (Taiwan), too? Of course, but for whatever reason, Florida was destined to win. And God used us as prayer warriors.”

But the Tigers showed he won’t be the only one to watch as Ty’jae Curtis proved he’s also going to be a force.

The two-headed monster combined for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns to lead fourth-ranked Oscar Smith to a 44-6 victory over Hermitage, which is outside of Richmond, in the season opener for both teams.

“We came out here ready, we came out here focused,” said Nesbit, who rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. “We were ready for this week. We knew we had to handle business, and that’s what we did.”

Oscar Smith gave Hermitage’s defense a heavy dose of Nesbit early. It included a 24-yard touchdown run that helped give the Tigers a 9-0 lead in the first quarter. He added a 16-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Brandon Nesbit with his second TD of the game. This time from 16 yards. Oscar Smith 23, Hermitage 0 (2nd) pic.twitter.com/bXmpk8Qzlu

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) August 31, 2024

The Tigers also mixed in Curtis, who broke off several big runs, including a 5-yard touchdown that helped give Oscar Smith a 30-0 halftime lead.

Curtis’ performance doesn’t come as a surprise to those in the Beach District. Last season, he rushed for 1,188 yards and 14 TDs as a Kempsville High freshman.

“I’m proud of him. He’s like my little brother,” Nesbit said about Curtis. “All of us are going to shine; we’re all going to eat. It’s going to be scary, so watch out.”

Ty'jae Curtis with the 5-yard TD run. Oscar Smith 30, Hermitage 0 (3rd) pic.twitter.com/2MKlBEsuRj

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) August 31, 2024

The Tigers also used freshman Reginald Wallace, who rushed for nearly 50 yards on five carries, including a 4-yard touchdown.

Oscar Smith’s coaches were definitely impressed.

“All of them are special and all of them can run the ball hard,” said assistant coach Lafonte Thourogood. “They’re going to be special.”

Added head coach Chris Scott, “Those guys are physical and they get downhill and get going north. They create a personality and a characteristic of our team where we can be physical on offense. It allows us to kind of wear teams down.”

The Tigers’ defense also played well as it limited Hermitage to 55 total yards in the first half and held the Panthers scoreless until a late fourth-quarter touchdown against the reserves spoiled the shutout.

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

That’s what Green Run coach Brandon Williams yelled to his players following the Stallions’ 54-0 win over visiting Tallwood on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams. The fifth-ranked Stallions have now won 34 Beach District regular-season games in a row.

But their main goal is bring home a Class 5 state title.

And to accomplish that feat, they’ll need to win 15 games in a row.

Last year, the Stallions’ season ended with a loss to Indian River in the Class 5 Region A final.

“So this win was very important,” said Green Run senior Knahlij Harrell. “Since that loss to Indian River, everybody has been mentally hungry. We’ve been working every day in the summer.”

And it showed on Thursday.

After a sluggish first possession, the Stallions regrouped and scored on their next six.

It started with quarterback K’Saan Farrar’s 6-yard touchdown pass to junior running back Charles Jackson.

Charles Jackson with the touchdown. Green Run 7, Tallwood 0 pic.twitter.com/HAdRTdQXzB

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) August 29, 2024

Farrar followed that with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Harrell.

“I was hungry, but I was patient,” said Harrell, a Virginia Tech commit. “I knew my time was coming. But everybody’s got to eat a little bit. So when I knew it was my time, I just made the best of it.”

Knahlij Harrell 37 TD pass from K'Saan Farrar. Green Run 14, Tallwood 0 (1st) pic.twitter.com/ak8PFBplMi

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) August 29, 2024

Jayden Anderson added to the scoring with a 56-yard touchdown run.

Jackson scored again on a 57-yard touchdown run to give Green Run a 27-0 lead.

“I saw nothing but grass,” said Jackson, who finished with three touchdowns. “I knew I had to go get it. I had to get in the end zone.”

Harrell found the end zone again on a spectacular, acrobatic one-handed touchdown reception.

“I was surprised myself, too,” he said. “It was just hand-eye coordination. But I was surprised, too.”

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Sophomore Terrance Ealy Jr. added to the lead on a 1-yard touchdown run before the half, and the Stallions played the second half with a running clock.

Farrar, who committed to Connecticut, completed 7 of 13 passes for 157 yards and four touchdowns.

The Stallions, who have won three consecutive district titles, are trying to become the first Beach District team to win a state title since Ocean Lakes in 2014.

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

As they get closer to the metal cage that sits in the end zone, the music begins.

As they pile into the cage, including some climbing at the top of it, the music intensifies.

Then comes the blue and yellow smoke.

Then more music, as players begin to rock from one side to the other in unison with the music.

Then, the doors of “The Tiger Cage” fly open as the players run onto the field.

It’s the sight and entertainment that fans look forward to at every Oscar Smith home game.

“You look at it in the daylight and it’s just some metal bars with blue and gold on it,” said Oscar Smith athletic director Ray Collins. “But when all of the kids load in there, and all of that energy comes pouring out onto the field, it’s pretty amazing.”

Tiger Cage in force. Oscar Smith vs. Phoebus pic.twitter.com/rSfAVOvKP1

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) September 1, 2023

The entrance is like no other in Hampton Roads.

It gets the home team fired up, and gets the opposition’s attention. Videos of the entrance on social media get thousands of views, likes and comments.

“It’s like saying, ‘We’re going into battle now,’ ” said former Western Branch coach Lew Johnston. “For a bunch of kids who are not very confident going into the game, it can be as intimidating as heck.”

Former King’s Fork coach Joe Jones remembers seeing the cage for the first time.

“When they came out, it got me fired up because it was something that I hadn’t seen around here,” he said. “For me, I think that’s the most intimidating (entrance) around. I always said, if your a competitor, this will crank you up. If that doesn’t crank you up to play hard, then you’re not a competitor.”

Richard Morgan arrived at Oscar Smith in 2002. He took a program that was middle-of-the-pack and transformed it into a perennial region and state power and into the national conversation. During his reign, the Tigers won 82 consecutive Southeastern District games and at least a share of 12 consecutive district regular-season championships. He also led them to state titles in 2008 and 2011 and two other appearances in the state final.

But Morgan always looked for an edge to help his team.

Terry Batten, a former Oscar Smith quarterback in the early 1980s, has been a part of the program. He remembers when the Tiger Cage came into existence.

“Todd Springer, who was an assistant coach under Richard Morgan, and his brother, Corey, had a little brainstorming session and came together with the idea,” he said.

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Jeff Rowland, another former Oscar Smith player, helped bring the plan to fruition.

“Corey Springer came to me with his idea. He wanted to do something to get the players hyped,” he said. “I’m a metal distributor, and Corey was a customer of mine. He came to me with the idea. And it took off from there.”

What Rowland didn’t expect, however, was how it evolved.

“Now, I had no idea that they would be climbing all over it,” Rowland said with a chuckle. “But I love it when I see them. They’re up there having a ball and doing their thing. I had no idea that this thing would get like this.”

The Tiger Cage. It never gets old. Deep Creek vs. Oscar Smith pic.twitter.com/Li0ri6UgTj

— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) October 25, 2019

Former Oscar Smith star quarterback Phillip Sims said the Tiger Cage was born in 2008.

“It was my sophomore year. To be honest, at the time, I thought it was crazy. But now, that’s part of their identity of what Oscar Smith football is,” said Sims, the current Princess Anne High coach who set numerous Virginia High School League passing records at Smith and was the 2009 Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Player of the Year. “That just speaks volumes to who Morgan was as a coach, to have the foresight and 20 years later what he started, and it’s still going. They’ve taken it and made it their own.”

Former Oscar Smith star Joe Jones didn’t have the Tiger Cage when he played. But he saw its impact when he returned as a coach.

“Coach Morgan was always looking for an edge and looking for different ways to motivate the players,” he said. “It’s definitely blown up, including nationally.”

He also remembers how an opposing coach in the playoffs once kept his team behind the bleachers until the team came out of the cage.

“They stayed behind the visiting stands until it was over and didn’t even acknowledge that it was something to see,” Jones said. “My first year at Lakeland, I did the same thing. We didn’t hit the field until they got out of the cage.”

Oscar Smith running back Brandon Nesbit Jr. remembers seeing the Tiger Cage when he played for Deep Creek.

“When I first saw it, I didn’t think too much of it because I was on the other side of the field,” he said. “But it was sweet; it was cool.”

Now that he’s a Tiger?

“It’s good,” Nesbit says with a huge smile. “It’s a good feeling. When we come out the Tiger Cage, it’s straight business.”

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How special is it? Only varsity players get to come out of the Tiger Cage.

There have been a few exceptions, including Oscar Smith quarterback Lonnie Andrews III.

When he was 5, he got to come out of the Tiger Cage with the team.

“It meant a lot because I had my dad’s jersey on. It was a great experience,” said Andrews, the son of the late star Oscar Smith running back. “It’s our tradition. It’s where we get hyped and puts the opposing team in fear.”

Former Indian River and Lakeland coach Glenwood Ferebee knows all about the Tiger Cage.

“I know it was intimidating to the kids because it was something different,” he said. “It was an electric atmosphere.”

Ferebee liked it so much that when he was recently hired at Butler High in North Carolina, he copied the idea.

“We’re the Bulldogs, so I got a dog kennel instead of a cage,” Ferebee said with a chuckle. “I saw the impact that it had for Oscar Smith. … I hope it helps to get the energy going here. We lost last week, but a lot of people gave us compliments on it. It definitely gives you that edge.”

Said Oscar Smith star defensive back Jahmari DeLoatch: “It’s more than just a Tiger Cage,” he said. “It’s one of the things that makes Oscar Smith, Oscar Smith.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

All 10 public-school games are non-district and at least three are intriguing — none more so than No. 15 Churchland at No. 3 King’s Fork. The contest features a dynamite rushing duel between the Truckers’ Dontavius Booker (1,674 yards, 23 touchdowns in 2023) and King’s Fork’s Javon Ford II (1,570 yards, 25 touchdowns).

No. 4 Oscar Smith will look to negotiate a potentially difficult opener at home on Friday against Richmond-area Hermitage. The arm of sophomore quarterback Lonnie Andrews III (1,500 passing yards and 19 TDs in 2023) will be key for the Tigers, who won last year’s meeting 39-25.

Other than the COVID seasons of 2021, Poquoson has opened every season since its Class 3 state title of 2010 with an easy victory over Southampton — 11 in all. The defending Class 2 Region A champs will face a far sterner test on Friday, when they travel to Lake Taylor in what figures to be one of the night’s best games.

Friday’s games

757Teamz Top 15

No. 15 Churchland at No. 3 King’s Fork, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: King’s Fork 28-23. Marty’s pick: King’s Fork 35-20.

Hermitage at No. 4 Oscar Smith, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Oscar Smith 36-27. Marty’s pick: Oscar Smith 31-24.

Grassfield vs. No. 6 Warwick at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Warwick 35-13. Marty’s pick: Warwick 42-0.

No. 9 Lafayette at Spotsylvania, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Lafayette 27-13. Marty’s pick: Lafayette 21-6.

No. 12 Nansemond River vs. Bethel at Darling Stadium, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Nansemond River 33-13. Marty’s pick: Nansemond River 20-13.

Poquoson at No. 13 Lake Taylor, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Lake Taylor 27-20. Marty’s pick: Poquoson 21-14.

Non-district

Heritage vs. Tabb at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Tabb 23-20. Marty’s pick: Heritage 20-19.

Norview at Smithfield, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Smithfield 27-23. Marty’s pick: Smithfield 27-23.

Bruton at Northampton, 7 p.m.

Larry’s pick: Bruton 27-14. Marty’s pick: Bruton 28-21.

Friday’s private-school games

The Potomac School at Norfolk Academy, 6 p.m.

Atlantic Shores Christian vs. Roanoke Catholic at VB Sportsplex, 7 p.m.

Broadwater Academy at Greenbrier Christian, 7 p.m.

Nansemond-Suffolk at Isle of Wight, 7 p.m.

Smith Mountain Lake Christian at Catholic, 7 p.m.

Saturday’s game

Non-district

No. 10 Granby vs. Denbigh at Todd Stadium, noon

Larry’s pick: Granby 36-13. Marty’s pick: Granby 28-7.