Alabama-bound Oscar Smith signal caller Phillips Sims becomes state's career passing yardage leader Friday night, earns National Player of the Week presented by U.S. Air Force.
Phillip Sims, Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.)
Photo by Dan Rosenstein
Phillip Sims reached his first milestone in becoming the most prolific passer in Virginia history Friday night when he completed 10 of 14 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns as Chesapeake Oscar Smith swamped Deep Creek, 42-0, before a homecoming crowd of 7,000 fans.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior quarterback finished the night with a state record 9,179 yards career passing yards. The record had been 9,152 by Adam Morgan of Dinwiddie. Coach Rich Morgan believes that state career records for completions and touchdown passes are also within reach for his star pupil.
“There have been a lot of great quarterbacks in Virginia, so this is pretty big," Morgan said. "Most important is his record as starting quarterback at Oscar Smith (41-3). He has been starting since his fourth game as a freshman. He’s been a tremendous leader and a major producer on offense.”
Sims, who has committed to the University of Alabama, sparked the Tigers to their first Class 6A state title last year and they now boast a 21-game winning streak.
“He’s got the strongest arm I’ve ever seen,” Morgan added. “He’s really smart and reads defenses well. He’s a winner and has got the competitive drive to always be on top. He’s humble and a good role model.”
Cosh continues assault on Maryland passing records
Gambrills Arundel senior quarterback Billy Cosh holds eight Maryland public school state passing records for either one game or season.
Friday night he added his first career record when he completed 16 of 19 passes for 267 yards and seven touchdowns during a 75-19 rout of Glen Burnie. That gave him a state-record 85 scoring passes – five more than the previous mark held by two players.
He still has a shot at the overall state record of 113 career touchdown passes which is held by private-school standout Keith Ricca of Frederick St. John’s at Prospect Hall. Ricca played four years, while Cosh is in just his second year as a starter.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior, who has committed to Kansas State, also tied the state record with his seven scoring passes. Among his previous records – set as a junior – are 56 touchdown passes and 3,913 passing yards in a single season. Both are overall state records.
“We’ve always had good quarterbacks, but Billy is the best passer." Arundel head coach Chuck Markiewicz said. "He can make every throw on the field. He is smart and the most accurate thrower I ever have seen, period.”
The Wildcats have a 6-0 record and four regular season games remaining.
