Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, Va.) vs. Centreville (Clifton, Va.)
Joe Ferrick, Centreville
Photo by Bob Powers
What to watch: Centreville aims for its second consecutive Class 6A championship against an Ocean Lakes squad trying to finish off an unbeaten season with its first state title. Centreville began the season in most of the national polls but slipped off the radar when it lost two of the first six games. The Wildcats (12-2) now have an eight-game winning streak after avenging one of their earlier losses with a 21-17 triumph against conference rival Westfield (Chantilly) last week. South Carolina-committed running back
A.J. Turner — who did not see his first action of the season until November because of a wrist injury — ran for 140 yards and a touchdown. On the other side, Ocean Lakes wants to go one step further than 2012 when it also had a 14-0 record but lost in the state championship game. The Dolphins landed in
this week's Xcellent 25 at No. 25 after overpowering Oscar Smith (Chesapeake), 49-28.
Eric Crosby, a 6-2, 260-pound defensive tackle, was Ocean Lakes' secret weapon on offense. The sophomore ran for 132 yards on four touchdowns on only six carries. Prior to last week, Crosby had two pass receptions but hadn't had a rushing attempt all season.
See live scoring updates of this game via Qwixcore Just the facts: Ocean Lakes wants to become just the fourth team from the Hampton Roads area to win state in Virginia's largest classification the past 11 seasons. The others were Oscar Smith (2008, '11) and Landstown (2004). … A Centerville win on Saturday would make it the first back-to-back champion in Virginia's largest class since Hylton (Woodbridge) did it in 1998-99.
Mitch Stephens: Ocean Lakes 27, Centreville 24
Kevin Askeland: Centreville 35, Ocean Lakes 28
Jamie DeMoney: Centreville 27, Ocean Lakes 24
Stephen Spiewak: Ocean Lakes 24, Centreville 17
Leland Gordon: Centreville 30, Ocean Lakes 28
Colin Ward-Henninger: Centreville 28, Ocean Lakes 24