Five area high schools were vying for just three spots for the right to go to the state finals on Saturday. Three will now go after titles.
Oscar Smith bolted out to an early 14-3 and didn't let up on the gas pedal as they throttled Battlefield 49-10 in the Class 6 state semis. The Tigers got first quarter scores from Sherrod Covil and Kevon King as they improved to 12-1. They next take on James Madison of Vienna next Saturday.
In Class 5, it was a defensive battle between as defending champ, Maury faced off at Green Run from a sold out standing room only crowd. The two were tied at 7-7 at halftime before the Commodores rolled off 28 straight points to cruise to a 35-7 win over the Stallions (13-1) who suffered their first loss of the season. Next up for the Commodores will be Stone Bridge out of Loudon County. Both the Class 6 and 5 finals will be at Old Dominion University.
King's Fork fought hard against Varina out of the Richmond area. In their first state semifinal appearance since the school opened in 2003, the Bulldogs couldn't hold off a second half surge from the Blue Devils and lost 35-28 in the Class 4. Cameron Butler threw for 154 yards and three touchdowns in the loss for King's Fork (11-2).
In the Class 3 state semifinals, Phoebus was without wide receiver/cornerback, Kymari Gray due to an injury, but that didn't seem to phase the Phantoms who routed Brentsville District 43-0. They now head to the finals next Saturday from Lynchburg and will face Liberty Christian.