CHESAPEAKE, Va. - After more than 14 months went by since its season-ending loss in the 2019 Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 title game, the Oscar Smith High School football program was forced to wait even longer to play another game.
The Tigers' 2020 season opener, already delayed from the fall of 2020 to the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19, was pushed back one day following heavy rains in Chesapeake Monday afternoon.
When Oscar Smith finally did take the field Tuesday at Woodley J. Koonce III athletic field for a Southeastern District tilt at Hickory, the Tigers showed no signs of rust - shutting out the Hawks, 64-0.
Junior quarterback Ethan Vasko got the scoring started with a touchdown run on Smith's first drive. Following a fumble recovery, running back Kevon King scored a touchdown of his own. After a safety put the Tigers ahead 16-0, King's second TD run of the night gave Smith a 23-0 first quarter lead and the rout was on.
February 22nd was the first day VHSL teams were permitted to play games as part of their 2021 six-game regular season.
Due to COVID-19, the VHSL delayed the fall sports (football, volleyball, golf, competition cheer, sideline cheer, cross country & field hockey) seasons until now. Only football teams are permitted to play games this week, as the other sports must wait until March 1st for their first contest date.
Most other VHSL programs begin their seasons Friday or Saturday.
