When it comes to the Madison Warhawks’ undefeated opponent in the Class 6 state-championship football game, there are no secrets.
The Warhawks know from first-hand experience that the Oscar Smith Tigers (14-0) of Chesapeake are very good, talented, fast and big. The Tigers routed Madison in the 2021 Virginia High School League Class 6 state final, 42-17.
This season’s state final is at 5 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 14) in Harrisonburg on the James Madison University campus.
“The thing about Oscar Smith is they always have a lot of talent, no matter what season it is,” Madison head coach Justin Counts said.
Oscar Smith has four state championships in program history, all since 2008. The Tigers won back-to-back crowns in 2020 and 2021. They have been state runner-ups five times since 2013.
This season, the Tigers have shut out seven of their 14 opponents and averaged 40.8 points per game. Madison, also undefeated at 14-0, has four shutouts and averages 36.4 points per game.
The teams played no common opponents this season.
Madison is trying to win its first state football championship, finishing second in 2021 and 2022.
“It’s just awesome to be back in the state final again,” Madison quarterback Cael Yates said. “It was a big goal to get back there.”
Counts says Madison likely will have to play its best game of the year to win. Yates told FFXnow he believes that’s possible.
“We will try to play physical football, run the ball like we do and see what happens,” Yates said.
Added Madison senior center Ari Rosenberg: “We have a challenge to win the game at the line of scrimmage and go from there.”
This is Madison’s fifth straight appearance in the Class 6 state tournament. The Warhawks lost in the semifinals in 2020, finished second in 2021 and 2022 and lost in the semifinals last season.
Madison played in the state tournament only one other time in program history, losing in the semifinals in 1996 to the Hampton Crabbers, 76-14.
The 14 wins this season are Madison’s most in a single season.
