SUFFOLK — Oscar Smith senior Travis Johnson knew he had to have a big game.
Not only were the second-ranked Tigers playing No. 5 King’s Fork with the winner moving into the driver’s seat of the Southeastern District, but Johnson also had a special visitor on the sideline. It was Michigan assistant coach Ron Bellamy, who is the Wolverines’ offensive pass game coordinator and Johnson’s future coach next season.
“I knew I had to put on a show for my guy Bellamy,” Johnson said about Bellamy, who was in town with the Wolverines on a bye this week. “I can’t wait to go up there in January and ball out for him.”
But before he does that, he had a remarkable game Friday as he finished with eight receptions for 232 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Tigers to a 42-14 win at King’s Fork.
Oscar Smith (3-1) did it by scoring 35 unanswered points to turn what was a close game early into a rout in the second half
The Tigers got off to a fast start in their first possession when quarterback Lonnie Andrews III threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Quali Price for a 7-0 lead.
But King’s Fork (3-1) answered when quarterback D’andre Artis-Boone threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to Zy’Dar’Eyus Wynn to tie the game at 7.
The Bulldogs weren’t done as they took the lead in the second quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Artis-Boone to Kamonza Jones.
The Tigers tied the score before halftime on running back Ty’jae Curtis’ 2-yard touchdown run. It was set up by a 42-yard pass from Andrews to Johnson.
Touchdown set up by this 42-yard pass from Lonnie Andrews III to Travis Johnson pic.twitter.com/otj2znLi70
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) September 27, 2025
With the game tied at 14, Oscar Smith assistant coach Jahvoni Simmons challenged his team at halftime.
“Coach Simmons told us in the huddle at halftime to get it together,” Johnson said. “And that’s what we did in the second half.”
The Tigers outscored King’s Fork 28-0 in the second half.
Defensively, they were led by linebacker Malachi White, who finished with 10 tackles, including two for loss.
Oscar Smith receiver Travis Johnson (1) makes an acrobatic catch in the air over the defense of King’s Fork’s Reginald Davis (12). Oscar Smith faced King’s Fork at King’s Fork High School in Suffolk, Virginia, on Sept. 26, 2025. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot)
The offense did the rest.
“We started a little slow. I started out with a drop. But I knew I had to get it together and finish off strong,” Johnson said. “We were prepared for this week, just like we were last week with Indian River.”
Johnson opened up the second half with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Andrews to give Oscar Smith a 21-14 lead.
Travis Johnson 32-yard TD pass from Lonnie Andrews III gives Oscar Smith 21-14 lead over King’s Fork in 3rd pic.twitter.com/oTYH1pjOG2
— Larry Rubama (@LHRubama) September 27, 2025
Then with Oscar Smith facing third-and-24 deep in its territory, Andrews was hit late for roughing the passer, giving the Tigers a first down near midfield.
The Tigers kept it rolling as Curtis scored nine plays later on a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 28-14.
After a 14-yard Bulldogs punt, Oscar Smith was back on offense. Johnson and Andrews hooked up again, this time on a 32-yard touchdown pass, and the rout was on.
Running back Tyren Drain added the final score on a 6-yard touchdown run.
Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/26/no-2-oscar-smith-routs-no-5-kings-fork-with-big-second-half/
