While getting a dominant first-round playoff win is great, what may have been even better for Oak Grove was seeing several former injured players make their debuts in the Warriors’ 45-14 win over Harrison Central.
Running back Jarius Smith made the Oak Grove ground game a force to be reckoned with, as he helped establish the Warriors run game early on and put them up 16-7 with a 2-yard touchdown. Smith, who saw minimal playing time against Jim Hill, was originally named the team’s start prior to his injury at the beginning of the season, which kept him sidelined most of the year. Smith said his approach to the game was simple, and he finished with 12 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown.
“Make a point, make a statement, run the ball hard [and] be physical, and help us win,” Smith said. “I had a tough season this year dealing with injuries and all and I’m just glad to be back to show what I can do. I’ve been waiting for this, waiting for my moment sitting on the sidelines all my high school career.”
In addition to gaining Smith back on the offense, senior wide receiver Kevin Barnett made his debut of the 2018 season. Barnett hauled in 989 yards and seven touchdowns last year. Barnett immediately made his presence known as he drew two pass interferences and a 43-yard catch that set up a John Rhys Plumlee touchdown run. Barnett finished the night with seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown that helped Oak Grove breakaway 30-14.
The return of healthy players naturally culminates for more weapons for Plumlee, who finished the game 12-for-17 throwing, 171 yards and two touchdowns, and he added 142 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. After losing various playmakers at the start of the season, Plumlee was forced to develop new ones, but rather than hurt the team, he feels it has made the team stronger.
“When Kevin went down, Brandon [Hayes] stepped up. When Brandon went down, Tavion [Smith] stepped up,” Plumlee said. “I really kind of think it just shows the tenacity of this team. “When one guy goes down it’s the next one in line. I mean Tavion, he wasn’t even expecting to play this year at all and he’s become one of my No. 1 receivers I throw it to.”
Now a healthier team, Oak Grove sets itself up for a collision course against rival Petal in the second round of the playoffs. Despite the rivalry and stakes behind the upcoming game, Plumlee says the team’s approach needs to stay the same.
“We just have to treat it like any other game,” Plumlee said. “Work hard starting on Sunday and work hard every day of the week until game day.”
“It’ll be fun,” Oak Grove coach Drew Causey said. “That’s the tough thing about 6A is that in the second round you are playing somebody that you’ve already played. They have gotten so much better I guess since their start. They played great against us, so I know we’re going to get their best game and we’ll have to give them ours.”
