VIENNA — Defending Class 6 state champion Oscar Smith got its first real test on Saturday in its quest to repeat as a state champion.

In an uncharacteristically sloppy game filled with penalties and turnovers, the Tigers made a fourth-down stop at their own 12-yard line to beat host James Madison 34-28 to advance to next week’s championship against North Stafford at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.

Jayden Covil’s breakup of a fourth-down pass at the goal line preserved the victory for Oscar Smith, which led 27-7 at halftime on the strength of three touchdown passes from quarterback Lonnie Andrews.

“The defense played a big role in today’s game,” said Andrews, who finished with 327 yards passing against last year’s state runner-up.

“We had to overcome some of those penalties,”

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