Jaxon Overmyer fits right in to help Oak Harbor dominate on defense
A Fostoria receiver couldn't pull in a perfect pass in the end zone.
But it was the closest Oak Harbor came to allowing any points Friday in a 56-0 shutout in the Northern Buckeye Conference. It was much closer than most teams have come.
The unbeaten Rockets' starting defense allowed only a second-quarter touchdown to Maumee this season. The reserves have allowed 13 points, and the team has three shutouts.
"We talk about it, especially on our field," Oak Harbor safety Jaxon Overmyer said. "When somebody comes on our field, we don't want them to have anything. It starts with the D-line. We have depth there and players to make plays in the secondary.
"We didn't play that great, we shut them out, we had players missing. It shows what we can do."
Oak Harbor football Rockets remain unbeaten with home victory in NBC
Overmyer made his first start of the season on defense, at free safety against Fostoria.
"He plays multiple positions on offense, he knows all the wide receiver positions," Rockets coach Mike May said. "He plays corner, he plays safety, he plays weak safety. He's very coachable. He's a great kid."
Fostoria had minus-9 yards rushing on 20 tries, including sacks. It had four first downs, 41 yards of offense and failed to convert on each of 13 third down snaps.
Oak Harbor hasn't allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards in any game. It allowed 193 yards on 129 carries.
Opponents have 38 first downs overall and 342 yards passing. The Rockets prevented a conversion on 55 of 61 third downs, including completely blanking three opponents.
Maumee rushed for 99 yards and added a season-high 79 yards passing against Oak Harbor.
Overmyer provided depth at receiver, corner and safety as a sophomore last season. He earned a few starts early in the year.
"Our seniors last year were good leaders, I learned a lot behind my brother," he said of Judson Overmyer. "I'd go right to him."
Oak Harbor football Dalton Witter expects Rockets to share football, not necessarily with him
He's a starting receiver this season and backup at corner and safety. Judson helps get plays in from the sideline.
Overmyer returned a punt for Oak Harbor's first touchdown of the season and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Mike LaLonde in the second game. He has only five catches, but averages 15.8 yards per reception.
He concentrated on his blocking in the offseason.
"I improved at that," he said. "If Jaqui [Hayward] has a crease, it's a 30- or 40-yard touchdown."
Which, on average, is more than Oak Harbor's defense needs.
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
X: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Oak Harbor defense doesn't like to share end zone, especially at home
