Oak Harbor football keep legs fresh, finds more stars for postseason run
Football is physical regardless of how frequently you play it.
Still, a team's starters take fewer hits and don't have to exert the same energy when they frequently don't have to play in the second half. Oak Harbor has played 12 games, but its starters have played closer to six games.
"There are two advantages to the fact we've been able to pull our starters," Rockets coach Mike May said. "One is being a little less banged up. The biggest benefit is getting young kids under the lights on Friday night. It's much different than JV."
Case in point, Wyatt Augsburger earned late-game opportunities early in the season and proved himself worthy of snaps in the first half in the postseason.
"He's a sophomore wide receiver," May said. "He had a good camp and he got better each week. He took advantage of the reps he did get and he's seeing more time. He caught a touchdown pass [against Marengo Highland]."
Fourth-ranked and unbeaten Oak Harbor plays second-ranked Liberty Center at 7 p.m. Friday at Oregon Clay in Division V.
"They don't really have a weakness," Rockets coach Mike May said. "They run the ball well, they're physical, they have three backs and a great offensive line. They have guys who make plays in the passing game. On defense, the way they pursue the ball is impressive.
"They have barely any points allowed."
Oak Harbor allowed 46 yards on 15 carries and 31 yards passing on 12 attempts in a 41-7 victory over Highland in the second round. Highland had three first downs and was 1-for-8 on third down.
The Rockets allowed 38 yards on 25 tries, including sacks and 142 yards on 12-for-22 passing in a 49-20 win over Otsego in Week 11. The Knights had 11 first downs and went 3-for-10 converting on third down.
High school football Scott Smith, Garrett Lindsay help provide Oak Harbor with balance on offense
High school football Oak Harbor's defense remains stingy, particularly in third quarter with win over Highland
Carson Ridener has 177 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries since returning from an injury for the postseason. Dalton Witter has 170 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries the last two weeks.
Jaqui Hayward has 181 yards on only 12 carries and scored three times against Otsego. He has 73 yards on eight catches.
Mike LaLonde completed 19 of 29 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns in the postseason.
Oak Harbor rushed for 628 yards on 83 carries in the postseason. It has 218 yards passing.
It converted twice in two tries on fourth down against Otsego and was 3 for 4 last week.
"We kept drives going," May said. "We had a nice mix of run and pass. Special teams scored a touchdown, we played well in that phase. Our best defense is when it's on the sideline and the offense is eating up the clock.
"The varsity defense held the player of the year in Ohio last year to 20 yards rushing. The ground game got going, we made plays through the air. Friday was a total team win."
Oak Harbor last advanced to the state semifinals in 2019.
"They're similar with a lot of kids who love playing football," May said. "We have kids who put the time and effort into football and it shows on Friday. There are similarities to 2019. One thing that's different, we have more depth."
mhorn@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Oak Harbor meets Liberty Center in Round 3 of OHSAA football playoffs
