Scott Smith, Garrett Lindsay help provide Oak Harbor with balance on offense
Which came first, the big play or the offensive line that allowed it to happen?
Oak Harbor has two first-team all-conference linemen when it wants to run the ball. The unbeaten Rockets have 2,429 yards on the ground in 12 games, and they score an average of 45 points in three quarters per game.
They had 217 yards on the ground Friday in a 41-7 victory over visiting Marengo Highland in Division V. The fourth-ranked four-seed Rockets play second-ranked unbeaten top-seed Liberty Benton at a site to be determined.
If possible, Oak Harbor gained momentum.
"That was the first game where the offense and defense came close to putting it all together," Garrett Lindsay said. "Even special teams. The drive we can do this and go all the way. From start to finish this was much closer to perfection.
"That's what I strive for."
Coach Mike May knows Smith won't be perfect. He still loves to hear it.
"He makes the calls," May said. "The entire offensive line is excellent, and he's the leader."
Smith, who is 5-foot-9, 215 pounds, replaced graduate Aiden Hall as starter last season.
"I had a big role to fill," he said. "It was roll with the punches."
Lindsay started at right guard since Week 4 as a sophomore.
"The coaches never looked back," he said. "I saw an opportunity. Ever since that Friday night I didn't want to leave the field."
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The line shares a mentality to maul, moving forward or backward.
"Win your one-on-one battle," Lindsay said. "We go in as the underdog in size on paper every game. We make up for it with physicality. We block to the whistle, sometimes more. Be more physical."
Lindsay plays with an edge.
"Every play, how he finishes," May said. "You always see him on top of a guy after a play."
Carson Ridener had 110 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries against Highland. Mike LaLonde completed 9 of 11 passes for 106 yards and one touchdown.
Oak Harbor's offense was more ball control Friday than it was flashy.
"Everything starts with the offensive line," May said. "They're the heart and soul of the team. They play so well together. They're good people, you can tell they enjoy being together. If there's a better offensive line coach than Coach [Scott] Schulte, I don't know who it is."
Not surprisingly, Schulte starts with fundamentals.
"I've always lacked the size, I've never been above 200 [pounds]," said Lindsay, who weighs about 195. "Maybe 210 going in. It's been more like 182. I'm 5-11. I've always been smaller. I make up for it being physical and with fundamentals. They harp that."
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Jaqui Hayward routinely scores from 30 yards or more in a variety of ways and running back Dalton Witter makes defenders think twice about how they engage him the next time.
"We keep pushing the pace for our offense," Smith said. "We try to open up lanes and from there we trust them to hit big runs and start wearing on the defense. We take pride in protecting Michael. We know if we give him time he's going to make something happen.
"No matter what, Michael always keeps us in check. No matter where we are on the field with our athletes making plays we can score from almost anywhere."
Oak Harbor's overall passing numbers aren't far behind the run at 1,988 yards through the air.
"I've never seen a line hustle like ours or go as hard," LaLonde said. "Our physicality, experience and heart. We outwork everyone. They start everything up front."
Kellen Bickelhaupt and Evan Hall join Smith and Lindsay as starters. As if four seniors weren't enough to help make an offense go, the future already occupies the last spot up front in Schulte's son, sophomore Isaac Schulte.
"He's the biggest guy on the field," Lindsay said.
At 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, the only thing Schulte lacks is confidence. Already the best tackle on the team, he has good mentors.
"He stepped in and knew what he was doing," Smith said. "Coach Schulte is the brain of the offensive line. We lost both of our tackles. We weren't sure who we'd put in. Coach makes us play physical."
The receivers block for one another and not to be forgotten is H-back Jacob Sandwisch, who absolutely is considered one of the linemen by the linemen. He doesn't touch the ball but it's not uncommon to hear his blocks.
"Coach Schule called Sandwisch a Viking," Smith said. "He runs through the whistle, and he roughs people up."
You might not have known Oak Harbor won Friday judging by a quick look at Smith's face after the game. Prideful tears told the real story.
"It was the last time on our field," he said. "It was the first time for a team winning two home games. We had eight home wins. It was emotional the last time on the field in Rockets Stadium."
He'll feel better when he thinks about blocking at a neutral site.
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Oak Harbor football's offensive line helps Rockets in OHSAA playoffs
