Freshman football edges Cascade 26-20

In what few would describe as a defensive battle, the Wildcats held on for the victory at Wildcat Memorial Stadium.


The game was back and forth, with steady defense, but not drive-stopping defense. In fact, there were only two punts in the entire game, one by each team.


The game started off with Cascade getting the kickoff and running almost 6 minutes off the clock before scoring a TD but missing the PAT kick.


On the ensuing kickoff, the Wildcats mishandled the ball, but luckily it rolled out of bounds, giving OH a 1st and 10 on their own 26. Peter Franssen ran the ball for 3 yards, but a holding penalty backed the 'Cats up to their own 18. The next play was stopped for a 2-yard loss for a 2nd adn 21, but Josiah Miller took the ball, started to the left, found his was blocked by Cascade defenders, then reversed direction and ran around the right end, getting tackled out at the 44. Miller got the ball again for another gain, then it was Justin Everett's turn, running the next two plays across midfield to the Cascade 45. Later in the drive, Edward Denmon took the ball from the 42, ran around the right side and all the way to the 26. The next two plays moved the ball down to the 24, and the 1st quarter ended with Cascade in the lead, 6-0.


Starting the 2nd, the OH drive stalled, and the 'Cats turned the ball over on downs on the 26. Cascade wasted no time giving the ball right back to the Wildcats, fumbling on their own 24. QB Matt Burgoyne gave the ball to Franssen on the first play after the fumble recovery and he ran it to the right for the Wildcat touchdown with 8:59 left in the half. OH attempted a 2-pt conversion, but Burgoyne was tackled at the 6.


Cascade took the kickoff and marched downfield, scoring their own TD with 5:30 left, but the run conversion failed. Cascade 12, OH 6.


Oak Harbor started after the kickoff with the ball on their own 25, and after a Cascade offside penalty, Burgoyne found a so far unidentified player for a 16-yard gain to the46. Shortly after, Nick Farrell ran through the right side of the line for a gain all the way to the Cascade 25. 3 plays later Gabe Dye scored with 3:25 left. As there was an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty on OH after the TD, the PAT attempt was from the 18 yard line, and the pass failed, leaving the score 12-12.

The Wildcats fumbled the kickoff, giving Cascade the ball on their own 28 with 3:21 left in the half, but the 'Cats held, forcing the Bruins to an incomplete pass on a 4th & 6 play. OH now had the ball on their own 34 with 32 seconds remaining. A nice pass took the ball out to the 47, and another pass, this one to Miller, resulted in a 1st down on the Cascade 20 with 8 second left. Franssen ran it down to the 5 with 2 seconds left, but the next play was an incomplete pass from Burgoyne to Everett, ending the half with the score tied at 12.

To open the 2nd half, Miller took the kickoff to the 37, then with some good running up the middle, went 63 yards for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion was good, and with 9:34 left in the 3rd, the score was OH 20, Cascade 12.

On the kickoff, Everett kicked the ball right over the head of the Cascade receiver, and the ball was downed on the Bruin 10. Cascade moved the ball all the way to the OH 10 before fumbling on a pitch which Everett recovered.

After 6 plays, the Wildcats were forced to punt from their own 22, but the punt only went to the Wildcat 44. At the end of 3 quarters, it was a Cascade ball on the Wildcat 17, but a 20-12 OH lead.

Cascade's drive also stalled, and their punt went out of bounds at the 'Cat 30. Runs by Miller, Everett and Denmon moved the ball down to the Cascade 12 yard line. On what appeared to be a TD pass, the 'Cats were called for a false start, but moved the ball down to the 1, where an apparent TD by Everett was called back due to an OH holding penalty. Facing a 2nd & goal from the 13, Miller took the ball on a sweep around the left side, and showing some really patient running, waited for an opening and scooted down to the 3, from where Franssen ran in for the TD with 3:23 left in the game. The 2-pt run failed, and it was now OH 28, Cascade 12.

Cascade quickly moved downfield, scoring with 1:41 left in the game and converting the 2-point attempt. Cascade tried an onside kick, but Miller was able to cover the ball, and after some running around in the backfield by Burgoyne before taking a knee, the game ended with a 26-20 Wildcat win.

Speaking with Coach Esvelt after the game, he was pleased with the offensive line, which did not allow any sacks, and although there were some incomplete passes, he thought Burgoyne did a good job passing the ball. He also mentioned Peter Franssen, who was playing in his first-ever football game.

Finally, most people don't know that there is a girl on this year's freshman team. #95, Jennifer Fremd, who wrestled at North Whidbey Middle School saw some quality playing time on defense. She's been impressing a lot of people at practice with her work ethic, and she is making the team stronger with her presence.

Next for the Freshmen is a trip to Monroe next Thursday.

In the next day or two, some video highlight clips will be posted, so keep and eye out for them.