FB 2014-09-05 Varsity vs Monroe

by David Svien

Dejon Devroe was special, but his support crew not so much.

Despite getting a 174-yard rushing performance from its star back Friday night, the Oak Harbor High School football squad fumbled away its home opener, squandering an early lead and losing 30-28 to Monroe.

The Wildcats spent much of the non-conference game failing to convert on opportunities.

By the time things were done, they had seen three of their kick attempts blocked, surrendered a 53-yard punt return, squibbed another punt for just a yard and lost four fumbles.

Add in three personal fouls -- in a span of just four plays -- five sacks given up, numerous quarterback-center snaps mishandled and a failure to punch the ball in on two-point conversion opportunities, and it was a loss that easily could have been a win.

The 'Cats actually swatted Monroe, hard, picking up 444 yards to just 174 for the Bearcats.

Even with the errors, Oak Harbor had the ball in its hands at the end, with a chance to win, before a final drive fizzled out at the Monroe 29-yard line.

The Wildcats looked like the stronger team early on, holding Monroe to no first downs and minus yardage through the Bearcats first three possessions.

Mark Johnston nailed a 26-yard field goal to get Oak Harbor on the board, before Devroe found the promised land on a 26-yard plunge to the end zone. His score was set up by 'Cat QB Clay Doughty connecting with Quinn Karney on a shovel pass that turned into a major 31-yard gainer.

Then Oak Harbor started to self destruct a bit, as 'Cat fumbles and an inability to protect punter Zach Jones allowed Monroe to seize control of the game.

Devroe kept the home team in the game, ripping off a sizzling 80-yard touchdown run, but even then, Oak Harbor was unable to fully convert on its chances, blowing the PAT 2-point pass try.

With the game going back-and-forth, the Wildcats picked up an 8-yard TD run from Princeton Lollar and a 37-yard scoring heave from Doughty to Dyllan Harris.

Trailing by two with a minute-and-a-half on the clock, Oak Harbor tried to pull off an onside kick, but failed to snatch the ball away.

But, using a strong defense and nimble timeout-calling, the 'Cats got the ball back less than 30 seconds later, setting up a chance for Devroe and Co. to pull off the victory.

Doughty hit Harris on a huge pass play that netted almost 40 yards and Devroe busted through the line for another 12, but the drive stalled out in another hail of botched snaps and Monroe players crashing through the line for game-saving sacks.

Devroe topped the stat sheet, garnering his 174 yards on just 15 carries. Doughty, when he had time to throw, was fairly spot-on, hitting 9 of 13 for 148 yards, with Harris piling up 95 of those yards.

Oak Harbor returns to action Friday, Sept. 12 with a road game at Ferndale.

Video highlights are posted HERE.

Click HERE for action photos.

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