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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Youth football 2014-08-23

All six teams were in action last Saturday to start the season, with four teams playing at home.

On the road, the Junior Purple team struggled in the first half, falling behind 36-0, but won the 2nd half 6-0 for a 6-36 final.

Also on the road was the PeeWee team, who won 21-7 against Sedro Blue.

At home, the day started with an exciting game. The Midget Purple team came from behind late against LaConner to take a 19-18 lead, then as time ran out in the game, the Wildcats tackled the LaConner runner at the 2-yard line to preserve the win.

Photos from the Midget Purple game are posted HERE.

Next was the senior team against Sedro-Woolley.  Sedro looked good in their first possession, pounding the ball up the middle and converting the kick PAT to take an 8-0 lead.  Oak Harbor quickly adjusted and scored 28 unanswered points in the 2nd quarter to take a 28-8 lead into halftime.  The Wildcat onslaught continued as the Seniors walked away with a 49-8 victory.

Photos of the Seniors are HERE

The 3rd game featured the Junior Gold team vs Sedro Blue.  Both teams scored in the 1st quarter, with OH failing to convert the PAT.  That 6-7 score stood until the 4th quarter, when the 'Cats got their 2nd score of the game.  A late interception sealed the 13-7 win.

Junior Gold photos are HERE.

Finally, the Midget Gold team vs Sedro-Woolley.  The halftime score was 0-0, as neither team was able to get much offense going against stifling defenses.  In the 2nd half, though, Sedro was able to power in 3 scores to win 21-0.

Click HERE for Midget Gold photos.

No games this coming Saturday (Labor Day Weekend).  Games resume on September 6th, with the Midget Gold team vs Burlington at 9am, Seniors vs Lakewood at 11, Junior Purple vs Arlington at 1 and Junior Gold vs Stanwood Red at 2pm.

The Midget Purple team plays at South Whidbey at 10am with the PeeWee team also at South Whidbey at noon.


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Oak Harbor Youth Football - Jamboree 2014-08-16

The annual North Cascades Youth Football League held their annual Jamboree last weekend at Burlington-Edison High School, and this year Oak Harbor is represented by 6 teams.

In past years, each team has had an individual, cat-based name, but this year all teams are Wildcats.  If there are two teams in a division (Midgets and Juniors), the teams will be designated Purple or Gold.

Each team played four 20-minute minigames, with each team spending 10 minutes on offense and 10 on defense.  While there are tweaks and improvements to be made, overall the coaches seemed pleased with Saturday's effort.

Photo links are below:

Seniors

Junior Purple

Junior Gold

Midget Purple

Midget Gold

PeeWee

The regular season kicks off this Saturday, August 23rd, with 4 teams playing at home:

9am - Midget Purple vs LaConner
11am - Seniors vs Sedro-Woolley
1pm - Junior Gold vs Sedro Blue
3pm - Midget Gold vs Sedro Blue

There will be no games over the Labor Day Weekend.  Play resumes October 4th with another 4 games at the Ft. Nugent field.