By Fred Kroner
Oakwood’s Comets were within a touchdown of Clifton Central entering the fourth quarter on Friday (Sept. 10), but the visitors added two more TDs and claimed a 26-8 win.
Josh Young hauled in a 20-yard scoring strike from Dalton Hobick in the first quarter. The same two players then teamed up on a two-point conversion that lifted Oakwood into an 8-6 lead.
Young finished with three receptions for 30 yards, but finished the game at quarterback after Hobick was injured.
Gaven Clouse was the Oakwood workhorse, rushing for 66 yards on 23 carries.
Defensively, Griffin Trees led Oakwood with nine tackles.
Clifton held a 14-8 lead at halftime, a margin that held up until the final quarter. The visitors’ final TD came on an interception return.
“The game keeps coming down to a couple plays for us,” Oakwood coach Al Craig said. “When I look back, there were four plays this week that if we get, we probably win the game.”
One focus this week will be offensive consistency.
“We have to get our running game more on track,” Craig said. “Our offensive line took a step forward.”
The coach doesn’t sense any loss of enthusiasm after two consecutive tough losses.
“Our spirits are pretty good,” Craig said. “We know we can turn things around. The talent and ability is there.”
When Hobick was sidelined last week, Alec Harrison stepped into the secondary as his replacement. Harrison also filled in for Young at receiver after his shift to quarterback.
Regardless of his position, Young made his presence felt.
“He is electric as a receiver and he ran the ball very well, too,” Craig said.
Oakwood (0-3) returns to action on Friday (Sept. 17) at Dwight (0-3). This week’s opponent hasn’t played since Week 1, forfeiting two games while being short-handed due to COVID-19.
