Oakwood football captures win in home-opener
By Fred Kroner
Oakwood’s football team bounced back from an opening-game loss in impressive fashion on Friday (Sept. 1), winning its home-opener 61-22 against Georgetown-Ridge Farm.
“It was a good showing,” Oakwood coach Cameron Lee said. “We had a lot of guys contribute.”
Five of the team’s touchdowns were scored by sophomore Cameron Black, who rushed for a game-high 212 yards on 15 carries.
“We were able to establish the run early,” Lee added. “That will be a big staple of what we will do.
“Cameron has been a pleasant addition to our offense. He’s a dynamic runner and we can rely on him.”
Three of the team’s TDs were scored by freshmen, including two on pass plays from junior quarterback Jackson Dudley to his freshman brother, Carsen. The scoring plays covered 41 and 5 yards.
“It was cool to see,” Lee said. “Carsen’s first game was literally last week when he was a varsity starter. He had to shake off the nerves.
“His (first) score really helped break the game open).”
Carsen Dudley’s first varsity TD expanded the Comets’ lead to 26-6 with 3:03 left in the first half.
Freshman Collin Furry ran 16 yards for the game’s final TD with 2 minutes and 52 seconds remaining.
Junior Sam Woodard hauled in a 54-yard scoring pass from Jackson Dudley. The quarterback completed 3 of 7 passes – each completion for a TD – for 100 yards.
Black’s 5-yard run at 6:07 of the first period and the first of Jacob Pricer’s five conversion kicks lifted the Comets into a 7-0 lead that held until the second quarter.
Black’s other scoring plays were on gains of 2, 20 and 60 yards. He also returned an interception 61 yards to the end zone.
Oakwood led 41-6 at halftime and created a running clock 19 seconds into the third quarter on Black’s 60-yard jaunt and soccer player Pricer’s extra-point kick.
“It makes a big difference having someone (kicking) you can rely on,” Lee said.
Oakwood’s point total was the most in a single game in almost four years. On Sept. 13, 2019, the Comets posted an 84-0 victory at Oblong.
Credit for the offensive outburst goes to an offensive line that included a first-time starter due to an injury.
“That whole group really shined,” Lee said. “We could not perform like we do without them.”
The unit featured junior Kade Fleming (right tackle), junior Kam Acord (right guard), sophomore Layne Frischkorn (center), senior Zeke Smith (left guard) and freshman Walker Enos (left tackle).
Smith was filling in for senior Keevyn Wilson, who was injured in Week 1.
Linebackers Smith and Harley Grimm were catalysts on the defensive unit, which allowed just one TD until a running clock had been established.
“Our defense has shown us a lot,” Lee said. “That’s where we put a lot of our emphasis. If you limit scoring opportunities, you have a chance to win more games.
“(Against G-RF), we stopped a formidable running game.”
The Comets (1-1) return to action on Friday (Sept. 8) at home against Watseka, a new opponent on the schedule.