By Fred Kroner
Oakwood’s football team enters its regular-season finale facing a must-win in order to become playoff-eligible.
The Comets dropped a 20-8 loss at home on rain-drenched Marty McFarland Field on Friday (Oct. 13) to Salt Fork. The loss was the team’s second this season by two touchdowns, or less.
The lone Oakwood touchdown came on a 3-yard fumble return by sophomore Tyler Huchel with 2 minutes and 22 seconds left in the opening half.
“We had an awesome punt and pinned them on their 3,” Oakwood coach Cameron Lee said.
Cameron Black’s two-point conversion created an 8-8 deadlock until the game’s final 7 minutes, when Salt Fork scored twice to secure the win.
The weather conditions threw a wrench in the Comets’ game plan.
“We were pretty much unable to do anything on offense,” Lee said. “It came down to who got the breaks.
“Our (offensive) success is based on a multi-faceted attack. If we can only run between the tackles, there’s not a lot we can do. The quarterback couldn’t grip the ball, receivers were falling down running their routes or not able to hang onto the ball.
“The weather didn’t impact them to the same degree. They like to run between the tackles. Over time, we got worn down and late in the game, they took advantage of it.
“We played good defensively. We were hampered by an inability to throw or run in space.”
Black rushed for a team-high 53 yards on 17 carries. Jackson Dudley completed 1 of 16 passes for 10 yards. Chase Harrison hauled in the reception in the fourth quarter.
Salt Fork was the first team this season to hold the Comets to fewer than three TDs and the first to not allow Oakwood an offensive touchdown.
Oakwood (4-4) plays at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin (6-2) on Friday (Oct. 20). A loss will eliminate the Comets from playoff contention. A win will not guarantee the team of a playoff game, but will place them on the bubble for the selections, which will take place on Saturday (Oct. 21).
“B-H is a very successful program, but we will go into the game thinking we can win,” Lee said. “We’re not going in intimidated.”
Lee isn’t focusing on his team’s playoff points and the possibilities of making the playoffs with a win.
“That’s beyond my control,” he said. “I’m trying to improve our team and our program week to week.”
