By Fred Kroner
Dalton Hobick accounted for five touchdowns on Friday (Oct. 14) as Oakwood snapped a three-game losing streak with a 48-13 football victory at Georgetown-Ridge Farm.
The Comets created a running clock when the score reached 40-0 on a 5-yard pass from Hobick to Christian Esquinca with 10 minutes and 5 seconds left in the third quarter.
Hobick opened the game’s scoring at 6:50 of the first period when he connected with Chase Harrison on a 29-yard scoring pass.
Before halftime, Hobick reached the end zone on a 22-yard scoring run as well as on a 60-yard punt return. He also tossed an 18-yard scoring strike to Noah Phillips.
The Comets’ lead reached 33-0 at the halftime break when Alec Harrison returned an intercepted pass 65 yards for a TD four seconds before the halftime buzzer sounded.
Placekicker Trevor McCall converted four extra-point kicks and Jack Ajster added the other points on a two-point conversion run.
In all, seven Comets reached the scoring column.
“It was fun to watch so many people have success,” Oakwood head coach Cameron Lee said.
Hobick completed 5 of 12 passes for 93 yards. Hobick had missed the Comets’ previous game with an injury.
“Because we have such a limited roster (with nine players out for the season with injuries), it changes everything when Dalton can play,” Lee said. “We don’t have to make any weird (position) adjustments.”
The Comets amassed more than 250 yards on the ground with Bryson Myers rushing for 122 yards on 13 carries. Hobick gained 75 yards in three carries and Chase Harrison tacked on 56 yards on six attempts.
“We had a well-balanced attack,” Lee said. “Bryson ran well between the tackles.”
Tanner Pichon hauled in two passes for 66 yards. Phillips added 24 receiving yards on two catches. Esquinca had one reception for five yards.
Both of the Georgetown-Ridge Farm TDs came after the running clock had been established and the Comets’ starters had been removed.
“Our defense played great,” Lee said. “Our varsity allowed no points and guys stepped up and made plays.”
Besides the opponent, both teams had to contend with Mother Nature, who unleashed heavy rain after halftime.
“It was a fun football environment,” Lee said. “It was the kind of conditions offensive linemen like.”
Oakwood (3-5) returns to action at noon on Saturday (Oct. 22) in its season-finale at home against Salt Fork (5-3).
Ten seniors will be honored in their final home game. Nine will be in action and one (Luke Wallace) suffered a season-ending injury against Westville.
The Comets have already won more games than they did in 2021 and have a chance to double their 2021 total with a win in the finale.
“I’m so proud of what they have accomplished,” Lee said, “and pleased by the effort and buy-in.”
The Oakwood seniors, besides Wallace, are Christian Esquinca, Dalton Hobick, Ashton Morris, Matthew Miller, Bryson Myers, Doug Myers, Noah Phillips, Tanner Pichon and Travis Tiernan.
