Oak Harbor makes strides on the gridiron

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 23, 2024

By NATHAN WHALEN

Special to the News-Times

Oak Harbor’s football team is set to wrap up its regular season Friday when the Wildcats host North Kitsap in a non-conference game. The game begins at 7 p.m.

Oak Harbor is currently 6-1 overall with a 5-1 record in the Wesco North Conference. The Wildcats’ record is an improvement over the 2023 season where Oak Harbor finished the season with a 4-6 overall record and 2-5 in the Wesco North.

“Overall, this has been a great season for us,” Oak Harbor football head coach Marcus Hughes said in an email. “It started in the off-season with the players buying into the off-season program. Several of our players have been preparing since last November. We knew we had to get bigger, faster and stronger from 2023 and the players have bought in.”

The 2024 team has 20 seniors that brings leadership, experience and talent, Hughes said. Oak Harbor runs a double-wing-T offense that wants to be physical and run the ball. On defense, Oak Harbor runs a 3-4 defense.

Hughes highlighted the efforts of quarterback Connor Cash, wingback and defensive backs Carson Lang and Jayson Champignon, fullbacks Jacob Espinoza and Joseph Lewis, wide receivers/defensive backs Dylan Comly and Brayden Rupp, along with linemen Gabe Salisbury, Jake Renjtes, Hunter Kelly, Cohen Esvelt and Carlos Hernandez.

He also complimented the leadership of Cash, Lang, Champignon, Comly, Renjtes and Salisbury, “all do a great job of practicing hard, holding everyone accountable and lead by example.”

Oak Harbor finished its conference schedule with a 33-7 win over Snohomish. Oak Harbor’s only blemish on its record was a 35-14 loss Sept. 27 to Sedro-Woolley.

Hughes said the offense worked as one unit, did their job and made big plays. He highlighted the blocking of Champignon, which led to touchdowns.

He added that the goal for the season is to win the conference and qualify for the playoffs.