Fall Sports Schedule______________________ |
Tigers rain on Lumberjacks parade
If one were to quickly glance at the final score of the Oakwood Lumberjacks loss to the Versailles Tigers, 33-14, they would most likely have a poor impression of the game. These two numbers do little justice for the resolve the Lumberjacks displayed on the field.
Junior quarterback Matt Carpenter breaks from the pack and heads toward
first down.
After a short delay due to weather, the Lumberjacks kicked off and the season was officially underway. The Tigers were driving until defensive lineman, Ben Raichle, recorded his first of a team high three sacks. This was followed by a third down stop by the Lumberjacks in what looked to be a promising stand. Too close to the end zone to punt and too far to kick a field goal, the Tigers elected to go for it on fourth down. This would become a trend for the Tigers as they managed to not only convert on the play, but score, taking the lead, 7-0.
On the Lumberjacks first possession, junior quarterback Matt Carpenter, utilized his feet as he scrambled for a first down on an 11 yard run. After a few incomplete passes however, the Lumberjacks were forced to punt the ball away.
Again the Tigers were able to slowly but surely march down the field. In a case of déjà vu, the defense held their ground on a third down. Unfortunately the Lumberjacks could not do the same on fourth down as the Tigers would go on to convert and score again with 2:55 left in the first quarter, leading now 14-0. The next few possessions were a moot point for both teams. Turnovers and penalties halted both offenses until the Tigers eventually took commanding 21-0 lead. This looked to be the finishing blow for the Lumberjacks until the defense forced a fumble.
On the ensuing possession, the offense immediately capitalized. Despite a constant downpour, Carpenter connected with wide receiver, Colin Morris, for a touchdown with 4:50 left in the second quarter. The Lumberjacks still had some fight left in them. But as the referee’s blew their whistles to signal halftime, the scoreboard read 27-7. In the first half rain was a factor for both teams. In the second half, however, Mother Nature rendered both offenses helpless. The third quarter was filled with fumbles and interceptions. It wasn’t until there were mere seconds left in the quarter that the score would change.
On Oakwood’s longest play of the game Carpenter hit wide receiver, Scott Feldmiller, on a 66 yard completion. Feldmiller made a spectacular catch as he slipped by defenders in route to the end zone. Once again the Lumberjacks were back in the game, 27-14. Alas, they were not able to conjure up anymore points and the Tigers would go on to win the game 33-14. Many times throughout the game Oakwood could have given up, but they never did. This will go down as a loss, but it is a key point to build on as they look to even the score this week against Wyoming.
Oakwood Jills forge friendship through soccer
Oakwood girls soccer team with banner made by Iraqis.
While deployed as a medical advisor to the Iraqi Air Force at New Al Muthana Air Base, located on the outskirts of Baghdad, Major Stephen Griep found time to share his love of soccer with the Iraqi staff. Griep said, “I called home and asked for some equipment; my cleats and some soccer balls and to my surprise I received seven boxes of soccer equipment from the community of Oakwood.” His daughter, Rachel, took the request to the Jills soccer teams and her coaches Dawn Gaydosh and Dave Klum. In Iraq Maj Griep started to distribute the equipment “the gratitude was overwhelming.” The Iraqi staff members were stunned by the generosity The equipment was distributed throughout the area to schools and recreation centers and two Baghdad youth teams were outfitted for the upcoming season. The Iraqi military staff wanted to express their appreciation to the community of Oakwood and commissioned a banner to be made signifying the bond between the two cultures through sport. The banner represents the Oakwood-Baghdad Soccer-Football Association of 2009. The youth football team sent a commemorative plate and a leather worked map of Iraq, autographed with the declaration “From today, we will be known as the Oakwood team of Baghdad”
Maj Griep also wished to thank the community for making his deployment much more enjoyable and helping to bridge the cultural gap through sport. If you would like to donate any new or used soccer equipment please contact the Griep family.
Jills soccer split first 2 games
In their season opening game at Valley View, the young varsity Oakwood Jills lost 2-0. This year’s team coached again by Dawn Gaydosh, Kate Lohmeyer, and Dave Klum is quite young, with only four seniors and five juniors.
Valley View standout player Emily Salyer was instrumental in both of the Mighty Spartans’ goals. Her first strike came at 24:04 in the first half and was a beauty. She fought to create space on the left side of the goal just outside of the 18 yard box and delivered an exceptionally hard struck ball to the top of the net at the near post. The second Valley View goal in the 37th minute of the first half when Salyer fed Katelyn House with a pass leading to a goal.
Despite the loss, the Jills played particularly well in the second half as they were able to pressure Valley View’s goal consistently. Player of the game award went to sophomore defender Emma Rolle. But also playing a stellar game was sophomore defender Molly Reese, whose very difficult task it was to mark Salyer, as well as junior sweeper Brianna McConnell.
In their Thursday game at Eaton, the girls controlled the game completely, winning 4-1. Goal one came just six minutes into the game after a beautiful crossing pass by junior midfielder Alex Randolph into the 18 box just in front of the goal, that was deftly redirected by senior Alex Miller past the Eaton goalie. The second goal occurred 17 minutes into the game starting with freshman Olivia Ireland’s strong crossing pass from the right corner, to player of the game, freshman Annie Bartlett, who then delivered the ball to sophomore Clare Davis who pushed it in for a score. The third strike came again in the first half when Miller earned her second goal from an assist by Davis. This goal was started by a perfect long pass to the midfield by sweeper Brianna McConnell followed by a string of passes leading to the goal. The final score came nine minutes into the second half. Sophomore Emma Rolle placed a corner kick high in front of the goal. Senior Colleen Hallinan headed it hard past the goalie to the top of the net. Eaton’s score came late with ten minutes left. Overall, nine girls contributed shots during the game.
On the defensive end, McConnell led a solid effort and sophomore goalie Rachel Griep who has willingly taken on the goalie role having little experience at the position, had several difficult saves on well struck Eaton shots.
On the JV side, the Jills earned a 1-0 win against Valley View with Carder Gilbert earning the lone goal on an assist by Arah Luther. Against Easton, the JV Jills won again 3-0. Notching goals were Emily Wootton, Carder Gilbert, and Celina Williams. Assisting these goals were respectively Kelsey Rieger, Arah Luther, and Sophie Shephard.
Men’s soccer off to fast start
The Oakwood men’s soccer team opened the 2009 campaign were they left off in 2008, with wins over league foes Valley View and Eaton in the open week of play.
Valley View came into Mack Hummon Stadium Tuesday and were immediate put on their heals with a series of near missed shots by David Shephard, Ben Georgin and Tyler Walter in the opening minutes. Senior Captain Zach Rodabaugh finally found “pay dirt” with a volley goal off of a Graham Robert’s throw-in. Marcel Georgin and Ryan McFarland matched a goal and assist each with a beautiful combination give and goes that resembled attacking play from the Premiership. The first half scoring was capped off by a PK rebound by Anthony “Tino” Weckerling. David Shephard marked the only second half scoring with a 35 yard volley laser. Oakwood’s defensive four of Tim Fecher, Tyler Henry-Payne, Ben Georgin and Zach Harmony, along with supporting defender Harrison Davis shut down the Spartans, allowing only six shots on goal for the entire 80 minutes. Goal Keeper Scotty Harmon was back in goal for the first time since a season ending ACL injury in 2008, with a dominating performance in goal registering his first shutout of 2009.
On Thursday, the Eaton Eagles came into the dome to challenge the blue and gold. The boys started slow but turned things on and didn’t stop. “Tino” Weckerling caught lighting in a bottle with a three goal performance. The first goal in the 6th minute of play got things going by receiving a beautiful pass from Ryan “Peter Crouch” McFarland. Weckerling kept the heat on with a power dribble from the center of the pitch and dished to Graham Roberts who one touched the shot passed the Eaton keeper. Weckerling scored his second goal off a corner kick from Marcel Georgin, who commanded the center of the field for most of the game. After a tap in goal by Graham Roberts off of an Eaton goal keeper drop, Weckerling, secured his hat trick with a PK.
Ryan McFarland continued to display his versatility (also the team’s backup goal keeper) by getting into the scoring column for the second consecutive game with an assist by Tyler Walter. Walter capped of the evening scoring with his own goals from great passes by Max Snyder and David Shephard.
The win marked the second straight stifling defensive effort by the Oakwood defensive backs, anchored by senior defender Tim Fecher. Goalie Scott “The Wall” Harman pitched his consecutive shutout, with three saves to his credit.
The Jacks continue play the week of August 31st, with games at Brookville and home with CJ.
September 1, 2009
Volume 18, No. 35
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