The most compelling matchup of the area's 2024 high school football regular season schedule is set for Friday night, when a battle of unbeatens to decide the Northern Buckeye Conference championship has Eastwood visiting Oak Harbor.
The host Rockets (8-0, 5-0 NBC) enter as defending conference champions and as the preseason pick of NBC coaches to repeat that title this year. The visiting Eagles (8-0, 5-0) were the 2023 NBC runners-up and were picked to finish second this year.
Here is a look at Friday's showdown.
■ BY THE NUMBERS
Oak Harbor, which has outscored its eight opponents 363-43 (45.4 to 5.4 per game), was ranked No. 5 in Ohio's latest Associated Press Division V state poll. The Rockets have yet to be tested, with no foe coming closer than 31 points in their eight wins.
The visiting Eagles (8-0, 5-0) were the conference runners-up a year ago (9-3, 6-1 in 2023), with their only NBC loss coming in Week 9, 35-21 at home versus Oak Harbor.
This season, Eastwood has topped its opposition 339-83 (42.4 to 10.4 per game) and were just outside of the AP's top 10 in Division V in at No. 11 this week.
■ THE COACHES
Eastwood: Sam Cotterman (second year, 17-3).
“The main concern is their run game,” Cotterman said of facing the Rockets. “They can hit you two ways. [Carson] Ridener is a tough runner. He runs downhill and if he gets away from you I swear he's 10 yards away in two steps. He's a great threat and, once you start keying on him, the quarterback [Michael Lalonde] will pull it and run. He's got great speed. That 1-2 punch is something you've really got to concentrate on.
“If you can do a decent job of slowing that down, the quarterback has got some accuracy. They've got some good skill guys, too. Overall, they're a great team, and their defense doesn't give up much. That all gives us a great challenge.”
Oak Harbor: Mike May, 17th year (111-65).
“The number one thing is their athleticism,” May said of facing the Eagles. “They're an extremely athletic football team, but they're also very physical. They're really good up front both offensively and defensively, and their quarterback has been playing really well in leading their offense.
“On defense, we've been really impressed with the way they run the football, and special-teams wise, they're really good and have a good kicking game. We're going to have to be ready to play in all three areas.”
■ THE RIVALRY
Although these two teams had not been in a league together since 1985 (in the former Suburban Lakes League) before Oak Harbor left the Sandusky Bay Conference's Bay Division to join the NBC last fall, the Rockets and Eagles have maintained a longstanding rivalry.
They began playing regularly as nonleague foes in 2001 and have meet 19 times since then, with the Rockets holding a narrow 10-9 edge in the series during that span.
“I think it's a great rivalry,” May said. “I know for us it is. It's a healthy rivalry because there's a lot of respect from both programs and both staffs. When the Rutherfords [prior head coaches Jerry and Craig] were there, we always had a great relationship with them, and it was always a tough game playing them.
“We enjoyed playing them because we knew it would be tough, hard-nosed football — the way it's supposed to be played. Sam Cotterman has kept that same thing going with their program. We've had a lot of really good battles with them over the years.”
In 2022, the two teams met in the second round of the Division V playoffs, with Eastwood taking a 24-20 victory. In 2021, they were not scheduled to play each other and, in 2020, their would-be second-round D-V playoff game set for Eastwood was canceled because of a coronavirus outbreak that prevented the Rockets from playing that game.
“It's obviously a big game,” May said of Friday's matchup. “Eastwood's a very talented team and very well coached. I've known Sam Cotterman since he was in high school.
“I coached him when he was at Elmwood, so Sam and I go way back. He's done a nice job with the program, and him and his staff have done a tremendous job putting them in this position to compete for a championship.”
In 2019, Oak Harbor (13-1) topped Eastwood 34-14 in a second-round D-V playoff game on the way to reaching the state semifinals, and between 2001 and 2016 they met each year as nonleague foes in Week 3.
“Knowing coach May, I always expect him to have tough kids, because he demands that from his kids,” Cotterman said. “It's a fun rivalry and it's been back and forth.”
■ THE PLAYERS
Eastwood (Offense) — Tackles: Paul Lautzenheiser, Colton Oberhouse; Guards: Jack Sensenig; Center: Jason Young; Tight end: Hunter Lauer; Quarterback: Drew Luidhardt (98 of 137 passing, 1,759 yards, 24 TD; 25 carries, 82 yards, 3 TD); Running back: Kevin Lewis (96 carries, 589 yards, 8 TD); Receivers: Andre Lewis (39 catches, 725 yards, 10 TD), Dayquan Oliver (19 catches, 309 yards, 6 TD), Cam Schumaker (18 catches, 400 yards, 9 total TD), Brock Messinger (8 catches, 147 yards, 4 total TD); Kicker: Austin Miller.
Eastwood (Defense) — Tackles: Ethan Recker, Landen Simon; Ends: Hunter Lauer, Paul Lautzenheiser; Linebackers: Kadyn Donnell, Cam Schumaker, Connor Norton; Cornerbacks: Dayquan Oliver, Colton Woodward; Safeties: Drew Luidhardt, Wyatt Oestreich/Kevin Lewis; Punter Drew Luidhardt.
“Our goal coming into this year was to be 8-0 going into this game to give us a chance at the league championship,” Cotterman said. “Fortunately, we accomplished that goal, and now we've got a shot at this.
“We lost some players early in the season with some injuries, but we got Hunter Lauer back last week, and it's nice having him back on the field. He makes us a stronger team. We're looking forward to the challenge of Oak Harbor.”
Oak Harbor (Offense) — Tackles: Isaac Schulte, Alex Rife; Guards: Jacob Ridener, Ryder Lindsay; Center: Logan McKitrick; Quarterback: Michael Lalonde (68 of 85 passing, 1,218 yards, 12 TD; 32 carries, 478 yards, 7 TD); Running back: Carson Ridener (81 carries, 867 yards; 9 catches, 178 yards; 26 total TD; Fullback: Brayden Butzin; Receivers: Tyler Thompson (23 catches, 519 yards, 5 TD), Cooper Schultz, Wyatt Augsburger (24 catches, 368 yards, 2 TD; Kicker Fulton Krupp.
Oak Harbor (Defense) — Tackles: Hayden McGee, Isaac Schulte; Ends: Jacob Ridener, Blake Nickel; Linebackers: Brayden Butzin, Carson Ridener, Travis Bouyer, Brady Losie; Cornerbacks: Cooper Schultz, Tyler Thompson; Safety and Punter: Michael Lalonde.
“I like our consistency,” May said of his team's 2024 performance. “Our kids have taken the same approach every week with their preparation, and have been very businesslike.
“We've played fairly consistent in all three phases this year, and the biggest reason for that is our senior class. We have good leaders and good football players in that class.”
■ THE X-FACTORS
Eastwood's Andre Lewis plays receiver, subs in the defensive secondary, and returns kickoffs and punts for the Eagles.
“We rely a lot on Andre Lewis,” Cotterman said. “He's been our big-play guy all year long, so when we need a play, we try to put the ball in his hands.”
Oak Harbor's Michael Lalonde plays quarterback, free safety, and punts for a 46-0-yard average. He has started both ways for three years on teams that have gone 30-3 and was an All-Ohioan on defense in 2023.
“Mike makes everything go for us on offense and makes all of our calls and adjustments for us on defense,” May said. “He also plays a big part in special teams. He brings a ton of confidence to our team.
“If you look at the offensive side, anytime we're in a tough spot or need a big play, we know that Mike's going to make something happen. He does that of the defensive side, too. He typically comes up with a big tackle or an interception or something when we need it. He's a tremendous competitor and really brings a ton of confidence to our team.”
■ KEYS TO A WIN
Eastwood: “We need to slow down their run, and defensively we've got to be able to sustain drives,” Cotterman said. “They're a bend-but-not-break defense. We've seen teams move the ball on them, but then they stuff 'em on third or fourth down at their end. They just don't give up a lot of points. We need to sustain drives and put points on the board.”
Oak Harbor: “We're going to have to establish the run and take care of the football,” May said. “Those are two big keys for us offensively. On defense, we have to try and prevent their explosive plays.
“That's the thing that really pops out on film — their explosive plays. And, winning the special teams battle. These are two really good teams going at it, and oftentimes it comes down to special teams.”
■ WHAT'S AT STAKE
First and foremost, the winner clinches at least a share of the NBC title. Eastwood finishes the regular season hosting Genoa (5-3, 3-2) in Week 10. Oak Harbor finishes at Lake (3-5, 1-4) in Week 10.
Each team has already clinched a playoff berth in Division V, with Oak Harbor currently ranked No. 3 and Eastwood No. 4 in a very strong Region 18 field that includes fourth-ranked Milan Edison (8-0) in the No. 1 spot and second-ranked, 2023 state runner-up Liberty Center (8-0) at No. 2 in the region's computer-points ratings.
Both teams are likely to secure first-round home games in the postseason, regardless of Friday's outcome, provided they do not falter in Week 10.
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