The first two possessions of the first quarter were lack luster for Oak with a 3 and out and then an interception that turned into 3 points with a North Shore field goal and a touchdown, respectively, and Oak going down early 10-0. However, Oak stormed back with a great run by Lance McClendon, a great catch by Gavin Vincenski and a great pass from Jose Blankenship to Joshua Shantz who finally went down at the goal line carrying North Shore defenders with him. That setup a Zachary Gonzales ‘punch it into the end zone’ run and closing the quarter only trailing 10-6.
After both defenses held to open the second quarter, Joshua Fowler recovered a fumble at the North Shore 45 and ran it back to the 18 setting up a great pass from Blankenship to Marquez Brown for a touchdown. Blankenship ran in the 2-pt conversion pulling Oak ahead 14-10, a lead they would never relinquish.
On the ensuing kickoff and for the second straight game, Joshua Shantz recovers an on-sides kick to put the Panthers in great position on the North Shore 40. Unfortunately a failed attempt on 4th down turned the ball back over to North Shore as the half was trying to come to a close. The Oak defense closed the first half by stuffing a penalty-ridden North Shore team on 4th and 2 with 25 seconds left.
The second half opened up with turn overs from both sides. Oak’s Jimmy Matula handles an interception but we give one right back to North Shore. After a couple of un-eventful possessions, North Shore pins Oak’s offense on a great punt back to their own 4 yard line. The rush was too much and North Shore scored a safety which would prove to be the only points they could muster in the second half.
Going into the final quarter, Oak really needed some breathing room especially after seeing what a great field goal kicker North Shore had. That call was answered when Clayton Barnaba picked off a long North Shore pass to give Oak possession back. Due to a penalty on the play, Oak was backed up to their own 6, deep in their territory once again. That was not a problem this time as McClendon gave the offense some breathing room on two consecutive carries and then broke one open for an 80 yard touchdown run. With the extra point from Marcus Ripley, Oak put its final points on the board take a 21-12 lead.
North Shore tried to mount a comeback but Baranba stole that away with a hail mary pass interception and Oak made the easiest play call all night with 58 seconds left …. Victory Formation !!
Freshman Black now has an off week before starting up their district play at Klein Collins on September 22 at 6:30.
