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2021 Snapshot: Oakwood

Oakwood OL/DL James Altenburg (photo from oakwoodschools.net )

It has been 12 years since Oakwood finished a season above .500 (8-4 in 2008). The Lumberjacks are hoping to change all of that, this fall. Despite winning just three contests a year ago, this team will look to build upon its 2020 playoff victory over Batavia. Motivation and pride should not be an issue with this group.

There is a ton of work to be done but head coach Butch Snider loves this squads work ethic, peer leadership and team unity. “We have to find a way to replace a couple of our best offensive and defensive linemen that were lost to graduation.  We are hoping that some of our younger players who gained valuable experience last season step up and fill that void,” Snider states.

Oakwood needs that to happen on offense. The Lumberjacks scored seven points or less in all seven of their losses last season. They haven’t averaged more than 20 points per game since 2017.

With a schedule that includes seven teams that finished 2020 with winning records it is going to be an uphill battle for Oakwood to reverse the program’s recent misfortunes. If they can find a way to dig down deep, pull out some big victories against this slate, it will be the most gratifying season the Lumberjacks have had in more than a decade.

Division IV, Region 16
2020 RECORD: 3-7, 1-5 SWBL Southwestern
COACH: Butch Snider (18-42 at Monroe, six years; 22-58 overall, eight years)

TOP RETURNEES
Adam Polacko, Sr, QB – This should be a breakout season for Polacko who is back for his second year as the Lumberjacks starting quarterback.

Oakwood QB Adam Polacko (photo from oakwoodschools.net )

Mikey Duvic, Sr, LB – The heart and soul of the Oakwood defense. Duvic plays fast and furious.

Jack Epley, Sr, WR – A returning starter, Epley is a playmaker who is fast in space.

Cade Zonin, Sr, LB – Coming off a big junior year at linebacker. The Oakwood coaching staff is expecting big things from Zonin again this season.

Kevin Smith, Sr, WR/DB – A ballhawk in the secondary, Smith will also get snaps at wide receiver.

Max Parker, Jr, WR/DB – Another player who will go both ways, Parker looks to get more touches on offense.

Nate Clark, Jr, LB/RB – A returning letterman who will be a plus to the rotation on defense.

Nate Meyer, Jr, OL/DL – At 6-foot-3 and 250-pounds, Meyer is the Lumberjacks biggest lineman. He moves well for his size.

Ethan Stone, Jr, OL/DE – Will see time in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

James Altenburg, Jr, OL/DL – A returning letterman that is being asked to take his game up a notch this fall.

Ben Moreira, Jr, RB/LB – Adds depth in the backfield and at linebacker. Moreira will see his production increase as a junior.

Oakwood RB/LB Ben Moreira (photo from oakwoodschools.net )

NEWCOMERS
The Oakwood offense gets a huge boost with senior transfer WR Keon Wright. He was a First Team All-GWOC performer last season at Fairmont. Wright has amassed 1,011 all-purpose yards and accounted for 10 touchdowns (five rush, four rec, one pass), at the varsity level. Senior OL/DL Ian Gilliam along with sophomores DB Steve Lauterbach, RB/DB JJ Wilson, RB/DL Robert Polacko, OL/DL Harrison Greathouse and WR/DB PJ Bremner get the opportunity to come in a make a difference right out of the gate.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(eight appearances, 4-8) – 2020, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2001, 1985

2021 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/20/21 – at Mariemont (6-4 in 2020) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/27/21 – NORTHRIDGE (0-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/03/21 – MILTON-UNION (7-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/10/21 – at Valley View (6-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/17/21 – MONROE (4-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/24/21 – at Franklin (5-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/01/21 – WAYNESVILLE (5-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/08/21 – at Bellbrook (8-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/15/21 – BROOKVILLE (6-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/22/21 – at Madison Senior (4-5) – 7:00 PM

 

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