“They’re a very dangerous 2-6 team,” Childers said. “Our guys are fully aware of their ability to score. This is the reason you play the games and don’t look at a piece of paper.”
Franklin is 8-0 and churning toward the Division III, Region 12 playoffs with an offense that’s producing 43.1 points per game.
Two Wildcats set single-game school records in last week’s 63-35 win over Monroe — running back Ryan Montgomery amassed 412 all-purpose yards and place-kicker Matt Schneider converted nine extra points.
“I see us getting better each day,” Childers said. “I see the confidence level there. We’re really focusing on the details and the fundamentals of the game. We feel like that’s what’s given us the success we’ve had so far.
“To be completely honest, we don’t even talk about the playoffs. We don’t mention it. The kids know that’s what I believe in, so they don’t even go there.”
Oakwood has won two of its last three games and dropped a 42-41 decision to Valley View last Friday.
The Lumberjacks have found their offensive stride, having transitioned from a veer attack to more of a throw-it-around philosophy.
Junior quarterback Brian Erbe is 104 of 183 for 1,567 yards and 17 touchdowns, while classmate Connor Dinkler has caught 43 balls for 735 yards and nine TDs. Another junior, David Joseph, is the top rusher with 502 yards on 117 carries.
“We’ve been able to throw the ball pretty effectively, and we’ve got some guys who’ll go get it,” Oakwood coach Butch Snider said. “Brian’s really developed over the course of the past several weeks.”
Defense has been the Lumberjacks’ problem — they’re allowing an average of 33 points. But Snider said his squad is improving on that side of the ball, aided by the efforts of sophomore linebacker Josh Amongero and junior linebacker Sam Delatore.
“We have some young guys on defense,” Snider said. “But some of those guys have started to grow up a little bit.”
He said Oakwood will need to play its best game of the year to compete with Franklin.
For the Wildcats, Montgomery’s rushing totals are impressive — 102 carries, 1,161 yards, 21 touchdowns. He still plays a little quarterback, though Braden White has become Franklin’s primary QB with some great numbers of his own (72 of 99, 1,104 yards, 17 TDs, no interceptions).
“Franklin has a few players that are probably some of the fastest guys in the league,” Snider said. “We’re going to have to do some things in order to make up for that.
“We’ve lost two games by a two-point conversion, but we have some resilient kids. I really enjoy working with these kids because they’re fighters with a lot of enthusiasm and a really good work ethic. When we get down, they dust themselves off and get back on the horse and ride again.”
Friday’s game
What: Oakwood (2-6, 2-2 SWBL Southwestern) at Franklin (8-0, 4-0 SWBL Southwestern), 7 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Field at Atrium Stadium, 301 E. Sixth St., Franklin
Last meeting: Oakwood won 41-21 in 2015
About the Author