Oak Harbor Wildcats: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

By WILL HOLLAND Here is an inside look at the Oak Harbor Wildcats 2019 football team. Links: Oak Harbor team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 7-3

By WILL HOLLAND

Here is an inside look at the Oak Harbor Wildcats 2019 football team.

Links: Oak Harbor team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

7-3 overall, 4-2 in the 3A Wesco League - North (second place).

COACHING RESUME

Marcus Hughes, 1st season at Oak Harbor

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 3. Defense - 6.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

OL Michael Gomez, 5-9, 185, Sr.

RB Caden Leckelt, 5-8, 150, Jr.

RB Jake Mitten, 5-11, 175, Jr.

OL Nate Nunez, 5-11, 245 Sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DB Brenden Anderson, 5-8, 140, Jr.

DL Justin Campbell, 5-10, 220, Sr.

DB Landon Cantrell, 5-7, 145, Jr.

DB Gabe Daggett, 6-1, 165, Sr.

DL Calvin Whelpley, 5-11, 175, Sr.

THREE TO SEE

Michael Gomez, offensive lineman

Second-team all-league O-lineman in 2018.

Caden Leckelt, running back / linebacker

1,029 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns in 2018 — will highlight the offense.

Calvin Whelpley, defensive lineman

Disruptive in the trenches.

OUTLOOK

Oak Harbor had a great run in 2018, earning a second place finish in their division with a 7-3 overall record.

First-year head coach Marcus Hughes inherits a young team comprised primarily of juniors who will have to adapt to new playbooks on both sides of the ball.

The offense should be able to score a lot of points, with their backfield duo of Leckelt and Mitten highlighting their efforts.

Defensively, the Wildcats return seven starters to play under defensive coordinator Tony Maggio’s multiple-scheme setup, and will hope to remain as one of the best defenses in the league.

“Expect [them] to compete and play hard every game,” Hughes said.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: Seaquam Secondary (BC) 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Marysville-Pilchuck 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Sedro-Woolley 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Stanwood 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Ferndale, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: Arlington, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: Marysville-Getchell, 7 p.m.

Oct. 26: at Squalicum, 7 p.m.