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 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.