Gritty, Not Pretty. High School Football: Buchholz 10, Oakleaf 7

High school football games rarely have close defensive battles. Friday night at Citizens field in Gainesville was exactly that. The Buchholz Bobcats squared off against the Oakleaf Knights and took home a tough 10-7 win.

The first quarter was a struggle for both offenses to get more than three first downs. It seemed that at one point, more flags being were thrown than passes attempted. Both defensive lines were very disruptive and pressured the quarterbacks.

The Bobcats tried to put the first points on the board with 6:27 left in the second quarter. Their 34-yard field goal attempt was short.

With two minutes remaining in half, the Knights had an effective drive which took them down to the goal line. With two straight plays at the one-yard line, Oakleaf couldn’t find a way to score six. With seconds left on the board, the field goal unit ran onto the field to try to set up a kick. Unfortunately, time expired as they got the kick off too late.

“Who we are, the way we’re built right now, we’re a defensive unit. They have the mentality prepared for it,” Buchholz head coach Mark Whittemore said.

They definitely showed mental toughness on the drive to end the first half.

In the third quarter, the ‘Cats bent a little when Oakleaf quarterback Jordan Johnson threw a dart for 25-plus yards to put the Knights up, 7-0.

With under four minutes left in the third, the home crowd at Citizens Field wasn't as pumped up. The energy never left the players for one second. They came out for the following drive motivated to stay in the game.

The Bobcats offense was able to mix up some run and pass plays to march into Knight territory. ‘Cats QB Camden Orth played very poised, stood tall in front of pressure and kept the chains moving. Buchholz kicked a 35-yard field goal to lessen the gap, 7-3.

The Knights looked as if they would hold off any comeback attempt, after completing a big 24-yard pass. But, their offense committed penalties that moved them back out of field goal range—an issue that repeated itself throughout the game.

With three minutes left in the game, the Knights got the ball back needing to score a touchdown to take the lead. Cool, calm and collected Camden converted on two straight third downs. He flicked a short pass to Trent Whittemore, whose big stiff arm allowed him to travel forty yards into the red zone. Torrey Richardson Jr. followed this with a caught ball at the seven yard line and found the end zone.

The Bobcats had their first lead with 2:07 left in the game. Up 10-7, the defense held off the Knights to end a very old school, gritty game. Coach Whittemore spoke on the keys to the win and how winning the close ones is in large part due to his upperclassmen.

“Our young quarterback is really capable with his arm,” Whittemore said. “He extends plays with his feet and our seniors have won many games in the fourth quarter. They aren’t new to this.”