OAKRIDGE FOOTBALL welcomes you to our 2011 web site. The OAKRIDGE FOOTBALL family is where there is care, discipline, shared responsibility, and an absence of special privilege.

OAKRIDGE FOOTBALL MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to take the high school student athlete where he cannot take himself.

We will foster an environment that teaches young men to:
1. Relentlessly pursue and win the WEST MICHIGAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP !
2. Relentlessly pursue the MHSAA playoffs and win at every level !
3. Achieve an exemplary foundation of leadership and academic success.
4. Achieve a foundation to become a successful individual throughout life.

OUR PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE VALUES OF FAMILY,
SUCCESSFUL ATTITUDES, AND TEAM CHEMISTRY.

Please check out the FOOTBALL LINKS page to see how the Oakridge Football Family has done over the years.

2012 Oakridge Football schedules are available at the high school office and the E&A store at Wolf Lake and Apple, for only $1!

They are on a new quick-stick material from which you simply peel off the backing and stick the schedule virtually anywhere.  You can easily remove the schedule and place it somewhere else.

The Muskegon Heights game has been changed.  We are now playing the (Ada) Forest Hills Eastern Hawks.  The date and time is the same.  The JV game will be at Schugars Field on Thursday, while the varsity will play Friday at Forest Hills Eastern.

 * HAPPY 100 DAYS UNTIL FOOTBALL !!!! *

SPRING CARNIVAL

Saturday, March 17th from 4 to 8 pm

Oakridge Middle School

Click on the heading for the link to the article

Source: thepostgame.com

Congratulations to the following Eagle football players that have been invited to play in the Muskegon County Football All-Star Game:  Patrick Giddings, Terry Doxey, and Brad Millis.  The game is to be played at Mona Shores HS on Saturday, June 16th.

Another congrats to Brad for being selected to the MHSFCA State All-Star Football Game!  The game is to be played at CMU's Kelly/Short Stadium on Saturday, June 30th.

 SOAR ON EAGLES!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO THE EAGLE NATION!

GVSU honors Jamie Potts (freshman) as their offensive scout team player of the year!

-Congrats from the Oakridge Football Staff

Brad Millis was selected to the Detroit News All State football team as a

1st Team Defensive Lineman!

Congratulations Brad!

Wednesday, December 7th - 5-8 pm

Oakridge Marching Band vs Oakridge Football Team

Mr Quick's (5501 E Apple Ave) Chili Dog Challenge Fundraiser = 8 chili dogs in 8 minutes for $8 - Complete the challenge win a T-shirt!

Face off at 7:45 between Band Director Sarah Eldred and Coach Cary Harger

Funds raised benefit both the Marching Bnad and Football Team.

Congratulations to the following players for their individual award winners and earned honors:

Eagle Attendance Award: 1 year perfect attendance

Casey Chancellor, Sami Koivunto

Iron Eagle Attendance Award: 2 years perfect attendance

Zack Murphy, Jake Shepherd, Trent Stein, Francis Decker, Austin Winters, Kyle Chase, Terry Doxey, Patrick Giddings

Elite Iron Eagle Attendance Award: 3years perfect attendance

Torey Melton

All West Michgan Conference

Zack Murphy - Offensive Center

Brad Millis - Offensive Line

Jake Shepherd - Defensive Line

Honorable Mention: Brad Millis (DE), Patrick Giddings (QB & DB), Joey Warren (P)

Muskegon Chronicle Div 5-8 All Area

1st Team: Brad Millis - Offensive Line, Zack Murphy - Offensive Center

2nd Team: Patrick Giddings - Defensive Back, Terry Doxey - Linebacker

Honorable Mention: Francis Decker - Receiver

All WMC Scholar-Athlete (cummulative GPA 3.5 or better since 9th grade)

Jimmy Brown, Terry Doxey, Patrick Giddings, Jordan Wahr, Chad Lazarock, Jake Lee, Chris Mason, Dan Shoop

A.P. All State - Brad Millis, Special Mention, Offensive Line

2011 Blue Chip - Patrick Giddings

2011 Team Spirit - Brad Millis

2011 Most Improved

1 year: Trevor Jones

2 year: Bret Hollenbeck

3 year: Torey Melton

2011 Unsung Hero - Terry Doxey

2011 Oakridge Football Creed Award - Zack Larabee

This past football season, there were (as always) many people behind the scenes that do not get the thanks they deserve.  For Oakridge Football, they have been thanked, but not until the season is over.  Coach Schugars ALWAYS made a point to thank as many people as he could.  I often wondered if naming these individuals was necessary.  As a first year head coach, I know from first-hand experience that it is NECESSARY!  Without these people, there would be gaps in the football program and it definitely would NOT run as smooth as it has.

 A special thank you to:

Scott Anderson and Brandon Anderson - facilities

Diana Hansen and her kitchen staff

Ron and Chris Ruel - gate keepers

Kenny Whipple - 50/50 tickets

Chuck Johnson, Steve Dutton, Bob Gale, and Gary Pastor - chain gang

Chad Latsch and Chad Brandow - game day filmers

Matt O'Brien, Nick Page, Mark Hollenbeck - statisticians

Jeff, Tammy, and Cassie Peterson - sideline photographers

Vickie Gale, Karen Herlein - super-secretaries selling tickets and clothing

Danya Francyk - helping in office selling tickets and clothing

Dr. Thomas Kaye, Mike Braid, Andrea Packard, Herman Gonzalez - outstanding medical staff

Cathy Gonyon-Varney, Paige Gonyon, and cheerleading team moms - locker signs and treats

Deb Beets - copy center

The Courneya Family - game day merchandise sellers

Russ Nulf and Eric Uzarski - hardworking and patient managers

Hydration Specialists - Cole Harger, Jaden Parker, Jake Danicek

The Oakridge band

The Eagle Nation!

After a long wait and several requests, new sideline style coats are in and available at the high school office.  There are a few of several sizes.

To the 2011 football players, cheerleaders, and parents,

You are formally invited to the 2011 football banquet for varsity and junior varsity players and cheerleaders. This event will be held on Tuesday, November 22^nd at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.  Individual awards and honors will be given as well as recognition of team accomplishments.  Please mark your calendars to attend this special night.

Cake, punch, and coffee will be provided afterwards.

Thank you,

Cary Harger

Head Varsity Football Coach

 The Oakridge Football Family has had many players enter the branches of the military.  Over the years, many of them have come back to visit while they were home, or have contacted the coaching staff to touch base and email Good Luck and Congratulations!  That means so much to us.

Thank you to those who have served and are still serving so that we may enjoy an American game.

Shawn Liverance|Muskegon Chronicle, October 28, 2011 11:31 p.m.

One of the smallest players on the field made the biggest difference in Oakridge’s 18-0 Division 6 pre-district win against visiting Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian on Friday night.

The Eagles’ Francis Decker made his presence felt throughout the game as Oakridge (9-1) advances to a much-anticipated district title game against Montague on Friday night at Oakridge High School.

Decker, at 5-foot-9, 140-pounds, was a force on both sides of the ball for the Eagles. He caught a pair of touchdown passes and intercepted a pass on defense.

“Whenever they call my number, I just try to make a play,” said Decker, who also completed a 37-yard halfback pass to Trevor Jones. “Tonight I was fortunate to make a couple of big plays.”

Decker accounted for 109 of Oakridge’s 312 yards of total offense, including 43 rushing yards on 10 attempts.

”For a little guy, I think teams underestimate him,” Oakridge coach Cary Harger said. “He showed his athleticism tonight by the plays he made.”

It was on defense where Decker made his first big play of the game. He intercepted NorthPointe Christian quarterback Eric Van Swol as he was lying on his back in the second quarter.

That seemed to spark the Eagles as they scored two possessions later to take a 6-0 lead. Torey Melton scored from a yard out to culminate a six-play, 38-yard drive.

”I went for the ball and kind of fell back,” said Decker on his interception. “It kind of fell right to me and a little bit after that we got that first score.”

Melton’s touchdown would be the only score of the opening half as both teams moved the ball on offense, but both were hurt by costly turnovers.

The Mustangs took the opening kickoff and drove to the Oakridge 16-yard line before Oakridge’s Jacob Shepherd recovered a fumble to end the drive.

Decker’s interception ended another NorthPointe drive in the opening half as did Austin Winters' interception of a Van Swol pass at the Oakridge 40-yard line just before halftime.

”We were close to having two touchdowns in that opening half,” said NorthPointe coach Tim Swore. “Not scoring on that first drive of the game was very big.”

A pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Patrick Giddings to Decker in the third quarter gave the Eagles some breathing room.

Gidding connected with Decker on a 13-yard strike on the Eagles' second series of the third quarter and closed out the third quarter with a 16-yard TD pass to Decker.

From that point, the Eagles' defense made the lead stand up as NorthPointe ran 11 plays and gained 31 yards in the final quarter.

”Our defense has been fantastic all year,” said Harger, whose defensive unit limited the Mustangs to 120 yards of total offense. “They showed us some things we hadn’t seen on film, but our guys got in a comfort level after awhile.”

NorthPointe, which finished 6-4, ran the spread offense with as many as four and five receivers wide on several occasions.

”They came at us with alot of different formations,” Decker said. “Stuff we didn’t see on tape, but we made the adjustments.”

Giddings led the Oakridge offense with 98 yards rushing on 11 attempts was 3-of-7 passing for 35 yards.

Branden Jasso led an Eagles' defense, which has recorded five shutouts on the season, with nine tackles and a pair of sacks.

The win sets up a showdown with Montague. Oakridge won the regular-season matchup 22-21.

”We beat Montague in the regular season and I know they will be looking for some revenge,” Harger said. “We should have the advantage with the home crowd, but I am expecting another good game with them.”

Steve Gunn/Muskegon Chronicle, October 14, 2011 11:33 p.m.

WHITEHALL - Torey Melton picked the perfect night to have his best game of the season.

His Oakridge Eagles had at least a share of the West Michigan Conference title on the line, but first they had to beat a good Whitehall team that's fighting for a spot in the state playoffs.

Melton, a senior fullback, responded to the challenge with 175 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns, to help the Eagles plow their way to a 42-14 victory.

The victory gives Oakridge a share of the league title with Shelby for the second straight year. Shelby wrapped up its share of the crown by downing Ravenna.

"We were really pumped up tonight," said Melton, who had two short touchdown runs in the first half, then helped the Eagles ice the win with a 44-yard scoring burst in the third quarter. "We knew we had to get a share of that title.

"The blocking up front was great. Those guys were breaking open some huge holes. They kept opening it up and that made it easy for us to run through it."            

Oakridge now has captured at least a share of 20 conference championships in school history. But this one was a bit different, because legendary Coach Jack Schugars wasn't on the sidelines.

His replacement, Cary Harger, shared in a lot of glory during 16 years as an assistant on Schugars' staff. But he admitted it was exciting to bring home a title in his first season at the helm.

"I guess I look at it like it's great to be able to keep up the winning tradition of Oakridge football," said Harger, who credited his staff of veteran assistants for working well with the players. "We just keep doing what we do, week after week, and the kids have responded great."

The Eagles have relied on their powerful ground game all season and Friday was no different. Besides Melton's big game, they also got solid efforts from halfbacks Francis Decker (60 yards, one touchdown), quarterback Patrick Giddings (54 yards, one touchdown) and halfback Dan Shoop (32 yards.

Giddings also completed seven passes for 103 yards and one touchdown. Joey Warren caught the touchdown pass for Oakridge.

The Oakridge defense also continued its season-long dominance, keeping Whitehall scoreless until the fourth quarter.

The biggest defensive accomplishment was keeping standout halfback Antwan Burks in check for most of the game, before the Whitehall senior broke loose for a pair of long touchdown runs (77 and 33 yards) in the fourth quarter. Burks finished with 151 yards on 13 carries.

Terry Doxey and Austin Winters led the Oakridge defense with nine tackles each. Derek Masterman had an interception.

"Our defense has been getting the job done all season," Harger said. "They started the season with two shutouts and they've kept playing great."

Oakridge led 12-0 at halftime, then opened the third quarter with a nine-play, 67-yard touchdown drive capped by a 24-yard touchdown run by Decker. Giddings added a 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

"We knew we were in the (state) playoffs after we won last week, but we didn't want to have a letdown," Harger said.  "The conference championship was on the line, it was a battle of wills and I'm proud of the way we fought."

Tom Kendra | The Muskegon Chronicle, October 07, 2011 11:01 p.m.

View full size

Oakridge's Dan Shoop (25) breaks through a stiff arm and tackles Shelby's Mason Courtright in the first quarter. Oakridge beat Shelby 22-8 during the varsity football game at Oakridge High School on October 7, 2011. - (Chronicle photo | Greg Lindstrom)

Oakridge made some key tactical adjustments at halftime, but that is only a partial explanation of the Eagles' inspired comeback on Friday night in a 22-8 victory over visiting Shelby.

"We had to come back and defend our home turf," said Oakridge junior Francis Decker, who played a key part in the second-half resurgence on both sides of the ball.

"Keeping the Oakridge tradition alive is something that we talk about every day."

It was that pride that made the difference, as the Eagles shook off a loss to Ravenna in their last home game and an 8-0 halftime deficit to completely dominate the final 24 minutes and forge a tie with Shelby for the West Michigan Conference lead.

The comeback actually began with 39 seconds remaining in the first half.

Shelby was on the verge of scoring another touchdown, when senior linebacker Terry Doxey tripped up Shelby running back Mason Courtright on a 4th-and-3 play from the 4-yard line to keep it just a one-score game at the break.

Then the adjustments began — both on the chalkboard and inside the hearts and heads of the Oakridge players.

After not being able to open holes or push the Tigers back in the first half, the Oakridge offensive line of tackles Brad Millis and Jacob Shepherd, guards Bret Hollenbeck and Jordan Pierce and center Zack Murphy took control in the final two quarters.

The Eagles scored on the first possession of the third quarter, with Patrick Giddings hitting Decker on a 44-yard pass to cut the lead to 8-6.

The score remained that way until midway through the fourth quarter, when Decker capped a 13-play, 65-yard drive with a 4-yard run, followed by a two-point conversion pass from Giddings to Dan Shoop.

Oakridge sealed the victory with 2:45 remaining on a 23-yard run by Shoop.

"We have been a second-half team all year," said Oakridge coach Cary Harger, whose team clinched a playoff berth. "We reminded the kids at halftime how much was on the line tonight and that it was Homecoming and all of that."

Giddings completed 6-of-8 passes for 130 yards and one TD. Torey Melton was the Eagles' top rusher with 18 carries for 62 yards.

Brad Millis led the Oakridge defense with 10 tackles and Zack Murphy and Doxey made nine stops each.

Shelby controlled the early part of the game and Courtright capped a 73-yard scoring drive late in the first quarter with a 34-yard run. Courtright finished with 24 carries for 119 yards.

The problem for the Tigers after halftime was turnovers. Shelby was picked off three times and lost a fumble in the second half.

"We didn't execute in the second half and they found a weakness in our defense and exploited it," said Shelby coach Lorenzo Rodriguez, whose team can still ensure at least a share of the league title with a win at Ravenna next week. "We're OK. We're a 6-1, playoff-bound ballclub. We'll be back."

Trevor DeZwaan led Shelby's defense with 12 tackles and Dillion Ankney made eight stops.

The Oakridge comeback capped another in a series of outstanding WMC games this fall, with next week's Oakridge at Whitehall and Shelby at Ravenna games having the potential to add to that list.

But on this night, the Eagles served notice that even without Jack Schugars and without Jamie Potts (who watched the game from the stands), the Oakridge tradition remains.

"It's bigger than any one individual," Harger explained.

And for those saying that Shelby's purple had overtaken the blue of Oakridge, Montague and Ravenna in the WMC, I'm reminded of the famous words of ESPN commentator Lee Corso:

Not so fast, my friend.

Oakridge 22, Shelby 8

Big play: Shelby had a chance to go up by two touchdowns at halftime, but Oakridge linebacker Terry Doxey stopped Mason Courtright on a 4th-and-3 play from the 4-yard line to spark the Eagles' comeback.

Key stat: Oakridge outscored the visitors 22-0 in the second half, holding the visitors to four first downs and 81 total yards after halftime.

Game ball: Francis Decker, a 5-foot-9, 140-pound junior, scored on a pass and a run and had a key interception in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Notable: Oakridge and Shelby are now tied for the West Michigan Conference lead with one game remaining.

Quotable: "We have a tough, blue-collar kind of team that wants to maintain the Oakridge tradition. That was a big part of our comeback" — Oakridge coach Cary Harger.

Click on the Title or Photo to see the special done on Coach Schugars by WOTV 8 News.

(Linked by Coach Jalovec)

* * All years football alumni * *

We are looking for as many football alumni as possible that can return to Oakridge High School for the Homecoming game against the Shelby Tigers on October 7th.  We would like to invite you to help form a tunnel that the 2011 team will run through as they take Schugars Field.  Please come down to the field for the tunnel at 6:50 pm.

Please spread the word so we can represent as many years as possible at this years Homecoming game.

Oakridge blanks North Muskegon with stingy defense

Ron Rop|The Muskegon Chronicle, September 30, 2011 10:28 p.m.

OAKRIDGE 39, NORTH MUSKEGON 0: The visiting Eagles' defense allowed three first downs and 39 yards of total offense in the shutout victory. Francis Decker led the Eagles with four touchowns, including runs of 6 and 14 yards. He also caught touchdown passes of 15 and 4 yards from Patrick Giddings, who completed 4-of-7 passes for 54 yards. Dom Greenawalt scored on a 13-yard pass from Giddings and Torrey Melton scored on a 3-yard run. Melton led the Eagles' rushing attack with 18 carries for 98 yards. Brandon Jasso was the leading tackler with seven

Tom Kendra | The Muskegon Chronicle, September 23, 2011 10:49 p.m.

Ravenna accomplished many things with an impressive 22-20 victory Friday over rival Oakridge. Not only did the visiting Bulldogs gain a big win over a neighboring rival which has had their number for years, but also kept their playoff hopes alive and threw the West Michigan Conference race back up for grabs. Jake Gardenour caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Zac Courtade with 10 seconds remaining to lift the Bulldogs to the dramatic win. "Our kids really deserved this one," said veteran Ravenna defensive coordinator Randy Helsen, whose team completely shut down the Oakridge ground game. "Our kids showed a lot of heart after last week. We played so much better." Ravenna took control early, jumping to a 16-0 lead on a 36-yard pass from Courtade to Conner Chopp and a 4-yard run by Gardenour. Oakridge scored a crucial touchdown with 8 seconds left in the half on a 2-yard pass from Patrick Giddings to Francis Decker. Oakridge, which rushed for just 63 yards on 27 attempts, went to trickery to nearly escape Citizen's Field with a victory. The Eagles scored on a 19-yard halfback pass from Decker to Cameron Jowers, then appeared to get the game-winning touchdown on a perfectly-executed hook and ladder from Giddings, to Decker, who lateraled to Dan Shoop on an 81-yard scoring play. Ravenna, trailing for the first time all night at 20-16, then took over on its own 33 yard line with 5:05 remaining. The Bulldogs drove 67 yards in 14 plays, capped by Courtade's game-winning pass to Gardenour. Other key plays on the drive were a 25-yard pass from Courtade to Chopp on 4th-and-10 and a 16-yard run on a draw by Todd Brown. Ravenna, which advanced all the way to the Division 7 semifinals last season, were 2-2 coming into Friday's game and desperate for a win after last week's 38-7 loss at Montague. That loss dropped the Bulldogs to 2-2, with back-to-back home games against Shelby and Cheboygan looming at the end of the regular season. "This win was huge because it keeps our playoff hopes alive," Helsen said. "We feel like we can get to six (wins) now." Helsen lauded the play of his three interior defensive linemen — Brett Butler, Don Pant and Kyle Ruiz. Gardenour led the Bulldogs with seven tackles. Oakridge, which entered the game 4-0 and 3-0 in the WMC, slipped to 3-1 and into a tie with Montague, one game behind conference-leading Shelby. Montague plays at Shelby next week in a key league game.

By Mike Mattson || The Muskegon Chronicle, September 16, 2011 9:53 p.m.

OAKRIDGE 47, HART 14: The Eagles relied on a balanced attack and big second half. Dan Shoop rushed for 116 yards and two TDs and quarterback Patrick Giddings rushed for 56 yards and two scores and passed for 107 yards. Francis Decker also rushed for two TDs for the Eagles (4-0). Casey Chancellor rounded out the scoring for Oakridge with an 18-yard interception return for a TD. Lucas Rombach led Hart with a TD run and 23-yard scoring catch from Mike Vella, who completed 8-of-14 passes for 128 yards. Oakridge outgained Hart 458-204 in total yardsage. Top tacklers for Oakridge were Branden Jasso with 10 and Terry Doxeywith 9. Vella had eight tackles and a fumble recovery and Jonathan Zarzoza had eight tackles for Hart (2-2).

By Mike Mattson || The Muskegon Chronicle, September 09, 2011 11:35 p.m. 

  MONTAGUE – Oakridge lineman Brad Millis looked like a mess after Friday's big football game at Montague. Sweat poured off his face and he had the look of a runner finishing a marathon. But ask Millis about that thrilling final seconds victory before nearly 3,000 fans and he dug deep. “It was nuts,” the two-way lineman said after the Eagles' stunning 21-20 West Michigan Conference victory. “We kept fighting and taking it to them to the last second. We stayed together and surprised a lot of people tonight.”

This one definitely will join the many other thrillers in Oakridge football history. The Eagles (3-0, 2-0) scored 11 points in the final 3:52 to stun the Wildcats (2-1, 1-1). They also turned the tables on Montague's 28-27 victory last season. Trevor Jones kicked a 20-yard field goal to pull the Eagles within 20-13 at the 3:52 mark.

And then Oakridge's punishing defense came up with a big stop, giving the ball back to Oakridge with 2:15 remaining.

Senior Patrick Giddings then engineered a drive that will have Oakridge fans talking for years. He moved the Eagles 65 yards with his passing and running and no timeouts on the clock. On fourth-and-five on the 5-yard line and all fans in the stadium on their feet, Giddings scored on a run up the middle to pull Oakridge within 20-19 with 8.4 seconds left.

Oakridge first-year coach Cary Harger then showed some guts as he called for a two-point conversion – a fake kick and conversion pass from holder Giddings to Joey Warren. Eagle fans roared and Montague failed to get a score on its two finals players as the clock ran out. “We (coaches) all looked at each other and wondered one or two?” an emotional Harger said about the conversion play. “With me being the head guy, they said, 'you make the call.' I said, 'Let's do it.' The kids executed it perfectly.

“We had to dig deep and rely on our depth,” Harger added. “The kids stepped up and played above themselves. Nobody let down. We stayed up and played Oakridge football.”

GAME RECAP

• Big play: Oakridge quarterback Patrick Giddings scored on a 5-yard run on fourth down with 8.4 seconds left to set up a winning two-point conversion. • Key stat: The Eagles passed for 133 yards to complement their 152 yards on the ground. Montague showed less balance, passing for 229 yards and rushing for 39 yards.

• Game ball: Giddings, who scored the late final touchdown on a 5-yard run and then tossed the winning two-point conversion pass to Joey Warren. Giddings completed 12-of-20 passes for 133 yards and had a big second half.

• Notable: Oakridge ran off 65 plays for 285 total yards and Montague had 44 plays for 268 yards.

• Quotable: “They had a nice comeback to win. We did the same thing to them last year at their place. Give them credit the made the plays they needed to win.” - Montague coach Pat Collins.

It proved to be a frustrating loss for Montague, which hurt Oakridge with three big plays – a 66-yard screen pass from Travis Cockerill to Jake Schmitt, a 90-yard kickoff return by Brandon Moore and a 76-pass play from Cockerill to Moore.

The Wildcats had trouble moving the ball in the second half and also defending the Eagles' short passing game.

Montague coach Pat Collins said his team was lined up ready for a two-point conversion play, but the Wildcats charged for a block attempt when the ball was snapped. “I was trying to call timeout and I know it was loud,” Collins said. “The officials usually check and look at you. I couldn't get their attention. I think everybody knew it was going to be a fake.

“It was real wild. I was so frustrated I couldn't get the timeout. But give them credit, they did a good job on the fake.” Giddings is known as a talented baseball player for the Eagles. He proved he is a worthy leader, passer, runner and cool cat under pressure. Giddings completed 12-of-20 passes for 133 yards and was the toast of the post-game celebration with fans and parents. “I don't think anybody thought we were going to lose,” Giddings said. “Our offensive line did a great job at the end. After the touchdown it was all or nothing. We either get it or we didn't.”

In the first half, Jones kicked a 35-yard field goal and Dion Goliday scored on an 8-yard run. Goliday suffered a broken arm during the contest. Montague also lost key running back Iisaiah Townsel to a sprained ankle during its first series.

Schmitt was the workhorse back for the Wildcats, rushing for 54 yards on 10 carries. Moore showed his big-play skills with the long TD catch and kickoff return. He finished with nine catches for 147 yards.

Torey Melton and Francis Decker sparked the Eagles' g round attack with 63 yards and 59 yards, respectively.

Terry Doxey spearheaded Oakridge's defense with 12 tackles.

Jacob Marsh led Montague with 14 tackles, followed by Joe Schmidt with 10 and Cody Gowell with nine. Harger should be ecstatic about Friday's win.

After all, how many opponents has Montague wasted in the fourth quarter over the years. The Eagles have a long way to go, but they showed they have the mental game to complement their physical play. I'm sure they will be ready when Ravenna, Whitehall and Shelby come calling in the wild West Michigan Conference race.

E-mail: mmattson@muskegonchronicle.com MLive.com

Posted: 9-12-2011

High School Football — Week 3 • MARK LEWIS/White Lake Beacon

 MONTAGUE — The win was so close that Montague could smell it. Yet, up by 10 points with under four minutes remaining in the game, Montague somehow let certain victory slip away, as the visiting Oakridge Eagles came out with the surprising 21-20 victory, scoring a touchdown with less than 10 seconds left and then shocking everyone in the stadium with a gutsy two-point conversion try that provided the winning point.

Really, it really isn’t all that hard to explain. The Wildcats, clearly the more talented team, book ended spectacular plays with turnovers and missed opportunities, while the Eagles just refused to go away.

“We are still looking and playing kind of rough,” said Montague head coach Pat Collins following the game. “We not very polished looking and it showed tonight.”

After Oakridge’s Trevor Jones nailed a 29-yard field goal in the beginning of the second quarter to go up 3-0, Montague’s high-powered answered right back, capping a mere five-play drive with a perfectly executed 66-yard screen pass TD from Travis Cockerill to back Jake Schmitt to give Montague the 7-3 lead.

Oakridge went up 10-7 on their next possession, a seven play, 73-yard drive that saw Dion Goliday score from eight yards away.

Again, Montague answered right away, as junior returner Brandon Moore took the ensuing kick off 90 yards for the score. Montague’s Wyatt Ford missed the PAT, and the Wildcats led 13-10.

Moore struck again right before the end of the third quarter, taking a short dump pass from Cockerill on second and five, made one move toward the visitor’s sideline and raced past the entire Eagle defense for the 76-yard score. Ford’s extra-point kick made it 20-10.

And that’s where it stayed, as both teams traded punts, picks and bad snaps.

That is, until Oakridge snapped back to life in the waning moments of the game. Taking over on their own 20, the Eagles put together a season-defining 14-play drive that ate up nearly eight minutes of the fourth, and capping it with a Jones 20-yard chip shot that cut the lead to 20-13.

Following an Oakridge on-side kick attempt, Montague looked to close out the contest with clock-killing drive to end the game. Only, that’s not what happened. Stopping the Wildcats on three-straight plays, Montague was forced to punt with 2:26 remaining in the game.

Oakridge took over on its own 35-yard line and went to work. Eagles’ QB Patrick Giddings executed a nearly flawless two-minute drill drive, passing into the flats so his receivers could get out of bounds and stop the clock and keeping it himself when the opportunity presented itself.

One the eighth play of the drive, the Eagles drove down to the Wildcats’ four, and would need all four tries from that spot to get the TD. After losing a yard on first-and-goal, the Eagles watched three pass incompletions and were facing a fourth-and-goal. With Montague’s ears peeled back, the rushed seemed to collapse around Giddings, who high-tailed it up the middle for the score.

There was 8.4 seconds left on the clock. Then controversy reared its head on the ensuing play. Oakridge ran its kicking team out on the field for what looked to be the game-tying extra point.

At the last minute, though, and with Montague unleashing an all-out blitz, Giddings lofted a soft pass to tight end Joey Warren for the go-ahead two-point conversion.

Of course, Collins smelled something fishy right from the start, and frantically gestured in the direction of the officials that he wanted a time out called. The officials failed to head Collins’ request. “Usually,” said Collins, “(the officials) are pretty good at checking to see if we (want at time out). And, you would think, in that situation, they would have checked.”

Though the sudden defeat was heartbreaking for the Wildcats, Collins believes his squad will take what they need from this game and build upon it. “I really like this team, and I like a lot of the things I see,” he said. “Defensively, our run defense is at a level I never saw from us last year. It makes me pretty excited for the rest of the season.”

Cockerill finished with 12-for-21 passing for 224 yards, two scores and three picks. Moore caught nine balls for 144 yards and a score, while Schmitt was the team’s leading scorer with 53 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively, Jacob Marsh and Cody Gowell each finished with 11 tackles and a sack for Montague

Congratulations to Oakridge JV football team with their impressive 20 to 14 victory over the Montague JV team.  The JV Eagles improve their record to 3 - 0 (2 - 0 in the WMC). Keep up the good work!

OAKRIDGE 49, MASON COUNTY CENTRAL 0:

Dan Shoop carried 11 times for 136 yards and four TDs and the Eagles earned their second straight shutout. Dion Goliday added eight carries for 70 yards and one TD for Oakridge, which collected 365 yards and allowed 21 total yards.

Branden Jasso led Oakridge, which led 36-0 at halftime, with seven tackles and two sacks. Allen Barnhardt led the Spartans with six tackles.

Mike Mattson | The Muskegon Chronicle, August 26, 2011 11:04 p.m.

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Oakridge defense Zack Murphy, left, and Austin Winters, center, close in on Muskegon Heights' John Hall, right, during third quarter action on August 26, 2011. Oakridge won the game 16-0. - (Muskegon Chronicle photo/ Kendra Stanley-Mills)

Oakridge football players were extra motivated Friday night against Muskegon Heights.

The Eagles wanted to start the Cary Harger era with a win, but also play up to the standards of legendary coach Jack Schugars.

Mission accomplished as Oakridge earned a hard-fought, 16-0 win over the Tigers before 3,500 fans at Jack Schugars Field at Russell Erickson Stadium.

"It means a lot with Coach Schugars being gone," Oakridge senior quarterback Patrick Giddings said. "I have to give our coaches a lot of credit, they really had us prepared tonight. We played great defense, and on offense, we ran the ball behind our offensive line."

Oakridge also spoiled the Heights coaching debut of Tony Blankenship.

Harger was all smiles afterward as the Eagles relied on their proven formula of smash-mouth football and physical defense.

"No. 1, we continued the tradition," Harger said. "And No. 2, it's a confidence-builder for these guys toward us building the family unit.

"Our defense played really tough," added Harger. "Heights is always tough with their speed and pass routes. Offensively, our linemen didn't quit. We were happy to be moving the ball. That's a tough six-to-eight man front to face in the first game of the year."

The game was played without a scoreboard, which malfunctioned and officials could not fix. But both defenses were impressive and kept points to a minimum.

Oakridge was especially impressive, limiting Heights to three first downs and 83 total yards on 31 plays. The Tigers, who had 32 yards at halftime, rushed for 30 yards on 19 attempts.

Blankenship was disappointed with the shutout and took a lot of the blame.

"We definitely struggled on offense," Blankenship said. "A lot of that has to do with youth. (Quarterback DeShawn Thrower), as talented as he is, we as coaches have to do a better job of putting him into position to make plays. I didn't put 'D' in a position to be successful."

Thrower, the sophomore quarterback, completed 8-of-12 passes for 113 yards. Asantay Brown had four receptions for 57 yards and Derrickus Franklin three catches for 49 yards.

Oakridge relied on a balanced ground attack. The Eagles produced 161 yards on 50 attempts, with sophomore Dan Shoop collecting 57 yards and Francis Decker adding 51 yards.

"It feels good," said Decker, who is one of the rare two-way starters for the Eagles. "We didn't know what Heights would do with a new coach. We played our butts off this first game for Coach Schugars. Our defense showed up huge."

Giddings gave Oakridge a 7-0 lead with a 2-yard TD run with about 7 minutes left in the second quarter.

Heights lost a fumble on a punt at its 7-yard line in the fourth quarter. That set up a 32-yard field goal by Oakridge kicker Trevor Jones and a 10-0 lead with about 8 minutes to play.

On Heights' next pass play, Branden Jasso forced a fumble and Dion Goliday scooped up the loose ball and ran 26 yards for the Eagles' final points.

"Our motto this year is 'All In,'" Harger said. "They all bought into it tonight."

Leading tacklers for the Eagles were Terry Doxey and Austin Winters with five stops apiece.

Ronald Jenkins recorded eight tackles to lead the Tigers, with Donnell Covington, John Hall and Brown each making six stops.

Heights must regroup and face another challenge on Saturday against Muskegon at Hackley Stadium.

"We have to fix ourselves before we can think about Muskegon," Blankenship said. "No question it's a great game for us to play in, but it won't do us any good if we can't get the kids to play better."

How does one say thank you for a tremendous opportunity to give to the community in which one has been raised and lived his life? This is sincere and humble thanks to so many for so much throughout my 42-year coaching career.

Thanks to the roughly 1,500 young men who created the Oakridge Football Family during those years. We laughed, cried, hugged, encouraged, carried and matured each other through some of life’s brightest and best moments. We did the same during some of life’s most challenging, disappointing and tragic moments. But we always knew that with God’s help and our “family,” we could prevail. As their coach, I was blessed to share in each step of that journey.

While we might have been dubbed “Eagle Nation or Oakridge Boys,” we knew that most of Muskegon County had our backs. We knew our greater community cheered for us, as we cheered for them.

Thanks to my mentors through the years — men like Rich McCarthy, Ed Bredeweg, Bill McCartney and Larry Rueger who guided an eager, young coach by answering hundreds of questions about the X’s and O’s of the game.

Thanks to Barney Goodrich, Tom VanHeest, Joe Coletta and Mark Jalovec who loyally helped establish the Oakridge Tradition. Thanks to former players in coaching roles for continuing a proud Eagle tradition: Tim Parker, Cary Harger, David Randall, Jim Smith Jr., Scott Chase, Tracy Ruel, Kurt Kiesgen, Bud Giddings, Roger Dailey, Fred Stewart and Russ Woodwyk. These men and countless others still have the “Oakridge Family” etched in their lives.

One of the greatest and richest rewards in my lifetime has been the awesome opportunity and privilege to coach in over 400 games as an Oakridge football coach. I thank all of you who contributed to this “Great Adventure.”  I truly love you all! May God continue to bless the Oakridge Family.

Jack Schugars

Oakridge Football 1969-2010

Muskegon

New varsity head football coach Cary Harger gives Muskegon Oakridge continuity  

By Mike Mattson | Muskegon Chronicle

Don't expect to see many changes in the next era of Oakridge football.

New varsity head coach Cary Harger does not plan to overhaul the Eagles' operation anytime soon.

"The biggest change you'll see is Jack (Schugars) not on the sidelines," Harger said. "Other than that, I came in with the philosophy if it's not broke, don't fix it."

Harger was officially named the new coach at Wednesday night's school board meeting. He takes over for Jack Schugars, who retired after 42 years coaching football and 32 years as the Eagles' head coach.

If there's one word to appropriately describe Harger's hiring it's continuity.

Harger played for Schugars and served the past 16 years as an assistant coach (offensive and defensive lines).

In addition, assistant coaches and ex-Eagles Tim Parker (defensive coordinator) and David Randall (defensive backs, wide receivers) are returning to their duties under Harger.

Former offensive coordinator Mark Jalovec resigned after last season to spend more time with his family. Nate Danicek, a Fruitport graduate who's coached at Oakridge in recent years, will handle the offensive coordinator duties.

Harger also said positions must be filled for scouting and filming.

Oakridge athletic director Ray Schueller said Harger was the only applicant for the job.

"The thing I like about this transition is there will be very little change," Schueller said. "We want to keep things as similar as we can to what Jack did. The entire staff is on board with the hire. There's nothing radical being done out here."

Many Oakridge fans speculated that former long-time assistant Joe Coletta, Harger and Parker were the prime candidates to replace Schugars. Coletta, Oakridge's varsity softball coach, and Parker did not apply.

"As soon as we knew (Schugars) was serious about (retirement), Tim and I discussed it right away," Harger said. "We said it probably would come down to the two of us and we were fine with whoever got it. We didn't want to be pitted against each other.

"Through some thought, with him being defensive coordinator and the ton of time he puts in on the weekends, he told me one day, 'I'm 100 percent behind you.' I had my paper work in already and it made it more comfortable going forward.

"We're all excited. I'm most confident in knowing how the system works and following the path (Schugars) has been blazing this many years. Tim and I are comfortable taking over and continuing what Jack started."

Harger and Parker are both Assistant Coach of the Year recipients by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.

Schugars retired Jan. 17 after an illustrious career. He compiled a 262-78 varsity record with three state championships and two state-runner-up finishes, ranking him as the Muskegon area's all-time winningest coach.

"I'm extremely happy for Cary and the rest of the staff," Schugars said about the transition. "They are part of the Oakridge family. They will continue the tradition. They know protocol and what it takes. Our staff lives in our community and it's great for Oakridge."

Harger admits there will be some pressure taking over for Schugars, but he's confident in the system and the help of his assistants.

In Harger's 16 years as an assistant, Oakridge made the playoffs 15 years and had only one losing record in 2004.

"I'm excited to continue the Oakridge tradition and to start our own era,' Harger said. "I hope the Oakridge fans, the Eagle Nation, are behind us 100 percent. I want them to support us as the new staff and see what we're about and what we're able to do."

e-mail:mmattson@muskegonchronicle.com

• Cary Harger File

• Who: Cary Harger, 38.

• What: Oakridge science teacher and new varsity head football coach.

• Education: Oakridge H.S., Hope College.

• Coaching background: He served one year as a varsity volunteer assistant at Grand Haven and has been an Oakridge varsity assistant (line coach, strength coordinator) the past 16 seasons.

• Personal: Harger and his wife Stacy have two children, Cole and Alivia.

• Notable: Harger played football at Oakridge from 1986-89 and earned four letters as a guard/center at Hope College (1990-93).

• Quotable: "I hope the Oakridge fans, the Eagle Nation, are behind us 100 percent. I want them to support us as the new staff and see what we're about and what we're able to do." - Harger.