By Chris Park

There are multiple league titles on the line this week across the State of Oregon and across classifications. First place is on the line in the 2A Mountain View Conference as the Oakland Oakers travel to Oakridge to take on the Warriors. Both teams are 3-0 in the conference and the only undefeated teams remaining. With two weeks left in league play, the winner of this game has the inside track to the Conference championship.

The Warriors started the season with four losses, but a deeper look at the opponents is warranted. Oakridge opened the season with a 33-16 loss to 3A Glide which is now 5-3 on the season. Week two saw the Warriors lose to 4A Lapine 13-12. Central Linn (7-1 in 2A) beat the Warriors in week three, 45-8, and defending 2A State Champion Gold Beach (5-3) beat Oakridge 28-20. Oakridge has won their last three games, 28-22 over Riddle, 26-0 over North Douglas and 69-6 over Glendale last week. The Oakridge offense has scored 179 points in 7 games for an average of 25.57 points per game. The Oakridge defense has given up 147 points in 7 games for an average of 21 points per game.

Oakridge is led by junior running back Jacobi Thornsberry and senior quarterback Austin White.

Oakland has two losses on the road this season to two quality opponents in 3A Scio, a 28-7 loss and 35-21 to 3A Coquille. Oakland has wins over Central Linn (20-0), Bandon (60-0) North Douglas (54-0), Glendale (62-6) and Monroe (32-0). The Oakland offense has scored 256 points in 7 games for an average of 36.57 per game. The Oakland defense has been very stingy giving up only 69 points in 7 games for an average of 9.85 per game, with four shutouts.

Oakland is led by senior running back/linebacker David Henry who has 29 carries for 287 yards, five touchdowns, five receptions for 46 yards, 99 tackles, two sacks and four caused fumbles. Senior Ryan Comstock has 60 carries for 428 yards and four touchdowns, six receptions for 143 and one touchdown. Senior quarterback Logan O’hara has 22 completions on 42 attempts for 397 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. The offense has also seen contributions from multiple running backs, including Junior Zack Vandehey and seniors Kaiden Moore and Jordan Bailey. Junior receiver Jeb Harper has 7 catches for 137 yards and four touchdowns.

Oakland has won the last two meetings between these two teams, a 70-35 win in 2011 and a 37-13 win in 2010. Oakridge last beat Oakland in 2009, 34-7.

Check out our Q & A interview with Oakland Coach Ben Lane:

DCSO: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today, Coach Lane.

Oakland Coach Ben Lane: O.K., thank you.

DCSO: First of all, congratulations on your teams win last week, 32-0 over Monroe. Talk a little about some of your players that stood out in that game?

Oakland Coach Ben Lane: Jeb Harper, junior wideout had a reverse for a touchdown and a 20-yard touchdown catch. David Henry had a great game on the ground, over 100 yards in the first half, came out early in the second half. Logan O’hara, our quarterback, had a good game. Our offense keeps getter better every week. Defensively, it was a total team effort. Probably our best defensive game we have played this year.

DCSO: This week you face Oakridge on the road. First place in the Mountain View Conference is at stake. Tell us a little about this week’s opponent, the Oakridge Warriors?

Oakland Coach Ben Lane: Oakridge is always tough. Anytime you travel to their house, you’ve got a task. They’re a little smaller in size than usual, but they’ve got an all-state tailback, Jacobi Thornsberry. They are a well coached team; they will be ready.

DCSO: What kind of offense does Oakridge run?

Oakland Coach Ben Lane: Oakridge runs an option; a split back, pro style double option attack.

DCSO: Your defense has four shutouts and looks pretty solid. Is that a strength of the team this year?

Oakland Coach Ben Lane: Defense is definitely a strength of our team. We knew our offense would be strong; we return a lot of guys on offense from last year; we put a huge emphasis on defense this year and during the off season.

DCSO: Your team has had a pretty tough schedule so far, including playing three 3A teams. Has the strong schedule helped prepare your team for league play?

Oakland Coach Ben Lane: Oh yeah, that was our strategy to test ourselves early and then jump into league and be ready for the caliber of football for playoffs. We competed well against those teams. Against Scio we competed well. We had a major let down against Coquille.

DCSO: Who are some of the leaders on the team this year that have impressed you?

Oakland Coach Ben Lane: Defensively, David Henry, our middle linebacker; he is a force on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a three year starter, 1^st team All State, he’s one of those rare 2A kids that is being recruited collegiately. Offensively, Jeb Harper has been a great surprise. We knew he was a receiver, but he stepped in at quarterback, he returns punts, he runs the ball. Ryan Comstock has been hampered by an injury but has been a super running back. The most pleasant surprise, but it’s not really a surprise, is we are 10 to 12 kids deep on the offensive and defensive lines. That’s a big advantage for us.

DCSO: Thanks again for taking the time to speak with us Coach Lane. Good luck on Friday.

Oakland Coach Ben Lane: O.K., thank you.