Nursing a 13-point lead entering into the fourth quarter, Oakdale appeared it would finally break through in a “big game” to upend Linganore for the first time in school history in 2015.
Two turnovers inside of the red zone later and a gutsy dagger with under 30 seconds remaining — the game winning 2-point conversion on a pass from Lancer quarterback Nathaniel Musselman to Wade Stieren in the back of the end zone — wrecked the Bears hopes of accomplishing a new feat in program history.
After losing to Linganore, 21-20, a year ago, Oakdale will get its shot at redemption on Friday night. This time around, the odds are stacked in their favor, as they carry an undefeated record going into Week 6. The Lancers, however, have already lost twice.
Schedule wise, Linganore has faced a tougher trek through five weeks, losing to a pair of current undefeated units — Tuscarora (18-7) and Walkersville (27-0). Oakdale, on the other hand, has had a cakewalk. Though the five opponents they’ve faced combine for an 8-16 record, the Bears have taken care of business — winning by an average of 42.2 points.
Players who crusaded the fourth quarter Lancer comeback from a year ago, like Tyler Fleagle, Musselman, Jack Staub and Stieren, have moved on are no longer around to save Linganore if they fall into the same position. Instead, the Lancers have called upon a new wave of sophomores, like quarterback Ryan Leyh (40.8 completion percentage, 252 passing yards, one touchdown) and running back’s Jackson Ambush, Davon Butler (198 rushing yards and three touchdowns) and Isaiah.
Junior Zamarre Snowden, a transfer from St. John’s Catholic Prep, is the Lancers’ leading rusher with 230 yards and two touchdowns.
Oakdale returns many core players from their 8-3 campaign from a year ago, including James Madison University commit, Percy Agyei-Obese, who plays practically everything for the Bears. Through five games, Agyei-Obese has rushed for 402 yards, totaled 10 touchdowns, registered 13 total tackles (6.5 for loss), notched two sacks and blocked a whopping five punts.
Bears quarterback Corey Schlee has tossed nine touchdowns to lead an air attack that has only passed 28 percent of the time so far in 2016.
The match-up to watch in the Bears-Lancers tilt is Oakdale’s offense (49.2 points per game) against Linganore’s defense (11.2 points allowed per game). If Oakdale overpowers Linganore’s defense that has already produced two shutouts, it could get out of hand. If Linganore, however, can manage to bottle the high-octane Oakdale offense, we could see a sequel of last year’s late game dramatics.
In Baltimore, undefeated Milford Mill takes on the 2013 and 2014 Class 3A state champs, Franklin (3-1). MSA reporter Tom Peace will cover the 3A North rivalry slate.
On Saturday, No. 3 Wise (5-0) travels to Prince Georges County foe DuVal (4-1) and No. 24 Patuxent (4-1) squares off with undefeated Calvert (5-0) in a 2A South rivalry.
GAME OF THE WEEK
The @MDSportsAccess GOTW is a Frederick County rivalry tilt between two schools separated by a few miles: @linganorefb 🔴⚫ vs @OHSBearsFB 🐻 🏈 pic.twitter.com/eVmGqEXitH
— Kyle McFadden 🇺🇸 (@k_fadd) October 6, 2016
Oakdale (5-0) at Linganore (3-2), Friday at 7:00 pm
USA Today’s prediction: Oakdale 27, Linganore 14
McFadden’s prediction: Oakdale 28, Linganore 7
MSA FEATURED GAMES
Tonight: @TPeace19 covers a 3A North matchup in Reisterstown as undefeated @WearemilfordFB faces the '13 & '14 state champs @FHS_Football1 pic.twitter.com/dHTB4I8EE6
— Maryland Sports (@MDSportsAccess) October 7, 2016
Milford Mill (5-0) at Franklin (3-1), Friday at 7:00 pm
USA Today’s prediction: Franklin 40, Milford Mill 20
McFadden’s prediction: Franklin 35, Milford Mill 27
No. 3 Wise (5-0) at DuVal (4-1), Saturday at 2:00 pm
USA Today’s prediction: No. 3 Wise 41, DuVal 6
McFadden’s prediction: No. 3 Wise 49, DuVal 14
No. 24 Patuxent (4-1) at No. 25 Calvert, Saturday at 7:00 pm
USA Today’s prediction: No. 24 Patuxent 13, No. 25 Calvert 10
McFadden’s prediction: No. 25 Calvert 17, Patuxent 14
NOTABLE GAMES
No. 1 DeMatha (5-0) (-28) vs. No. 15 Bishop McNamara (3-3), Friday at 7:00 pm
McFadden’s prediction: No. 1 DeMatha 49, Bishop McNamara 14
No. 4 McDonogh (4-1) (-20) at Loyola Blakefield (4-1), Friday at 4:30 pm
McFadden’s prediction: McDonogh 35, Loyola Blakefield 21
No. 8 Archbishop Spalding (4-1) (-17) vs. No. 23 Calvert Hall (3-2), Friday at 7:00 pm
McFadden’s prediction: Archbishop Spalding 21, Calvert Hall 7
No. 22 Riverdale Baptist (4-2) (-7) vs. Bullis (3-1), Friday at 7:00 pm
McFadden’s prediction: Riverdale Baptist 35, Bullis 24
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