Wildcats chase playoff magic Friday night

Hoping to recapture the magic of the 2006 state-championship season, the Oak Harbor High School football team opens playoff action Friday at 7 p.m. at Wildcat Memorial Stadium against Eastside Catholic.

Eastside Catholic from Sammamish and the Metro League owns a 6-3 record; all three losses were at the hands of teams ranked among the top eight in the state 3A poll. One of the losses was 20-19 to perennial power and Metro champion O’Dea, which is undefeated and ranked third.

The game will feature two strong offenses. EC, which averages 32 points per game, is led by Chevy Walker and Trey Reynolds. Walker is rated as high as second among state runners by recruiting services, and quarterback Reynolds is a dual threat.

Oak Harbor (8-1) will counter with Josiah Miller and Brent Ryan, both of whom average more than 100 yards a game and have rushed for more than 1,000 yards this year.

Miller averages 10.2 yards per carry and has scored a school record 26 touchdowns.

The winner will advance to play the winner of the Bellevue-Glacier Peak game. Bellevue is ranked among the top 25 prep teams in the United States by several national publications.

Oak Harbor High School athletic Director Nicki Luper said this game is a state event hosted by Oak Harbor; therefore, students will have to pay admission and most passes will not apply.

Admission prices: adults, $7; students with ASB cards, senior citizens and elementary students, $4; preschool children, free. Game time is 7 p.m.

Fans are asked not to park in the Lutheran church lot for the game because the chuch is hosting a concert Friday evening.

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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