In a clash of undefeated powers in Frederick County, Oakdale (3-0) hit the road to take on rival Frederick (2-1) on a beautiful late-summer afternoon in downtown Frederick.
Oakdale got the scoring started right from the start, as Hunter Thompson returned the opening kickoff all the way back for a touchdown. After a three-and-out forced by the Bears defense, QB Evan Austin led Oakdale down the field and scrambled in for a score to give his team a 14-0 lead not even four minutes into the game.
Frederick’s defense was able to withstand the early strikes by Oakdale and would hold the Bears scoreless for the remainder of the half. A field goal early in the second quarter put the Cadets on the board for the first time.
With Oakdale driving down the field, an Austin pass intended for Thompson was intercepted in the corner of the end zone by Cadet defensive back Newton Esseim. Leaping high into the sky, Esseim was able to take away the football, and all of the Bears momentum.
Shortly before halftime, Frederick QB Greyson Rollman completed a long touchdown pass down the field to receiver Karmelo Smallwood. The score would bring the Cadets within four at the break, 14-10.
Both teams traded defensive blows in the 3rd quarter, sending the game into the 4th with the same score, but with Oakdale nearing the end zone. The Bears went for it on 4th down near the goal line, and Austin was able to reach the ball just across the goal line after a terrific run and extend the Bears lead to 21-10.
But just as it looked like Oakdale may be beginning to pull away, Frederick returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. The Cadets opted to try for the two-point conversion, which would have made it a one-score game, but was unsuccessful in their attempt.
On their next possession, Oakdale marched down the field capped the drive with Austin’s third rushing touchdown of the game. The Bears took a 28-16 lead and would not look back.
The afternoon was capped as Rollman was pressured, and his pass was deflected and intercepted by Oakdale’s Dominic Nichols. The Bears knelt the ball and ran out the clock on their win.
Oakdale returns to action next Friday as they host another undefeated Frederick County power in Linganore (3-0). Frederick hits the road next week and will head to Frostburg to face Mountain Ridge (3-0).
