Late Interception Secures Win For Middletown Over Oakdale, 20-17
September 20, 2025
MIDDLETOWN, Md. — With the game on the line, and Oakdale (2-1) driving down the field, Middletown‘s (3-0) defense secured the big stop they needed with Ryan McLister’s interception to win the game, 20-17, on Friday night. In a game that seemed like a heavyweight bout where both teams showcased both their offense and defense, it was Middletown that landed the final punch.
Fewer than two minutes remained on the clock, and Oakdale had possession of the ball. The Bears had been moving the ball steadily down the field behind the arm and legs of quarterback Alex Rodriguez. Oakdale had the ball into Middletown territory, when Rodriguez dropped back and threw the ball down field, but it was overthrown and picked off by McLister.
Both offenses started off the game slowly, as nearly the entire first quarter had expired before the first point were on the board. But, an Oakdale drive was capped by a 1-yard lunge across the pile for Rodriguez to give the Bears the 7-0 lead.
Middletown was stymied on offense for a large portion of the first half. The Knights moved the ball into the red zone, and seemed poised to score, but a pass that was caught heading towards the end zone was fumbled at the 1-yard line by the receiver into the end zone, where it was recovered by Oakdale for a touchback. On the subsequent possession, the Bears tacked on a 24-yard field goal by kicker Dylan Ohm to take a 10-0 lead.
Just as it seemed that Oakdale was in control of the game, Middletown put together a successful drive that ended with a 4-yard score by Brody Summers with only 15 second before halftime. The extra point was blocked, however, and Oakdale would take a 10-6 lead into halftime.
Oakdale couldn’t seem to get out of its own way in the second half, as several false start penalties derailed momentum and cut drives short. Middletown took advantage, and would find the end zone for a second time with a 14-yard pass from quarterback Brittin Poffenbarger to Clinton Lee to take a 13-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Midway through the fourth, the Bears answered back. Rodriguez found receiver Charlie Alt across the middle who hit the burners and outran defenders for a 68-yard touchdown. The extra point regained a 17-13 lead for Oakdale.
As Middletown tried to move the ball and drain the clock in an attempt to leave as little time as possible for Oakdale’s offense, the Knights found the end zone once more on a 7-yard pass from Poffenbarger to Nathan Borawski. Middletown took a 20-17 lead with fewer than three minutes to play.
Oakdale looked poised to at least get into field goal range to try and tie the game, but McLister’s interception derailed that comeback. Although the Bears still had two timeouts remaining and 1:23 left in the game, Middletown secured a first down and was able to run out the clock.
Middletown will return to action next Friday night as the Knight travel to Frederick to take on the 1-2 Cadets. Oakdale returns home next Friday as the Bears host 3-0 Damascus.
More Posts
