Blockers help Oak Harbor back sting Marysville-Pilchuck

By Chris Trujillo

Herald writer

MARYSVILLE – Oak Harbor running back Tom McMickle doesn’t cast the most fearful presence. But when you add to the picture the imposing shadow of offensive lineman Chad Asmus, you get a combination of lethal proportions.

In a Western Conference North Division clash, the Oak Harbor Wildcats, backed by a forceful running attack and menacing defense, defeated the Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks 41-0 Friday at Quil Ceda Stadium.

“I am surprised that we were dominating by halftime,” Oak Harbor coach Dave Ward said. “They stopped our inside running game so we had to go outside. It worked, so we stayed with it all night.”

The victory improved Oak Harbor to 3-2 in league and overall, while M-P is 2-2 and 2-3.

With the help of his sturdy offensive line, which provided a constant push for most of the game, McMickle bullied his way for three touchdowns on runs of 9, 19 and 43 yards. On all three gallops, he had the luxury of having Asmus, who would pull from his right tackle position to lead the way.

After foiling the first of two M-P fourth-down attempts in the first quarter, the Oak Harbor offense, led by quarterback Lenny Serfling, moved effortlessly down the field. Serfling, who threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Veach in the second quarter, found Veach on a third-and-long, to set up the team’s first touchdown. McMickle gave the Wildcats a first-quarter 7-0 lead on a 9-yard run. Asmus, also the kicker, made five of six point after conversionss.

“Our blocking was absolutely great,” McMickle said. “It wasn’t easy, though. They played us very tough regardless of the score.”

After taking a 14-0 lead to start the second quarter, McMickle rumbled through a few M-P defenders on his way to a 19-yard touchdown to make the score 21-0.

The Oak Harbor offense dominated the smaller M-P offense, outgaining it 363 to just 201.

“Our blockers love to pull,” Ward said. “They really like taking on safeties and cornerbacks. Tonight we were able to do a lot of that.”

McMickle torched the tired defense for the last time in the third quarter when he swept the left side, with Asmus leading the charge, for a 43-yard touchdown.

“We played great,” McMickle said. “I wanted five touchdowns so I would set a school record, but we won and that is all that matters.”