Football coaches strive to get their players to remain confident and unified even in the most pressure-packed situations.
A handful of teams consistently excel in those make-or-break moments. The Oak Harbor Wildcats are clearly members of that prestigious club.
Oak Harbor, which plays the Bothell Cougars at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Class 4A state championship game at the Tacoma Dome, has succeeded time after time in high-pressure situations the past several weeks. The Wildcats (12-1) have won their past three playoff games by a total of nine points, repeatedly generating big plays at critical moments.
Why does Oak Harbor, which had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals until this season, perform so well in nerve-straining situations?
Even the team’s coach is stunned.
“I’m amazed too,” Oak Harbor coach Dave Ward said. “How do you get a team to that point where they have so much confidence that they don’t panic under stress and they believe in each other and they continue to play through adversity?”
Here’s a look at some of Ward’s theories:
* The calm, collected QB
Oak Harbor quarterback Marshall Lobbestael is a steady leader who finds ways to win. The three-year starter (2,636 passing yards and 32 touchdowns passes this season) has produced many of his best moments during the playoffs.
In the first round, Lobbestael’s 11-yard, two-point conversion pass to Rodrick Rumble gave Oak Harbor a 43-42 double-overtime triumph over Mariner.
The next week, the QB used a second chance to help the Wildcats rally late and beat Skyview 26-22 in the quarterfinals. A Skyview penalty wiped out a Lobbestael interception with about 90 seconds to go. He responded with a 39-yard pass to Jeff Lamont that set up Tony Thulin’s winning TD run.
Lobbestael is “in charge of the huddle and has good ideas and makes (smart) decisions under pressure,” Ward said.
Lobbestael threw two TD passes to help Oak Harbor overcome a 10-0 deficit in a 14-10 semifinal victory over Gonzaga Prep last Saturday in Spokane. The winning points came on fourth down when the QB connected with Lamont.
“Marshall’s just a great quarterback. He’s always in control of the huddle,” Oak Harbor lineman Will Hunter said. “He just keeps everybody calm.”
Said fellow lineman Matt Johnston, “Marshall’s definitely stepped it up anytime we need a big play.”
* Senior leadership
Besides Lobbestael, Oak Harbor has a strong core of experienced seniors who propel the team in tight situations. Ward praised three offensive linemen – Hunter (left tackle), Johnston (left guard) and Edmundo Corrales (center) – as well as two-way standouts Lamont and Brendan Kays, both receivers/defensive backs. Thulin (two TDs the past two games), a first-year starter, has also come up huge, Ward said.
“We’re always pushing each other to do better,” Hunter said.
“We never point a finger at each other,” Johnston said. “We’re always encouraging each other. We trust each other.”
* Tuning in
Thanks to a TV show, the Wildcats are programmed to win, Ward said. Wildcat TV, a student-produced program aired in Oak Harbor by Comcast, shows replays of the team’s games every Sunday.
Players and coaches often tune in to relive their recent glory. It really boosts confidence and reinforces success, Ward said: “This is a factor in why these guys really have the sense of, ‘We’re gonna find a way to win.’” Added Ward, “When I watch these replays on TV I’m seeing how intense (they) are and how focused they are and how well they work together. I’m proud of how they respond to stress.”
* Better “D”
Oak Harbor had trouble stopping opposing offenses at times this season but the Wildcats’ defense has steadily improved, Ward said. He cited his team’s semifinal performance, when it held Gonzaga Prep to 10 points, none in the second half.
“We’ve had to make some big stops,” Ward said. “Both sides of the ball complement each other.”
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