Oakes got out to a hot start and held on to their lead en route to a 23-20 home win against Oak Grove to start district play.

Junior wide receiver Joey Heim got the scoring started in the first quarter as he caught an 11-yard touchdown with one hand. Senior running back David Schmitz converted on the two-point conversion with a reception on a screen pass. A wild, scoring-heaving would follow as the Tornadoes extended their lead with a 3-yard touchdown toss by junior quarterback Xavier Vossler to sophomore athlete Trey Skoglund to make it 15-0. Vossler would score again with 2:59 left in the second quarter, but this time with his legs as he added to the lead with a 4-yard touchdown run to make it 23-0.

Oak Grove had some time left before the end of the half to get on the board and not let the game get out of hand. The Grovers marched down the field led by junior quarterback Riley Bakkegard. He would eventually hook-up with senior wide receiver Trevon Rodriguez for a 24-yard touchdown pass with just six seconds left. Oak Grove went into the halftime break with momentum on their side, and it carried into the rest of the second half. With 8:43 left in the third quarter, senior running back Cody Card scampered in for a 10-yard touchdown run to make it 23-13. On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Grovers struck again with a 4-yard touchdown run from Rodriguez to make it 23-20. Oakes’ defense would bend, but wouldn’t break as they forced a turnover on downs at the end of the game, and the Tornadoes ended up earning the victory.

Vossler had two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Heim and Skoglund both caught touchdowns with Schmitz running for 100+ yards on 20+ carries.

Oakes improves to 1-2 in the regular season and 1-0 in district play. They will be back on the road next Friday at Central Cass at 7:00 p.m.