Oakwood defeats Pleasant Hill in Class 1A playoff opener
Oakwood Secures First Playoff Win Since 2018
Oakwood defeated visiting Pleasant Hill 53-12 on Saturday at Marty McFarland Field in a Class 1A opening round playoff game. The victory marks the fifth playoff win in program history and the first since 2018.
The Comets built a 33-0 halftime lead by accumulating 338 yards of offense in the first two quarters while holding the Wolves to just 31 yards. Oakwood quarterback Riglee Hart completed 19 of 22 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns during his first career playoff start, adding 43 rushing yards and a score on eight carries.
Jaethan Perez Scores 76-Yard Touchdown to Extend Oakwood Lead
Pleasant Hill mounted its most productive drive of the first half late in the second quarter, reaching a fourth-and-1 from the Oakwood 24-yard line. Senior linebackers Cooper Lappin and Cale Thomas stopped running back Josiah Crum for no gain.
It was a big momentum switch for us, plays like that always really help us. — Cale Thomas
On the very next play, Hart threw a pass in the flat to wide receiver Jaethan Perez, who wove through the defense for a 76-yard touchdown. The 15-second sequence stretched Oakwood’s lead to 26-0.
Perez finished the afternoon with six catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns, adding a second scoring catch of 20 yards before halftime. Kyler Johnson contributed 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries as the Comets scored at least 50 points for the fifth time this season.
Upcoming Second-Round Matchup
Oakwood (7-3) advances to face Greenfield/Northwestern (7-2) next weekend on the road. The Tigers have scored at least 40 points in six victories this season, with losses coming against Camp Point Central and Calhoun.
Thomas, Gauge Carrillo, and Liam Miller each recorded a sack for the Oakwood defense, which held Pleasant Hill to 156 total yards. Talon Waters connected with Jax Fesler on a 2-yard touchdown pass for Pleasant Hill in the third quarter, and Bing Lowe added a 59-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against a running clock.