Listen Here
By Dylan DeWitt
Twitter: @dd_witt
Email: dewittd@findlay.edu
The Oilers entered the Round of Sixteen eager to take on Assumption College on Saturday, Nov. 25. The Oilers battled tough all game against a competitive Assumption Football Team, but a few late kick returns proved to be just enough in the game.
The Oilers concluded their season as one of the sixteen teams in Division II football after a 45-26 defeat. The Oilers’ season is one to go down in the history books without a doubt.
The game began with Assumption scoring first with a field goal, putting them up 3-0. The score would remain the same throughout the quarter, but within the first few minutes of the second quarter, Assumption completed a drive with a touchdown to add to their lead.
The Oilers battled back and with a trick play with Jason Moore catching a screen pass, and throwing a pass of his own to an Oiler player down field. This would set up a field goal that was converted. At the sound of the first half horn, the Oilers entered the locker room down one possession, 10-3.
As both defenses were showing great abilities in the first half, the second half was a story of the offenses. Back and forth, both teams scored with big plays of their own. With fourteen minutes left to play in the game, the Oilers were down seven with a score of 17-24. However, a kick return for a touchdown by the Greyhounds would move the score to 31-17.
Just like the Oilers have been all season, they bounced right back with another touchdown to pull within a touchdown after an onside kick. Another field goal, and the Oilers were down just five with roughly ten minutes to play.
Once again, an Assumption kick return for a touchdown would put the Oilers back again at 38-26. The Oilers attempted to battle once more to give it another shot, but came up short. The historic season ended in a 45-26 defeat.
The Findlay Oilers Football Team were able to put together one of the best seasons the program has ever had thanks to an all-around effort from the coaching staff and players. The season may have ended, but the season’s mark was engraved into the books.
Records of the 2017 Season:
Daouda Sylla holds the 5th most rushing yards in a season in program history- 1,554 yards
-Sylla, a Harlon Hill nominee, ends his career with 2,146 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns
Rhys Gervais finished the game versus Assumption with the most completions in a game- 37
– Gervais added to many of his program records such as touchdown passes (82), passing yards (8,726), and passes completed (658)
Jason Moore added to many of his program records such as receiving yards in career (2,722), and touchdown receptions (36)
-Most points in program history for a season- 578
24 all-conference nominees including the following:
Andrew Alten- G-MAC Offensive Lineman of the Year
Johnny Hopkins- G-MAC Defensive Lineman of the Year
Aaron Ivory- G-MAC Defensive Back of the Year
1st Team All G-MAC
– Daouda Sylla
– Michael Campbell
– Jason Moore
– Luke Stuffel
– Isaac Miles
– Francis Cutchember
2nd Team All G-MAC
– Tyler Long
– Rhys Gervais
– Jacob Hill
– Andrew Dickinson
– Grant Kinsinger
– Justice Jenkins
– Chiebuka Chukwuneke
– Patrick Rusher
Honorable Mention All G-MAC
– Christian Olmstead
– Tyler Lee
– Ashton Elmore
– Airion Kosak
– Jacob Boucher
– Neal Davis
