Since taking over the Oakdale football organization after they broke ground in 2011, head coach Kurt Stein has always approached tough situations with an optimistic manner.
In his first season, he knew there would be bumps in the road – going winless in the schools inaugural varsity campaign.
The second year saw the programs first win, but still wasn’t good enough to even sniff out a .500 record – going 2-8.
Through the first two years, Stein’s program had scrapped out a 2-18 record. Times were rough, but he kept going back to the drawing boards with optimism – encouraging his youthful program to sooth the growing pains as their time would come if they continued to beat on their craft.
Now two years later, Stein has led the Oakdale football organization to a 14-7 record since the rocky 2-18 start and has the Bear program reaching new heights.
Last season saw their best season up-to-date – winning eight games and having two losses coming to county foe, Urbana by one point and to the previously ranked number one prep team in all of Maryland, Linganore in a game that they led at halftime.
And even though they obtained the number one seed in the 2A West, the Bears got upset on their home turf after playing one of their sloppiest games of the year.
Of course losing in the first round of the playoffs hurts, especially if a team holds the number one seed, but Stein kept his optimistic vision – that his only two regular season losses came to county stalwart Urbana by one point and to one of the best teams in the state, Linganore.
That in itself was a stepping stone towards the programs development – which leads us up to now, 2015.
Oakdale football is destined to have their best season yet. Oh yeah, did I mention they were moved up from Class 2A to class 3A? So now the Oakdale team was primed to run the table in the 2A West now finds themselves in the wrath of the 3A West that already features football powerhouses Damascus, Linganore, Poolesville, Seneca Valley, South Hagerstown, Urbana and Westminster.
Only four teams will be playing when Week 11 dawns upon us, so something clearly has to give in. And like always, Stein is still optimistic that he can hang with Maryland’s best.
After all, he should. His offense has enough firepower to overwhelm top-caliber defenses with the likes of quarterback Sean McGaughey and playmakers Malik Boyd and Percy Agyei Obese. Defensively they have a dangerous combo of athleticism and physicality.
As Oakdale is predominately known for their elite basketball program, their football team can now join the conversation of vying for a state crown.
Here is what you can expect out of the Oakdale Bears in 2015:
Head Coach: Kurt Stein, 5th year, 16-25 record
2014 record: 8-3 (Lost to South Carroll in 2A West region semifinals)
2015 projected record: 9-2 (Lose to Damascus in 3A West region semifinals)
Style of play: Spread offense / 3-4 defense
BOASTING NEW OFFENSIVE DEPTH
QB, #7 Sean McGaughey (SR.)
After playing on varsity last season as a free safety, Sean McGaughey has put in countless hours of work in the off-season to make to transition to the quarterback position.
Physical traits alone, he’s appealing to have under center – standing at 6’3″ and possessing swift movement to run the up-tempo Bears offense.
Oakdale has been known to ground and pound with the run game since breaking ground in 2011 – but this year they will for once have a balanced offensive attack throughout the board, or at least open up the passing game.
McGaughey is a very good thrower on the run and makes intelligent decisions when being put under the gun – something that will come handy to the Bears in 2015.
He’ll probably be a game manager in the early going, but don’t surprised if he gets more leeway than past Oakdale quarterbacks.
Projected stats: 1,000 passing yards, 7 passing touchdowns, 350 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns
RB, #20 Malik Boyd (SR.)
Since Malik Boyd came onto the scene in 2013, his Bears haven’t had a losing record. He’s been the face of this young organization, sitting atop the programs rushing records.
He has a stocky stature – standing at 5’8″ 170 pounds and runs the pigskin with a smash-mouth demeanor.
Oakdale has relied heavily on Boyd the past two seasons and I expect them to ride him again this season. But for the first time ever, the Bears will be more balanced, which means opposing defenses will have to key in on just more than Boyd’s running ability.
That alone sets him up for his best season yet, not to mention the strides he’s made over the off-season. Boyd is primed to get back to his rushing record ways and could very well take this Bears team to the playoffs and beyond.
Projected stats: 1,100 yards, 11 rushing touchdowns
RB, #31 Percy Agyei Obese (JR.)
This guy right here can be a difference maker and potentially put Oakdale football on an elite level.
Raw skills alone, Percy Agyei Obese is an athletic freak specimen – standing at 5’11” 180 pounds without an ounce of fat on him. He’s built like a chiseled brick wall and possesses blazing speed, running a 4.43 40-yard dash.
He’s relatively new to football with this only being his third full season and second year on varsity. Agyei Obese saw limited playing time last season due to his lack of football knowledge.
The Oakdale football coaching staff has worked relentlessly on developing a better football IQ for Agyei Obese and has appeared to have a better understanding of the X’s and O’s of the gridiron sport.
If that is the case then Agyei Obese has the potential to be one of the best home run hitters in all of Maryland. He should compliment the downhill running Malik Body very nicely and could be in for a breakout season.
Projected stats: 800 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns
WR, #26 Ben Simonica (SR.)
Though Ben Simonica only stands at 5’7″ he provides a complete package at the wide receiver position. He has reliable hands to catch difficult passes and the speed to separate from defenders.
He also will see time in the slot as a slot back for the Bears this season.
Projected stats: 400 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 300 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
Offensive spin: After going 8-3 last season, Oakdale returns five of the 11 starters on offense for this year. They also return three of the starting five offensive linemen in Anthony Cuhna, John Yacoubian and Peyton Cody. The passing game should be more flexible this year with Sean McGaughey under center and receivers Ben Simonica, the 6’5″ Cory Schlee and the 6’2″ Matt Beverage. What Oakdale does best is wearing defenses down with their up-tempo, no-huddle offense and potent rushing attack. Everything is in line for them to have their best season yet – returning three of the five offensive linemen and having multiple run threats in the workhorse Malik Boyd, athletic freak Percy Agyei Obese and Ben Simonica from the slot. Overall the offense is equipped with enough firepower to hang with the 3A West juggernauts.
FAST, PHYSICAL DEFENSE LOOKS TO CREATE HAVOC
DE, #8 Zach Turner (SR.)
Turner returns for his third and final year at the varsity level. He adds to the experience the defense brings and provides a viable pass rushing option up-front for the Bears in 2015.
Projected stats: 75 tackles, 6 sacks
MLB, #23 Brendan Carlson (SR.)
Carlson is the heart and soul on this Oakdale Bears defense manning the middle linebacker position. He plays an extremely physical game and should be a centerpiece of the front seven since the 3A West features a handful of Division-1 running backs like Damascus’ Jake Funk, Linganore’s Dante Butler and Seneca Valley’s Adrian Feliz-Platt.
He will be a key chip in the Bears defense this season.
Projected stats: 100 tackles, 2 sacks
SS, #2 Will Kent (SR.)
Kent will solidify the kick return duties and secondary going into his third year at the varsity level. He brings all the intangibles to hang with the areas most athletic receiving corps and will be a key contributor in the defense for 2015.
Projected stats: 65 tackles, 3 interceptions
Defensive spin: Just when you thought the offense had enough firepower and experience, check out this defense. They return eight of the 11 starters and are one of the most experienced defensive bunches in the area, something that we couldn’t say about Oakdale two years ago. Stein has preached physicality over and over again and they most certainly bring that to the table. Linebacker Brendan Carlson and defensive end Zach Turner sure-up a bed rock front seven. The secondary will be just as good, if not, better with the likes of Ben Simonica, Matt Beverage and Will Kent. This group has what it takes to contain top offenses in the area and should set up the Bears for a playoff appearance this season.
Toughest matchups
Week 2, Westminster
Week 4, Urbana
Week 6, Linganore
The Bottom Line
After four years of sleepless nights and endless development to build the Oakdale football organization from the ground up, Kurt Stein has finally formulated a program that can compete at a high level.
To start a program from scratch and develop it into a championship threat in a handful of years is pretty remarkable as most high school’s go many years without making a playoff experience.
There is no doubt in mind that they have what it takes offensively to overpower some of the best defenses in the area behind quarterback Sean McGaughey and rushing threats Malik Boyd and Percy Agyei Obese.
Defensively, they are one of the most athletic and physical bunches one will come across. I definitely envision this Bears team still playing when the playoffs come around. The big question is, do they have what it takes to come out on top in the loaded 3A West?
Optimistically, Kurt Stein likes to think so and only time will tell if this is actually the year of the Bear.
You can follow me on Twitter at @k_fadd and follow Maryland Sports Access at @MDSportsAccess.
