Aug. 20—Each week, we'll get to know a bit more about the 24 juniors and seniors who are part of the 2026 Oakwood football team. This week's guests: senior Gauge Carrillo and junior Rourke Harrison:
the pasture.
Cooper Lappin
Walker Enos.
Casey's.
Cameron Lee.
when the place is filled with people.
Cooper Murray.
Walker Enos.
McDonald's.
Both.
Each week, we'll catch up with Oakwood coach Cameron Lee to discuss his Comets. First up: a look back at a successful 2025 season and a look ahead to Saturday night's season opener against Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin:
The Comets delivered a 7-3 record for the program's most wins since the 2019 season and qualified for the Class 1A playoffs.
A first-round home playoff game, however, is all Oakwood got to experience in the postseason after Carrollton left Marty McFarland Field in Fithian with a 28-14 victory. Still, with a roster that only featured four seniors in offensive lineman/defensive lineman Layne Frischkorn, running back/linebacker Tyler Huchel, wide receiver/defensive back Sailer Harrison and kicker Trevor McCall, the Comets set the stage for the potential of a successful 2026 season by finishing third in the 10-team Vermilion Valley Conference.
The only losses Oakwood sustained were against the two teams who finished above the Comets in the league standings: VVC champion Westville and runner-up Clifton Central.
"The thing about the Valley is there's always a consistency from the programs," Oakwood coach Cameron Lee said. "You know where Westville stands. You know where Bismarck stands. You know where Salt Fork stands. Those teams are always in the mix, and there are always one or two teams who are fighting to make the jump. Based on recent history, that's been us and Clifton Central. It should be more of the same this year. The question is, who's going to make the biggest jump?"
Preparations for Saturday night's season opener have changed for the Comets this week. Mainly because they'll have to hit the road and play at Payton-Moss Field in Bismarck against the Blue Devils instead of staying home on Saturday night.
Oakwood and BHRA announced the switch in locations on Wednesday because of "unforseen circumstances and logistical issues."
One difference between the two venues: Marty McFarland Field in Fithian has grass and Payton-Moss Field has turf.
"It's definitely a bummer for our fans," Lee said. "But as far as the football goes, we will be ready wherever they tell us to line up."
The two programs met in the final week of the 2025 season, with Oakwood earning a 21-13 win at BHRA. The Blue Devils are fresh off a 6-4 season and return their top two running backs in Liam Parish and Isaac Cahill. Limiting what BHRA can do offensively is the biggest challenge for the Comets this week.
"Bismarck is always good, and they have such a high floor as a program," Lee said. "The toughest part about playing them is defending a very versatile offense. They have two identities, so you never know if you have to stop the wing-T, the spread or both."
Aug. 22 at BHRA 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 vs. Momence 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Georgetown-RF/Chrisman 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Dwight 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Clifton Central 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Westville 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Hoopeston Area/A-P 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Iroquois West 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Salt Fork 7 p.m.
1 Layne Blundy K/P Jr. 5-10 170
2 Evan Crutcher TE/LB Jr. 5-8 155
4 Alex Wallace QB Sr. 5-9 150
5 Kyler Johnson RB/LB Sr. 5-10 190
6 Collin Furry WR/DB Sr. 5-8 155
7 Cale Thomas TE/LB Sr. 6-2 220
10 Nathan Young WR/LB Jr. 6-3 200
11 Riglee Hart QB/DB Jr. 6-0 180
13 Jaethan Perez WR/DB Jr. 5-7 135
14 Rourke Harrison QB/DB Jr. 5-9 130
15 Drake Roberts WR/DB Jr. 5-10 160
16 Gavin Townsley WR/DB Fr. 5-4 120
18 Weston Frazier RB/DB Jr. 5-5 130
21 Frankie Resendez RB/LB Jr. 5-8 170
23 Carsen Dudley WR/LB Sr. 6-4 190
24 Cooper Murray WR/DB Sr. 5-11 160
26 Camdyn Hazelbaker WR/DB Fr. 5-4 115
34 Kemper Hinchman FB/LB So. 5-10 205
50 Carter Reifsteck OL/DL Fr. 5-10 180
52 Emmett Grimm OL/DL Jr. 5-10 210
54 Cooper Lappin OL/LB Sr. 5-10 230
55 Dawsyn Harlin OL/DL Jr. 6-0 205
58 Cole Miller OL/DL Fr. 5-7 205
59 Dominic Goble OL/DL Fr. 5-8 170
60 Grady Johnson OL/DL Sr. 6-3 235
64 Ethan Huchel OL/DL Jr. 5-7 210
65 Max Denhart OL/DL Fr. 5-8 210
68 Gauge Carrillo OL/DL Sr. 6-1 300
71 Walker Enos OL/DL Sr. 6-0 300
75 Brantley Rohour OL/DL Fr. 6-0 210
78 Owen McCoy OL/DL Jr. 6-0 225
79 Liam Miller OL/DL Jr. 6-0 240
➜ Cameron Lee
➜ Zack Girton
➜ Brett Harrison
➜ Jesse Johnson
➜ Parker Lee
➜ Nick Grubb
➜ Austin McCarty
➜ Brennan Lemkuhl
➜ Sam Denhart
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