Did the wildcat become a wildcard?
Oak Harbor’s Travis Bouyer rushed for four touchdowns in a 32-26 victory over Eastwood last week in the first round of the postseason. The Rockets visit unbeaten Liberty Center this week.
Oak Harbor fell 42-6 to the Eagles in the regular season in the Northern Buckeye Conference.
“We didn’t play to our potential and we shot ourselves in the foot with too many mistakes,” Bouyer said. “In the second game, we didn’t make too many adjustments, we just came out and played. We knew we had what it takes to beat them.
“We just had to execute. We knew we had to be more physical than them and assert the run and that starts with the offensive line. They did a great job and they opened holes. We know you don’t get many second chances in life, but when you get them, you’ve got to take them and run.”
Bouyer had 126 yards on 23 carries. He has 751 yards and 14 touchdown on 99 tries this season.
“They had an unblocked guy off the edge chasing down from the back side, so I had to bounce it outside and two guys had me stood up,” he said of one touchdown. “That didn’t stop me.”
Bouyer is feeling good after enduring multiple injuries this season, including his groin and knee. He missed only the game against Maumee.
A standout linebacker on defense, Bouyer enjoys his role in the wildcat package. He credits the scout team with helping starters improve.
“It gives us an extra blocker with the tailback and it’s overall just downhill football,” he said.
Liberty Center lost in the state final after a 24-21 victory over the Rockets in a regional semifinal last season.
“Last year has helped us,” Bouyer said. “Learn how to battle adversity and win close games.”
mhorn@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: It’s all downhill for Oak Harbor’s Travis Bouyer, just the way he likes it
Reporting by Matthew Horn, Fremont News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
