CINCINNATI — With an expanded format, more teams made the OHSAA football playoffs than in years past. One team made the playoffs despite being winless in the regular season, but that doesn’t mean the team carries any less pride heading into the postseason.
Head coach Justin Roden said the playoffs are a clean slate for his team.
“Regardless if it’s the No. 1 seed, or the 10th seed, just the fact that we get the chance to be together for another week and play football is good for us,” Roden said.
Oak Hills head coach Justin Roden. (Photo by Tino Bovenzi/SN1)
Despite their record, Roden said this team is not hard to motivate. Most are excited to play one more game together in the playoffs.
One of those players is senior linebacker Preston Hardy, who missed his Senior Night due to COVID-19.
He said this is his second chance to live that moment.
“I thought I wasn’t going to get to play football again,” Hardy said. “I thought I wouldn’t know what it’s like to have a last game, know it’s your last game and go out with those guys. So it’s good.”
Senior LB Preston Hardy missed senior night due to COVID-19 quarantine protocols, this playoff game is a chance for him to relive that moment. (Photo by Tino Bovenzi/SN1)
Roden said he knows the team has a tough task when it plays Cincinnati Moeller, but the Highlanders welcome that challenge, as well as a chance to grow together as a team.
“Talking to our kids on a daily basis on fighting through adversity and never giving up,” Roden said. “People are just kind of looking at that stuff on paper and say, ‘You guys shouldn’t bother.’ Or, ‘Moeller is just wasting their time playing you.’ I just look at it from the perspective for Oak Hills to play more football and get better.”
Oak Hills faces Archbishop Moeller at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29.
