FARMINGTON -- As the defense goes, so goes Farmington football it seems this high school season.
Jake Oskey has done his part to make sure the Cardinals' defense does its part.
Alma at Farmington
Allen Holland Field
KICKOFF 7 p.m.
RECORDS Alma 2-2, 1-0; Farmington 2-2, 1-0.
ON THE AIR None
BETWEEN THE LINES Senior Brayden Johnson is one of the top receivers in the state, with more than 500 receiving yards through the first four games for Alma. … The Airedales have used two quarterbacks, with senior Noah Dotson passing for 757 yards and five touchdowns and junior Garrison Jensen rushing for 135 yards and six touchdowns. … Farmington relied on big special teams plays, including two blocked kicks, in a 22-20 win at Clarksville last week to open up 5A-West Conference play. … The Cardinals have struggled at times on offense but coach Mike Adams indicated this was the best week of practice to date this season on the offensive side of the ball. … Farmington’s defense, led by Jake Oskey, Kelton Price, Justin Clark and junior Skyler Montez, have given the Cardinals a chance in nearly every game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Alma, QB Noah Dotson (Sr., 6-0, 230), WR Brayden Johnson (Jr. 6-4, 200), RB/DB Brayden Harris (Sr., 5-10, 155), QB/DE Garrison Jensen (Jr., 6-0, 200). Farmington, RB Caleb Williams (Jr., 5-9, 175), WR Trenton McChristian (Sr., 5-6, 140), LB Jake Oskey (Sr., 6-0, 170), DE Justin Clark (Sr., 6-1, 220), S Kelton Price (Sr., 5-9, 170)
HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Alma is No. 4 in Class 5A. Farmington is No. 23.
HOOTEN’S LINE Alma by 21.
OUR TAKE Alma 28, Farmington 7.
— VERNON TARVER • @NWAVERNON
Oskey, a 6-foot, 170-pound senior middle linebacker, is more than just a top player on a Cardinals' defense which is holding opponents to 255 yards per game, including two of the first four opponents to 150 yards or less.
Every solid defense needs a captain, a voice, to make sure all 11 players on the field are together as one. Oskey is that voice for Farmington (2-2, 1-0 5A-West Conference).
"He's our communicator," Farmington coach Mike Adams said. "He's our guy that recognizes formations and communicates on the field.
"He just has a great grasp of what is going on out there."
Oskey racked up 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception as a junior, playing some outside linebacker before a move to inside backer.
He has 21 tackles, one tackle for loss and one interception through the first four games this year, including a team-high eight-tackle effort in last week's 22-20 win at Clarksville.
"My main focus is just to make tackles and help my teammates make as many tackles as possible," Oskey said. "Just make sure we get good field position for our offense and just capitalizing."
Farmington lost starters at quarterback, running back and four starters on the offensive line from last season's team. Oskey and fellow seniors Jared Clark on the defensive line and Kelton Price in the secondary have led a defense being counted on to pave the way early on this year while the offense comes around.
"The offense still plays well, but the defense just has to step up," Oskey said. "Whenever we can't capitalize on offense, we just have to step up on defense."
Adams credits Oskey with stepping up as a team leader for not only the defense, but the entire team this fall.
"He's a leader on our defense and we've got to have him out there," Adams said. "He's always been that kind of guy. He's never been afraid to step in there and say something. It's just this year he's had to step up more."
Farmington opened 5A-West Conference play last week with a win over Clarksville and looks to carry that momentum into tonight's matchup at Allen Holland Field against league favorite Alma.
Even with losses against Class 4A powers Prairie Grove and Pea Ridge, Oskey is confident with even more improvement -- on both sides of the ball -- the Cardinals can compete for a spot in the postseason.
"I believe we have a great shot against anybody we play," Oskey said. "Defense wins games and offense obviously plays a role in that as well.
"But if the defense plays well and the offense capitalizes on our turnovers, I think we'll be in great shape."
Sports on 09/30/2016