Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
For decades, Woodmore has struggled to find its footing.
In the 1990s, the Wildcats regularly competed for Suburban Lakes League titles and made it to the playoffs four times. But Woodmore has not had a winning season in 12 years.
It didn't help being the smallest school in the Northern Buckeye Conference, but now the 'Cats are in the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division, and under the direction of second-year coach Scott Stecher, appear to be turning the corner.
After going 5-5 last season and getting back to the playoffs, Woodmore is primed to compete for a River Division title and make a run in the postseason.
In 2024, the 'Cats went 5-4 in the regular season and lost to Sherwood Fairview, 41-9, in the first round of the Division VI playoffs. Woodmore did not get to play its game against Cleveland John Adams, a Division II school, in week three, and a win over the Rebels, who went 7-2, would've given the 'Cats some valuable computer points, likely helping them to finish well above 11th in Region 22.
Currently, Woodmore finds itself 2-0 and ranked eighth in the Region 22 standings with 3.85 points. Its opponent in week four, Lakota, is sixth with 4.10 points. Playing the Raiders, who are also 2-0, is the start to River Division play.
"I think with this being our second year (coaching the team), the kids are acclimated to our coaching and have comfort in running the same plays," Stecher said. "We switched our defense to a 4-3, but we have a lot of the same (concepts).
"We have a good group of seniors. There is great camaraderie with this team. We're trying to build off last year."
Last season, the 'Cats defeated Lakota, 21-17. Woodmore RB Landon Rich scored on a 2-yard touchdown run on fourth down-and-goal with 1:11 to play to close out the scoring.
He had two other touchdown runs — one from 84 yards and another from 23 yards — and set a program record with 42 carries and had 307 yards. In the game-winning drive, Rich ran 13 times for 69 yards.
In week two of this season, Woodmore defeated Montpelier, 48-6, behind 29 carries and 290 yards plus four touchdowns from Rich, who was an All-Ohioan last season. Michael Seeger caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from QB Calvin Lipstraw, and RB Cole Potridge ran for a score.
Stecher had high praise for a number of his players.
"We're trying to spread the ball around more,” he said. “Rich led the SBC in rushing last year. Seeger has played tailback, wing back, tight end, and wide receiver — four positions. He's done so much for us. Wide receiver Wesley Kayser has been phenomenal. Calvin Lipstraw is throwing the ball well, Jesse Lopez, who plays wing back and wide receiver, is contributing, Cole Potridge is doing a good job, and we have guys up front like Bradley Allgier and Ryan Maynard that are playing well."
In week two, Lakota defeated Arcadia, 39-6.
Quarterback Jalen Wagner threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 98 rushing yards and a score. Running back Nate Griggson rushed 11 times for 77 yards, and A.J. Gosche ran for two touchdowns. Avery Schilling caught four passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, while Lucas McEwan caught two passes for 81 yards and a score.
"Lakota is a very good opponent,” Stecher said. “They present issues and problems for us. It's a really good matchup. We love competing against them, and they love competing against us. Hopefully, we'll both be 3-0 when we play."
Lakota coach Ryan Lozier is just 24 and was the quarterback of the Clyde football team that won a Division IV state championship in 2019. He talked about last year's game between the two teams.
"I remember us not being able to stop the Rich kid,” he said. “Our kids played hard. It was two physical football teams, and they had the ball last and scored and won in the end. It was a great football game, and I don't see it being any different this year.
Lozier, now in his second year leading the Raiders, has high praise for Stecher.
"Just meeting him, he's a great person,” he said. “He's teaching the right things. As a coach, when you do those things, the kids buy into what you're doing. He's instilling the right values, and he's a good football coach."
Woodmore was in the SLL when it was founded in 1972, and stayed until it folded in 2011. Lakota joined the conference in 1972, too, and stayed nearly as long as the Wildcats did before leaving for the Midland Athletic League in 2009. The Raiders were in the MAL for five years, and the Sandusky River League for two years before joining the SBC in 2016. Woodmore joined in 2023.
Elmore, where Woodmore is located, and Kansas, where Lakota is located, are just under 18 miles apart and are both working-class, farming communities.
"There is a rivalry (between us)," Stecher said. "I'd say there's one between Woodmore, Lakota, and Gibsonburg. They're very close to each other, and there's a natural rivalry. The kids hang out, go out to dinner. There's a lot of talking between the players, and it creates a rivalry."
Lozier talked about what a rivalry does for a team.
"A rivalry brings a new level of focus,” he said. “Playing a team that's similar to you, you feel like you have something to prove. If you have two 3-0 football teams getting ready to play each other in Week 4, it brings a new level of focus and preparation. It adds to that Friday Night feel."
