Jaxon Overmyer (9) picks up yardage against Highland. (Photo by Julie Overmyer)

Buoyed quickly by an 85-yard touchdown run on the opening kickoff, and boosted by a pair of touchdowns by both Carson Ridener and Dalton Witter, the undefeated Oak Harbor Rockets rolled to 41-7 victory over visiting Marengo Highland to advance in the Ohio State Athletic Association playoffs on Friday night.

Oak Harbor now has an unblemished 12-0 season record heading to the high school football regional semifinals, which should should be their sternest test of the year.

Sidelined by an early season injury, Carson Ridener (5) ran for two touchdowns and gained 110 yards on 15 carries. (Photo by Julie Overmyer)

Two weeks ago, Oak Harbor coach Mike May wasted no time in returning Carson Ridener, who earlier in the season had suffered a knee injury, to the football wars, and the junior running back and steady linebacker helped nail down a 40-20 win over Otsego. Ridener was in full stride against Highland by totaling an impressive 110 yards on 15 carries and adding the two touchdowns.

Senior running back Dalton Witter was also in top form, pushing his season touchdown total to 17 with 4-yard and 1-yard touchdown bursts.

Tyler Thompson (34) put Oak Harbor on the board quickly by taking opening kickoff against Highland for an 85-yard touchdown. (Photo by Julie Overmyer)

Quarterback Mike LaLonde was steady, completing 9 of 11 passes for 106 yards. Receiver Wyatt Augsberger caught a 13-yard touchdown pass.

The Rockets will face powerfulLiberty Center, also 12-0, and the No. 1 seed in Division V Region 18. The Rockets are the No. 4 seed.

Liberty Center demolished visiting Huron last Friday night, 41—7. The second-ranked team in Ohio, Liberty Center is a high-scoring squad. Colton Kruse led the way with a pair of first quarter touchdowns, helping notch a 28-0 halftime lead.

Powerhouse running back Dalton Witter (21) ran for a pair of Oak Harbor touchdowns. (Photo by Julie Overmyer)

In the other game in Division V, Region 18, No. 2 seed Edison will face No. 6 seed Coldwater. Both are 11-1. On Friday in Milan, the Edison Chargers used a dominant running game to power its way to a 38-7 victory over visiting Eastwood. Edison ran for an overwhelming 392 yards on 32 attempts, led by Bryson Wittmer’s six runs for 178 yards.

The OHSAA will begin using neutral sites for the 112 schools around the Buckeye State that will clash on Friday, Nov. 10 in the regional semifinals. The regional finals are Friday, Nov. 17, followed by the state semifinals on Friday, Nov. 24.

The state championship games are Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

1 Liberty Center (12-0) vs. 4 Oak Harbor (12-0) at Oregon Clay Memorial Stadium, Oregon Ohio

FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTS

• Oak Harbor 41, Marengo Highland 7
• Milan 38, Eastwood 7
• Liberty Center 41, Huron 6
• Perkins 28, St. Marys Memorial 21
• St. Paul 20, Malvern 14