OAK HARBOR, Ohio — The Oak Harbor Rockets' undefeated record comes from their playmaking core, such as running back Carson Ridener.
But his twin brother, Jacob, has also raised the standard for the defensive line, also known as the unsung heroes of football.
"Going into my sophomore year, I just wanted to start and make a difference," Jacob Ridener said. "All-state really wasn’t on my mind, that wasn’t a goal, but it happened and it was great.”
The three-year defensive starter holds the school record in sacks, leads the team in tackles and earned first-team all-state honors the last two seasons.
“To be two-time all-state and not even be a senior yet, that’s something special," said head coach Mike May. “I’ve never seen him take a play off in practice or in a game the four years he’s been with us."
“Our big thing is kind of follow our process and trying to improve every day and Jake Ridener is a great example of that because he lives that. Every single day he tries to be the best version of himself in everything," May added.
That self-accountability has been the root of success and allowed the program to compete for a third-straight league title this week.
But Ridener and others are ready for the opportunity as they have been preparing for this moment since long ago.
“If you work hard in the off-season, anything’s possible," Ridener said. “The standard that is preached is playing hard every day and big things will come. We saw that in 2019 and we just want to be the best team in the state.”
The Rockets will face undefeated Eastwood on Friday for week nine of high school football and the shot at a third-straight Northern Buckeye Conference title.