Oakland-Craig ends season with playoff loss to Battle Creek

The Oakland-Craig Knights saw their season come to an end Friday night as they lost 49-21 at Battle Creek.

The game was tied at 7 after one before the Braves outscored the Knights 21-7 in the second quarter to go up 28-14 at halftime.

Both teams scored 7 points in the third quarter, and the score after three was 35-21 in favor of Battle Creek.

The Braves shutout Oakland-Craig 14-0 in the fourth quarter.

Evan Reinert was 12-26 passing for 260 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

Garrett Seagren brought in 6 passes for 185 yards, and scored three touchdowns. Kobe Benne hauled in 6 passes for 63 yards.

Hoss Smith had 85 yards rushing on 19 carries while Reinert ran the ball 9 times for 75 yards.

Smith, Zach Ahrens, and Ben Ward made 8 tackles apiece.

This was a really tough loss for the Knights. I thought Oakland-Craig had a pretty good chance to win.

The Knights wrap up the year at 9-2.

It was certainly a season to remember for Oakland-Craig, their biggest wins coming over Crofton, Fremont Bergan, and Doniphan-Trumbull, in my opinion.

This team seemed to rise up to the challenge on a weekly basis, and made the season very memorable for all involved.

Reinert finished up with 1,124 yards passing and 12 touchdowns. Seagren had 775 yards receiving, including 10 touchdowns.

Hoss Smith amassed 1,374 yards on the ground and had 18 touchdowns.

Josh Dixon led the way in tackles with 76 while Smith made 74.

Oakland-Craig loses Smith, Carter Thiele, Ward, Ahrens, Alex Pleuler, Isaiah Larson, Zakk Lierman, and Dixon.

These are very significant losses, but the Knights have to feel good and optimistic about next season given who they return.

Oakland-Craig brings back Seagren, Robby Mayberry, Jared Mulder, Reinert, Benne, Ben Smith, Marcos Quintero, Cole Bures, and Jarron Metzler, among others.

As you can see plenty of talent returns for the Knights, but Oakland-Craig will have to find a replacement for Hoss Smith, and that won't be easy.

Perhaps fans will see the Knights throw the ball a little more next season with Reinert and Seagren both back.

I look for the passing game to sort of carry Oakland-Craig at least in the early part of next season.

All returning players and newcomers have to get faster, bigger, and stronger in the offseason.

It's important for everyone to improve and hone their skills and work hard in the weightroom in order for this program to remain at an elite level.

I feel all the pieces will be in place for the Knights to have another good season in 2017, but there's a lot of work to be done from now until August when practice starts.