OSCODA-Last year the Oscoda football team made the postseason for the first time in 15 years.

New Oscoda coach Mark Whitley wants to see the Owls make the playoffs a lot more often.

With a renewed commitment to defense and a focus on daily improvement, the Owls are hoping to make it two years in a row for a playoff berth as Whitley begins his first season as head coach.

“We set goals as a team and three of the goals we look forward to (are): working to win the league, working to win against your rivals and working to get in the playoffs,” Whitley said. “We want to have that happen every year here in Oscoda.”

With a roster of 23 including 14 seniors, the Owls should be competitive in the North Star League’s Big Dipper division, but Whitley is focused on how the Owls compete and letting the results speak for themselves.

“I hate to guess things. We just want to play. We will compete every game and do as well as we can and hopefully we’re in the top part of the group,” Whitley said. “We’re going to improve every day. I guess that’s what I want to expect and that’s what I want everybody to see; that we’re making strides in the right direction offensively and defensively.”

At quarterback, junior Nathan Nagel will step in to fill the role vacated by graduated all-state signal caller Jacob Malak. It won’t be an easy task considering Malak’s otherworldly season last year-more than 2,500 yards of offense and 32 touchdowns-but Whitley thinks Nagel is up to the challenge.

“He’s done a great job. I think Nathan Nogel will continue to get better. He has great vision and he’s able to read the defense. It’s not that you’re going to step right in and fill an all-state quarterback’s shoes at rushed for over 2,000 yards,” Whitley said. “Malak was a weapon last year, but I think we feel pretty well (about it). He’s going to work hard every day to get better.”

Up front, Nagel will have no shortage of protection. Juan Compian, a two-year starter will anchor the line at center and four-year starter Harry Samotis will line up at left guard. Juniors Kam Wheeler and Jacob Condor will also be in the mix on the line.

In the backfield, the Owls will rely on returning senior Nick Cochell and Nagel will likely see his share of carries as well. At wideout, Travis Lamrock, Dennis Fay and William Stanley are all in the mix.

For all of the big offensive numbers Oscoda put up last year-nearly 40 points a game-the Owls gave up a lot of points on defense too, more than 35 a game. Cutting down on points allowed is one of Whitley’s top priorities this season and he would like to see the Owls do it with a level of physicality that makes other teams take notice.

On the defensive line, returning all-league defensive end David Alexander will bookend one end of the line with Anthony Johnson and Christian Michaud in the mix on the other end. In the middle Wheeler, Condor and Compian will likely see playing time.

At linebacker, the Owls are brimming with talent. Antonio Raona leads the Owls at middle linebacker and Samotis will play one of the outside spots. Raona was the Owls’ leading tackler last season, making 92 stops to go with two sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

In the defensive backfield, sophomore Braeden Barnes will take one cornerback spot and Stanley and Cochell are candidates for the other spot. Nagel could see some time at free safety.

“Our defense is working hard every day to get better. We rebuilt from the ground up. We went through progressions, we went through step by step and one of the things we keep saying, our motto is ‘Fast and Physical,'” Whitley said. “My idea of defense is when that ball goes I want 11 helmets to the ball, get up and get back on defense.”