The Oak Harbor High School football team will begin its journey through the playoffs when it hosts Seattle Prep at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4.

The Wildcats (8-1), who finished second in the Wesco North, are the No. 3 seed out of the Western Conference. Seattle Prep (4-5) is the No. 5 seed out of the Metro League.

The Panthers’ record is a bit deceptive. The Metro League is divided into three divisions, with the traditionally strongest programs in football placed in the same division, the Mountain.

Also in the division are Eastside Catholic (the defending state champion) and O’Dea, who are ranked one and two in the latest AP state 3A poll.

Seattle Prep was 1-4 in conference play, but played without its leading offensive threat, Jaxon Woodward, in two of those losses.

Woodward leads the Panthers in passing (74-of-156 for 1,009 yards and 11 touchdowns) and rushing (385 yards on 63 carries, a 6.1 average per carry, and five touchdowns).

The Panthers’ leading receiver is Kalu Stricklin with 21 catches for 268 yards; he also filled in at QB when Woodward was out.

Colin Gale has 18 catches for 329 yards, and Brennan Holmes has 21 for 317.

Holmes is the second leading rusher with 238 yards on 57 carries.