Forget the pandemic flu, Oak Harbor has been hit with a serious bout of Wildcat fever.

The fever has been building all week in anticipation of the Oak Harbor High School football team’s first ever bid for a state championship.

The excitement will reach a crescendo tonight in the Tacoma Dome when the Wildcats tangle with the Bothell Cougars in the title contest at 7:30.

Even community members who have not followed the local athletic teams in the past have been whisked aboard the bandwagon. Legendary former OHHS football coach Duck Daugherty has been floored by the community support he’s witnessed in the wake of the dominating Wildcats’ march to bring home a championship.

“What really hits me is to see the enthusiasm among the older folks around town,” Daugherty said. “They’ve joined in and jumped into the hype. I love to see folks who aren’t usually fans swept up in the excitement.”

The football game not only represents history in the making but a rejuvenation for a city that, like many, can get bogged down with negativity regarding budget shortfalls and other fiscal maladies.

“This gives our city new blood,” the former coach said.

Saturday will see a mass exodus from Oak Harbor as I-5 gets clogged with purple-and-gold wearing Wildcat fans making the trip south to Tacoma. People are encouraged to once again line Highway 20 at 2:25 p.m. to cheer on the team as its bus heads to the big game.

“It will be magical to have the streets lined with supporters,” said Jill Johnson, Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce executive director. “That team has given the community so much joy. It makes you want to do all you can to return the favor.”

For those unable to make the trek, the game will be televised live on Fox Sports Northwest with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Daugherty is one fan who absolutely cannot be stopped from watching the game in person. In fact, he will take in all four state championship games on Saturday.

“I’d walk to the game if I had to,” he said, adding that 13 or 14 years have elapsed since he coached. “I’m taking family down and I’m going to sit and watch as a fan. I absolutely love high school football. You’re going to see a lot of folks there.”

Representatives from local businesses have been dropping by the chamber building all week to pick up homemade signs with which to adorn their windows and shops. Residents with an aversion to purple and gold were better off staying inside.

“I even saw a diehard WSU Cougar fan in a Husky necktie,” Johnson said. “It was the only purple and gold he could find.”

An adopt-a-student program took form this week, aimed at raising enough money to send students to the game who would otherwise lack the finances needed to make the trip.

“This has been an overwhelming week,” Johnson said. “First there was all the excitement and enthusiasm generated by the team making it to the state championship. Then we asked the business community to sponsor students who didn’t have the financial resources to attend the game by making a donation. Our phones haven’t stopped ringing.”

The community instantly pitched in, the response exceeding everyone’s expectations. Just under $7,000 was raised, which means every student who wants to attend the game will be able to do so.

“That was our goal and we met it,” Johnson said. “We have even had calls from out-of-town alumni making donations over the phone to help the students see the game. It’s been amazing.”

When Daugherty heard about the donation drive, he hightailed it down to the chamber and opened his wallet. The former coach would not allow a lack of funds to stand in the way of a unique opportunity for students.

“I jumped on that right away,” he said. “Young people just can’t miss an opportunity like this. I have a soft heart for all things football. And the involvement of the youth, you can’t replace that.”

The only other Whidbey Island football team to make a run at a state championship was the 1978 Langley High School squad coached by Jim Leierer. Although the team lost in the title game at the Kingdome, it left its mark on local history. The longtime coach remembers the game like it was yesterday.

“It was so exciting,” Leierer said. “I think getting there was the most important part.”

From a new vantage point, the coach and his players were able to look back on their accomplishments. Langley lost to Omak 7-6 in the championship after Leierer made the bold decision to go for a two-point conversion.

“We could have won it,” he said as he recounted the game. “We went for the win right away. I can remember every play of that game. There’s a lot of remembrances. I think that’s the greatest thing of all. Those kids still come around and talk about that.”

One player on Leierer’s team, on the old Kingdome field for the first time, looked up in awe at the expansive venue.

“He looked up and said, ‘Boy, I bet this place would hold a lot of hay,’” the coach said with a chuckle. “He was serious.”

Winning a championship takes cohesiveness and teamwork.

“If you’re going to win the battle, everyone has to be a part of it,” Leierer said.

Watching some of the Wildcats’ games this year has shown the coach a team that has what it takes to go all the way.

“They’re actually a big family,” Leierer said of the Oak Harbor team. “They’re going to remember this for the rest of their lives. It’s a struggle, it’s not easy. It’s just like life. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

The significance of Oak Harbor making it to the state championship level cannot be overstated. Wildcat historian, booster, and former player Scott Hornung said the last Oak Harbor team that could even come close to touching the current Wildcats was the 1966 team that was ranked third in state. Unfortunately state playoffs were not held back then.

“This 2006 Wildcat football team is playing for the state championship,” Hornung said with unbridled enthusiasm. “The torch is passed! Go Wildcats! Take state!”

Oak Harbor has taken a lot of people by surprise. Described in newspapers as a rural school, the Wildcats are turning heads and football fans around the state are taking notice.

“They’ve got all the components,” Hornung said. “They’ve beat a lot of very good teams. When Oak Harbor becomes state champions, the rest of the state’s going to say, ‘What?! Who are these guys?’”

People looking back on the 2006 Wildcats season years from now will be able to tie the team to the final year of War Memorial Stadium.

“I am pleased the final year of varsity football at War Memorial Stadium can be connected forever with the OHHS football team that played for the state championship,” Hornung said. “As long as it has to go, let’s have it go out with a bang.”

When the diehard Wildcat fan looks back on his years playing football for a very good team, he remembers a special period of his life with great players and a tremendous coach in Will McGillivray. Although the current Wildcat team may not understand the significance of what they have already achieved, they certainly will.

“They probably don’t realize it right now, but it’s a very special thing,” Hornung said. “Right now they’re probably in a daze. Until it all comes together Saturday night.”

The manner in which Oak Harbor has dispatched their opponents in the regular and post seasons speaks to their confidence and ability to play up to the occasion.

“They have the talent, drive, leadership, and ability to hang in there,” the 1967 OHHS graduate said.

Daugherty said his era of coaching was markedly different from the high school football played today.

“There were two eras. My era of time was more physical. This era is more skill,” he said, praising the team’s talent. “Skill-wise, they are far superior to my era.”

Simply getting to the championship game is not enough for some supporters. They want a title. Daugherty said Oak Harbor and Bothell match up well and the game should be a battle.

“Our chances are tremendous,” he said. “Coach Ward has done this all year long. He has played up to the capacity of his opponents. Bothell better bring their lunch.”

The Wildcats will feed off the overwhelming local support. Although some may even appeal to the big man upstairs for divine intervention, Father Phil Raether of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church will not be issuing his pleas.

“We don’t pray for sports teams,” he said with a laugh. “They’re on their own.”

The Wildcats have survived thus far on talent and a surplus of heart. Each game has seen the team do exactly what it takes to win. Saturday should be no different.

“Anybody who loves the youth and our little city will be there,” Daugherty said. “It’s going to be amazing and I have a lot of faith in coach Ward and the team. I’m a fan forever.”