By CONOR NICHOLL

cnicholl@dailynews.net

OAKLEY -- Through the first four games, the Oakley prep football team averaged 26.5 points per game, including a 29-6 victory against rival Atwood.

However, the Plainsmen early season bedrock was its defense, a unit that held Ellis under 100 total yards and limited Goodland to 22 rushing yards.

Since Week 4, though, Oakley's offense has become one of Class 2-1A's best. The Plainsmen have scored at least 46 points in every contest. Oakley's closest score is 46-6.

"It's a complete turnaround," senior running back Tad Parsons said. "We have always been good. But that is one thing that people kind of talked about us in the beginning of the season. Our offense wasn't quite moving the ball. We are getting better each week in everything that we do and it's just really showing right now."

Oakley, which has outscored opponents 418-34, is tied for sixth in Class 2-1A in scoring offense, according to preppowerindex.com. In the postseason, Oakley defeated Atwood in a rematch, 56-6, and then beat Elkhart at home 50-0.

Elkhart head coach Rob Wilson called Oakley's offense "scary," and called the Plainsmen's offense better than their defense.

"I felt like our line has improved a lot," Plainsmen coach Randall Rath said. "They have grown together a little bit. We've been rotating about seven kids in the front five which helps us, too. I have been impressed. I think they have been doing a great job. Our coaches do a good job in practice, too. We have got some good line coaches (in Mark Dennis and Rob Sattler)."

Oakley, ranked No. 3 in Class 2-1A in the statewide media poll, has rebounded from a 7-3 season in 2008 and will take a 10-0 record into Friday's sectional game at Ellis (9-2). Kickoff is 7 p.m.

"Their coach and I talked before we played last time, Coach (Butch) Hayes and I," Rath said. "There was a lot of media buildup before the game. Our fans and their fans were excited and it was just a football game and it was Week 2 of the season. We both talked about we may see each other again down the road and know we have to come there and hopefully play well."

Oakley has reached one sub-state championship game under Rath, in 2005. They have won at least 10 games five times in the last six seasons and are 97-39 in Rath's tenure.

"Everybody is together and it's just a group," senior quarterback Lex Parsons said. "That's what a team is. This group has been playing since eighth grade together and we have always kept close as a class. It's just fun to play. No fighting. No controversy."

Oakley's offense has delivered a strong season, even after senior fullback Jace Campbell broke his leg in Week 8 against Oberlin. Senior Brandon Maurath has stepped in and averaged 10.4 yards per carry. In addition, Parsons, the team's leading rusher with 1,073 yards and 10.1 yards, has three 100-yard contests after Campbell's injury.

"Confidence is a huge key in it," Tad Parsons said. "Everyone is just so confident out there. We are communicating to each other. Because these aren't bad teams that we are playing. These are good teams. Just the communication between people, trusting each other."

Lex Parsons has played well. The brothers, similar in personality and stature, are close on and off the field.

"We are not the typical fighting brothers," Lex said. "We are buds. Very outgoing."

They've meshed well in the backfield. Lex has developed as a passer and is 38-of-52 for 890 yards with 10 touchdowns against three interceptions. His 73 percent completion rate ranks first among all Kansas 11-man schools; no other player is above 68 percent. In addition, Parsons has 700 rushing yards and seven TDs. Last season, he completed 52 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and five interceptions.

"He has been consistent," Rath said. " He is very accurate and has got good touch. He threw two balls (against Elkhart) right over their best corner and that was maybe one of the best corners we have played this year. I thought he put the ball right on the money."

The top receivers are senior Kraig Siruta with 15 catches for 312 yards and junior Patrick Loftus with 10 catches for 324 yards. Both have four receiving TDs. Tad Parsons has caught 6 balls for 114 yards. Against Elkhart, Lex Parsons threw three TD passes and used the play-action effectively.

"We have been able to run the football and that's been able to help our passing game," Rath said.

"It's a good combination," Lex Parsons added. "If they come up on the run, there is the pass."

The offensive line features senior center Clem Fellhoelter and senior guard Ethan Jirak. Fellhoelter was a unanimous first team all-conference selection in 2008, while Jirak is a returning all-state player.

Senior Jimmy Crandall starts at guard, while the tackles rotated with senior Cody Stewart, senior Patrick Ahrens, junior Jeff Albers and senior Matt Temaat. The ends feature Loftus, Ahrens, sophomore Nate Cox and Jerrik Keller. Since Week 4, the line has helped Oakley average 52.6 points per game.

"I have some great blockers ahead of me," Tad Parsons said. "Those guys are the best out there. I couldn't ask for anything better than running behind them."