Oliver Wirth/Photo by Noah Clooten
Oliver Wirth, an incoming senior wide receiver and free safety for Devils Lake, was recently named among the Grand Forks Herald’s players to watch this season.
In a Tuesday article, the Herald selected 12 high school players from around the state for readers to pay attention to. Wirth was the 12th player named.
“The 6-foot-5 senior, who’s attracted some NCAA Division II recruiting interest, had 23 catches for 314 yards and two touchdowns last season,” the Herald’s blurb on Wirth read. “Defensively, the multi-sport standout was fourth in the region with six pass breakups.”
Along with leading the Devils Lake football team, which went 3-6 last season, Wirth had a successful junior year in basketball and track and field. He helped the Firebirds’ basketball team end a 99-year state title drought, then made it to the state track meet in high jump and the 4×200 relay.
Wirth was listed at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds on the latest Devils Lake football roster. He’s one of 12 seniors on the varsity team.
When asked which players on this year’s team stick out, Wirth was the first player Firebirds head football coach Todd Lambrecht mentioned.
“He’s gonna step up. He’s gonna do well,” Lambrecht said. “Great kid. Good athlete.”
The Herald also included Langdon Area/Munich’s Cody Amble on its watchlist. Amble was a second-team all-state selection last year who caught 42 passes for 788 yards.
The football season begins this Friday, Aug. 23. Devils Lake starts on the road against Central Cass before playing its first home game on Aug. 30 against Watford City.
