Oxford’s opponents also gave the home teams a great warmup for the upcoming Division 2-5A Tournament on Tuesday.

Against Class 1A power Coldwater, the Chargers earned a 70-52 victory, while the Lady Chargers won 85-68 to extend their winning streak to 26-0.

In the girls showdown, the presence of Southern Miss signee Jerontary Clemons didn’t alter Oxford’s up-tempo approach much. (February 6, 2012, Page 4B)

Fondren’s latest birthday present today included a scholarship offer from the University of Alabama. His signature on the National Letter of Intent not only secured money for his future education, but a chance to learn a lot from arguably the best high jump coach in the nation in Dick Booth.

With a number of schools looking to sign Fondren, it was Alabama’s proximity to home coupled with the recent hiring of Booth, who has coached 150 All-Americans and 49 individual national champions over his 30 plus years that allowed Fondren to choose the Crimson Tide over offers from Kansas State, Texas A&M, Florida and Ole Miss, among others. (February 2, 2012, Page 7)

Facing the seven-time state champion Ridgeland Lady Titans, Oxford knew it had its work cut out for it — the Lady Chargers said as much prior to the Class 5A North Half finals at RHS.
Despite a valiant effort that withstood a flurry of Lady Titans advances, the Lady Chargers eventually fell to Ridgeland 3-0.

Heading into the game Oxford’s gameplan was obvious: Sit back, fend off Ridgeland’s attack and attempt to spring an attacker the other way. (February 1, 2012, Page 6)

Elisha Brassell finished first in the 132-pound weight class, while Clifton Smith won the 308 class. Darius Montgomery was first in the 123 class, while Joel Forrester was second in the 275 class for the Chargers. Mont Dean finished third in the 220 class, while K.C. Lamar was third in the 275 class.

Brasell totaled a 785 thanks to a 300-pound squat, 135 and 350 deadlift. Smith garnered a 1,290 with a 490 squat, 265 bench and a 535 deadlift. Montgomery totaled a 715 thanks to a 275 squat, 135 bench and 305 deadlift. Forrester totaled a 1,290 with a 510 squat, 290 bench and 490 deadlift.

Dean totaled at 1,210 with a 500 squat, 260 bench and 450 deadlift. Lamar finished with a 1,220 thanks to a 500 squat, 285 bench and 435 deadlift. (February 1, 2012, Page 7)

BLOG

The announcement show at Irie on the Square gave the area’s top football players a nice platform to not only announce their college choices, but to also be recognized by the community for their excellence on the football field.

With so many commitments from Oxford, Lafayette and Water Valley — and the crazy 24 hours that was regarding Ole Miss’ recruiting efforts — we decided to combine all the articles (in their entirety) in the space below for your convenience:

Conard, Jackson headed to Itawamba I.C.C.

OHS Chargers trio picks Northwest

Itawamba, Holmes garner commits from ‘Dores

QB Beathard flips to Iowa; Judon switches to football (and Rebs pick up former UCF commitment)

‘Geaux Tigers, Baby’: ‘Dores Liggins makes his call for LSU

Photo gallery of QB Jeremy Liggins announcement

Photo gallery of RB Demarkous Dennis, LB Jamel Dennis and K/P Tyler Jackson (January 31, 2012)

The good: It’s the third time since 2006 — and first since 2010 — that the Oxford girls soccer team has made an appearance in the third round of the playoffs.

The bad: For the third consecutive time the Lady Chargers will face perennial soccer power Ridgeland. (January 31, 2012, Page 8)

During Monday’s announcement show at Irie on the Square, receiver Robert Liggins, defensive lineman K.C. Lamar and running back Mont Dean announced they plan to sign with Northwest Community College on Wednesday.

Following the announcement, the trio were all smiles as they discussed their decisions.

“I just wanted to go up there, be close to the family and I wanted to go with Mont and K.C. because I’ve played with them and they’re like brothers,” said Robert Liggins, who hauled in 15 passes for 365 yards and eight touchdowns during his senior campaign. “They need some receivers and I’m looking at coming in and playing as the X receiver.”

Dean’s immediate family weighed heavily into his decision.

“I have a daughter and I wanted to be closer to her,” said the normally soft-spoken Dean of his daughter Madison.

While it’s nice to have a previous relationship with teammates, Lamar said each player came to his own conclusion.

“We were all going to go play hard whether we were together or not,” he said.

Oxford coach Johnny Hill raved about his three players following Monday’s announcement.

And rightfully so, especially of Dean, who rushed for 1,683 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior and became Oxford’s all-time leading rusher this season.

“Mont is an unbelievable young running back. He can catch. He has a great football knowledge. He knows where the gaps are and uses his strength, power and his speed,” he said. “It’s something you can’t teach, that just comes in with him when the doctor slapped him on the tail and said he’s a football player. He could start at linebacker. He’ll hit you.

“He’s a smart person and great player and we’re going to miss him. He’s one of the top running backs I’ve ever coached and a great kid, too.”

Tough RB
Dean’s low center of gravity allows him to punish tacklers.

“When you hit him it’s going to hurt and then you’re going to have to hit him the next time,” Hill said. “It’s tough. I’m glad he’s on my side and I didn’t have to try to tackle him.”

At 6-foot-3, Liggins possesses the ideal receiver frame.

“If you put him at wideout with that kind of speed and height, you know you’re going to have somebody that will block, too,” Hill said. “He can play tight end, inside receiver and outside receiver. I’ve seen him make circus catches and then I’ve seen him drop a few.

“He’s a good athlete and his best ball is in front of him.”

Lamar’s dedication and tireless work ethic are what stood out most to Hill.

“He’s a good athlete. He’s probably our team leader,” Hill said. “He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached. When he left football practice he’d go work at a job until 11, come back, go to school, come back to football and then go back to work. He has a no-quit attitude.”

On the football field, Lamar also proved to be a valuable asset.

“He played nose tackle for us and I know 67 tackles doesn’t sound like a lot, but at nose tackle he was sideline to sideline and played hard every play,” Hill said. “He’s going to do his job.” (January 31, 2012, Page 9)