Chargers making contact for the first time

The Oxford Gridiron Chargers took another step forward during Wednesday’s practice, doing hitting drills in pads for the first time.

For the veterans, making solid contact is like riding a bike, it just takes a few reps to get back in the swing of things. (August 5, 2010, Page 7)

Everything is coming together for OHS

Over a week into summer camp, Oxford head coach Johnny Hill would like to have had a few practices in pads, but the torrential Mississippi heat has been a tough customer to work with.

Originally scheduled to move out of shirt and shorts on Monday, the heat index in Oxford reached over 118 degrees. Tuesday brought more of the same with predicted temperatures today again in the triple digits. (August 4, 2010, Page 8)

Hill happy with Oxford’s first week

Bolstered by a strong summer in the weight room, the Oxford Chargers were able to give head football coach Johnny Hill a memorable first week of practice.

Outside of the weather not cooperating late in the week, there wasn’t a lot Hill could find wrong with the team’s first week of work getting prepared for the 2010 season. (August 2, 2010, Page 7)

Townsend promoted to head coach

Oxford has turned to one of its own to continue leading the Lady Charger soccer program in the right direction. Former OHS standout Josh Townsend was officially hired by the school district earlier this week when the school board approved the recommendation made by athletics director Johnny Hill.

Townsend, 24, grew up in Oxford, and then after playing for the Chargers, continued to master the sport at Delta State under the guidance of Jim Allen. Townsned started coaching in the youth ranks with the Oxford Park Commission and last season he was former coach Christopher Hedglin’s assistant. (July 30, 2010, Page 7A)

Oxford seniors aren’t green anymore

Two seasons ago, Oxford head coach Johnny Hill jokingly suggested his team should change its name from the Chargers to the Martians because they were green with inexperience.

It is days like Tuesday, the first two-a-day practice of the summer, where the senior class needs to lead during the grueling summer heat. (July 28, 2010, Page 8)

Chargers hungry to improve in ’10

Oxford’s first opportunity to improve on last year’s third-place finish in Region 1-5A and move past the first round of the 5A playoffs came Monday with the first official practice of the preseason.

OHS coach Johnny Hill said the team was fired up to be back on the practice fields after a strong summer of workouts. (July 27, 2010, Page 6A)

Chargers answer questions in 7-on-7

Some of the questions Oxford coach Johnny Hill had about certain positions on his team were answered over the summer with extensive work in 7-on-7 drills.

The culmination of a long, hard summer of work was on display Friday and Saturday in the inaugural O-Zone Classic held at FNC Park. While the Chargers were unable to capture the title, Hill saw a group of players show better effort and improvement under less than ideal conditions and demonstrate that his receivers and defensive backs, two areas that lost a number of starters from 2009, have the potential to be good this year. (July 12, 2010, Page 6)

Oxford’s Johnny Hill pleased with tourney

SPORTS EDITOR BLOG — Oxford’s head football coach Johnny Hill was pleased with how the O-Zone Classic at FNC Park turned out for all 12 of the teams involved. He was also very thankful for the support shown by the local community on several fronts. (more…) (July 10, 2010)

Oxford to host 7-on-7 tournament

The start of the 2010 high school football season may still be a little more than a month away, but fans that have been in need of some passing, catching and running from players can get their fix this weekend at FNC Park.

Oxford will serve as the host school for a 12-team 7-on-7 tournament held Friday and Saturday at FNC. Members of the Chargers’ offense and defense have been working on their skills in preparation for the season as well as the tournament. (July 8, 2010, Page 1B)

LHS earns first All-Sports Award

Six years of hard work and steady building of the athletic program through the hiring of good coaches who developed athletes in the proper manner have paid off for Lafayette High School.

Lafayette won its first Mississippi High School Activities Association All-Sports Award Sunday. The award is given annually in recognition for an outstanding and balanced sports program. LHS garnered 305 points to capture the Class 4A crown, 15 points more than second-place finisher Pontotoc. Points are awarded for teams that make the MHSAA playoffs, while teams that win championships earn 30 total points. Lafayette’s boys powerlifters totaled 30 points thanks to its state title earlier this year. Teams that finished in second place, such as the football and girls basketball teams, each totaled 24 points. Lafayette made the playoffs in every sport but boys basketball and boys soccer this past season with volleyball, football, girls basketball, girls soccer, both powerlifting teams, both cross country teams, bowling and both track teams competing for team or individual titles in Jackson at various MHSAA state championship events. (June 22, 2010, Page 6)