Chargers in must-win situation against CHS

The message from Oxford High coach Johnny Hill to his team this week is simple: Win or miss making the Class 5A playoffs.

“This is a put-out game. There is no tomorrow if we don’t win Friday night. That’s the way it is,” Hill said. “If Hernando loses, I’ve got to beat (Clarksdale) by four (points) or we’re out. If Hernando wins, they come in third and all we have to do is beat (Clarksdale). I’m assuming worst case scenario that Hernando loses and I have to win by four. That makes us three (seed) and Clarksdale four and Hernando out. We got to win. It’s put up or shut up.
“We’ve put ourselves in this position losing three district games. We’ll have to go with what we got,” Hill added. (November 3, 2011, Page 9)

Wave put Oxford’s playoff hopes in doubt

Oxford’s quest to secure a spot in the upcoming Class 5A playoffs was dealt a setback Friday night at Bobby Holcomb Field. Despite an inspired effort, one coach Johnny Hill said would have won games at New Hope and against Hernando at home, the Chargers lost 31-21 to West Point. Now the Chargers have to defeat Clarksdale in the regular season finale on Friday at home to even have a chance of making the postseason. (October 31, 2011, Page 3B)

Chargers host important game with West Point

Plenty will be on the line tonight for both the Oxford Chargers and Water Valley Blue Devils football teams.

While the Chargers host West Point in a game that’s as close to a must win as possible, the Blue Devils look to conclude their regular season with a win at Mantachie. (more…) (October 28, 2011, Page 8A)

OHS Chargers host solid West Point team Friday

A record only shows a small portion about a high school football team. More often than not, great records and records that would be considered a little less than subpar, are all based on who a team plays.

In the case of the West Point Green Wave, the things that have made them one of the best programs in the state are still in place even if they are just 5-4 overall this season and coming off a surprising 30-29 loss to Center Hill. (October 27, 2011, Page 6)

Dean keeps Chargers’ playoff hopes alive with latest effort

Oxford remains in the hunt for the Class 5A playoffs today thanks to another great individual performance by senior running back Mont Dean. While the entire OHS team played a part in earning a 35-28 win over Saltillo this past Friday night, Dean’s 365-yard, five-touchdown performance was singularly the biggest contribution in a game the Chargers had to win.

It was that individual performance, on a week where several top players in the area stepped up to perform at a high level, that made him the Player of the Week for the third time this season. (October 25, 2011, Page 8)

Dean runs over, around Tigers in OT win

SALTILLO — Oxford running back Mont Dean admits he’s not much of a talker.

A runner? Now that’s an entirely different story. (more…) (October 24, 2011, Page 3B)

Area teams have a lot on the line tonight

The area’s three football teams are definitely at different junctures in their respective seasons.

While the Lafayette Commodores will look to solidify their position as the No. 1 team in Region 2-4A and remain undefeated tonight at Senatobia, the Oxford Chargers are in a do-or-die situation as they travel to Saltillo. (more…) (October 21, 2011, Page 6A)

Chargers facing must-win situation rest of the way

The mission is simple the rest of the season for the Oxford Chargers: Win or miss the Class 5A playoffs. Any coach will tell you that each week is a must win. Losing is never the first option, but losses to non-region teams ultimately don’t hurt a team’s chances of making the playoffs.

Oxford, which is 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the region after losing last week to Hernando in overtime, is in a situation where it has to win at least two of the final three games to capture a possible spot in the playoffs. (October 20, 2011, Page 6)

Tigers spoil Oxford’s Homecoming

Oxford’s chance to move another step closer to earning a spot in the Class 5A playoffs later this year was dealt a sizable setback Friday night by the Hernando Tigers at Bobby Holcomb Field.

The Chargers may have held the Tigers’ Wing T offense in check the first half of the Homecoming game, but the rarely seen offense definitely made an impact in the second half and in the overtime period of a game the Tigers ended up winning 31-30. (more…) (October 17, 2011, Page 3B)

Area teams back home for region matchups

Tonight will be a busy evening for the area’s prep football teams.

While Lafayette will be hosting the New Albany Bulldogs in a battle for first place in Region 2-4A, the Water Valley Blue Devils will be hosting an athletic Nettleton Tigers team and the Oxford Chargers will be hosting a throwback Hernando Tigers squad for Homecoming.

All games are set to kickoff at 7. Lafayette’s game will be broadcast on 93.7 FM, Water Valley’s on 105.5 FM and Oxford’s on 95.5 FM as well as 102.1 FM. (October 14, 2011, Page 6A)