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)
Williams to get fresh start in Omaha
A fresh start in a state made famous for its football is what awaits former Oxford High standout Derrick Williams. The 2008 EAGLE Player of the Year committed to play football at the University of Nebraska-Omaha over the weekend. Williams will leave Oxford Wednesday to begin his career as a Maverick under the direction of coach Pat Behrns.
Williams got a call from Behrns late last week and decided that his future would be best suited in Omaha despite not taking a visit to the campus. (August 3, 2010, Page 6)
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)
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 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)
Oxford’s Belk helps South win title
As soccer captivates the world’s attention this week and the next with the World Cup, another international sport took center stage in the mountains of Colorado this past weekend.
Glendale, Colo., was the site of the National All-Star Championships and one former Oxford High School football standout was able to help the South win the Tier I title.
Oxford’s Will Belk was a member of the South All-Stars who defeated Southern California and then Pacific Coast 14-13 to win the title. Belk was the lone player from Ole Miss to join the team that was made up mostly of players from Life College in Atlanta and Arkansas State. (June 17, 2010, Page 6)
Gillom to continue career at Lambuth
Spring is a chance for fresh starts and for former Oxford High standout Louis Gillom, the opportunity to play right away under the guidance of a former Division I football coach was too much to pass up.
Gillom signed with Lambuth University this past December after a solid career at Northeast Mississippi Community College. The 6-foot-1, 291-pounder is now running with the first team at center under the direction of first-year coach Ron Dickerson, who coached Temple from 1993-97. (March 30, 2010, Page 8)
