There is a sense of newness surrounding Oxford football this season.
There is a new varsity quarterback, Billy Keenist, a new tailback, Sergio Schlak, and four new assistant coaches.
The most visible new feature, however, is a new football stadium, which will be inaugurated in the team’s second game, on September 3, when Davison visits.
The Wildcats will begin their season on the road this Friday when they travel to Livonia Franklin for a 7 p.m. game.
Coach Bud Rowley is excited about the new field, team and coaching staff but said the Wildcat’s success this season will likely hinge on the team’s old standbys.
‘Our seniors are our strength,? Rowley said. ‘Wherever our seniors are should be our strong areas.?
There are 19 seniors among the 38 players listed on the opening roster.
Among the Wildcat’s senior standouts this year are expected to be Pat Streit, who will start at tight end and linebacker. He is coming off an all-Flint Metro League selection and is one of the team’s fastest players and one of the best players in the Metro League.
Streit has been chosen as one of the team’s captains and will share the duties with fellow seniors Kyle Oliver and Jake Krause. All three are expected to be among the Wildcat’s bright spots this year.
The new quarterback is Keenist, who is a junior. He started on the junior varsity team his freshman and sophomore seasons and is ready to take charge.
‘Has a great work ethic,? Rowley said. ‘He wants to be a great quarterback.?
The other newcomer in the Wildcat backfield is Sergio Schlak, who is a junior transfer student who attended Lapeer West last year.
Fullback duties will be shared between Hugo Gomez, a junior, and Nick Rock, the only senior in the backfield.
Oxford has a history of strong kickers and Rowley said Mike Jones, a senior, will continue that trend. In addition to kicking and punting, Jones also is the backup quarterback.
Rowley said he has high hopes for several other players and expects them to lead the Wildcats. They include Josh Hamlin, Rob Clinansmith, Tim Murphy, Carl Boone, Paul Whiteman, Andy Molczyk and Jason Manion.
The three new coaches are Derek Osborne, Jason Cady and Ryan Clark, who join Rowley and Dave Brown as the two returning coaches.
Cady, who had coached at the middle school, will coach the wide-outs. Clark, a new teacher with five years of coaching experience will work with linebackers and tight ends.
Osborne will coach running backs and defensive backs and will work with Brown as a co-defensive coordinator.
Brown will work with the offensive and defensive lines. Rowley will continue his role as head coach and offensive coordinator.
As usual, the team will play a tough schedule, opening with Livonia Franklin.
‘They run a great offense and have a very good defense,? Rowley said, of Livonia.
The team’s second game will inaugurate the new stadium against Davison on September 3. There are two more home games, on September 10 and 17, against Holly and Flint Carman-Ainsworth. The Wildcats then travel to Brandon on September 24 before returning home on October 1 for a meeting against Lapeer West. There are two away games at Lapeer East and Linden before the team finishes the season by hosting Fenton.
‘There is no breather in there,? Rowley said. ‘They will all be tough but we’ll be fine. We are tired of practicing and just want to get going.?