Oxford

By BILL RUDICK

brudick55@gmail.com

OXFORD -- A new atmosphere has developed in Oxford. It brings with it an air of confidence not felt in a number of years.

After a few years of falling just short of getting over the .500 mark, the Hornets finally put together a winning season last year -- it’s first in over a decade. As a result, this is a team that will come out every week expecting to win, no longer merely hoping to win and then waiting for the other shoe to drop when they hit the inevitable bump in the road.

“The uptick in confidence is definitely noticeable,” said head coach Mike Pietlock. “It’s not like there’s anyone here bragging or talking about going 10-0. But this group knows they are going to put themselves in position to win every time out. I think it really matters to them that they keep the winning going.”

Helping with that feeling of hope is the return of one of the top all-around players in the county, senior Ryan Hubley. The Division 1 recruit is a leader on both sides of the ball, he caught 32 passes for 711 yards last season at wide receiver, and taking away the passing game from his slot at safety on defense.

“Hubley is the best receiver in the Ches-Mont,” said Pietlock. “On either side, and you can quote me on that.”

Oxford will be running more of a one-back offense this year, with Zach Deasey carrying most of the load. Joining Hubley in the receiving corps will be senior tight end Brad Way, along with juniors Mike Williams and Connor Heilman.

“We know teams are probably going to key on Hubley,” said Pietlock. “But we think we’ve got quite a few weapons to counter with. We have good depth at the skill positions on both sides of the ball, with good athletes that can shift positions if we need it.”

The question mark heading into the season centers on who will be throwing the ball now that Ethan Herb has graduated.

“For the last three years, we’ve had the luxury of knowing who we’d have at quarterback,” said Pietlock. “Herb isn’t going to be easy to replace. Right now, it’s a three-man competition, and that competition is going to go on until game time in Week one.”

Comprising the trio of competitors are senior Dan Green, junior Josh Mosley, and sophomore Eric Impriano.

Brandon Liberato anchors the offensive and defensive lines, units with a lot of new faces this year.

“We might not have some of the individual talents on the lines that we had the last couple years, but I think we’ve got much better depth,” said Pietlock. “We don’t have as big a drop off if someone comes out.”

After opening at home against Solanco, the Hornets hit the road for three straight games, at Newark (Del.), William Tennent and their American Division opener against Kennett.