FITHIAN — After climbing to a 5-5 record and a IHSA Class 1A playoff berth last season, the Oakwood football team is looking for a repeat performance.
With the return of some top players, the drive to another playoff run is possible, according to head coach Cameron Lee.
“We have some pretty good players coming back,” Lee said. “We are returning two starters on the offensive line, our primary running back and one of our top targets. There are new faces but talented faces. There are a lot of pieces and weapons and a lot of guys with diverse skill sets that we hope to take advantage of this season.”
Lee’s captains show that variety. They include junior running back Kyler Johnson, who was the leading rusher last season, senior Layne Frischkorn, a longtime starter on the offensive and defensive lines, junior Walker Enos, a returning All-Vermilion Valley Conference offensive lineman and junior quarterback Alex Wallace, who is entering his first season as the starter.
“They are talented guys and they have shown the right stuff we are looking for as a captain,” Lee said. “They have done a great job to be the leaders we are looking for and set the standards. We are looking forward to not only see them play but their development as leaders and the forefront of the team.”
But Lee knows it will take more than the captains to improve. The Comets have a bunch of young and experienced players trying to make that happen and from different spots.
“I think there is a lot of players that are likely to pop out in a new way. We did have 9-10 seniors last year, so we have a lot of guys in new spots,” Lee said. “Jaethan Perez came out as a freshman last year to be one of the best receivers in the conference and he will be stepping in to a huge role in replacing Chase Harrison. Nathan Young is a good receiver for us, Collin Furry is another receiver and threat out of the backfield. I feel there will be a lot of players that will get a lot of touches.”
The Comets start the season Friday with a road trip to Momence. They will play Momence, Watseka and Clifton Central in three of the first four weeks.
“Going on the road is a fun test,’’ Lee said. “Momence is a great program and to start with a road trip to see what you are made of — is a good start out of the gate. We will have a better idea of where we are and be able to make the jump we want to after that week one matchup.
“It is interesting because you have a better grasp of the local teams like Salt Fork, Bismarck and Westville. Even though we have played Momence to start the season the last three years, it still feels like a foreign entity. Despite being a conference game it is kind of a non-conference game, but they are a tough program with some strong athletes and I would like to have that game under out belts to start.”
After getting a taste of the middle of the conference and playoff action, Lee said he wants the team to make it to a higher level this season.
“There are so many teams with a rich history and have high floors,” Lee said. “The Salt Forks, Westvilles and Bismarcks are teams where we want to be as a perennial frontrunner. They don’t really rebuild or have a down year. They always seem to be on top and it is our job to try to catch them and continue to make our climb up the conference.”