Oxford, AL – With a region titles and two tournament spots to his name, Adams mitigated Oxford’s fall following the loss of a number of players. entering the third season with plenty of reasons to believe that the next step is within reach.
Joe Medley
The construction of Oxford’s Champions Athletic Center nears completion and Sam Adams nears his third season as head coach It’s worthwhile to think about the state of affairs two years ago.
The Yellow Jacket the world was more like the hornets’ nest. There was a buzz of negativity as 12 players resigned as well as the coach who was a rookie Sam Adams had to rebuild the team that was also missing 30 senior players who had graduated for 2020.
Two years, a region championship and 2 playoff spots after that, the inevitable crash wasn’t the definition of a recession. More of a downturn that has an easy landing.
Adams is on the third time with his Oxford team, and an impressive array of skilled players. He’s also ready to realize the dreams of facilities that he had with his predecessors.
Are we there isn’t one?
“If we had achieved 10-straight state titles, I’m not sure what I’d think of saying it was the case,” Adams said Thursday during a preseason talk. “Everything’s always in construction.”
Construction remains a major topic in Adams the world, and the brand new Champions Center is still on track to be fully operational by the end of September.
It’s the bricks-and-mortar component that is everywhere in this picture of the past.
The main feature is the indoor facility for practice, which has the 40-yard turf field. 26 black and gold racks are lining the vast gym, and Oxford athletes can practice in a comfortable, college-style environment.
Adams is unable to resist smiling. In any case, his time in his trailer is coming to an end, but it will aid him in this time of a new set of challenges for coaches. As players move between schools, high school coaches are required to continuously make rosters of their own.
The big-time accommodations offer incentives to stay.
“In my view, this is the top high school building across the entire state … ,” Adams declared. “You might be able to claim that, aside from the current day Alabama and Auburn the facility could be the most prestigious school in state whether high school or even college.”
Adams also had a second-year starter quarterback, who had offers from Mississippi State. Senior Mason Mims has put on 20 pounds of weight and also spent the day with Oxford track and field coach Landon Delozier, working to increase the running ability of his already powerful and precise arm.
Mims is a passer than a runner. Adams would like a more flexible athlete who will get first downs from scrambles as well as occasionally, quarterback runs.
Alongside the quarterback who is able to complete all throws, Oxford has an array of targets. Lincoln Transfer Camare Hampton augments an already solid receiver group along with Nick Richardson and Judd Syer. A former player Jayden Lewis, who is now an explosive, high-jumping 6’4” 220-pound matchup saga, is moving from left end receiver to right.
D.K. Wilson is back as a running back hybrid. Inside receiver/tight end Nick Hampton, Camera’s younger brother, rounds out the picture of Adams the most versatile offense to date at Oxford.
The Yellow Jackets can score, and they are able to return a lot of points in defense.
With all the amenities and talent Oxford is blessed with, perhaps the most crucial factor in the current picture is time. Adams has had the time to recover after losing what could have been an entire roster of high school teams. Before that, Adams was the coach for a game at Oxford.
He’s had the time to build the team he wants to.
“I truly believe that this group of seniors comprehends what I’m asking the team, and what my expectations set for this team, and the reasons behind it,” Adams said. “The beginning of the year is when everything was fresh, and everyone is just trying to get familiar with every single one of us. The following year we had a solid group of seniors and they knew the rules however I’m not sure whether they understood the reasons.
“Now in year three we have top leaders who understand the whole picture.”
Jacket facts
Things to be aware of about Oxford football ahead of the 2023 season
Sam Adams is entering in his 3rd season at Oxford as the head coach. The year 2022 was when he guided his Oxford Yellow Jackets to a 5-6 finishing, and then an early round playoff loss to Gardendale.
The most significant graduation losses of 2022 Included are four All-Calhoun class 4A-6A County players including linebacker Michael Battle, offensive lineman Jackson Bunn and defensive back Emari Carroll, and the defensive lineman Josiah Kimbrough.
The key returnees are All-County selections for Junior quarterback Mason Mims, junior wide receiver Nick Richardson, senior wide receiver Judd Syer, sophomore defensive lineman Keenan Britt Junior offensive lineman Reshad Cunningham Junior running back D.K. Wilson, junior tight end/linebacker James Tapley, senior kicker Rey Barrera, junior defensive back Cristian Gibson, junior defensive back Cedric Twyman, junior defensive lineman Caleb Tinner, junior linebacker Hudson Gilman.
Some players to keep an eye on include the senior wide receiver Camare Hampton who was a transfer from Lincoln as well as the tight-end Jayden Lewis. The latter transferred from receiver and is an intriguing target for receivers.
The 2nd year in the realignment process has Oxford again aligned with Class 6A and Region 6 powerhouses Pinson Valley along with Clay-Chalkville. Regional rival Pell City took a win in 2022 before appointing Rush Propst to rebuild the program. In non-regional games, Oxford plays Huntsville at home, as well as McAdory, Hartselle and Jacksonville on the road.
