Oakman football coach Mark Hastings watches his team practice at the school on Tuesday. Hastings is entering his second year with the team. The Wildcats will host Carbon Hill in a jamboree game on Friday, Aug. 20.
Year after year the Wildcats trot out plenty of big bodies.
This year coach Mark Hastings said the Wildcats have the skill players to go with them.
“I think we have more team speed and a little more athleticism this year,” Hastings said. “I think we are further along, obviously, because the kids coming back know more. They’ve been in the system a year.”
Hastings’ first year with the Wildcats was a struggle on both sides of the ball. Oakman scored 20 or more points just three times and allowed an average of 37.1 points a game. The result was a 1-9 mark.
That said, Oakman can use any kind of positive news.
Hastings feels the Wildcats’ line, which returns just one starter, can be a positive.
“Last year we had to play a couple of guys out of position. This year we’ve got a little more depth. On the line there is a lot of potential, but not a lot of experience,” said Hastings, who put 27 players through practice on Tuesday.
“We’ve got a lot of new kids who have picked up things really well. Now they are getting a lot of reps and that will allow them to play faster.”
Oakman has added one coach to the staff. Chris Coons comes to the school from Shelby County. Hastings said Coons will coach the offensive and defensive lines.
The Wildcasts will host Carbon Hill in a jamboree game on Friday, Aug. 20. The season will open the following week with a home region game against Cleveland.
Oakman is in a nine-team region this season meaning the Wildcats have just two non-region games. Along with Parrish in Week 10, Oakman plays Susan Moore in Week 6 in its non-region games.
The Wildcats will compete in Class 2A, Region 7 along with Sumiton Christian this season. The teams will play at Sumiton Christian in Week 8.