Oakwood hoping for return to Arlington this year
The Oakwood Panthers head into the upcoming season wanting more than last year’ s state finalist appearance.
“ We expect a deep playoff run and we want to play for a state championship,” Oakwood Athletics Director and Head Football Coach J. J. Johnson said.“ We are going to try and achieve that goal and get better everyday and work our butts off. We want to have the thought of play for a state championship every year.”
A bitter taste was left in the mouths of the No. 8-ranked team in Class A, Division II by Dave Campbell’ s Texas Football magazine.
“ Honestly, I thought we would be ranked a little bit higher with all of the pieces we have coming back,” Johnson said.“ I thought the kids got upset and started working harder because they thought we should have been higher. We are okay with that and it will be the same kind of mark this year. I think people will say they are okay but not as good as Iredell, Strawn and Oglesby.”
The Panthers return five of the six starters on the offensive and defensive side with the only loss being Gavin Wilbanks to graduation. Johnson said multiple players have stepped up to take on the role left by Wilbanks.“ We have Micah Reed who is spearheading everything this year and Dayden( Velasquez) took on a leadership role,” Johnson said.“ It seems like everyone stepped up and we have to know where to get everyone lined up. We have several guys who can fill a role like Gavin Wilbanks left.”
Oakwood has the preseason Offensive Most Valuable Player in quarterback Dayden Velasquez.
“ Dayden got better at decision making during the offseason and his reads are better,” Johnson said.“ He has good instincts and is being the athlete that he can be and has improved on the offensive side of the ball.”
Johnson is expecting to see big things out of the 16 lettermen returning this year. Johnson has running back and defensive end Darrieon Thomas, wide receiver and defensive back Brady Harrison and running back and defensive end Nick Strickland back.
“ I think we are veterans and we have the experience,” Johnson said.“ Nothing should faze them with everything they have seen. Last year with Velasquez and Brady Harrison, they were sophomores and juniors who haven’ t been in that spot before. We should be ready to roll this year.”
Oakwood is predicted to be the district champions once again and return to the Region III final this year.
“ It will be a test and four of the six teams are in the top 10 with Union Hill, Aquilla and Avalon,” Johnson said.“ That will help us out and we have to find out who is our top players this season. I think offensively we will be fine, but defensively we have to find that guy. We have to see where we are at this year and we are excited to get the season started.”
GO Panthers!
2025 OAKWOOD PANTHERS SCHEDULE
Union Hill- 8 / 29
King’ s Academy- 9 / 5 Aquilla- 9 / 12
@ Coolidge- 9 / 19 Chester- 9 / 26 @ Avalon- 10 / 3
Calvert( HC)- 10 / 17
Mt. Calm- 7 p. m. 10 / 24 @ Bynum- 7 p. m. 10 / 31 *
@ Trinidad- 7 p. m. 11 / 7 *
* Denotes District Games. All Games Start at 7:30PM unless otherwise noted.