Alex oxford
FOOTBALL OFFERS OXFORD CHANCE TO IMPROVE FAMILY LIFE
BY JUWAN LEE
For Frankston Indian senior Alex Oxford football is therapeutic . The chilling energy of a roaring crowd , the thrill of scoring a touchdown and the sweet taste of Friday night victories all bring a fiery , yet calming , filling for Oxford .
Oxford has been a varsity starter since his freshman year of football . During his first two years on the team , Frankston struggled , winning just five of their 19 games .
“ It was a rough time ,” Oxford said . “ Everybody had the mentality of ‘ aw that ’ s just Frankston .’ I ’ m grateful for our coaches coming in and changing that mentality . They put the work in to change this culture .”
Though a large number of players agree with Oxford in how the culture has changed in recent years , it also has to be credited to players like Oxford who wanted change .
“ Those losing years made me realize a lot about myself ,” Oxford said . “ I was a follower . Those years made me want to step up and lead people . After I started showing comfort being a starter people began to view me as a leader . I wanted that responsibility on my shoulders .”
He knew the way he performed on and off the field needed to improve in order for the program to succeed . So he accepted the challenge .
“ No one in my family has been successful in school or in sports ,” Oxford . “ A lot of people looked at me to be the same way . I remember a weight being lifted off my shoulders just by earning my first start on varsity . I ’ m still motivated . Now , instead of fighting to get there I focus on how to improve where I ’ m at .”
Proving to himself , and doubters , is what consistently fuels him . He enters his senior year not only with the challenge of improving as a football players , but improving his life overall .
“ I want to push for a better life my family ,” Oxford said . “ We have enough to get by , but I don ’ t my future family to worry about the things I had to worry about as a kid like paying bills .”
Oxford has lived with his grandparents for the past decade – both who are disabled . Football allows him to release the stress day-today life brings . He plays with anger . It ’ s what helped him earn alldistrict first team on both sides of the line his junior year .
“ I settle my frustrations on the field ,” Oxford said . “ Everyone jokes about that calm noise that happens when you can ’ t hear anything out there . I really feel that when I go out there . There ’ s no worries when I ’ m out there . Just me loving what I get to do .”
Being that football is a form of therapy for Oxford he was more than grateful for the opportunity to play out his junior year .
Frankston secured their first playoff berth under head coach Paul Gould last year . The impact still resonates through Frankston ’ s locker room . You could even argue it changed the entire landscape of Frankston athletics as every team program reached the playoffs for Frankston .
In previous years , summer workout participation numbers was
“ AFTER I LEAVE I WANT EVERYBODY TO BE CAPABLE OF LEADING EACH OTHER .”
low – even dropping below 20 kids at times . Oxford said that ’ s no longer the case . It ’ s no longer just a normal practice day , it ’ s an opportunity to build on top of 2020 ’ s success .
“ Our mentality has changed ,” Oxford said . “ Playoffs aren ’ t easy . Not many get the chance to go . It ’ s makes you realize how solid mentally you have to be .”
Oxford wants this adjusted mentality to carry on long past 2021 . So for him , his season goals are centered around ensuring his impact is felt by the next classes after him .
“ After I leave I want everybody to be capable of leading each other ,” Oxford said . “ Yes , I want to go to playoffs and go to a championship , but I want to be able to come back in two or three years dominating teams . Continuing to change the perception of this program .”