League / conference: Southwestern Buckeye League, Southwestern Division.
Head coach: Rick Robertson, fourth season at Oakwood (7-23 overall record); 25th season as head coach at Springfield North, Springfield, Fairmont and Oakwood (136-117-1 record).
Assistant coaches: Andy Keating, Kevin Schalnat, Mike Akin, Ryan Robertson, Dave Woodgeard, Tyler Ekberg.
2013 record: 3-3 SWBL; 5-5 overall.
2013 highlights / notable achievements: QB Max Banke (2014 grad) set most of the Oakwood passing records, including career completions, yards, TD passes as well as single-season completions and yards and single-game completions and yards; won three out of last five games by an average score of 36-21; the 3-3 division record was the best since 2008; played four playoff teams, beating 7-4 Mariemont 24-17 in the opener; schedule rotation drops Waynesville (8-3) in Week 7 and picks up Madison (5-5) in Week 5.
Key returners:
Sam Banke, 5-10, 175 , jr., WR/DB/RET; first team All-SWBL return specialist; 22 catches for 359 yards and 6 TDs; 53 rushes for 278 yards and 3 TDs; 17 punt returns for 190 yards; 20 kickoff returns for 541 yards and 1 TD; averaged 136.8 all-purpose yards.
Pat Roberts, 6-1, 255, sr., C/DT; first team All-SWBL; one of the best centers I have coached in 25 years.
Hayden Peake, 6-1, 175, sr., K; first Team All-SWBL, 4 for 4 FG (long of 42), 35 of 37 PATs, averaged 54.8 yards on kickoffs.
Austin Payne, 6-1, 205, sr., LB; second team All-SWBL, leading tackler past two years, 73 tackles, 2 INTs (2 TDs).
Steve Sherk, 6-0, 175, sr., FS; 57 tackles, all special teams.
Adam Gallatin, 5-9, 155, jr.; returning starter at slot, will take over at QB.
Key newcomers:
Michael Hoecht, 6-3, 220, jr.; Former Oakwood Junior High player has spent the past two years in Canada; will see action in backfield as well as LB.
Nick Rickard, 6-1, 185, sr.; Basketball/baseball player out for first time, should see action as DE.
Jeffrey Caldwell, 6-1, 175, sr.; Transfer from Miami Valley, should see action as a DB.
Coach's comments: Great offseason and leadership by our 14 seniors. We return 17 lettermen; five starters on offense (three others who started at least one game) and seven on defense (two others who started at least one game). We have a veteran offensive line (five seniors) that should help with new QB and three other new skill players.
Schedule:
Fri., Aug. 29 Mariemont, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 5 at Milton-Union, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 12 Carlisle, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 19 Monroe, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 26 at Madison, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 3 at Brookville, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 10 Eaton, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 17 Valley View, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 24 at Franklin, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 31 at Bellbrook, 7 p.m.
About the Author