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It's hard not to see why, as coach Bud Rowley has 27 returning seniors to a team that was 8-2 a year ago and earned a share of the Flint Metro League title with Lapeer West. Rowley must find someone on his roster to fill the shoes of the graduated Zach Line, who earned First Team All-Conference honors on both sides of the ball in 2007. Rowley has a few experienced players who might be able to do just that, but the longtime coach of the Wildcats knows the task of winning the FML title in 2008 will not be an easy one.

"There are no weak links in the Flint Metro League this year," Rowley admitted. "The league is large and we need to 'flip the switch' and come hungry to each and every game (if we want to win the title)."

With the addition of Flint-Kearsley this season, the FML now has 10 teams, which means that every game Oxford plays this season counts in the league standings.

So there are no warm-up games.

For Oxford in 2008, quarterback Nick Trombrella will once again lead the offense onto the field. Trombrella topped 1,000 total yards in 2007 by passing for over 600 while adding over 400 yards on the ground.

Senior fullback Jeffrey Charles was described by Rowley as a good rusher and a solid lead blocker. Senior offensive guard Jerry Murphy (6-2, 220) was named Honorable Mention all-conference last season and will be expected to anchor the OL in 2008. Senior Dalton Lyons (5-9, 220) will get the start at tight end as well as on defense at tackle. Rowley stated that Lyons has explosive amounts of energy.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior Dennis Brown (5-11, 180) will get the start at cornerback.