Oakwood Blue and Gold blues

OHS Homecoming Court: Sophomores Marilu Castro and Travis Eldridge, Seniors/Homecoming Queen and King Lisa Stevens and J.P. Hicks, Juniors Nakethia Crenshaw and Marcus Howard, and Freshmen Chante Hudson and Bryson Randle. Photo by Mac Shadix The Oakwood Blue and Gold football team lost their Homecoming game Friday night to the Milford Bulldogs. Milford is ranked 9th in the state, and it showed.

The Panthers got off to a rough start. They just couldn't seem to hold onto the ball in the constant drizzling rain. The fumbles picked up by Milford put them way ahead by the second quarter, 35-6. Even after the rain passed, OHS was struggling. The Bulldogs continued to put the ball in the endzone with runs and passes. After half time, it was doubtful that OHS could catch up. They didn't. They tried their best to hold off the Bulldogs. No luck. Milford picked up two more TDs and an extra point in the third quarter. That sealed the deal. The end score was 48-6. The 45 point mercy rule turned on the Panthers this week.

OHS 2008 Homecoming Queen Jocelyn Williams passes on the crown to the 2009 Queen Lisa Stevens. Photo by Mac Shadix As disappointed as Oakwood was at losing on Homecoming, there were some really great plays run and some hard hitting. J.P. Hicks was one of those hard hitters. Quite a few times you could hear the thud loud and clear as he slammed a Bulldog to the ground. One block sent a Bulldog flying through the air, crashing to the ground, and then limping off the field. Randall Dunn and Marcus Howard were on top of their tackling game as well. Quarterback Eric Ballard had some good passes and put in some good tackles too. The one touchdown for the Panthers came from a short but sweet 5 yard pass from Ballard to Kealyne Durham.

Homecoming half time events included the crowning of the King and Queen. Freshmen candidates were Chante Hudson and Bryson Randle. Sophmores were Marilu Castro and Travis Eldridge. Juniors were Nakethia (YoYo) Crenshaw and Marcus Howard. Seniors were Lisa Stevens and J.P. Hicks. Last year's King and Queen, 2009 graduate Joshua Allen and Senior Jocelyn Williams, returned to pass on the crowns. The 2009 Oakwood High School reigning Homecoming King and Queen are Seniors Stevens and Hicks.
OHS beauty Christina Hudson watches the Homecoming halftime activities from the sidelines of Panther Stadium. Photo by Mac Shadix