Coach: Paul Withee (first year)

Last year’s record: 1-7

Returning players: Seniors — Josh McDonald (WR/DE), Caleb Archer (OL/DL), Kyle Rainey (OL/LB), Tyler Hamlin (OL/LB), Logan Sanborn (WR/DB), Ryan Creney (S/RB); Juniors — Jordan Croteau (FB/LB), Dexter Turner (DE), Billy Leahy (OL/DL).

Key losses: George Turner (WR/DB), Danny Taylor (WR/DB), Jon Flanders (RB/DE/P), Matt Farnum (TE/S), Chris Priest (RB/S), Andy Ripley (TB/DB).

Promising newcomers: Senior — Brandon Campbell (DT); Juniors — John Frechette (QB/DB), Dylan Cox (RB/DB), Dylan Frechette (RB/DB), Ryan Godin (S).

Overview: Oxford Hills opens camp under a new regime with a coach who brings instant cache and credibility. Withee took over a floundering Foxcroft program and guided it to three state championships and eight Eastern Maine titles. Oxford Hills has averaged one win per season over the last four. Already there are signs of a turnaround, with several junior and senior athletes returning to football after an extended absence. One of those newcomers, Frechette, takes over at QB. Croteau was the leading tackler in PTC ‘A’ as a sophomore. The Vikings won’t rate much preseason discussion as a playoff contender, but don’t be surprised when they pull off an upset or two.

Coach’s comment: “My expectations will never change for as long I’m coaching. I always want to make the playoffs.” — Coach Paul Withee

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