Milestone moment
- Updated: October 25, 2020
Earlier this month, in its 100th season, Oxford became the first county school to play 1,000 football games
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD – The Oxford football team already is playing in an historic season in 2020, but the Yellow Jackets secured another piece of history earlier this month that might have slipped up on a lot people.
The top-ranked Yellow Jackets are the first program in Calhoun County history to play 1,000 football games in their existence. They reached the milestone in their 100th season two Fridays ago in their 63-6 rout of Springville.
“I did not realize that,” Oxford athletics director Larry Davidson said. “I think that it speaks to the great tradition of the program and the place that Oxford has stood in the state throughout the years – great coaches and great players who loved Oxford and played for their community. The community has always shown great support over the years.”
The Jackets are the 46th team in Alabama to reach 1,000 football games. The most recent have been Clarke County (1,000 on Thursday night), Selma (1,002), Auburn (1,003) and Opelika (1004). Talladega (1,005) played its 1,000th game on Sept. 11. UMS-Wright has played the most (1,098) and can reach 1,100 this season if it reaches the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.
It was the third milestone game for Jackets head coach Keith Etheredge. He coached in Leeds’ 800th all-time game in 2006 and 900th game there in 2013.
“That’s a neat little thing; I didn’t even know it,” Etheredge said. “It makes you feel like you’re here to do something special and for us to be able to win a big region game like that that sets us up for a region title that’s neat.
“When you’re at a tradition rich program they expect to win and they expect things to be the right way. We’re just grateful to be here and be able to compete at a high level. You want to make your mark on history when you’re at a place like this.”
Oxford played its first football season in 1920, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society. The only year it hadn’t fielded a team in that run was 1925.
The Jackets have now played 1,001 games with an all-time record of 585-372-44. They clinched their 18th region championship and fourth in five years Friday night in a 49-14 victory at Fort Payne.
Game No. 1,002 is Thursday night at home against Central-Phenix City.
The next team in Calhoun County to reach the milestone will be Anniston. The Bulldogs are sitting on 998 and could play the milestone game at home in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs if they beat Region 1 champion Williamson on the road in their playoff opener. Otherwise, it’ll come in next year’s season opener.
Earlier this year Alexandria became the first program in Calhoun County to reach 600 all-time wins.
Also during this season, Donoho played its 500th game, Saks posted its 300th all-time victory and White Plains scored its 100th home victory. Wellborn can score its 200th home win in its first-round playoff game against an opponent to be determined Thursday.
Kurt Duryea of WCKA radio contributed to this report.
CALHOUN COUNTY ALL-TIME GAMES
| Team | First season | Total games | All-time record |
| Oxford | 1920 | 1001 | 585-372-44 |
| Anniston | 1920 | 998 | 578-393-27 |
| Piedmont | 1924 | 978 | 542-406-30 |
| Alexandria | 1923 | 968 | 606-333-29 |
| Jacksonville | 1920 | 910 | 410-463-37 |
| Ohatchee | 1925 | 831 | 423-386-32 |
| Wellborn | 1955 | 675 | 386-276-13 |
| Saks | 1959 | 627 | 306-315-6 |
| Weaver | 1969 | 544 | 250-293-1 |
| Donoho | 1972 | 506 | 237-266-3 |
| White Plains | 1972 | 489 | 184-304-1 |
| Pleasant Valley | 1982 | 479 | 197-282-0 |
| Cobb Ave. | 1930 | 267 | 171-96-0 |
| Jacksonville Christian | 1991 | 250 | 121-129-0 |
| Calhoun County Training | 1931 | 194 | 73-110-11 |
| Trinity | 1998 | 100 | 53-47-0 |
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