Oakland football finds motivation in 'Chip Nobody'

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

If you ask those around the Oakland football program who the team's top prospect is, they will tell you "Chip."

"Chip Nobody."

Chip may not be able to run a 4.3-second 40-yard dash nor is he a five-star athlete on recruiting boards.

What he is, however, is a symbol of the 2017 Patriot football program. They even have shirts to prove it.

T-shirts around the Oakland football program have blank fronts and the words "chip" (on the shoulder) and "nobody" written on the back. The shirts signify the team's relative anonymity heading into the 2017 season.

"The front of the shirt is blank," said Oakland football coach Kevin Creasy. "It (stands for) how many offers the team has as a whole. It also means what all of last year's success can contribute to this year.

"Nothing about last year will help us this year."

Oakland had one of the best seasons in program history last year, going 14-1 and reaching the Class 6A state championship game before falling to Whitehaven 12-9.

The Patriots, however, graduated 90 percent of the starting lineup from that squad, leaving a squad with little name recognition or playing time entering the fall.

Michael Bond catches the football during Oakland's  football practice at the school, on Tuesday, June 14, 2017, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

While other area teams have seen top prospects commit to colleges over recent days, the Patriots will take their relative anonymity and use it as motivation.

"We don't know...only time will tell if we're rebuilding or reloading," Creasy said. "If we're rebuilding, we could have a lot of young, green talent, but it might be a long, enduring process.

"Reloading is where we want to be. As a coach, you want a solid program, not just a good team every now then."

While the 2017 Patriot squad may be filled with players who aren't necessarily household names, there's still an abundance of young talent ready to fill big shoes.

Junior Woodi Washington is hoping to be one of those players as he will likely fill a defensive back role vacated by Mr. Football Back winner JaCoby Stevens, who is now at LSU.

Oakland’s Jeron Rooks runs the football after receiving a pass during Oakland's  football practice at the school, on Tuesday, June 14, 2017, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

"We lost a lot last year," Washington said. "I want to be one of the leaders of the team. I learned a lot from watching JaCoby and Wayna (Moton) and Kaleb (Oliver)."

Another player who is expected to step in and make an impact right away is junior Michael Bond, a transfer from Donelson Christian Academy. The 6-2, 215-pounder will play safety as well on offense.

"I think we can go out and surprise a lot of people," said Bond, who missed half of last season at DCA with a hamstring injury. He played defensive end and linebacker at DCA.

Oakland head football Coach Kevin Creasy directs players during the team's practice at the school, on Tuesday, June 14, 2017, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

"Chip Nobody means we're nobody, but we have a chip on our shoulder. We're going to work hard to be where we need to be."

Added Creasy, "(Washington) has a chance to take JaCoby's place. Kaleb's spot may be taken by Bond.

"If they truly use chips on their shoulder, it can motivate them and make them push themselves. There's nothing wrong with proving someone wrong."

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

 

Oakland High 2017 football schedule

Aug. 18 at Independence

Aug. 25 at Maryville

Sept. 8 RePublic

Sept. 15 Riverdale*

Sept. 22 at Blackman*

Sept. 29 Coffee Co.*

Oct. 6 at Franklin

Oct. 13 at Siegel*

Oct. 20 at Cookeville*

Oct. 27 at Warren Co.*

* Region contest