2017 Oakland football: What you need to know

Oakland's football team was just minutes away from a perfect season and Class 6A state title last season.

The Patriots went 14-1 and reached the BlueCross Bowl, where a late comeback by Whitehaven turned into a 12-9 Patriots loss.

A bulk of the 2016 squad graduated, but expectations are still high.

Here is what you need to know about the Patriots entering the 2017 season:

The skinny

Coach: Kevin Creasy

Last season: 14-1 (7-0 in 2-6A)

Region: Region 3-6A

Notable

Averaged 45 points a game last season but all of its skill starters graduated. ... DCA transfer Michael Bond (LB) has stepped in to fill some of the loss by graduation. ... Creasy will be going with a two-quarterback system to start the season, using junior Brevin Linnell and senior Timmy Goodrich. ... The Patriots have reached at least the state semifinals in each of the past three seasons. ... Junior RB Mookie Wilson is returning from an injury that sidelined him most of 2016.

Returning starters

Offense (4): T Lionel Patterson, G Branson Boone, G Thadd Chapman, K Aaron Sears.

Defense (3):  DE Christian Cantrell, DL Blake Spencer, P Garrett Taylor.

Speaking stats

In limited attempts last season, Linnell completed three of six throws for 41 yards and a touchdown. Senior RB Cameron Snelling rushed for 256 yards and four TDs last season. Cantrell had 73 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore. Sears has made 106 consecutive extra points, including 88 of 88 last season.

Inside the numbers

41: Average margin of victory for the Patriots during their 14 wins prior to the BlueCross Bowl in 2016.

Quotable

"Preseason polls and preseason all-state teams and what you did last year doesn't mean a lot. Half of the teams will have a loss after (the first) week. What you did in the preseason and jamborees doesn't mean anything. If we can stay injury free, we could be OK. We'll be tested early this year. We'll find out who can play and who can't play."  – Creasy 

Schedule

All games begin at 7 p.m. 

Aug. 18 vs. Independence; Aug. 25 vs. Maryville; Sept. 8 vs. RePublic; *Sept. 15 vs. Riverdale; *Sept. 22 at Blackman; *Sept. 29 at Coffee Co.; Oct. 6 at Franklin; *Oct. 13 at Siegel; Oct. 20 at *Cookeville; Oct. 27 vs. Warren County. 

* - Region game