Oakland's football team was loaded with talent in 2016, and the results were a state runner-up finish.
Fast forward a year and the Patriots return on four starters (offensive linemen Branson Boone and Thadd Chapman and defensive tackles Blake Spencer and Christian Cantrell). They also return place-kicker Aaron Sears.
Oakland coach Kevin Creasy is accustomed to losing talent and sees some parallels between this season and his first one three years ago.
"It reminds me of that first year I was hear because we had some seniors that hadn't played before that had to step up," Creasy said.