Oxford Pirates look to the future

By Steev Riccardo

The Oxford Pirates football season ended Thanksgiving morning rather abruptly as they were thumped 41-7 by the powerful 10-1 Auburn Rockets in Auburn.

The visitors knew they were outmatched going in, but played with heart in defeat against the defending, and likely to repeat, super bowl champions from Auburn.

The only score the Pirates could muster up was a 30-yard touchdown pass from freshmen Matt Faucher to senior Dylan Bracewell in the loss.

The Pirates finished a disappointing 3-8 following an optimistic 6-6 campaign a year ago and Head Coach Jeff Parcells and company were hoping to build on the previous season.  Unfortunately, they were victimized by a brutal schedule that included tough losses against Bay Path, Grafton, Northbridge, Leicester, and Shepherd Hill.

Senior co-captain Nick Lemay finished the season with 354 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns. Fellow captain Mike D’Alio had 312-yard rushing and 5 touchdowns. 

Bracewell, who started the season as the team’s quarterback and was moved to running back, showed signs of brilliance at certain times during the season. He threw 9 touchdown passes and scored 4 more and played solid on both sides of the ball.

Junior Tyler Barrie led the team in receptions with 14 catches on 320 yards receiving.

Barrie and freshmen quarterback Faucher; along with sophomore back Zack Gorczynski, give the team some building blocks for next season. Another key would be getting speedster Moses Early back on the field.

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