By Bob Suttton
Special to The Alamance News
Ethan Oakley has witnessed some of Western Alamance’s special football moments.
That was as a younger brother. Now he’ll be at the center of attention with the Warriors as a second-year starter at quarterback.
Oakley, a junior, is aware of what Bradyn Oakley, who was a quarterback, and Zack Oakley, who was a receiver, accomplished before him at Western before they went on to play collegiately.
“They paved me a path,” the younger Oakley said. “Now, it’s my turn.”
That’s fine with longtime Western coach Jeff Snuffer, who said adding to the Oakley legacy in the program would be welcomed.
The Warriors have an idea what they’re getting with their current quarterback and the passion that comes with it.
“Their parents love football,” Snuffer said of Jennifer and Chuck Oakley. “Their mom is all about some football.”
History won’t automatically translate to more winning nights, but Ethan Oakley has a vision of what it takes.
“It was cool seeing (my brothers) beat everyone in the conference, and I want to get back to that,” he said. “I think I’ve lived through it. It kind of feels like that.”
Unlike his oldest brother Bradyn, Ethan is a left-handed thrower, so not all comparisons line up.
Snuffer said in Ethan Oakley’s first season as a starter that the coaching staff saw so much leadership develop that he was named one of the team captains for this season.
“He acts like a senior,” Snuffer said. “He prepares like a senior.”
Oakley, also a pitcher for Western’s baseball team, completed nearly 53 percent of his passes with five touchdown throws and nine interceptions. He said he understands that because of his brothers there’s bound to be a standard that fans anticipate.
“Last year, there was a little expectation in me,” he said. “I still got time. I think I play better under pressure.”
Western’s offense is geared toward requiring quarterbacks to display a variety of skills.
“We’ve already seen as a decision maker some of the things he can do,” Snuffer said.
Oakley’s physical growth has taken him to 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds. He said he’s counting on growth as an overall quarterback showing up more often this season.
“It’s all a building process and I think we all have been building,” he said. “Each week, I got more and more comfortable. I think this year is going to be loads better.”
