Cats send Bulldogs to the pound

By Chaz Millard

Football Correspondent

 

After a year that saw a lot of transition, Bud Rowley, head coach of the Oxford High varsity football team, is as optimistic as ever heading into the 2016 season.

“We grew up Friday night and came together as a team,” Rowley said. “Everybody made plays. The defense, the offense stepped up.”

That optimism was met with a dramatic come-from-behind 27-26 victory over the defending Division 1 State Champions from Romeo High School.

“There are no gimmies on the schedule and we worked hard,” Rowley said.

The game was tight at the beginning, with Romeo quickly capitalizing off an Oxford fumble to take a 7-0 lead. The Wildcats would counter on their next possession with a 67- yard touchdown ran in by senior running back Ethan Williams to tie the game.

“He had a really big game for us,” said Rowley, of his senior running back.

Romeo proved they were tough to keep down; with an explosive attack on their next drive and marching 80 yards down field to reassume the lead 14-7. Romeo’s lead was extended further to 20-7 going into the locker room at halftime.

At the start of the second half, Oxford immediately controlled the tempo of the game with great play from all eleven members of the defense. The Wildcats trailed 20-14 headed into the final quarter of play that would result in Oxford showing a lot of heart.

Romeo struck first resulting in a 26-14 lead with just over nine minutes to play. The Oxford Wildcats would rise to this challenge, learning from lessons of the past season and worked as a unit to make an improbable comeback. “Our defense played really well in the second half and our offense stepped up,” Rowley said.

On the ensuing possession quarterback Parker Fleming was able to find wide receiver Matthew Mielnicki for a 55-yard scoring strike that fired up the fan base cutting the Romeo’s lead to 26-21. With momentum on their side the defense took the field and responded with a turnover that sent the stadium into a frenzy. Defensive Back Sergio Borg scooped up the loose ball just before it went out of bounds.

The Wildcat Offense continued with the big plays courtesy again of Ethan Williams as he dashed 52-yards for his third touchdown of the game. Oxford failed their 2-point conversion attempt and clung to a 27-26 lead.

Romeo failed to score on their next possession giving the ball back to Oxford. The final possession came down to a fourth and inches. Convert and win the game. Fail and give Romeo one more chance with just a minute to play. Capping off a magnificent game was Williams as he fought behind his bruising offensive line and picked up the final yard to seal the victory. Williams finished the game with 13 carries for 218 yards and 3 touchdowns as the clock hit zero.

The growing pains from last year look like they may be paying off for this season, and it appears that this year may just be headed in the right direction. A victory against the reigning Division 1 state champions is a great way to begin.

“When we step back onto the [practice] field on Monday we’ll get back to work and focus on West Bloomfield,” coach Rowley stated. The Oxford Wildcats turn their sights to their next opponent West Bloomfield High when they come to town Friday night at 7 p.m.

Jacob Donovan contributed to this story.

 

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