Oxford quarterback Parker Fleming (#12) fights his way through Romeo defenders to gain some extra yardage. Beneath him is Oxford’s Sergio Borg (#5).

By Chaz Millard

Football Correspondent

ANN ARBOR – The 2017 Oxford Wildcats football season kicked off Aug. 25 in the second annual “Battle at the Big House” at Michigan Stadium with a matchup against the Romeo Bulldogs.

A slow start led to the Wildcats getting into a massive hole and, despite rallying late in the fourth, they fell 30-17.

Romeo controlled the ball from the opening kickoff for nearly 8 minutes before being denied access to end zone as the Wildcats defense would hold inside the 5-yard line and knock the Bulldogs all the way back to the 6-yard line from the one. The Romeo kicker would miss a 23-yard field goal attempt. Unable to capitalize, Romeo would quickly gain possession again and punch it into the end zone. From there, the luck for the Wildcats just was not there.

Oxford was unable to sustain any drive as running lanes were shut down, the Bulldogs pass rush was unrelenting and receivers were unable to shake free from the defense.

On the flip side, Romeo was able to sustain drives, but the Wildcats made them work hard for every single yard.

Late in the first half, the score was 20-0 in favor of the Bulldogs and the Wildcats had a late chance. Quarterback Parker Fleming nearly scrambled for a first down on a third and 16 coming up just 2 yards short at the 32-yard line of Romeo with just 12 seconds until halftime.

Coach Dave Brown, filling in for head coach Bud Rowley, had a decision to make. Go for the first down or try and put some points on the board, which was not a sure thing since it would be a 49-yard attempt. Coach called for the special teams unit to take the field and senior kicker Matt Mielnicki converted the field goal, with some room to spare, making the score 20-3 heading into the locker room.

Momentum was not on the side of the Wildcats early in the second half. Romeo still maintained control of the ball and would add another touchdown and then a field goal extending the lead to 30-3. Down but not out, the Wildcats started to put together a comeback. The offense started to click as Fleming began having time to find open receivers, the duo of Drew Carpenter and Devon Hudson found running room and the defense did their part to give the Wildcats a chance.

Junior tight end Evan Brunning scored Oxford’s first touchdown of the game after catching a 27-yard pass from Fleming. Sophomore running back Drew Carpenter scored the Cats second touchdown on a one-yard run.

Carpenter finished the day with 70 yards on 17 carries, while Brunning has two grabs for 43 yards Fleming completed six of 19 pass attempts, racking up 71 yards through the air.

“This does not define our season,” said Brown as he addressed the team following the game. “Next week, we get back out there and we pick up the pieces. This is not who we are.”

The Wildcats hit the road Friday to face Athens High School in Troy.