Oxford next faces Wolves

By Teddy Rydquist

Leader Sports Writer

Facing their border rival, the Lake Orion Dragons, the Oxford Wildcats football program was looking to build off any momentum they had built during their win over Bloomfield Hills on Sept. 13.

Instead, the Wildcats fell behind early in their home-opener and were down by three scores at halftime, ultimately losing 35-0.

“They have a fine team, played a very fine game. We have Clarkston next, need to regroup quickly,” said Oxford Head Coach Bud Rowley.

Lake Orion senior running back Kobe Manzo got the scoring started with a one-yard touchdown run two-and-a-half minutes in. The son of longtime Dragons basketball coach and teacher Jim Manzo, the senior is also an outfielder for the school’s baseball team.

Manzo’s classmate, running back Marlon Robinson extended the Dragons’ lead to 14-0 with a 26-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Averaging 9.8 yards per carry, Robinson totaled 39 yards on four touches.

Despite heavy pressure from Lake Orion’s defense, Oxford quarterback Brady Carpenter, a sophomore, made some nice plays outside the pocket, finishing 8-10 for 50 yards.

“I thought Brady played very well. Got outside the pocket, made some plays with his legs,” Rowley said.

Leading the Wildcats with 61 yards rushing, senior Matt Pullman very nearly got the team on the scoreboard early in the third quarter. Racing down the sideline in front of the Oxford bench, Pullman dove for the pylon to break the plane. Unfortunately, it was ruled that he fumbled before the goal line and Lake Orion recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

Rowley and an assistant were each flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct following Pullman’s near touchdown. The Dragons would have taken over at the 20-yard line following the touchback, but once the two penalties were assessed, Lake Orion had the ball at the 50-yard line.

Regarding the penalties, Rowley said, “No big deal. They [Lake Orion] don’t like us; we don’t like them very much. If the officials are throwing the flags, it is what it is. Two things you can’t worry about: the weather and the officiating.”

Lake Orion also drew a personal foul flag when senior Joe Cady was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct late in the third quarter.

Oxford senior Drew Carpenter chipped in 56 yards on 17 carries.

Improving to 4-0 (3-0 OAA) with the win, Lake Orion occupies the top spot in the OAA Red standings. Falling to 1-3 (1-2 OAA), Oxford sits in fifth-place in the Red.

The Wildcats will have another tough test on Friday, Sept. 27 when they host the Clarkston Wolves. Game time is 7 p.m. While just 1-3 on the season, the Wolves have played an extremely difficult schedule including Southfield A&T, Oak Park and West Bloomfield.