Romeo’s revenge

Painted up and waving flags, devoted Wildcat fans traveled to Romeo’s Barnabo Field Friday night to cheer the varsity football team on in their first game of the 2019 season. Oxford didn’t win, but being true fans, there was no loss of hope in the stands. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

By Teddy Rydquist

Leader Sports Writer

When Romeo’s varsity football team traveled to Wildcat Stadium last year, Oxford sent them home with a loss to start the season.

On Friday night, the Bulldogs returned the favor by routing the Wildcats 41-14 on their home turf, Barnabo Field.

The Bulldogs were able to set the tone on the ground all night as they racked up 376 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Oxford pulled within seven points, 14-7, midway through the second quarter, but a 25-yard touchdown run by Romeo senior Brian St. Clair with 32 seconds left in the half allowed the Bulldogs to take a comfortable 24-7 lead heading into halftime.

Following a 26-yard field goal by Romeo junior Gjon Djurasevic on their first drive of the second half, the Bulldogs added a touchdown on special teams when Oxford junior Brendan Moore had his punt attempt blocked and recovered in the end zone.

A 30-yard score by Romeo junior Austin Radtke extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 41-7 late in the third quarter. Oxford junior Luke Bianchi was able to punch one in from three-yards out with 3:29 left to get the score to the game’s final, 41-14.

“We deserve everything they give us,” said Oxford Head Coach Bud Rowley while addressing his players after the game. “That’s on me, but we have to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Oxford senior Matthew Pullman races into the end zone to score the first of the Wildcats’ two touchdowns against Romeo. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

The Wildcats ran more plays than Romeo, 60-40, but averaged just 4.9 yards per play compared to the Bulldogs’ 10.2 yards.

Senior Matt Pullman was one of the bright spots for Oxford, as he totaled 111 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, good for an average of 6.9 yards per rush.

Sacked four times, Oxford senior quarterback Drew Carpenter was under pressure most of the night. He finished 6-13 for 96 yards and an interception.

Despite being one of the smaller players on the field, Oxford junior defensive back Jack Thompson stepped up and made some tough tackles for the Wildcats on defense and special teams.

A very tough non-league opener for the Wildcats, Romeo finished 6-4 (3-2 Macomb Area Conference – Red) in 2018. Along with Chippewa Valley and Sterling Heights Stevenson, the Bulldogs look to be a contender in the conference again this year.

Throwback uniforms

For the first 21 years of their history, the Romeo football program wore “Peachmen” jerseys. Paying tribute to their history and the town’s annual Peach Festival, the Bulldogs wore the striped throwbacks to kick off their 2019 season.

Up next

Oxford will look to right the ship when they travel to Rochester Adams on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. An Oakland Activities Association – Red opponent, Adams defeated the Rochester Falcons, 60-24, to begin their season.

 

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