By Chaz Millard

Football Correspondent

Every football season has a conclusion and for the Oxford Wildcats theirs concluded on Friday night following their loss to Farmington Hills Harrison by the score of 49-7.

This marks the second season in a row that the Wildcats failed to make the Michigan state playoffs finishing with an overall record of 4-5 (2-4 in league play).

The tone was set early as the Hawks were dominant on both sides of the ball. Virtually marching where they wanted on offense and stuffing the Wildcat running game at every turn, Harrison controlled all aspects of the game.

Harrison drove down on the games opening possession through the air and on the ground with great balance and capped it with a touchdown pass on a screen pass to the running back.

Oxford came out with an aggressive play on their first play on the ensuing possession going with a play-action pass attempting to attack the Hawks deep. Unfortunately, the pass was well-covered

and intercepted. Harrison drove into Oxford territory but turned the ball over on downs.

As has been a recurring theme this season, the Wildcats hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers.

Following that stop on fourth down Oxford committed a penalty, ran for five and then fumbled it back to the Hawks.

Harrison ran the ball up the gut repeatedly until they scored on a 1-yard plunge extending the lead to 14-0.

Those possessions essentially summed up the game.

Oxford struggled to do anything on offense; hurt themselves with penalties; turned the ball over; and could not stop the Hawks offense.

At the half the Hawks had a 21-0 lead.

With the start of the second half it was more of the same.

A powerful running game from the Hawks finished off the Wildcats and the sun set on yet another year of Wildcat football.

DeVon Hudson scored the only toughdown for the Wildcats and finished the night with 60 yards on 11 carries.

We bid the seniors a fond farewell for all their hard work and turn our attention to the 2017 season.

After all, it’s only 10 months away.

On a high note, Oxford’s junior varsity football team beat Harrison’s JV team 19-6 the night before.