Once again, turnovers hampered the Brandon varsity football team and prevented them from a victory.
The host Oxford Wildcats took advantage of five Blackhawk turnovers and earned a 34-7 win against the Blackhawks in a Sept. 29 Flint Metro League contest, improving to 4-2 overall and 4-1 in the league. Brandon fell to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the league.
The Wildcats struck early and often in the first half. Zach Line caught a 33-yard pass from quarterback Jeremy Bukoski to give the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead. Nick Collier then intercepted a Brandon pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown to increase the Wildcats? lead to 14-0.
The Blackhawks found themselves down 21-0 in the second quarter after Oxford’s Vinnie Ives caught a touchdown pass from Bukoski. However, Brandon’s Josh Tolan put the Blackhawks on the scoreboard with a five-yard touchdown run just before halftime, trimming the Wildcats? lead to 21-7.
In the second half, though, two Oxford touchdown runs, one by Ives and the other by Joel Fortier, sealed the victory for the Wildcats.
Ives compiled 89 yards rushing for the Wildcats, while Bukoski completed 5-of-14 passes for 118 yards. Brandon’s Alex Ruhle caught three passes for 57 yards.
After a scheduled Oct. 6 game against Fenton, the Blackhawks are scheduled to play in their final home game of the season Oct. 13 against Lapeer East.
The Eagles are currently 2-4 on the season, including a 35-20 loss against crosstown rival Lapeer West in a Sept. 29 game.
Last year, the Eagles compiled a 2-7 record, including a 27-20 loss to Brandon in a Sept. 9 contest.