The Oxford Wildcats need to complete the final step this week in their journey to defend their Flint Metro League title.
A victory over Holly on Friday will ensure at least a share of the championship. The team already has secured its berth into the state playoffs, which will begin the following week.
Last week, the team emphatically made a huge step in defense of its league title by knocking off previously undefeated Line, 28-7, and spoiled the Eagles? homecoming.
The Wildcats put on an impressive ground game in the victory, racking up 404 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
It helped that Linden quarterback Cody Marks suffered a wrist injury midway through the second quarter while playing defense for the Eagles. Oxford led 7-0 at that point.
Marks was the league’s top quarterback last season and led Linden’s powerful offense all season. With him out of the lineup, much of Linden’s punch was gone.
However, even if he had been in the game, Oxford’s offensive and defensive lines were controlling the game, especially in the second half.
Linden tied the game at 7-7 at the end of the second quarter.
In the second half, Oxford controlled the lines of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and its ground game plowed through Linden’s defense.
Nick Tombrella led the Wildcat’s offense, racking up 154 yards rushing and one TD on 23 carries. Prescott Line ran for 115 yards and a score and Austyn Sylva ran for 60 yards and two TDs.
Matt Versteeg kicked four conversions.
In order to secure a share of the title, Oxford must beat visiting Holly on Friday at 7 p.m. Linden will travel to Brandon and Fenton will go to Kearsley. Oxford, Linden and Fenton all must get victories to each share in the league title.