The last time the Oxford Wildcats were 1-3 to start a season, the team finished only three wins from a state title.
During that playoff run in 2003, the Wildcats narrowly lost in the state quarterfinals to the team that eventually won the state championship. The team’s mantra during that drive was ‘believe.?
Following a 35-0 loss on Friday to Farmington Hills Harrison, Coach Bud Rowley urged his team to believe in themselves and the coaching staff and told them that starting a season 1-3 is no time to give up.
‘We’re 1-3 but we will be fine. We have to go to work and believe in ourselves and what we are doing,? Rowley said. ‘We have to work hard this week and get ready for Stoney Creek.?
The Cats will travel to Stoney Creek and face the Cougars on Friday at 7 p.m. Stoney Creek is also 1-3 in the Oakland Activities Association White Division.
The Wildcats kept the undefeated Harrison Hawks at bay for most of the first half. But, a very solid passing attack, helped by two acrobatic TD catches of 13 and 21 yards, by a Harrison receiver eventually took its toll on the Cats.
Harrison scored on its first possession of the game but defenses took over for most of the first and second quarters as neither team could manage much offense.
The Cats could not connect on a 45-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter and Harrison scored on the ensuing drive with an acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone and took over the game from then on.
Two minutes later, Harrison scored another TD on a 41-yard pass. They added another score before halftime to take a 28-0 lead.
The Wildcats twice got inside the Hawks 30 yard line but could not score.
Oxford finished with 110 yards rushing and 74 yards passing. Quarterback Vito Giannola and Prescott Line led the team in rushing.
Harrison had 227 yards passing and 131 rushing.