The Oxford Wildcat football team will likely not enjoy very many double-digit victories this year in the Flint Metro League.
Bud Rowley’s squad has fought hard each week in some close contests, but on Friday the group could not overcome the emotion of a Brandon homecoming game and some late success of the Blackhawks, losing 20-17.
The loss dropped the Wildcats to 3-2 in the Flint Metro League. They host Lapeer East this week at 7 p.m. in the Wildcat’s homecoming.
Oxford controlled the play for much of the game, amassing nearly 300 yards rushing.
They held a 10- 0 advantage in the second quarter. Gabe Grifka scored on a one-yard run in the first quarter and Matt Versteeg hit a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter.
A Wildcat turnover late in the half set up a Brandon 30-yard TD pass and cut the lead to 10-6 at halftime.
The Blackhawks took a 13-10 lead in the third quarter on a 12-yard run by QB Shane Mahaffy.
Zac Miller put the Wildcats back on top with 9:01 left in the game on an 11-yard run.
Mahaffy answered with a 13-yard score with 4:35 left in the game to go up 20-17.
A final drive by the Wildcats fell short on a fourth down and five from the 24 when a pass fell incomplete.
Neil Maskill led Oxford with 102 yards rushing. Zac Miller had 88 and Bart Nolde 68.
Prescott Line led the defense with six tackles and six assists. Matt Economou had seven tackles and four assists. Grifka had an interception.
Brandon had 134 passing yards and 130 rushing yard. The Wildcats had 294 rushing yards and no passing yardage.