Coach Bud Rowley and his Oxford Wildcats could not have asked for a better stage for the coach to get his 200th win last week.
The team was playing at Ford Field for the first time in school history against a team that last year manhandled the Wildcats in the second half.
But, it wasn’t the same University of Detroit Jesuit team from last year and it wasn’t the same Oxford team that suffered so many breakdowns in that loss.
Rowley sensed the change in his team following its 38-7 victory over Jesuit on Saturday.
‘They blew us up last year,? he said of Jesuit. ‘We turned the corner today in believing in each other and believing we have a good team. We really came off the ball and played good defense. And that is a fine football team over there,? Rowley said, nodding to Jesuit. ‘I was very pleased with our effort.?
Senior Running back Zach Line said the team wanted to do their part for their coach.
‘We thought it was extra special for him to get the 200th win but he told us is was about us and not about him. He does his part and we wanted to do ours,? Line said.
Rowley has dismissed his 200th victory as a personal accomplishment..
‘Who cares about the 200? I don’t care about 200. It’s not important. I’m very fortunate to have great players and teach in a great community and that’s what it is. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to win 200 games but it is not about me it is about the kids.?
But, following the victory, his players presented him with a framed certificate honoring their coach on his milestone win. He also was given the game ball and got a ride off the field on the shoulders on his players.
The Wildcats made very few errors and played typical Oxford football.
‘We committed to the ground game,? Rowley said. ‘Put your mouthpiece in and go to work.?
The Cats did just that, racking up 352 yards on the ground, and 12 passing. The defense played very well, holding UD to only 32 yards rushing and 134 passing.
Oxford rolled to a 21-0 halftime lead on three TD’s by Line. His first score came on a 65-yard run in the opening quarter. Don Pohl kicked the conversion.
Line scored again, on the first play of the second quarter, on a 24-yard scamper. He added the third score of the quarter on a five-run run, to put Oxford up 21-0.
Line got his fourth TD with 11:10 left in the fourth quarter.
Following that TD, Jesuit returned the ensuing kickoff for its only score.
Pohl added a 27-yard field goal with 6:03 left and John Brooks finished the scoring for Oxford with a two-yard run with 1:06 left in the game.
For the second consecutive game, Line finished with over 200 yards rushing, netting 210 yards. He also led the defense with 13 tackles. Austyn Sylva picked up 67 yards rushing and Joel Fortier added 40.
Geoff Charles had a solid defensive effort with eight tackles, two sacks and an interception.
Oxford faces one of its toughest tests this week in Flint Metro League when they travel to Lapeer West. The Cats have not beaten West in four years and need a victory to make a strong bid for the league title.
Line and Rowley said the game against West will be a good test.
‘We look forward to playing West,? Line said. ‘It’s another step for us.?