Team.
That was Coach Bud Rowley’s explanation how his Wildcat squad was able to win a share of the Flint Metro League title for the first time in seven years.
The Cats beat two-time defending champion Linden, 28-7, on Friday to finish the regular season at 8-1 and 7-1 in league play.
Oxford finished tied atop the league standings with Lapeer West. The Wildcats have the bragging rights though, after beating West earlier in the season.
The Cats will host their first state playoff game in more than seven years when they face Davison on Friday at 7 p.m.
The Wildcats came out with some surprises against Linden, with tailback Zach Line starting at quarterback and beginning from a shotgun formation. Rowley even passed a few more times than usual to keep the Eagles off balance.
It was Oxford’s defense that really made a difference holding Linden to a total of only 91 yards in offense and minus 23 rushing. Linden’s only TD came on a 90-yard punt return.
Putting the ball in Line’s hands from a quarterback spot presented some unique challenges to Linden’s defense.
Line led the league in rushing with more than 1,400 yards entering the game and also led it in scoring with 90 points.
He has proven he is the best player in the league on both offense and on defense from his linebacker spot where he led the team in tackles.
Line finished with 234 all-purpose yards, including 155 yards rushing and 79 passing. He scored one TD and passed for two other TDs.
Fortier rushed for 156 yards and a two-yard TD in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory.
Oxford scored first on Line’s one-yard run. Linden came back on a 90-yard punt return with 4:35 left in the first quarter.
Line passed for the first of his TD tosses from six-yards out to James McLean at the 10:39 mark of the second quarter.
The Cats struck again with only 10 seconds left before halftime on a Line to James Nelson pass from 24 yards.
Don Pohl kicked all four conversions.
Putting Line at QB created some challenges for Linden.
As the leading rusher in the league, it was difficult to defense what he might do and the Eagles never seemed to be able to adjust.
‘He’s a football player. He can play,? Rowley said, while crediting his entire team effort.
‘They didn’t know we also had a Joel Fortier and Geoffrey Charles and everyone who brought it. All the other guys on this team.? Rowley said. ‘Everyone did a great job from the coaching staff to the players to the community supporting us. It was all good.
‘I’m very pleased and happy. I’m happy for the kids. They worked hard and deserve a piece of the Flint Metro League championship.?
Rowley acknowledged the team was special in many ways.
‘These kids love to practice. The come in and work hard. They love to play football.?
From an old diehard football coach like Bud Rowley that’s very high praise.