The ‘Double O? trophy is back in Dragon claws after Lake Orion stopped Oxford, 36-0, last week to hand the Wildcats their third loss of the season and their third shutout loss.
The trophy each year goes to the team that wins in the rivalry. The Wildcats won last season.
The loss dropped Oxford to 1-3. This Friday they travel to Clarkston and they still have to face undefeated West Bloomfield.
On Friday, Lake Orion used the same kind of offense that Oxford has sported for years — a relentless ground attack. Their leading rusher, Keith Fields, accumulated 233 yards and scored three touchdowns. Oxford had 234 total yards of offense for the game.
Oxford’s difficulties this season were summed up last week by Coach Bud Rowley when he said the team has had difficulty making a big play.
That was true in the second quarter when the Wildcats drove the ball to the Dragon’s seven- yard line but were stopped on a fourth down. A score there would have made the game 14-7 at halftime, which even the Lake Orion coach admitted would have given Oxford some life. The Wildcats converted only three of 14 third down attempts.
‘Our defense has grown very comfortable in short-yardage situations,? Lake Orion Coach Chris Bell said. ‘We’ve learned to play hard and that obviously was a big stop. If Oxford scores, we have a new ball game.?
The contest turned into a rout when Lake Orion scored on all three of its third-quarter possessions. This included two more touchdown runs by Fields, plus a 23-yard dash for junior running back Chris Wilson, his first varsity touchdown. Senior kicker Luke Bevilacqua finished the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 33-yard field goal, to make the final score 36-0.
‘Every game is important, but this was a rivalry game,? Bell said. ‘It was nice for our seniors to bring the Double-O trophy back where it belongs.?
Rowley said his Wildcats will continue working hard.
The team was led by tailback Wyatt Harden, who rushed for 106 yards on 21 carries. Ethan Williams added 44 yards rushing.
Rowley said Lake Orion played well and said his Wildcats have played well defensively this season but the offense just can’t seem to find the end zone.
‘We haven’t played Oxford football for a while. We’re going back to the drawing board, get going. We’re not going to give up. We are not that kind of team.?