BERKLEY ? It always hurts to lose a very important football game.
But, the Oxford Wildcat’s 38-6 loss last week to defending state champion Birmingham Brother Rice was a valiant effort against a team that is favored to repeat its state title.
It is rare that the Wildcat’s offensive and defensive lines are dominated in a manner that Rice did, outrushing Oxford 318 yards to 47.
Game after game, season after season, Oxford’s offensive and defensive lines are the team’s strengths.
Coach Bud Rowley recognized his squad got beat at the lines of scrimmage in this one game, but is very proud of his kids and the coaching staff. The team finished 7-4 and won four consecutive games entering the district final against Rice.
Oxford’s seniors, such as Zack Hadorn, Marty Giannola, Kyle Anderson, Liam Logan, Logan Money, Brennen Orr, Piper Thaler, Scott Skilling and others led the Wildcats throughout the season and rose to challenges time and again.
‘It was an awesome season and our kids and coaches did a great job. We will be fine,? Rowley said.
Brother Rice put a display that was worthy of a state champion. They scored on their first possession at the 7:13 mark of the first quarter and continued the onslaught from there.
The Warriors ran to a 21-0 halftime lead, increased it to 28-0 after three quarters and then to 31-0 in the fourth quarter before Oxford scored.
The Wildcat’s TD came on an eight-yard pass from backup quarterback Luke Champion to Mitch Tilley with 4:03 left in the game.
The Warriors came back with a 79-yard kickoff return to make the final score 38-6.
Sophomore quarterback Glacier Wallington led Oxford’s rushers with only 20 yards on 12 carries. He completed eight of 14 passes for 39 yards. His replacement, Champion, threw for 84 yards on three-for-four accuracy.