Bud Rowley has coached some very good games in more than 30 years on the Oxford gridirons, so when Rowley says the Linden-Oxford match-up last Friday was the best game he’s ever been a part of you know it was a helluva game.
Unfortunately, for Rowley and the Wildcats the 36-35 triple overtime loss was also among the worst games any of them have ever been a part of because of a controversial call that cost Oxford the victory.
The controversy arose after Oxford held a 22-21 advantage in the first overtime. Linden kicker Noel Miller’s conversion kick to tie the game appeared to go wide to the left.
Several Linden players on the field fell to the ground in despair after watching the ball sail wide of the uprights while Oxford’s players celebrated what seemed to be a victory.
One referee, however, ruled the kick was good while another had called it no good. After the referees conferred, the kick was called good and play continued into the next overtime.
Video taken of the game later showed that the kick did not go through the uprights and should not have been ruled a good kick.
The controversy marred what otherwise was one of the greatest games in Oxford football history.
Linden was 7-0 entering the game and ranked number six in Division 3. The Eagles had allowed only 32 points total all season and had not been scored upon in their last four games. The team averaged more than 37 points per game.
The Eagles and their coaching staff knew that Oxford would be the team’s toughest test. Last season the teams fought to a 22-21 double overtime victory for Oxford.
Following the game, Rowley told his despondent team that the game was the best he’s ever been a part of and praised them for their efforts.
‘Hold your heads up,? Rowley said to his players, after singling out several players for extra praise. ‘I’ve been around for who knows how long and have been in state championship games and all kinds of games and this was the greatest game I’ve ever been a part of. Period.?
Linden Coach Dennis Perkins said it was the hardest-hitting game he had ever seen and said his team was lucky to get the win.
Early in the game, it looked like the Eagles might make the Wildcats more fodder for their offensive juggernaut. Linden scored 12 points in the first quarter and appeared on target to exceed their 37-point per game average.
Their first touchdown came on a four yard pass from Quarterback Dustin Mayner to Chris Wade. The extra point kick was blocked by Zach Line.
The Eagles struck again three minutes later in the quarter on an 89-yard run by Mayner. A two-point conversion try failed.
Linden kicker Miller injured his right knee on the first conversion attempt and courageously hobbled onto the field later in the game and in overtime to attempt his kicks, including making a 30-yard field goal. Miller is a left-footed kicker.
Oxford’s defense, led by Kam Mueller and Jim McLean, who recorded three quarterback sacks, kept Linden out of the end zone for the remainder of regulation play.
The Wildcats got on the board with 2:03 left in the quarter on a one-yard run by Nick Murray. Zach Wasylyna kicked the conversion to narrow the lead to 12-7.
Linden’s Miller booted a 30-yard field goal with 5:08 left in the third quarter to give the Eagles a 15-7 advantage.
The Wildcats clawed back with quarterback Billy Keenist rifling a six-yard scoring strike to Brad Grunewald with 1:20 left in the third quarter. Keenist then ran for a two-point conversion to deadlock the score at 15-15. The score was set up on a 28-yard run by Keenist down to the 12.
Neither team could find the end zone in the fourth quarter and the teams headed for overtime for the second time in as many years.
Oxford went first in the overtime, in which each team starts on the 10-yard line and has four attempts at scoring.
Keenist connected on a five-yard pass on third down to Jeremy Bukoski. Wasylyna kicked the conversion and the Wildcats took a 22-15 advantage.
After Oxford’s defense stopped Linden twice from inside the two-yard line, Mayner scored on a fourth down from the one. Miller’s subsequent conversion appeared to sail to the left but was ruled a good conversion, tying the game at 22 and sending it to a second overtime.
Linden went first in the second overtime. Mayner scored on a three-yard run on third down and Miller booted the conversion.
The Wildcats were stopped on their first three attempts in the second overtime but Keenist connected on a dramatic eight-yard pass to Murray on fourth down. Wasylyna kicked the conversion and the teams headed to a third overtime tied at 29-29.
Oxford went first in the third overtime. On a fourth down from the four-yard line Keenist scored around the left side to give the Wildcats a 34-29 advantage. The conversion kick failed.
Once again Oxford’s defense, led by Mueller, stopped Linden on three plays. On a fourth down and six, Mayner hit Rory Acker on a touchdown pass. Miller then kicked the conversion, ending the epic game.
Oxford out-gained Linden offensively, piling up 333 yards to Linden’s 214.
Sergio Schlak ran for 152 yards while Keenist tallied 70 yards. Keenist also threw for 44 yards and two touchdowns.
Rowley did not speak on the record about what the loss meant to his team but was angry about the blown call.
A victory against Linden would have given the Wildcats a share of first-place in the Flint Metro League and guaranteed the team a state playoff berth if they win on Friday against Fenton.
A victory on Friday at Fenton will give Oxford a 5-4 record and almost certainly will keep them from the state playoffs. Only 11 teams statewide with 5-4 records will make the playoffs.
So, even though the Wildcats played a truly great game, they learned that sometimes the best of times are also the worst of times.