While no team ever wants to start a season 0-2, there is little reason for Oxford football fans to fret.
The Wildcats lost to Davison, 14-0, Friday night in the inaugural game played at the Cardinal’s new stadium.
Oxford has lost in consecutive weeks to two good football teams.
But, the remaining seven games on the schedule are all against Flint Metro League foes and the Wildcats are one of the favorites to win the league title.
This Friday, Oxford will travel to Holly for a 7 p.m. game. The Bronchos are 1-1in two non-league games.
The Davison game saw two evenly-matched teams battle throughout. While Oxford had beaten Davison three consecutive times, the Cardinals won the last contest, a playoff game in 2004.
The Cardinals led most of the game, 7-0, before adding an insurance touchdown late in the contest.
Davison’s opening score came on a 25-yard screen pass to Ruben Talley with 2:33 left in the first quarter. Talley dodged several Wildcat defenders during his zig-zag run.
Senior running back Talley added a second touchdown with 4:40 left in the game.
Davison’s Jason Faulkner kicked both conversions.
The Wildcat defense tightened when it needed to throughout the game, forcing three Davison turnovers and making important stops throughout.
Davison had 279 total yards to 161 for Oxford. Talley supplied much of the offense, running for 123 yards on 17 carries and 52 yards receiving. Alek Steel also rushed for 97 yards for the Cardinals on 12 carries.
Nick Collier was the leading rushed for Oxford, collecting 52 yards on 10 carries. Quarterback Billy Keenist passed for 74 yards while playing on a sore ankle.
Coach Bud Rowley said the defense played well and said his offense will come around.
‘We’re fine,? he said. ‘We’ve played two good teams and we’re okay. We have to adjust a few things after we look at film.?