It was a case of too little, too late for the Brandon varsity football team.
Flint Metro League rival Oxford dominated the majority of their Sept. 23 contest against the visiting Blackhawks and held off a late Brandon rally to earn a 30-20 victory.
The Wildcats remained undefeated in the Flint Metro at 3-0 (3-2 overall), while Brandon fell to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the league.
Oxford scored one touchdown each in the first and second quarters to take a 14-0 lead. Brandon scored for the first time with 1:25 left in the second quarter, as Donald Carter caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Sean Montgomery to trim the Oxford lead to 14-7.
However, the Wildcats scored 16 points in the second half to take firm command of the game, 30-7.
Brandon mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns. The first of those two came on a one-yard touchdown pass from Montogomery to Ryan Smith with 9:54 left. However, the point-after attempt failed, leaving Oxford in front 30-13.
The Blackhawks then scored again with 5:44 left, as Montgomery threw his third touchdown pass of the game, this one a 30-yard strike to Nick Toreli.
Brandon was slated to take on Flint Metro rival Holly in their Homecoming game Sept. 30. The Bronchos are currently 2-3 overall and 1-1 in league play after a 46-0 loss to Linden on Sept. 23.
The Blackhawks? next game is Oct. 7 at Lapeer West. The Panthers are currently 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the Flint Metro after a 39-7 win against Clio on Sept. 23.