Oxford Football Coach Bud Rowley always puts faith in his seniors.
In the Wildcats? season-opening win on Friday, the seniors led the way to a 21-14 victory over Clio.
Seniors Gary Wurtz and A.J. Logan, who are two of the three returning starters on offense from last year, provided the touchdowns. Logan scored two TDs in the first half and Wurtz returned an interception for six points shortly before halftime to give the Cats all the points they needed.
‘Our seniors played great. They were the difference tonight,? Rowley said.
Despite what may have seemed like a close game at 21-14, Oxford dominated Clio for most of the contest. The Mustangs did not get a first down until 5:29 left in the third quarter and scored their final TD late in the game, when Oxford was playing its second-team defense against Clio’s first team offense.
The steady rain hampered both teams? offense. Oxford had six fumbles, losing three, while the Clio passing attack was 21-39, withseveral dropped passes, three fumbles and two interceptions.
Wurtz, who also caught two passes for 28 yards from his wide receiver position, led the defense with the interception and seven tackles. Aaron Stuk also had seven tackles and Matt Economou grabbed an interception.
Logan scored his second TD of the game, on a six-yard run with 1:25 left, before halftime. On Clio’s next possession, Wurtz stepped in front of a Clio receiver on a screen pass and then went 17 yards for a score with 30 seconds left before halftime.
Logan’s first TD came mid-way through the first quarter on a two-yard run. Matt Versteeg kicked all three conversions.
Logan and Bart Nolde each had 93 yards rushing to lead Oxford. Prescott Line added 57 yards. Oxford alternated quarterback duties between Vito Giannola and Zac Miller.
Giannola completed three of six passes for 37 yards.
Oxford had 310 total yards of offense, with 273 coming on the ground.
The Wildcats will travel to Flint Kearsley for a 7 p.m. game scheduled on Thursday.
Kearsley lost in week one to Lapeer West on a last-minute score.