The Oxford football fans that traveled to Bloomfield Hills last Friday were treated to another spectacular outing by all-everything quarterback Glacier Wallington who led the Wildcats to a 35-14 victory and a berth in the state playoffs.
Senior Wallington, who has been a starter for four years, did a little bit of everything. From his defensive back position, he intercepted two passes and ran one of those back for a touchdown. As the team’s quarterback, he ran for a 20-yard score and threw two touchdown passes. If all of that was not enough, he also returned a punt 38 yards for a TD.
The victory improved Oxford’s record to 6-2 and guaranteed them a spot in the state playoffs. This week the Wildcats play in the OAA crossover game and will travel to Oak Park in a game scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday.
Coach Bud Rowley expected his team to beat Bloomfield Hills and said the team looked good at times and other times seemed to struggle.
‘It was an up and down game. From now on, every game will be against a good team. We have to be ready, prepare and roll,? Rowley said.
On Wallington, Rowley said leadership is expected and has said that Wallington is the real-deal. ‘He’s a senior, a four-year starter and a leader, so it’s expected. He had a very good game.?
Oxford opened the scoring on its first drive of the tame on a 20-yard TD run by Wallington with 9:31 left in the quarter.
In the second quarter, Wallington returned an interception for a score at the 10:30 mark. Then with 8:25 left before halftime, he returned a punt 38 yards for another touchdown to give the Wildcats a 21-0 lead.
Bloomfield Hills got one of its touchdowns just 29 seconds before halftime.
With 2:34 left before halftime, Wallington connected with Blake Stepek on a 21 yard touchdown pass. Noah Grove then connected on his fourth conversion kick.
Bloomfield Hills got one of its touchdowns just 29 seconds before halftime to cut Oxford’s lead to 28-7 at the break.
Bloomfield Hills added another score early in the third quarter but Wallington connected on a 17-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Harris with 8:05 left in the game for the 35-14 finish.
Oxford has 315 yards of offense. Scott Stubenrauch led the running game with 156 yards on 22 carries. Wallington was five-for-11 passing for 101 yards and the two touchdowns.
Linebacker John Patrick led the defense with six solo tackles and 10 assists. Wallington agreed following the game that the team was ‘up and down? but vowed they will be ready when it counts.
‘We will be ready next week and the rest of the way,? he said.