If Flint Metro League opponents have not yet taken note of Oxford’s starting defense, they will by season’s end.
The five Metro League opponents that have tried to score on the starting eleven this season will attest to the defensive squad’s quickness and ability.
The starting defensive unit has allowed only 13 points total in five league games.
On Friday, Brandon became the latest to learn that the group is very good. Even though Brandon became the first FML opponent to score a touchdown on the Wildcat’s starting defense this season, it wasn’t enough as the Wildcats rolled to a 34-7 victory on homecoming night.
Coach Bud Rowley praised his defensive unit following the game.
‘The defense played great once again,? Rowley said. ‘This was a great homecoming win for us.?
The Cats offense looked pretty good on Friday, too.
They scored on their opening drive on a 32-yard pass from Jeremy Bukoski to Zach Line. Don Pohl kicked the first of his six conversions and the Cats led 7-0.
Cornerback Nick Collier provided the second score on an interception return and Vinnie Ives tacked on a third TD, on a 39-yard pass from Bukoski before intermission.
Brandon scored it’s only TD with 52 seconds before halftime. The five-yard score followed a drive that was aided by partially a blocked punt which gave the Blackhawks good field position on the Wildcat’s 37.
At halftime, Oxford held a 21-7 advantage and held Brandon to 104 yards in offense.
In the second half, the Cats? defense got even stingier while the offense ran off two long time-consuming drives.
Brandon was held to minus 19 yards in offense in the second half to finish with only 83 yards of offense for the game.
In the third quarter, Ives got his second TD, on a six yard run with 4:32 left. The extra point gave the Cats a 28-7 lead.
Joel Fortier scored the final TD on a one-yard run with 4:43 left. The Cats ran off more than eight minutes of the fourth quarter on the final TD march.
Oxford finished with 277 yards on offense. Ives picked up 89 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Bukoski connected on five passes for 118 yards and two TDs.
The Wildcats travel to Lapeer East on Friday for a 6:55 p.m. match.
Oxford improved its league record to 4-1 and is 4-2 overall.