A couple of big defensive plays and a stellar night for senior running back Wyatt Harden notched the Oxford Wildcats their first win, 21-19, over Stoney Creek.
Harden rushed for 185 yards on 25 carries and scored twice on runs of 23 and one yard. His block of an extra point attempt in the second quarter proved to be a big play as the Cougars? failure to convert on two of their extra points provided Oxford with its winning margin.
The Wildcats will host Troy Athens this week at 7 p.m. It is the annual Hall of Fame Game for the Wildcats.
Coach Bud Rowley said he was pleased with the play of his team, especially considering last week’s stunning loss.
‘The offensive line, especially, played very well,? Rowley said. ‘It was a great job by everyone tonight. I thought our linebackers played very well, too.?
Ethan Williams, Devon Davenport and Jared Dymond, were among the team’s leaders on defense, Rowley said.
The Wildcats scored first, with Harden running 23 yards at the start of the second quarter. Matthew Mielnicki, kicked the first of his three conversions on the night and the Cats were up 7-0.
Jermaine Etchen added Oxford’s second score three minutes later on a one-yard run to put Oxford up 14-0.
Stoney Creek added a touchdown just 27 second before halftime to cut Oxford’s lead to 14-7.
Neither team scored in the third quarter but the Cougars scored at the beginning of the fourth quarter on a three-yard run. Harden blocked the extra point attempt and the Wildcats led 14-13.
Harden scored for the second time with 6:21 left in the game to put Oxford up 21-13.
The Cougars, led by freshman quarterback Frank Potenza, came roaring back, scoring on a 67-yard run with only 2:27 left.
Stoney Creek had to go for a two-point conversion to tie the game, but the left side of the Wildcat’s defense made the stop on the Cougar running back to preserve the lead and the win.
Oxford quarterback Brenden Lewis was four-for-seven for 68 yards passing. Oxford had 312 yards of offense, compared to 298 for Stoney Creek.
Anson Rowley ran for 45 yards on 14 carries. Harden ran for 185 yards on 25 carries, an average of 7.4 yards per carry.