Great rivalries should not end this way.
Oxford and Linden have had a recent history of great games punctuated by overtime excitement and upsets.
But the final game between the two Flint Metro league rivals ended in a disappointing way for Bud Rowley Wildcats.
The Eagles rolled to a 49-0 victory over Oxford last week, dropping the Cats to 4-4 on the season and ending any hopes for playoff qualification.
The rivalry seemed to take hold in 2004, when Oxford grabbed an overtime victory. The next season, Oxford captured another overtime win.
Then in 2006, one of the toughest losses in Oxford history came in a double overtime defeat, 54-48.
In both 2007 and 2008, Linden came into the Oxford contest undefeated and favored. Both years, Rowley’s Wildcats won, 28-7.
The wildcats also garnered a share of the FML championship both seasons.
This year’s game had none of that usual excitement. Linden seemingly scored at will in the first half, jumping to a 35-0 advantage by halftime.
The Eagles amassed a whopping 589 yards in offense, despite reserving many of their starters in the second half.
Linden quarterback Cody Marks ran for 101 yards and passed for 256 more.
Oxford’s Zac Miller was six of 10 passing for 81 yards and rushed for 60.
Gary Wurtz and Prescott Line led Oxford’s defense with 14 and 13 tackles, respectively.
Oxford travels to Holly on Friday, Oct. 23 for their final game in FML play before heading into its new league next year, the Oakland Activities Association.