The Oxford football team simply had too much firepower for the visting Brandon football team Sept. 19.
Oxford quarterback Kyle Rowley, a senior and three-year starter for the Wildcats, went 11-of-20 for 153 yards and four touchdowns as the Wildcats defeated the Blackhawks 31-14. Oxford improved to 3-1 and 1-0 in the Flint Metro League, while Brandon fell to 0-4 and 0-2.
By the time Brandon scored their first points of the game, Oxford had already built up a 17-0 halftime lead and was firmly in command of the game.
The Blackhawks scored their points on an 80-yard touchdown run by junior running back Derek Foyt and a 70-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Andrew Burch to senior wide receiver Joe Turcsak.
For the game, Foyt ran for 117 yards on 11 carries, and Burch completed 6-of-13 passes for 108 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Burch started the game in place of senior Devin White, who hurt his hand in the Blackhawks’ Sept. 12 game against Linden. Brandon coach Ron Gill said White’s status at quarterback for the Blackhawks’ Sept. 26 game Homecoming game against Holly is unknown as of press time.
White was able to play defense at safety for the Blackhawks in the game, and led the team with 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. Turcsak and Justin Tripp each added 10 tackles.
The Blackhawks committed two turnovers in the game, both giving the Wildcats excellent field position, according to Gill.
“We continue to hurt ourselves with some costly turnovers,” he said. “You can’t afford to make those mistakes against a quality team like Oxford.”
Despite the loss, Gill said the team is making progress. He said defensive end Matt Ruppert and Tripp played well for the Blackhawks against Oxford.
“We’re getting more people to the ball,” Gill said. “Their effort is there, but we have to do more of the little things.”
Gill said the Blackhawks, particularly the team’s seniors, will be ready to go for Homecoming.
“They continue to work hard and want to get on the winning side of the equation,” he said.
Brandon’s next game is Friday, Oct. 3 when they travel to Lapeer West.
Last year, the Panthers went 4-5 and 2-4 in the Flint Metro League, tying with Brandon and Fenton for fourth place in the league.
On Sept. 19, Lapeer West edged Ann Arbor Huron 23-22 to improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the Flint Metro.
They return six starters on offense and six on defense. Key returnees are: quarterback Nick Norman, tailback Ricky Gonzalez, wide receiver Jordan Berry, guard Adam Antonides, wide receiver-defensive back Jim Collins, center Rich Viziano, middle linebacker Andy Dougovito and defensive tackle Don McDonald.