FENTON ? It was a bittersweet end to Oxford’s football season as the Wildcats downed Fenton, 48-12, Friday night.
The team finished with an overall 5-4 record and was 3-2 in Flint Metro League play but failed to make the state high school playoffs or share in the league title.
The team can take some solace in knowing they may be the best team in the state not to make the playoffs.
Despite last week’s heart-breaking loss to Linden, the team did not let down at Fenton.
Coach Bud Rowley told his squad he was proud of them and said they demonstrated a great deal of good character and good attitudes. ‘It’s all about character and attitude,? Rowley said.
The Wildcats didn’t get on the board against Fenton until the second quarter. They nearly scored twice in the opening quarter but senior tailback Sergio Schlak had touchdown runs of 57 and 52 yards called back due to penalties.
The Cats got things rolling in the second quarter, racking up 21 points in the frame.
Jeremy Bukoski got things moving for Oxford when he picked off a halfback option pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown. After Zach Wasylyna booted the conversion, Oxford led 7-0 with 9:32 left in the quarter.
Sophomore Zach Line recovered a fumble on Fenton’s ensuing possession on the Tiger’s 25. Schlak then picked up 20 yards down to the five. Three plays later Schlak scored from the one to give Oxford a 13-0 advantage with 7:03 left.
The Wildcat defense held Fenton in their next possession which included a quarterback sack by Nick Shufflin. Chris Harper returned the Fenton punt 34 yards to the Tiger’s 33. A penalty against Fenton on a late hit against Harper gave Oxford the ball on the 19 to start the drive.
Nick Murray subsequently scored on a nine-yard run and then added a two-point conversion to give Oxford a 21-0 lead.
Fenton scored with 1:09 left before halftime but failed to convert to cut Oxford’s lead to 21-6.
The Tigers then got their second and final score of the game to start the second half when Nick Smith returned a fumble for a touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt was not good.
Schlak had 125 yards rushing in the first half, despite having touchdowns runs of 57 and 52 yards called back.
Schlak continued his onslaught in the third quarter in his final game for Oxford.
Following two quarterback sacks by Line and Kam Mueller, Fenton punted from its four yard line out to Oxford’s 45. On the first play, Schlak scored from 55 yards out. Wasylyna’s conversion made it 28-12.
Schlak then added his third touchdown of the game on a 68-yard run with 3:50 left in the quarter. Wasylyn’s conversion gave the Cats a 35-12 advantage.
The 68-yard score was Schlak’s last because he sat out the fourth quarter as Coach Rowley got everyone into the game.
The Wildcats continued to move the ball well. With Bukoski substituting for senior quarterback Billy Keenist, Oxford tallied two more scores.
Joel Fortier scored on a one-yard run. The conversion was not good and Oxford held a 41-12 lead.
Fortier then blocked a Fenton punt on the Tiger’s next possession and Oxford took over on the Tiger’s 38.
Junior Jay Regan showed promise for next season when he ran for a 20-yard TD and the conversion gave Oxford a 48-12 lead with 2:42 left in the game.
The Wildcat defense held Fenton to only 64 yards rushing and 44 passing.
Oxford’s powerful ground game racked up 359 yards on the ground, including 259 by Schlak in only three quarters.
See next week’s Leader for a column by Dan Shriner on his perceptions of the season and the team’s heart-breaking loss against Linden.