A packed house Friday night at the annual homecoming game saw the Oxford Wildcats roll to a 30-20 win over Brandon.
The victory did not come without a little trepidation as the Blackhawks mounted two scoring drives late in the fourth quarter to narrow the gap.
The victory improved Oxford’s record in the Flint Metro League to 3-0, putting the team in a tie atop the league with Linden.
The Wildcats scored in every quarter and weathered a strong comeback attempt by the Blackhawks, who scored 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Oxford scored on its opening drive of the game, an 83-yard march that was capped with a 48-yard touchdown pass from QB Billy Keenist to Sergio Schlak. Zach Wasylyna kicked the first of his four conversions following the score.
The Wildcats continued a strong aerial attack in the second quarter when Keenist hit Vinnie Ives on a 27-yard TD strike with 4:16 left before halftime.
Brandon began relying on its own passing attack following Oxford’s second score.
The Wildcat defense shot down Brandon’s running game throughout the contest, holding the Blackhawks to a negative rushing total for the game.
The Blackhawks scored on a 17-yard pass from Sean Montgomery to Donald Carter, after moving down the field with the aid of several completed passes. A conversion cut Oxford’s lead to 14-7 with only 1:25 left before halftime.
The Wildcats had 183 total yards in the half, while Keenist was six-for-10 passing for 124 yards and the two TDs.
Brandon had 100 total yards in the half, with 86 coming through the air.
In the third quarter, Oxford scored first on a safety. Linebacker Dan Johnston blocked a punt, which was then recovered in the end zone by the Brandon punter. The score gave Oxford a 16-7 advantage.
Schlak added a touchdown with 2:44 left in the third quarter on a five-yard run. Schlak, who finished with 97 yards rushing for the game, added his third TD of the game, on a one-yard run to start the fourth quarter.
The score gave Oxford a 30-7 lead.
The Blackhawks then went to a passing attack which saw them move down the field and score on a one-yard pass with 9:54 left in the fourth quarter.
The conversion failed and Oxford led 30-13.
Brandon mounted a second touchdown drive in the quarter and scored on a 30-yard pass from Montgomery to Nick Torelli with 5:44 left. A conversion made the score 30-20 and seemed to give Brandon hopes for a comeback.
Brandon recovered the ensuing on-side kick but the drive was stopped by an interception by the Wildcat’s Nick Collier with about three minutes left.
Any other hopes the Blackhawks may have had were crushed late when Kam Mueller recovered a fumble on Brandon’s 14 yard line with 1:18 left in the game.
Oxford had a balanced attack, with 334 yards on offense, coming on 150 yards rushing and 184 passing.
Keenist was 10-of-17 passing with the two touchdowns. In addition to the 97 yards rushing for Schlak, Ives picked up 32 yards and Joel Fortier added 30.
Brandon had 184 yards rushing and a negative nine yards on the ground.
Oxford Coach Bud Rowley was pleased with the victory but was concerned about Brandon’s late comeback.
‘We have to get better. End of story,? Rowley said, noting the team will face Lapeer West this Friday.
The game will be played at West and begin at 7 p.m.