Coach Bud Rowley hopes his Oxford Wildcats learned some valuable lessons in its 28-7 loss on Saturday to Birmingham Brother Rice.
The team committed five turnovers, three of which were converted into touchdowns by Rice as the Cats dropped their first game of the year.
Following the game, Rowley told his young squad that they played well physically but made too many mental mistakes.
Rowley said the team needed to learn from its mistakes and he included himself in that assessment. He took blame for calling a play in the fourth quarter that led to a 76-yard interception return by Brother Rice when Oxford was driving for what would have been a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14.
On the play, the Oxford quarterback Kyle Rowley took a quick drop and passed quickly to his split end Steven Flores. Rice cornerback Randy Ward, who appeared ready for the play, stepped in front of the pass and ran untouched 76 yards.
The score came on the first play of the fourth quarter after Oxford had moved the ball well on a sustained drive of 74 yards to the Rice 16-yard line. The Wildcats appeared headed for what would have been a tying score at 14-14.
“I called the play. It was my fault,” Rowley said. “We all learn together.”
The team proved its toughness in its opening game 31-28 overtime victory over highly-touted Davison. After that exciting victory, Rowley told his squad that they have what it takes to have a good season.
He told his squad after the Rice game not to let one loss change their focus on the season. The team is expected to contend for the Flint Metro League title.
“It’s hard to go undefeated,” he said. “You have something and you still have it. Let’s get back to work.”
The trouble for the Wildcats began on their first play from scrimmage when Brother Rice recovered a fumble on the Cat’s 20 yard line.
Brother Rice’s Mike Radlick ended the 20-yard drive when he scored on a three-yard run. Jon Rea kicked the conversion.
The Wildcats then took the ensuing kickoff and marched 80 yards for a score.
Kyle Rowley ran the final 21 yards for the touchdown around the left side. Eddie Summers’ conversion tied the score at 7-7.
Rice took a 14-7 halftime lead with only 27 seconds left in the second quarter. Quarterback Doug Pickens scored on a one-yard run and Rea kicked the extra point.
Rice began its scoring drive after taking a punt on their 49 yard line with 3:53 left before intermission.
The teams were scoreless in the third quarter but Oxford began a long drive from its own 10 yard line with 5:51 left in the third quarter. Rowley completed three passes on the drive, to David Reile, of 11 yards, Steven Flores, 13 yards, and Matt Shipman, 11 yards.
Andrew Darin, making his first start at tailback for Oxford, picked up some valuable yards on the drive also.
A touchdown would have tied the game but Ward’s interception return changed any hopes the Wildcats had of a comeback.
The final score also came following a fumble by Oxford. Rice took possession on their 45 yard line with 7:33 remaining. Brother Rice played ball control and ran out most of the time on the drive, with Radlick scoring with 1:03 remaining.
The Wildcats will host Walled Lake Northern on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their first home game of the season.
The following week, the Wildcats will open their Flint Metro League season by hosting Brandon on Friday at 7:30 p.m.