The Oxford Wildcats’ hopes for a Flint Metro League title evaporated in the rain and wind last week as the team lost its second consecutive game and now must win its final three games in order to qualify for the state playoffs.
The Cats were upset by Lapeer East, 23-7, dropping them to 1-3 in the league and 3-3 overall and setting up an important match this Friday at home with undefeated Linden.
Oxford has three games remaining. After hosting Linden on Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Cats finish with games at Fenton and Holly. In order to qualify for the state playoffs the team needs six wins.
The Lapeer East Eagles put Oxford away early with the help of a no-huddle offense and some miscues.
The Eagles took the opening drive and quickly marched down the field for a touchdown. The big play on the drive came on the first play from scrimmage. Jason Barker took off around the left side for a 53 yard gain before he was tackled on Oxford’s 27.
East scored on an 11-yard run by Eddie Barber and, following the extra point, the Eagles had a 7-0 lead with less than two minutes expired.
After taking the ensuing kickoff to the 30 yard line, the Cats fumbled and the Eagles took over on the 28 yard line. Miles Moran subsequently scored on a nine-yard run and the extra point gave East a 14-0 lead with barely three minutes expired.
Oxford’s second possession stalled on the East 40 yard line. Following a punt, the Eagles took over on their own 28. A 22-yard pass from quarterback Dustin Kaprel to Moran was the big play on the drive until Ryan Pender ran the final 22 yards for the TD.
The Eagles missed the extra point but had a 20-0 lead with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter.
The strong wind and rain obviously hampered the Cats’ passing attack and the slick field seemed to cause Oxford runners more problems than East’s ball carriers.
The Wildcats fumbled again on its first possession in the second quarter but East did not capitalize on the miscue as it had previously. The Cats finished with four fumbles and one interception while East lost only one fumble.
Shortly before halftime, East appeared headed for another score, moving to Oxford’s 26 but Blaine DeGracia sacked quarterback Kaprel with only six seconds remaining, stopping the drive.
The Wildcats came out in the second half with a no-huddle offense but couldn’t really establish their typical running game. The Oxford passing attack, which had been solid recently, was hampered by the crosswinds and rain.
The Cats appeared to be on the move in the third quarter, moving from midfield down to the three yard line with seven minutes left. On a fourth down and goal to go from the three, quarterback Kyle Rowley appeared to fall on the slick turf and East took over on the seven yard line.
The Wildcat defense held the Eagles and following a punt return by Rowley down to the 34, the Cats had great field position. The team drove to the end zone with Hugo Gomez running the final five yards as the third quarter expired.
Eddie Summers’ extra point kick narrowed the East lead to 20-7.
Another turnover, this time an interception by Travis Mullins of East and a return of 33 yards, gave East the ball on Oxford’s five.
The Cat’s defense held the Eagles out of the end zone but a 25-yard field goal by John Estelle gave East a 23-7 lead with 6:33 left.
As the field become more soggy, neither team could mount any offense for the remainder of the contest.
Gomez finished with 24 carries for 102 yards to lead all ball carriers.
Following the game, Oxford players vowed not to lose another game the remainder of the way and finish with a winning record.
Coach Bud Rowley called the loss very tough and told his team they could take Saturday off. Team members instead said they wanted to practice and continue working hard in preparation for the final three games.
Oxford’s home this Friday against Linden. For all those alumni and history buffs out there, this will be a historic day as the Wildcats take the field in their Pontiac stadium for the last time.