Copyright this: Oxford leaves defending state champion Lake Orion feeling blue

PUMP SOME FIST: Oxford's Kyle Anderson flexes some muscle after catching a touchdown pass form Vito Giannola during the Wildcats' victory over Lake Orion. Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

OXFORD — There’s been plenty of hype surrounding Oxford’s new navy blue turf field installed this summer, one of the first turf fields in the country using that color scheme.

The field upgrade has even caused plenty of controversy with Boise State, which has copyrighted “Blue Turf” and has persistently insisted that Oxford halt the usage of that phrase in publications.

With all of the extra attention involved with the debut of the new digs, perhaps some of the attention should have been on Oxford’s football team.

The Wildcats made quite a statement Friday on their new field. Playing in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000, the Wildcats beat defending Division 1 state champion Lake Orion in every phrase of the game, rolling to a 41-20 victory over the Dragons in an OAA crossover game.

The win gave Oxford the coveted Double O Trophy, which it passed around after the game. It marked Oxford’s first win over Lake Orion since 1983.

Prescott Line, headed to Southern Methodist, teamed up with Matt Anger to chew up plenty of clock and yardage — and the Lake Orion defense. Colin Goetz, Oxford’s 6-foot-7, 255-pound tackle, was a constant space eater on the line, creating plenty of room for Oxford’s offense to move the football.

Line finished with 228 yards on five carries and five rushing touchdowns to pace Oxford’s running game. Quarterback Vito Giannola was 5-for-7 passing for 44 yards and a touchdown and Kyle Anderson had a TD catch for the Wildcats (1-0), who finished just 3-6 last season to snap its streak of winning seasons at 28.

Anger added 31 yards on 10 carries and also caught three passes for 23 yards.

LIMITED SPACE: Lake Orion quarterback Sean Charette is chased out of the pocket by several Oxford linebackers during Friday's OAA crossover clash. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com

“Power football, that’s what we do,” beamed veteran Oxford coach Bud Rowley. “It’s Oxford football. We run power, trap, option. That’s what we do. It’s what we always have done.”

Indeed, Oxford collected nearly 300 yards on the ground and never trailed against Lake Orion, which handed the Wildcats a 48-6 whipping in the season opener last season. The Wildcats kept the Dragons guessing all evening long — just how to stop Oxford’s running game. Lake Orion could not solve the mystery.

Lake Orion coach Chris Bell conceded that his inexperienced team has plenty of work to do. The Dragons lost 18 starters, 17 which graduated and another that transferred, and couldn’t match up with the Wildcats’ physical linemen.

“They won the physical battle. They controlled the line of scrimmage,” said Bell. “We couldn’t keep them off the field at times and offensively we tried to make plays at key times and couldn’t. (Oxford) played a great football game.

“They showed us how far we have to go,” added Bell.

Oxford never trailed, as Line scored on just the game’s fourth play, a 35-yard sprint.

IN HIS TRACKS: Oxford's Vito Giannola races through the defense on his school's new navy blue turf field. Giannola and the Wildcats stunned defending Division 1 state champion Lak e Orion, 41-20. Staff Photo | Larry McKee,www.lmckeephotography.com

Anderson added 12-yard TD reception from Giannola to put Oxford up 13-0 with 4:09 left in the first quarter.

Lake Orion was able to cut into the deficit with six seconds left in the first period. Senior quarterback Sean Charette, who finished the night 23-for-33 passing for 280 yards, found Robert Aiello for a 15-yard strike to cut the deficit to 14-6.

Line had the answer once again, scoring on a 7-yard run with 1:32 left in the second quarter. The drive lasted 18 plays and took 10:34 off the clock. He added touchdown runs of 5 and 35 yards in the second half.

The first came after Marty Giannola picked up a fumble on Orion’s 8-yard-line. The other put the Wildcats up 40-13 with 7:12 remaining.

Matt Economou had seven tackles, one interception and broke up four passes to lead Oxford’s defense. Line was in on 6.5 tackles, and freshman Glazier Wellington had a pick for the Wildcats.

“We had that feeling in our gut because they beat us so bad last year,” said Line. “We had it in our gut for 365 days to come back and beat them. We worked so hard not to let that happen again.”

“I wasn’t surprised at all. We have a lot of heart,” added Line.

Lake Orion tried to make a comeback, scoring a pair of second-half touchdowns and even recovered an on-side kick. Charette was 13-of-18 passing in the second half for 200 yards and hit Chaz Miller with TD passes of 15 and 39 yards, the second coming with 5:09 to play.

The damage had already been done. Lake Orion’s final drive was stalled due to an interception, one of three turnovers by the Dragons.

Oxford’s capped its new field christening with quite a celebration.

“This is great, great for the community,” reminded Rowley. “This is great for the seniors right down to the seventh and eighth graders that were here. They all got a chance to be a part of this. They will remember this win.”

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Tags: Double O Trophy, high school football, lake orion football, Oxford Football, prep football

Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Lake Orion, Oxford, Prep Wraps