It was not pretty, but they can push this aside now. Oxford defeats Charleston 21-18 thanks to a quick start and holding on until the end. Both teams combined to commit around 25 penalties between the two squads including 2 on each team in the opening minute. Oxford (2-0) was able to get a quick 3-and-out on the Tigers' (1-1) first possession. Parker Adamson found Nick Brown for his first of 2 Touchdowns on the night, a 35-yard pass, 1:38 into the game to take a quick 7-0 lead after the first of three successful Point After Touchdown kicks from Cody Mills - a key factor in the victory. After another quick Tiger Possession, Oxford drove the ball 40 yards and ended on a Jarius Barnes 14-yard run up the middle, breaking a few tackles along the way to make the score 14-0 with a little over 5 minutes left in the first quarter. Both teams would trade punts until the second quarter where Charleston finally found a little offense and managed to put a 40-yard pass together. It eventually ended on a 9-yard Tiger run into the end zone. Charleston did not have a kicking game - which proved pivotal tonight, their kickoffs barely got into the air and their longest punt tonight was 25 yards - and thus had to go for 2 every time they scored on offense. Their 2-point run was stuffed and Oxford was left with a 14-6 lead early in the 2nd. Both teams would stall out on offense because of a penalty - which happened a lot - or by a solid defensive play - throughout the remainder of the half with Oxford maintaining an 8-point lead. Oxford received the ball to start the second half and Adamson promptly threw a pick-6. Charleston's pass attempt to tie the game failed and still trailed Oxford 14-12. Not more than 16 seconds later, Adamson redeemed his INT with a 77-yard TD pass to Nick Brown and with a successful extra point, Oxford now has a two possession lead at 21-12 (once again, a team can only score 8 points per offensive possession). Charleston's kicking woes and not being able to execute a play to get three yards came back to haunt them. After trading possession of the ball, Charleston started a long drive that lasted into the 4th quarter. It once again ended on a 9-yard outside run to score TD number 3 for Charleston. Their 2-point run fell short, leaving Charleston trailing 21-18. Charleston forced a 3-and-out and had the momentum of their fans behind them. Oxford rallied behind their fans and forced a 3-and-out of their own to retain possession of the ball with 5:51 left. Oxford put together a solid drive and like last week, milked much of the clock off. Charleston was able to stop Oxford but not before 5:43 of that clock came off. Charleston had just 7.9 seconds left to score a miracle Touchdown to win the game. Their last attempt was intercepted to end the game, with Oxford holding on once again, this time by a score of 21-18. Oxford will face Crosstown Rival Lafayette (2-0, state-best 34 game win streak) in the Crosstown Classic at OHS. It will be nationally televised on Fox Sports South. Kickoff is set for 7:10 PM. | |
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October 2016
AuthorBen Mikell |