OXFORD – Mike Chrystie helped Oxford win a lot of games as a player. Now he has his first win coaching his alma mater.
The Blackhawks scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull away from Thomas A. Edison, 22-6 Saturday night.
Other than one drive and a long pass play that led to the Trojans' only points, Oxford was indomitable on the defensive side registering seven sacks, several tackles for losses, and a defensive safety. "I think people will see this game and think we're a defensive team," Chrystie said. "That's kind of weird for me."
Oxford looked like an offensive juggernaut moving down the field and scoring on Scott Shackelton's four-yard run the opening possession of the game. After that, mistakes, turnovers, penalties, and Edison's stingier defense kept Oxford from mustering any consistency. "After we moved down the field and scored so easily, I think the players must have thought it would be that easy all game," Chrystie said.
Edison's offense went nowhere for most of the game, and reached its low point when a punt snap sailed into the end zone, and punter John Galvin was tackled for a two-point safety.
The Trojans found life in the form of quick passes from Steve Sawyer to Isaiah Quattlebaum, and methodically drove down the field. A 42-yard TD pass in which Quattlebaum outjumped Shackelton for the ball drew Edison to within 8-6.
Clearly noticing the imminent threat, Oxford's offense awoke and displayed the same efficiency that led to the opening score. Travis Frank plowed in from six yards out for the first score, and Shackelton added his second TD of the game with under two minutes to play.
"We said to the players that whoever wins the fourth quarter would win the game," Chrystie said.
Shackelton and Dustin Christophersen each topped 100 yards rushing finishing with 107 and 106 respectively.
Individual Statistics
Rushing: (O) Shackelton, 18-107; Christophersen, 10-106; Travis Frank, 9-40; John Witchella, 8-20; Kyle Smith, 2-4. Totals: 47-277. Edison: Steve Sawyer, 12-17; B. Champagne, 1-9; TJ Herrick, 1-5. Anthony Roldan, 7-2; Zack Renko, 4- (-4). Totals: 25-29.
