OXFORD - On a night where Oxford coach Mick James was honored for his 45 years of coaching in Chenango County, his defense let up just 28 total yards in 34-0 win over Candor. In the beginning of the fourth quarter of the game on Friday, September 25, the Candor coaches would call the game as too many Candor players were getting injured. Oxford would walk away with the win and a forfeit.
Before the game started the Oxford coaches surprised Coach James with a plaque commemorating his service and commitment to coaching Chenango County's youth for the past 45 years. Countless athletes have either been coached or trained by Coach James over the last half of a decade and can attest to his devotion and commitment to the kids.
After the ceremony it was game time for the Blackhawks who came out of the gate with a lot of emotion. It took Oxford a few series to get in a grove, but once they did they would not let up. On their second series with the ball, the Blackhawks marched down field on multiple breakaway runs by Nick Neer to get close to the goal line. With 2:36 left in the quarter Neer took a run in from seven yards out for the game's first touchdown. After a blocked point after attempt, Oxford was now up 6-0.
After the ensuing kick off Candor started with the ball on their own 17 yard line. The first play from scrimmage saw the Indians stopped in the backfield by a swarm of Oxford defenders. On a second and long, Candor dropped back to pass to only have Oxford's Harry Oliver intercept the ball and return it 18 yards in for the touchdown. The ensuing two point conversion failed and now Oxford was up 12-0 with just over one minute left to go in the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Oxford defense stepped it up even more, delivering punishing hits to Candor's backfield and wearing down the offense. Oxford's next score would come from a 15 yard run to pay dirt from Xavier Cruz. The run was set up by a 41 yard Neer run to the Candor 15. After a successful two point conversion Oxford was now up 20-0 with 9:21 left to go in the half. Later in the quarter Neer did it again, this time taking the ball in from 16 yards for another score with just over one minute remaining in the half. Anther two point conversion meant that the Blackhawks now had a 28-0 lead on Candor.
The third quarter was business as usual for Oxford, stuffing Candor on defense and moving the ball on offense. Neer would help Oxford score again, this time passing the ball. Neer would drop back to pass and find Jon Heggie for a 63 yard bomb and a touchdown. The two point conversion was no good and Oxford now gave the game its final score of 34-0.
In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter the Candor coaches would convene and determine that too many of their players were being hurt and would call the game. On the night that Coach James was honored, his defense would shut out Candor, earn two interceptions, and sack the opposing quarterback six separate times. "Our players put together a complete team effort," said Oxford Head Coach Jeff Newton. "All the kids played hard and as a family. I can not be more proud of our team and their efforts tonight, we really came together as one unit."
Oxford plays again at home Friday, October 2 when they host Unadilla Valley.
Scoring by quarter:
Team 1 2 3 4 Total
O 12 16 6 - 34
C 0 0 0 - 0
Individual statistics: Oxford; Passing, Nick Neer,1-1, 63 yds, 1 TD. Chris Martin, 1-2, - 3 yds. Angelo Gonzalez, 0-2. Rushing, Chris Martin, 1-7. Xaiver Cruz, 11-97, 1 TD. Nick Neer, 8-125, 2 TDs. Garett Sylstra, 7-70. Jon Heggie, 2-14. Angelo Gonzalez, 1-2. Receiving, Jon Heggie, 1-63, 1 TD. Nick Neer, 1-3, 2 pt conversion.
Team statistics: Oxford; Passing, 2-5, 60 yds, 1 TD. Rushing, 30-315 yds, 3 TDs. Receiving, 2-66 yds, 1 TD, 1 2 pt conversion.
Greene
CHENANGO FORKS - On a Saturday afternoon, Greene traveled to Chenango Forks in a Section Four match up. Chenango Forks would ultimately win the contest 35-12.
Neither team could get much of anything going in the first quarter of the game, it wasn’t until the second quarter when Forks found their way into the end zone. Their first touchdown came off of a two yard run. It would be their first of three in the second. Just a few minutes later Forks would rattle off a 60 yard run to the end zone for another touchdown, making the game 14-0. To end the quarter Chenango Forks had another big run, this time from the 28 yard line. Going into the locker room at half, Chenango Forks had an impressive lead of 21-0.
To start off the third quarter Forks increased their lead again with a run across the goal line from one yard out. The game was now 28-0 in favor of the Blue Devils.
Chenango Forks would score their last touchdown of the game to start off the fourth quarter, giving them their final point total of 35. It wasn’t until here that Greene finally found the end zone. First it was Luke Erickson who took a 12 yard run to pay dirt. After a missed extra point attempt, the score was now 35-6. A few minutes later Zach Orzell would find Lucian Austin for a 42 yard touchdown pass for the last points of the night. Greene’s comeback would not be enough to win the game and the final stood at 35-12. “I think we played a strong game overall,” said Greene’s Head Coach David Gorton. “We had a great first quarter but ultimately gave them too many chances to score.”
Gorton went on to say that they can’t dwell on this game and must get ready for their game this week. Greene will travel to Newark Valley on Saturday, October 3.
Scoring by quarter:
Team 1 2 3 4 Total
