Frank Speziale Photo

OXFORD – The Oxford varsity football team played their second home game in as many weeks when they hosted the Greene Trojans on Friday, Sept. 16. Greene would edge Oxford out as they pulled away in the fourth quarter to solidify their 3-0 start to the 2016 season, winning 31-6.

Greene would enjoy a slight lead in what was looking to be a tight game when they took a 14-6 lead over Oxford heading into halftime.

Oxford would employ a mix of both passing and rushing in the game as they tried to offset the solid Trojan defense – Oxford team passing of 69 yards, and team rushing of 124 yards.

“They were pretty solid on defense, they have a solid core. We made a few mistakes,” said Oxford head coach Jeff Newton. “We were driving the ball good and then we had four straight penalties on four straight plays, that kills drives.”

Despite the close game early on, Greene would stop Oxford in their tracks late in the game to successfully outscore Oxford 17-0 in the second half.

“We actually were fighting all the way to midway through the third quarter, it was 14-6. We actually had the momentum, five minutes to go in the third, it was fourth and 28, all the momentum was going our way. They punted it and we just shut down, and it cost us the game,” said coach Newton.

Greene would go on, following their punt in the third quarter, to see scores from Nate Erickson who ripped off a 44 yard run in the third, followed by a two-point conversion from Nate Ericksen to Noah Kennedy. This was coupled by a third quarter Luke Ericksen run of 18 yards to the end zone. And fourth quarter Mitchell Walters 32 yard field goal to close the win out.

Greene would employ a much different offensive philosophy in the game, as they produced 266 rushing yards off of just 33 carries, compared to their 36 yards through the air on just three passes in the entire game.