Oxford rallies
- Updated: September 24, 2016
Syer’s interception return sparks Oxford comeback; Smith-Lindsey has another big game with most of the carries
Brody Syer’s interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter was the springboard that vaulted Oxford to its victory over Benjamin Russell. (Photo by Kristen Stringer/Krisp Pics Photography)
By East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD – Tyetus Smith-Lindsey never thought of himself as a workhorse before, but he’s finding it to be a lot of fun.
Smith-Lindsey rushed for 260 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries Friday night as fifth-ranked 6A Oxford rallied to beat Benjamin Russell 29-21 at Lamar Field.
It was Smith-Lindsey’s third game of more than 200 yards rushing. He had 279 yards and five touchdowns on 37 carries last week at Cullman.
“It was awesome,” he said. “The coaches gave me the ball and I took off with it. I did what I could with it. Any way I can help my team win I’ll do it.”
Oxford, 6-0 for the first time since its 1993 state championship season, had 47 rushing attempts in the game. The other six belonged to quarterback Abe Peoples – three in each half. Smith-Lindsey had 26 carries in the second half.
Smith-Lindsey opened the scoring with a 5-yard run, but Benjamin Russell scored the next two touchdowns to take a 13-6 halftime lead.
The play of the game came early in the third quarter when Brody Syer returned an interception 67 yards to draw the Yellow Jackets within 13-12. It kicked off a 23-point spree that gave Oxford control of the game.
“It changed our whole momentum and changed everybody’s attitude,” Smith-Lindsey said. “We were down at halftime, came back out, got the pick and it changed the whole momentum of the game.”
Keaton Borrelli missed extra points on the two Oxford touchdowns, but he gave the Jackets the lead with an 18-yard field goal. Smith-Lindsey extended the lead with a 1-yard touchdown run and Abe Peoples hit Jakolby McClendon with a 67-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead.
Peoples was 4-of-7 passing for 87 yards. McClendon caught two of the ball for 82 yards.
The Wildcats (2-3) scored to make it 29-21 and tried to get the ball back, but Oxford recovered the onsides kick and ran out the clock.
In addition to his pick-six, Syer had four tackles. Jordan Swain had eight tackles and Kenney Britt Jr. had seven tackles.
Tyetus Smith-Lindsey had another big game for the Yellow Jackets, rushing for 260 yards on 41 of the team’s 47 rushing attempts. He’s rushed for 539 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 carries the last two weeks. (Photo by Kristen Stringer/Krisp Pics Photography)
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