Breakthrough?
- Updated: October 19, 2024
Spectacular one-handed plays by Taylor, Britt highlight Oxford’s comeback from 10-point deficit to beat Clay-Chalkville 21-10, clinch Class 6A, Region 6 title.
This week’s area scores
FRIDAY, Oct. 18
Cherokee County 35, Alexandria 7, FINAL
Anniston 36, Oneonta 14, FINAL
Central-Clay 46, Beauregard 22, FINAL
Coosa Christian 62, West End-Walnut Grove 0, FINAL
Munford 50, Cleburne County 17, FINAL
Donoho 48, Victory Christian 34, FINAL
Ohatchee 46, Glencoe 21, FINAL
Handley 48, Talladega 21, FINAL
Hokes Bluff 56, Ashville 19, FINAL
St. Clair County 49, Lincoln 0, FINAL
Oxford 21, Clay-Chalkville 10, FINAL
Piedmont 26, Weaver 21, FINAL
Pleasant Valley 26, North Sand Mountain 20, FINAL
Loachapoka 49, Ranburne 14, FINAL
Randolph County 42, Childersburg 14, FINAL
Southside 30, Gadsden City 23, FINAL
Spring Garden 61, Ider 6, FINAL
Locust Fork 37, Wellborn 36, FINAL
J.B. Pennington 33, Westbrook Christian 30, FINAL
Etowah 28, White Plains 21, FINAL
Woodland 54, Fayetteville 0, FINAL
Open: Jacksonville, Jacksonville Christian, Saks, Wadley.
Oxford 21, Clay-Chalkville 10
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
OXFORD — Some games feel like that breakthrough victory, the kind that launches bigger things and special seasons.
Some plays feel like season difference makers.
If fifth-ranked Oxford’s 21-10 victory over No. 2 Clay-Chalkville does, indeed, launch the Yellow Jackets to bigger things than the Class 6A, Region 6 title they clinched Friday, people will remember Cedric Twyman’s kickoff return that kick started Oxford’s offense.
They’ll remember Jaylin Taylor’s one-handed catch for 36 yards, which set up Mason Mims’ 33-yard touchdown pass to put Oxford ahead for the first time, 14-10, just before halftime.
They’ll remember Keenan Britt reaching out to grab Clay-Chalkville quarterback Aaron Frye’s jersey by the shoulder, maintaining his one-handed grip while engaging a blocker then pulling Frye down for a fourth-down sack on a late Cougars’ scoring threat.
For now, Oxford (8-0, 5-0 region) is a region champion for the first time since 2021, fourth-year coach Sam Adams’ first season as Oxford’s head coach.
Clay-Chalkville, the reigning Class 6A champion that beat Class 7A No. 3 Thompson earlier this season, fell to 7-1-, 4-1.
Oxford’s most recent region title feels different from the 2021 title, which came against a weaker 6A region. This time, Oxford won a region that includes Clay-Chalkville, the team that had won eight of the past nine meetings against Oxford.
Oxford’s victory Friday had that breakthrough feel, like when the Yellow Jackets won at Pinson Valley in 2019. Miguel Mitchell’s tipped-ball touchdown catch clinched Oxford’s comeback from a 19-0 deficit, and Oxford went on to beat Pinson Valley in the 6A semifinals and win its first state title in 26 years.
“I hope so,” Adams said when asked if Friday’s game felt like a breakthrough game. “It feels good tonight. I know that.
“You play against a team as good as Clay-Chalkville is, you can’t just play OK and stumble into it. You’ve got to make plays to win the game, and we did that tonight.”
Adams said that after delivering an emotional postgame speech, in which he repeated, “I love you guys!” The last time, he said it loudly enough to be heard outside the team’s huddle.
Adams then called on his team to sit in the stands and watch the marching band, which performed its halftime show after the game.
Britt emerged from the huddle with a trophy, Oxford’s prize for winning the WABM-TV68 Friday Night Rivals game of the week.
“This means that, going forward, we’re 8-0,” Britt said. “We have a good seed in the playoffs now. I feel that we’re going to make a deep run in the playoffs.”
The Yellow Jackets had to weather a storm before celebrating. They fell behind 10-0 on Joseph Del Toro’s 33-yard field goal at 4:42 of the first quarter and Joshua Woods’ 1-yard touchdown run at 6:17 of the second.
It could’ve been worse, but Frye saw two would-be touchdown passes dropped.
The Cougars ran 29 of the game’s first 36 plays, and Oxford had the ball once in the game’s first 18 minutes.
Then Twyman awoke the Yellow Jackets, scooping up a kickoff at the 15-yard line and returning to the Clay-Chalkville 33. That set up Caleb Wynn’s 5-yard touchdown run to make it 10-7 at 3:37.
Then came that special play. With Oxford trying to mount a scoring drive in the half’s final two minutes, Taylor took off down the Clay-Chalkville sideline and reeled in Mims’ lob with one hand, holding on to give Oxford first down at Clay-Chalkville’s 33.
Mims had thrown several check-down passes before that. Taylor called for something different before his big catch.
“I told coach, ‘Throw me the ball,'” Taylor said. “That’s what it was. I told coach throw me the ball, and he gave me a chance.”
One play later, Richardson broke open on a deep post, and Mims hit him in stride to put Oxford up for the first time, 14-10, with 24.5 seconds left in the half. The Yellow Jackets never again trailed.
Mims and Richadson connected for another 33-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-10 at 55.5 seconds of the third quarter.
While Clay-Chalkville never scored again, the Cougars threatened. On fourth down and seven from Oxford’s 42 in the fourth quarter, Britt pressured Frye, who tried to float forward. Britt reached out and grabbed Frye’s jersey with one hand and, while engaging a blocker, held on and pulled Frye to the turf.
“I knew we had to make a play to get the momentum up for the team,” Britt said.
Clay-Chalkville got in Oxford territory one more time, but D.K. Wilson intercepted a Frye pass at the Oxford 10. Oxford went into victory formation and knelt away the clock.
Time will tell whether the victory becomes that leap over a hump to something bigger.
“Hopefully, we’re able to cash in on some of that momentum going forward and keep it rolling,” Adams said.
Clay-Chalkville at Oxford updates
–Kickoff 7 p.m.
–Oxford wins toss, defers. Clay-Chalkville will receive the opening kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
–Clay-Chalkville holds the ball for the game’s first 10:18, scores on Joseph Del Toro’s 33-yard field goal at 4:42. CCHS 3, OXFORD 0
SECOND QUARTER
–Joshua Woods with a 1-yard TD run, and Del Toro hits the PAT at 6:17. CCHS 10, OXFORD 0
–At 6:17 of 2Q, Oxford has had one offensive possession, totaling seven plays. Clay-Chalkville has had the ball twice, 29 plays.
–Oxford on the board on Caleb Wynn’s 5-yard TD run. Eli Pesnell’s PAT is good at 3:37. CCHS 10, OXFORD 7
–After Jaylin Taylor makes a one-handed catch for a 36-yard reception, Mason Mims hits Nick Richardson for a 32-yard TD pass at 24.9 seconds. Timeout, Oxford, ahead of the PAT. Pesnell’s kick is good. OXFORD 14, CLAY-CHALKVILLE 10
THIRD QUARTER
–On fourth down and 8, Mims hits Richardson for a 33-yard TD pass. Pesnell’s kick is good at 55.5. OXFORD 21, CLAY-CHALKVILLE 10
FOURTH QUARTER
You must be logged in to post a comment Login