Oxford builds first-half lead but succumbs to West Elk in 2nd half
Cal Shimkus sets up for the pass in big playoff game with West Elk.
by James Jordan, Sumner Newscow – Oxford gave West Elk all it could handle for a half, but was overpowered in the second half as the Patriots emerged with a 54-30 win Tuesday in the first round of the eight-man football playoffs. Oxford led by as much as 22-8, and held a 22-16 lead at intermission on its home field.
In the first half, West Elk had two turnovers and several dropped passes. One turnover was a fumble into the end zone that Oxford recovered.
In the second half, West Elk seized control scoring on five of six second half possessions to pull away. Oxford got one score with less than a minute left in the second half.
Oxford defense was stifling in the first half.
In the first half Oxford had 234 yard of total offense, and West Elk had 141 as the Wildcats used running plays by Dalton Silhan to set up passes by quarterback Cal Shimkus.
Oxford scored on its first three possessions to start the game. Oxford got on the board first when Shimkus hit receiver Ty Carter on a 30-yard touchdown pass. After West Elk scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass, Oxford responded with a Silhan 3-yard run to make it 16-8 Wildcats.
Then West Elk would put together a long drive, only to fumble on the Oxford goal line. Oxford responded by moving upfield and scoring again this time on a Shimkus to Vaughn 45-yard touchdown pass to put the Cats up 22-8. That score remained through the half.
West Elk got its running game going in the second half, particularly with quarterback Cade Miller. In the first half he passed for 70 yards and did not complete one in the second half. He finished the game with 145 yards on 17 carries. Chase Vandergriff ran for 187 yards on 24 carries and also had three touchdowns rushing. He had a 50-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
Silhan finished the game with 153 yards rushing on 28 carries. Shimkus passed for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Late in the game he threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Vaughn.
Oxford finishes its season at 7-3, which is a great improvement over last year’s 1-8 mark.
West Elk moves on to the next round and is now 8-2.
West Elk   8   8  24  14  54Â
Oxford    16  6  0   8   30
1st Quarter
Oxford  Shimkus to Carter 30 yard TD Pass, Shimkus to Vaughn PAT
West Elk  Miller to Hurt 15 yard TD pass, Vandergrift PAT
Oxford  Silhan 3 yard TD run, Shimkus to Carter PAT
2nd Quarter
Oxford Shimkus to Vaughn 45 yard TD pass, PAT Fail
West Elk Miller 20 yard TD run, Vangergrift PAT
3rd Quarter
West Elk  Vandergrift 6 yard TD run, Miller PAT
West Elk  Miller 2 yard TD run, Miller PAT
West Elk  Vandergrift 40 yard TD run, Vandergrift PAT
4th quarter
West Elk Miller 5 yard Td run, Miller to Johnson PAT
West Elk Vandergrift 2 yard TD run, PAT Fail
Oxford Shimkus to Vaughn 20 yard TD pass, Shimkus to Jordan PAT
