OXFORD – The Oxford Wildcats came from behind to beat the North Farmington Raiders 27-14 on Senior Night on Friday.
“It feels great,” senior quarterback and three-year starter Jack Hendrix said. “All our fans showed out again. We went down at first, and everybody stuck with it and had a big win.
“This is my last guaranteed one (home game), so I’m feeling all the emotions right now. But I’m definitely happy with the outcome of the game. I think we’ve just got to keep chugging along and we can get another one.”
The Wildcats roared back from down 14-0, scoring 27 unanswered points, including 20 in the second half.
Trailing by one score at halftime, Oxford was a much different team over the final 24 minutes. The Wildcats took the opening kick of the half and marched straight down the field for a touchdown, capped by a 7-yard pass from Jack Hendrix to Brady Hasselbring.
Although the extra point was blocked, bringing the hosts within a point at 14-13, the Wildcats would go on to score touchdowns on their next two possessions. Seth Tabert finished both drives with short rushing TDs, giving him three overall as the Oxford offensive line, anchored by captain Liam Samborski, started to push around the North Farmington front.
On the other end, after having the Raiders run all over them in the first half – particularly quarterback Elijah Cobb and tailback Terrance James – the Oxford defense was dominant in the last two quarters, holding the Raiders to just one first down and 18 total yards.
North Farmington’s Terrance James makes a fingertip catch for a 50-yard touchdown reception during the game played on Friday at Oxford. The Raiders fell to the Wildcats 27-14. (KEN SWART – For MediaNews Group)
“There were a few schematic changes,” Oxford head coach Trevor Potts said. “But it was just getting back to details, tackling the ball well. Their skill guys are talented guys that made us miss quite a bit, but the kids played well.”
With tight end Jonathan Majcher sealing the edges, the Raiders’ offense dominated early as they were able to run the ball almost at will on their first two drives. They took the opening kickoff and methodically drove the field in a possession that featured a slew of penalties by both teams. Eventually, the Raiders punched it in for a touchdown, using almost eight minutes off the clock before Cobb scrambled in from seven yards out. After Oxford turned the ball over on downs, the Raiders needed just four plays to go 64 yards, highlighted by a 50-yard touchdown pass from Cobb to James that gave North Farmington a 14-0 lead with 10:24 to play in the second quarter.
“Those guys did a great job in the first half,” North Farmington head coach Jon Herstein said. “Both guys are really talented guys.”
Photo gallery of North Farmington vs. Oxford in OAA crossover football action
But the Wildcats scored on their next possession, then escaped the half down only seven when the Raiders missed a field goal on their next drive and ran out of time after taking over with only 29.5 seconds on their last possession of the half.
With the win, Oxford improves to 6-2 overall and realistically guarantees itself a playoff spot in the D1 field. Despite being picked last in the OAA Red to start the season, the Wildcats finished 2-2 in the division and have a chance to host a playoff game if they can beat a tough Macomb Dakota team on the road next week.
“It feels good to get to 6-2 in our last home game for our seniors. It’s really good to have those guys celebrate a little bit here,” Potts said. “It’s been a lot of years we’re picked last in the OAA Red, and our kids kind of wear it as a badge of honor here. We just go out and work every day and try to get better. The stark reality is we get to go play Dakota at Dakota, and so that will bring things back down quickly. They’re a great football program, and we’re just excited to go compete with the state’s best.”
North Farmington (5-3) will be looking to improve its playoff seeding when the Raiders travel to Troy next week to take on the Colts.
“We had chances. We didn’t capitalize. To play and beat good teams as you move forward, you’ve got to capitalize on those opportunities,” Herstein said. “We’re going to close out our OAA schedule for the year. We’ve got Troy High School. I know they’re working hard. Coach (Chris) Frasier has always done a great job getting those guys ready. I’m sure they’ll come out and be ready for their final home game of the season.”
Originally Published: October 18, 2025 at 11:23 AM EDT