The Oxford High School Varsity Football team defeated Joel Barlow on their home field in Redding in an impressive 41 – 26 victory in the season opener for both teams on Sept. 17.
Despite injuries to several key players, and a disheartening 75-yard touchdown run in the first play of the game which was called back due to a penalty against Oxford, the Wolverines were able to bounce back and claim victory against the Falcons.
Barlow scored the first and only points of the 1st quarter when William Wilson ran 4 yards for a touchdown and Thomas DeSimone kicked the extra point taking a 7 – 0 lead against Oxford.
In the second quarter, Wilson ran 2 yards for Barlow’s 2nd TD with a failed kick, and Oxford put their first score on the board with a 30-yard run by Nick Donofrio and a successful PAT by Alex Miller.
At halftime the score was 13 – 7, Oxford was trailing, but they came back from the halftime break in full force. Donofrio started the third quarter running in a 36-yard pass from Alex Miller, extra point failed, bringing the score to 13 – 13.
Barlow’s Alex Lockwood ran 6 yards and DeSimone kicked to put the Falcons ahead again, 20 – 13. Donofrio could not be held back and ran again, this time for 55 yards and a successful PAT by Brennen Diaz, again bringing the score to an even 20 – 20.
Peter Meehan finished the third quarter for a 40-yard run, kick failed, putting Barlow in the lead again, 26 – 20.
Then, Oxford’s glorious fourth quarter began with the unstoppable Donofrio running 37 yards to tie the game for the third time, 26 – 26. Brennen Diaz’ PAT gave Oxford its very first lead in the game and that’s how it would stay.
Chris Hovan had a brilliant interception – the first interception for a touchdown in Oxford High School history- and ran 40 yards for the score, and with Diaz’ PAT Oxford pulled ahead 34 – 26.
The last score of the game came with Donofrio’s 1‑yard run to make his fifth touchdown of the game — the most touchdowns scored by a player in a single game in Oxford High history — followed with Diaz’ 4th PAT of the game, leading the Wolverines to a 41 – 26 victory.
Senior running back, Nick Donofrio had 18 carries for 214 yards and was named the Waterbury Republican American’s Player of the Week for only the second time in school history; the first player was teammate running back Deven Diaz named last year, who’s back shield Donofrio now wears.
The Oxford High players presented the game ball to senior Mike DeGirolamo, starting center, who underwent ankle surgery the day of the game for a season ending injury.
Coached by former Hillhouse offensive coordinator, Joe Stochmal, this is Oxford’s third season as a varsity team, only it’s second with a senior class and full school, which opened its doors in September 2007.
