The Oxford football team continued its winning ways Saturday with a 35 – 20 home victory over Immaculate.
Oxford raised its record to 5 – 2. Immaculate dropped to 0 – 7.
“We played much better in the second half than we did in the first half and got some turnovers,” Wolverines coach Joe Stochmal said.
Oxford’s victory came in its Homecoming Game.
“We want to have a tradition of winning on homecoming,” Oxford senior co-captain Jon Sandor said.
The Wolverines ran over the Mustang defense with 284 yards on 25 carries. Senior co-captain Nick Donofrio led the way with 190 yards rushing on 14 carries.
“I had great blocking by the linemen, they opened up holes and I ran through them,” Donofrio said.
Senior Nick Esteves had 46 yards rushing on five carries.
“The offensive line makes the team go,” Esteves said.
Sandor, senior Chris Villano, juniors Joe Carbonaro, Matt Moran and Matt Hanna along with junior tight end Brian Spicer opened up gaping holes for Donofrio and Esteves to exploit.
“We have a great line coach in Joe Carbonaro Sr and we have some undersized kids but they all work hard during the week and play their hearts out during the game,” Sandor said.
“You don’t have to give Nick Donofrio too much of a hole because of whatever you give him, he’ll exploit at full speed.”
Sophomore lefty quarterback Brennen Diaz was 9 – 22 for 142 yards. Junior Jordan Biagionni had three catches for 39 yards and classmate Justin Lasto snagged two passes for 28 yards. Esteves hauled in two passes for 23 yards.
Oxford took a 7 – 0 lead in the second quarter on Donofrio’s 95-yard touchdown run. Diaz kicked the extra point to make it 7 – 0.
“We worked on it all week in practice and coach said to bounce outside,” Donofrio said. “Jordan [Biagionni] had a great stock block and all the linemen hit their blocks a long the way and did it to perfection.”
Immaculate threatened in the second quarter but the Wolverines thwarted the visitors twice. Senior Niko Golding intercepted a pass on the Oxford 1‑yard line and Lasto picked off a pass in the end zone.
The Mustangs took an 8 – 7 lead with a touchdown and two-point conversion in the third quarter. They had a chance to add to their lead but Carbonaro recovered a fumble to thwart their drive.
This set up Donofrio’s 3‑yard touchdown run. Diaz’ pass to Biagionni for the two-point conversion and the Wolverines led 15 – 8.
Immaculate answered with a touchdown and went for two points but Sandor and senior Dave Samuelman stopped the runner short of the goal line and Oxford led, 15 – 14.
“I read the play and did what I was supposed to do and made the stop,” Sandor said. “Dave Samuelman came in first and got him in the legs, which helped me make the play.”
Sameulman said, “I attribute it to the defensive line. They don’t get enough credit. They did a good of getting a hand on the offensive linemen and helped me make the tackle.”
Samuelman led the Wolverines with 10 tackles and returned an interception 23 yards for the touchdown to make it 21 – 14.
“All week, our coaches stressed their jail break and screen game,” Samuelman said. “Their slot receiver took a couple of steps back to catch the ball. I read it and jumped in.”
Donofrio had a 39-yard touchdown run iand esteves had a 9‑yard touchdown run n the fourth quarter. Diaz made both extra points and it was 35 – 14.
“Joe Carbonaro made a good kickout block in the hole and I took it to the end zone,” Esteves said.
Immaculate scored with 50 seconds left in the game.
The Wolverines play at 7 – 0 Masuk, the No. 2 ranked team in the state next Friday.
“We’ll come up with a game plan and try to combat their speed,” Stochmal said. “We respect them as a program but we won’t far them.”
Donofrio said, “We’re trying to make the [State] playoffs and control our own destiny.”
(Photos by Kim Bachiocchi)
