Chargers Prepare to Face Columbus on Friday

Photo by Adam Brown

The Oxford Chargers remain on the road this week as they travel down to the Golden Triangle to take on the Columbus Falcons. Kickoff for this 6A region game is set for 7 p.m. Friday.

Oxford (6-3, 2-2) is coming off of a 21-0 victory at Horn Lake. The Chargers defense pitched another shutout against Horn Lake’s high-octane offense.
“Horn Lake is an outstanding team,” Oxford Head Coach Chris Cutcliffe said. “So being able to go on the road and beat a team of that caliber was just great for our team.”
Out of the nine games Coach Cutcliffe’s team has played, the defense has held five of their opponents scoreless for 20 quarters of play.

“Our defense has really been consistent … So, first of all, I would say that our defensive coaches have done a fantastic job,” Cutcliffe said. “Our defensive players have been consistent in their preparation, and that is the only way that you can be consistent with your play on the field. They have come to play each week.”
The Chargers defense is well-seasoned.
“It’s a very veteran group,” Cutcliffe said. “A mixture of some young guys, a lot of upperclassmen, some seniors that have been playing together a long time. I think when you have that kind of unity and bond amongst each other, that goes a long way.”
The victory over Horn Lake also pulled Oxford back to .500 in region play with work to be done over the next few weeks.
“Where we were, by starting 0-2 in our region, as great and as big as that (Horn Lake) win was, all that really does is make this week’s game that much bigger,” Cutcliffe said. “Because we are still in a scenario where, if the season ended today, we would be in fifth place. Each week is huge in terms of us fighting to earn our way back into the playoff picture. This week is no different going into Columbus.”
Columbus (2-6, 1-3) rolls into this game after a 44-14 loss to the Southaven Chargers. The Falcons fell behind early to Southaven and tied the game before the Chargers reeled off 24 unanswered points.
“They have a bunch of great athletes,” Cutcliffe said. “They have got some playmakers – a couple of receivers who are really talented guys and a lot of team speed on defense. I think they do a lot of things that give you problems, and we have to be prepared for that.”
Fans can listen to the game on 95.5 FM.

Adam Brown is the sports editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at adam.brown@hottytoddy.com.
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