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Oxford cheerleaders vs. Germantown in MHSAA Class 7A playoff action at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, November 15, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Oxford’s Kamar Houston (7) scores on a 71-yard run against Germantown in MHSAA Class 7A playoff action at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, November 15, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Oxford’s Levi Blount (8) is tackled by Germantown’s Michael Johnson (3) in MHSAA Class 7A playoff action at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, November 15, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Oxford’s Drew Dean (14) runs 64 yards for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter past Germantown’s Nyrikius Johnson (4) in MHSAA Class 7A playoff action at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, November 15, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Oxford’s Drew Dean (14) celebrates a touchdown with Oxford’s Terrell McGlown (2) against Germantown in MHSAA Class 7A playoff action at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, November 15, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Oxford’’s Jamarion Pegues (20) scores on a 17-yard run against Germantown in MHSAA Class 7A playoff action at Bobby Holcomb Field in Oxford, Miss. on Friday, November 15, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

By Myra Bean

After a rocky start to the season and then an undefeated district season, the Oxford Chargers were eliminated from playoffs with a first-round loss to the Germantown Mavericks 43-34 Friday night.

The night was a little nippy with the temperature in the 60s and upper 50s. Humidity set in as the night went on as the crowd rallied around the home team.

Halftime the teams were tied at 22. It looked as if this was going to be a shootout but Germantown’s defense turned on the afterburners. The Maverick offense which had two turnovers in the first half played a strong second half.

Oxford struck first on a 71-yard run by Kamar Houston. Kingston Gregory took in the two-point conversion to take the 8-0 lead with 10:52 left in the first quarter on the third play from scrimmage.

On Germantown’s first possession, Charger Colin Flanagan stripped the ball and Demaire Frierson recovered.

Germantown tied the game in the second quarter at the 10:52 market on an 11-yard run and two-point conversion.

In the second quarter with 8:43 to go, Flanigan stripped the ball again and Houston recovered. The Chargers capitalized on the fumble when quarterback Drew Dean broke for a 58-yard touchdown run with 5:56 remaining in the half. Michael Thompson kicked the extra point for the 15-8 lead.

Germantown scored on a 46-yard run with 3:35 remaining and the PAT to tie the game at 15.

Oxford retook the lead 22-15 on a 16-yard run by Jamarion Pegues and the PAT by Thompson with 1:25 to go in the half. Germantown tied the game on a 15-yard pass with 31 seconds left in the half and the PAT.

Out the second-half gate, Germantown broke for a 99-yard kickoff return to take the lead and never looked back. With the PAT, they led 29-22. The Chargers did not give up and Dean hit Levi Blount en route for a 66-yard pass. The PAT was missed and Germantown led 29-28.

Germantown scored on a four-yard run and a two-yard run to put the game away.

Oxford ended the 2024 season 6-5 and district champions.

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