Cats to open season in Michigan’s Big House

One of the most iconic sporting venues in the United States will play host to the Wildcats on Friday, Aug. 25

Oxford is slated to slug it out with the Romeo Bulldogs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.

Game time is 4 p.m.

Nicknamed “The Big House,” Michigan Stadium opened in 1927 and has an official seating capacity of 107,601, making it the largest stadium in college football.

“I think it’s going to be a great experience just to play on the same field (that) many legends have played on,” said OHS senior Benjamin Nuss, a wide receiver and defensive back. “I think it’s going to be a really fun game. I’m nervous, but at the same time, I couldn’t be more excited because I know all the nerves will go away right after the first play.”

Tickets are $10 each for both adults and students, and available at the Oxford Athletic office inside Oxford High School (745 N. Oxford Rd.) from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Tickets will also be sold at the gate on game day for the same price.

Playing on the same field where so many football stars launched their careers, broke records and made history is a memory this group of Wildcats will cherish for years to come, according to Oxford Head Football Coach Bud Rowley.

“That’s what high school football is – memories, memories and more memories,” he said.

“I love being able to say that I played at Ford Field and The Big House,” said OHS senior Alexander Matczak, an offensive lineman and linebacker.

During his elementary school days, Matczak got to play a quick game at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, as member of the Oxford Jr. Wildcats program.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” said OHS senior Matthew Mielnicki, a wide receiver and defensive back. “It’s going to be an exciting game.”

Mielnicki admitted he’s nervous, but then again, he’s “always nervous on the first play.” After that, he said the “adrenaline just kicks in and instincts take over.”

Although the team is definitely pumped to play at Michigan Stadium, they’re not letting the venue overshadow their main mission – beat Romeo.

“We don’t have to worry about anybody else. Why would you?” Rowley said. “If you don’t win the first one, how can you win the second one?”

“Although The Big House is an incredible location for a game, in the end, we are still playing Romeo and we should not let the size of the stadium get to us,” said OHS senior Sergio Borg, a wide receiver and defensive back. “I have no doubt our team is well prepared to battle this Friday.”

Mielnicki believes the Bulldogs aren’t going to know what hit them when the Wildcats go on the offensive.

“We’ve got a lot of tricks and plays up our sleeve that I don’t think they’ll be able to stop,” he said.

Last season, Oxford sent the Bulldogs to the pound in a dramatic 27-26 victory. This Friday, they’re looking to keep their opponents on a leash and make sure when the whistle blows, they know who the master is.

“I feel really confident going into the game,” said Nuss, who believes the Wildcats have “made huge strides” since practice began Aug. 7.

Nuss believes the key to beating Romeo is being the more determined and aggressive team.

“Our success will be determined by how we are,” he said.

To Mielnicki, the key to victory is going to staying focused and if Oxford takes the lead, “don’t let up.”

“We’ve just got to keep going and showing them that we mean business,” he said.

“I’m just excited to go out there and hit someone,” Matczak noted.

Looking at the team as a whole, Nuss believes the Wildcats are “going to be really solid” this season.

“We’re in one of the toughest divisions in the state, but I think we can definitely compete with every team we play and I think we have a good chance at making a run in the playoffs,” he said.

 

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