OXFORD, Alabama -- The Oxford Yellow Jackets defense caused three turnovers in the second half of a close first half game to go on to defeat Gadsden City 41-12. The Oxford defense has only give up two touchdowns in eight quarters and one tonight was caused when the Yellow Jackets punt team gave up the ball at their own 5-yard line for a short TD.

Oxford did a great job of going the length of the field on Gadsden City and just kept pounding the ball with their three running backs. "I feel great about our team, we are 2-0 and playing pretty well," said Yellow Jackets Head coach Ryan Herring. "We have to get a few guys healthy so take the next three or four days and get some guys healthy. Our defense is playing really great right now. I'm so proud of these coaches and players."

Oxford (2-0) scored first in the game when Abe Peoples threw to Tacorrie Russell on a 6-yard touchdown pass and the Yellow Jacket led 7-0 with 5:31 left in the first quarter. With 1:42 left in the half, Oxford scored on a Ty Smith-Lindsey 2-yard touchdown run and the Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 13-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Oxford stripped the ball from a Titans runner and the ball went into the end zone and the Yellow Jackets jumped on it. The two-point conversion was good and Oxford led 21-0 with 1:35 left in the half.

With only :24 seconds left in the half, Gadsden City drove 60-yards on 4 plays and scored on a Jamontez Woods 27-yard touchdown run to cut the Oxford lead to 21-7 at the half. "We have some good effort things tonight, we know we have to clean up some things but I thought we played hard," said Titans Head coach Bart Sessions. "We have to do a better job of protecting the football. We will not win many games with four turnovers. We have to wrap up and tackle better and quit giving the ball away."

Gadsden City came out of the locker room and scored again early in the third quarter when Woods scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. The Oxford special teams setup the Gadsden City offense with the short touchdown. With 9:44 left in the third quarter, Oxford led 21-13. With 4:27 left in the third quarter, Oxford came right back and scored on a Richard Cantrell 30-yard touchdown run. Now Oxford led 27-13. With Gadsden City driving, Oxford turned them away when defensive back Garrett Davenport intercepted a Titans pass. After the turnover, with 9:58 left in the game, Peoples hit Russell on a 10-yard touchdown pass and Oxford led 34-13 early in the fourth quarter. 

On the next Gadsden City possession, the Titans forced a pass on first down and safety Jordan Swain intercepted the deep pass down the middle of the field. With the Swain interception return, the Yellow Jackets were in good field possession again. A few plays later Cantrell scored on a 22-yard touchdown run to put Oxford up 41-13 with 4:45 left in the game. 

For the game, Oxford had 370 total yards while Gadsden City was limited to 231 total yards. Oxford running back Smith-Lindsey had 175 yards on 31 carries and a touchdown on the night. His backup Cantrell had 95 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. Fullback Gabe Webb had 60 touch yards on nine carries and did a great job of blocking for his two running backs on the night. "Gabe was huge tonight," added Herring. "He had some big runs and first downs while extending drives. Without him, we would have been in trouble."

For Gadsden City, Ryan Sparks was held in check for most of the night. Sparks was 9-of-25 passing for 112 yards and two picks. Woods had 115 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.

It doens't get any better for Gadsden City as they face Hewitt-Trussville next week where the Huskies scored 62 points tonight. Oxford will travel to Brewer next week.