Oxford’s defense was near-flawless while the offense flourished in it’s 40-6 victory over host Pinson Valley.

The Yellow Jackets kept the Indians out of the end zone except for an interception return late in the first half at Willie Adams Stadium.

Class 6A ninth-ranked Oxford (5-0, 3-0) scored on a touchdown run, a field goal and a safety in the first quarter and its defense shut down Pinson Valley (1-3, 0-2) to the tune of 228 total yards and a 3-for-14 performance on third-down conversions.

Oxford quarterback Mason Mims threw two touchdowns, but also gave up a pick-6 with 1:47 remaining in the opening half. Running backs Jaydon Thomas and D.K. Wilson combined for 207 rushing yards and three scores, also hauling in a combined six receptions for 72 yards, and Thomas scored a third time through the air while Wilson blocked a punt for a safety midway through the first quarter.

Wilson broke loose for a 79-yard scoring run on the second play of the second half and Mims connected with Nick Richardson for a 6-yard touchdown pass on Oxford’s second possession of the third quarter. Thomas scored both of his rushing touchdowns on back-to-back drives and capped the scoring with a 44-yard on the initial play of the final frame.

Star of the game: Thomas. The senior running back finished with 12 rushing attempts for 105 yards and two touchdowns and added three receptions for 35 yards and another score.

“Going in (to halftime), we had a couple of misreads by the group but that was correctable. When we play our best game, there’s nobody that can stop me and D.K.,” he said.

By the numbers: 4, the number of consecutive victories for Oxford in the series, which leads 8-5 overall. …0, the number of third-down conversions for Oxford in the first half.

Stat sheet: Oxford – Mims was 14-for-24 passing for 127 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, and Richardson added four receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown. Wilson had eight carries for 102 yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 37 yards, and blocked a first-quarter punt that resulted in a safety. Pinson Valley – Dylan Reese finished 12-of-24 for 147 yards and Joshua Woods had 20 rushing attempts for 92 yards. Derrico Freeman contributed three receptions for 43 yards.

Coachspeak: “We thought the first half, we were sputtering around on offense and the message at halftime was ‘it was us.’ We felt like it was a lot of self-inflicted mistakes and we didn’t go nuts on them at halftime. Just needed to fix what we needed to fix and played a whole lot better in the third quarter.” — Oxford coach Sam Adams

They said it: “We have to keep each other up. If we do our assignment and trust in the coaching, we’ll follow it until the end.” — Thomas on keeping the team humble

“It just happened to work out the way it did in practice. I’ve come close a few times but finally got one tonight.” — Wilson on blocked punt

What’s next? Oxford travels to Hartselle, while Pinson Valley heads up the road to Clay-Chalkville.