COMMODORE MEDIA GROUP

It feels as if the preseason was just yesterday, yet the Commodores just faced the Chargers in the Crosstown Classic. Lafayette Commodores lost two of their games after the MHSAA pushed the start of the season back due to COVID-19, so the Crosstown Classic came fast.

Friday, September 11th, the Commodores faced the Oxford Chargers for the 50th year. Oxford and Lafayette faced each other at Bobby Holcomb Field. Due to COVID-19 not all of Lafayette and Oxford supporters were able to attend the game but they were able to get an in-home view. Although those who were able to attend were under COVID-19 protocol, the Crosstown Classic game was still a game to look forward to as always.

Everyone always gets hyped about the Crosstown Classic because it’s a rivalry between two different schools in the same town. Although they’re competing with each other, the Crosstown Classic does not count on the record of wins because of the differences in the school division. Even though the game does not count it’s still taken seriously.

Lafayette hasn’t beat the Oxford chargers since 2016. In 2016 Lafayette Commodores got their first win against the Chargers since 2011. This years game might’ve been the best game yet since 2011.

The starting quarterback, Tyrus Carmichael-Williams, put the first score on the scoreboard with an 11-yard run backed by a converted two-point. Brendan Toles later scored on a 55-yard run putting Lafayette 15 points ahead of the Chargers. Williams got ejected with a minute left till halftime due to unsportsmanlike conduct.

Williams said, “I felt slightly mad after being ejected from the game. It was just a rough night, nothing went how it was supposed to go. Could’ve done better, but it is what it is. As I said I was mad, but my being mad wasn’t going to get me and the team anywhere. I had to be a team player and that’s just what I was. You win some you lose some. We’re bound to bounce back.”

The game hit a turning point for Lafayette, they no longer had their starting quarterback. Taylor Traver came in for Williams as the quarterback. Taylor got the Commodores another touchdown off of Jayden Reed. After halftime Oxford made a comeback. Lafayette has a strong defensive line and offensive line, but after Oxford came back and Lafayette just couldn’t get back up there.

In the end, Oxford received the Crosstown trophy with a 33-22 win over Lafayette.