Reading High falls to Oxford, 44-12
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
By Gabriel Pickup — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Reading High fell to Oxford 44-12 Friday in a non-league game at Shirk Stadium.
The Red Knights (1-8) wrap up their season next week at home against Hempfield.
| Final | |
| Oxford | 44 |
| Reading | 12 |
Reading’s misfortunes began early as Hornets running back Joel McClain, whose number was called every play in the opening drive, took Oxford 70 yards downfield on 10 rushes.
It was his first of two 3-yard scores along with a 47-yard scoring run. He finished with 143 yards on 18 attempts.
Oxford junior Jake Patterson caught two passes for 95 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown.
All 44 of Oxford’s points came in the first half en route to a Mercy Rule finish. A bobbled snap on a punt attempt in the Knights’ end zone resulting in a safety completing the Hornets scoring.
Reading’s 12 points came from sophomore Daron Wilkins. The two-way player ran an option play 53 yards along the sideline to the end zone on Reading’s first play of a second-quarter drive. His other touchdown came on defense as he returned a fumble 85 yards. He finished with 94 rushing yards on 14 carries.
Red Knights quarterback Elijah Fleming completed 4-of-10 passes for 48 yards, including 20-yard completions to running back Idris Weaver and receiver Tai Je Slaughter.
Game overview
Oxford (7-2) set the tempo early on a 10-play opening drive resulting in a touchdown, handing the ball off to running back Joel McClain all 10 times. After a botched snap by the Red Knights punter resulted in a safety, Oxford received the ball again, scoring on its first play via a 42-yard touchdown to receiver Jake Patterson.
After a 23-point first quarter, Reading made its first big play of the game, scoring a 53-yard touchdown on a Daron Wilkins run.
The Hornets converted three drives into touchdowns to close out the second quarter, taking a 44-6 lead into halftime.
Key play
After a 10-play scoring drive exclusively running the ball, Oxford designed a pass to Jake Patterson resulting in a 42-yard touchdown.
Star of the game
Oxford running back Joel McClain, who ran for 143 yards on 18 attempts and three touchdowns, all in the first half.
Key statistics
Oxford ran for 206 yards on 30 rushing attempts. It passed for 116 yards on only five attempts, an impressive 23.2 yards per attempt.
Quotable
“They’re a good team. They have a good coach and real gritty kids. . . they’re going to be pretty good in the future.” — Reading coach Troy Godinet, on Oxford
Quotable
“He’s a kid who has battled through some things physically, and he still shows up for us. Any time he has the ball, he can take it to the crib. You’re going to see a lot of that kid in the future.”— Reading coach Troy Godinet, on Daron Wilkins
Quotable
“They continued to fight for their brotherhood.” — Reading coach Troy Godinet, on the starters playing better in the second half
Up next
The Red Knights wrap up their season next week at home against Hempfield. Oxford travels to Kennett to face the 6-2 Blue Demons.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Oxford | 23 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 44 |
| Reading | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | Oxford | J. McClain, 3 run (McPeak kick) | 6:35 |
| 1 | Oxford | Safety | 3:53 |
| 1 | Oxford | J. Patterson, 42 pass from Neskie (McPeak kick) | 3:40 |
| 1 | Oxford | J. McClain, 3 run (McPeak kick) | 0:09 |
| 2 | Reading | Wilkins, 53 run (run failed) | 8:52 |
| 2 | Oxford | J. Patterson, 53 pass from Neskie (McPeak kick) | 6:57 |
| 2 | Oxford | J. McClain, 47 run (McPeak kick) | 4:55 |
| 2 | Oxford | Turk, 30 run (McPeak kick) | 2:19 |
| 3 | Reading | Wilkins, 85 fumble return (run failed) | 3:31 |
Team statistics
| OXFORD | READING | |
| First downs | 12 | 8 |
| Rushes-yards | 30-206 | 28-89 |
| Passing yards | 116 | 50 |
| Total yards | 322 | 139 |
| Passes | 3-5-0 | 5-11-0 |
| Fumbles-lost | 3-1 | 2-2 |
| Punts-average | 3-32.33 | 2-33 |
| Penalties-yards | 7-74 | 10-85 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Oxford: J. McClain 18-143, Wahl-Shifflett 4-0, Norris 3-5, K. Patterson 2-9, Turk 1-30, J. Patterson 1-13, Williams 1-6.
Reading: Wilkins 14-94, Fleming 6-(-1), Weaver 5-9, Nunn 2-(-17), Williams 1-4.
PASSING
Oxford: Neskie 3-5-0-116.
Reading: Fleming 4-10-0-48, Wilkins 1-1-0-2.
RECEIVING
Oxford: J. Patterson 2-95-2, Turk 1-21.
Reading: Weaver 2-22, Slaughter 1-20, Bradley 1-12, Wilkins 1-(-2).
