The Crosstown Classic is more than a football game. It is Oxford versus Lafayette. Pride, tradition, and identity all wrapped into one Friday night. This rivalry runs deep. It defines a community. Families, friends, and neighbors all have a stake. Students sit next to rivals in classrooms and pews. Adults work side by side. When the game comes around, the whole town feels it.
It all began in 1972. Lafayette won the first game, 3-0, at Oxford. That tiny score sparked a rivalry that would define generations. Lafayette dominated much of the 1980s, stringing together six straight wins. They claimed the 2004 playoff game, proving the Commodores could perform on the biggest stages. Oxford had moments too, but Lafayette maintained a slight edge in the overall series. Every game mattered. Every season mattered.
Oxford’s modern era began in 2012. The Chargers ended Lafayette’s six-game Crosstown Classic streak. That win marked the start of Oxford asserting control, winning nine of 11 matchups leading up to 2023. The 2024 game made that dominance official while also resetting the series record in dramatic fashion.
Coaches have always defined this rivalry as much as the players. Anthony Hart led Lafayette from 2005 to 2011, compiling an 80-16 record and winning back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2010 and 2011. He went 6-1 against Oxford during his first tenure, his teams disciplined, physical, and relentless on the ground. Chris Cutcliffe has built a program at Oxford that wins. Before 2024, he held a 5-2 record against Lafayette. The 45-0 win pushed it to 6-2. Hart versus Cutcliffe is preparation versus experience, legacy versus momentum.
The 2024 game was decisive. The Chargers rolled to a 45-0 victory at Bobby Holcomb Field on August 30. Oxford jumped out early, leading 24-0 at halftime. A key turnover in the second half extended the lead to 31-0. The defense never let up. The shutout evened the all-time series at 26 wins each with two ties. Lafayette’s historical edge was erased. A new chapter began.
The Crosstown Classic is also a town event. Students, families, neighbors… they all show up. The United Way Challenge turns rivalry energy into fundraising. Each school collects donations online or by text. Oxford leads the challenge 5-3. The funds support local health initiatives, education programs, and financial stability projects. Football becomes a force for good.
This rivalry has produced stars. D.K. Metcalf caught 224 passes for 3,302 yards and 49 touchdowns at Oxford before moving to Ole Miss and the NFL. He has multiple Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro honor with the Seattle Seahawks. His career shows that the Crosstown Classic is more than local bragging rights. It is a proving ground.
The rivalry has shifted eras many times. Lafayette dominated early. Oxford dominated recently. Playoff victories, streak-breaking wins, MVP performances, and coaching milestones have all shaped the series. The 2024 shutout erased Lafayette’s edge and added a new layer to the coaching duel between Hart and Cutcliffe. Experience meets preparation, legacy meets momentum.
The Crosstown Classic continues to evolve. New players rise every year. New plays decide the outcome. Old records reset. New legends are ready to emerge. It is skill, strategy, and pride all in one. It is community and competition. It is Mississippi Friday night football at its finest. Every year writes a new page. Every season adds to the story. And every Friday night, Oxford and Lafayette prove why this rivalry matters.
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