Oxford sent head coach Johnny Hill out a winner in the Crosstown Classic.

Using the help of three second-half turnovers by Lafayette, the Chargers pulled away for a 31-21 win over the rival Commodores on Friday at Lafayette High’s William L. Buford Stadium. It’s the fourth straight win in the series for Oxford (2-2) and the final rivalry victory for Hill, who’s set to retire at the end of the season.

Oxford quarterback Jack Abraham threw for three touchdowns while running back Drew Bianco zipped up the gut for a 20-yard touchdown run with 2:09 left in the game to turn a three-point lead into a double-digit cushion. It helped the Chargers overcome a wave of punishing runs from Lafayette tailback Tyrell Price, who racked up 245 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries.

But a handful of late miscues caught up to the Commodores (3-1), who suffered their first loss of the season.

Price fumbled on the tail end of a long gainer on Lafayette’s second possession of the second half, and Oxford converted the turnover into points when Abraham connected with Jimmy Greaser for a 13-yard touchdown pass six plays later to give Oxford a 24-14 lead with 4:30 left in the third quarter.

The Commodores’ next two possessions ended with quarterback Will Ard being picked off by C.J. Terrell. Ard atoned for the mistakes with a 20-yard touchdown run with 6:30 remaining in the game to get Lafayette back within three, but Oxford milked the next four minutes and change on an eight-play drive capped by Bianco’s scamper.

Lafayette also missed a pair of field goals and had another one blocked, which was returned for a touchdown to end the half only to be negated by a personal foul to keep the score 17-14 in favor of the Chargers. Abraham’s two first-half touchdown tosses went to Ken Presley while Greaser finished with eight catches for 91 yards.

See Sunday’s edition of the EAGLE for more from Friday’s game.