| Wildcats battle Spartans to 28-28 draw |
 John Haynes October 3, 2009 The JV Wildcats traveled to Livonia Stevenson for a frustrating and exciting evening of turnover exchanges that witnessed a Novi lead vanish to tie the Spartans at 28. Novi exhibited uncharacteristic mental and execution mistakes that saw 6 of 12 possessions turn into opportunity for the Spartans in the form of the turnover. Along the way there was plenty of excitement until the final seconds. Alex Barry and the defense got things started for the Wildcats with an early fumble recovery at mid-field but the offense was unable to convert 4th down deep in Spartan territory. The defense held the Spartans and a Derek Cingel blocked punt proved to be enough for the offense and Jimmy Eloff to score from the 18 on the next play. Joey Kamal and the extra point team added 1 for a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. The next five minutes of play yielded 21 points of fast action beginning with a 29 yard Spartan rushing touchdown. Novi’s possession ended in a fumble deep in Novi territory after one play and Livonia capitalized with a 19 yard touchdown drive. Novi retaliated with a 58 yard drive lead by a 50 yard option read by quarterback Derek Ince and an Eloff scamper to the end zone. Add a Kamal kick and the score was knotted at 14. Novi were their own worst opponents for the rest of the half as a fumble and a defensive holding penalty, which cancelled a Derek Poppenger sack, prevented the Wildcats from getting the upper hand. Just when a 64 yard Eloff pass interception return looked like it would turn Novi’s fortune, a pass interception on Novi’s next play put such optimism to rest. Going into half time without a comfortable lead was a new experience for the JV ‘Cats and it seemed the cobwebs were shaken out as the Wildcats came out roaring in the third quarter. In less than five minutes the ‘Cats struck twice – once on a 60 yard display of the speed of running back Alex Davis and then Justin Brooks showed the defense how to take it to the house with a 75 yard interception sideline sprint. Kamal and crew notched the extra points as Novi started looking like their old selves at 28-14. But Livonia quieted the Novi crowd on the ensuing kickoff with a 88 yard touchdown run back to cut the margin to one touchdown at 28-21 to end the third quarter. The last quarter was like watching a glass of milk spilling in slow motion – you can see it coming but seemingly unable to save it. Lineman Derek Edwards got Novi pointed in the right direction with a 15 yard return to the Livonia 17 of the interception of a desperation Livonia forward lateral under Novi defensive duress. 10 tough yards later, the glass started tipping when Novi threw a pass interception. The defense put the ball in hands of the offense in three plays on a Livonia punt but the offense gave the ball back to the Spartans with a fumble. Not to quit, the defense forced a three down Livonia punt but an errant bounce off a Novi helmet and a Livonia recovery gave the Spartans another chance. With the fourth quarter running out, both teams failed to advance until a partially blocked Adam Haynes punt gave Livonia possession at mid-field. Despite a Poppenger sack, a 35 yard pass completion and an end zone defensive pass interference call, the Spartans struck the fatal blow with a 24 yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion pass was the killing blow which tied the game with 27 seconds remaining. Leading the defense for the game was Derek Cingel with 11 combined tackles, followed by Haynes, Chris Diacono, Giddiani Albuerne, Poppenger, Lance Lilla, Brooks and Eloff. |
