| JV Football Wildcats Hook Pirates 32-16 |
 John Haynes October 24, 2009 The Pinckney Pirates sailed into a rainy and cold Novi Stadium this week before being boarded by the JV Wildcats en route to Novi’s last victory of the season. The Wildcats finished up the season at 7-1-1 against a vastly improved Pinckney team. The game was a lesson in opportunities won and lost as 5 of the 7 touchdowns in the game were the direct result of turnovers. Pinckney touched the ball first and had a major drive under way before defensive pressure allowed Adam Haynes to step in front of a Pirate pass and turn the ball around for a Novi drive. The Novi line of Derek Poppenger, Justin Michael, Josh Feight, Chris Diacono, Derek Edwards, Nathan Peters and Evan Thomas did a good job of breaking up the Pinckney defense for the running backs. QB Derek Ince made the play that made the drive with a 45 option keeper before taking the QB plunge from 1 yard out to put the Cats up 6-0. The Novi defense started to warm up to the Pirate counter dive and stopped Pinckney on two consecutive 3 and out series. A short punt from Pinckney put Novi is good field position where Ince went to work with Logan Regnier for a 30 yard touchdown pass play. A slant pass to Thomas brought Novi up 14-0. After the kick off, another defensive story with a forced fumble allowed the offense to square up their shoulders with the goal line for another drive. Another Ince-Regnier combination pass play for 40 yards put Novi first and goal where Haynes ran it in for 6 and Novi was up 20-0 midway through the second quarter. Pinckney received the kickoff and just about the time they were eyeing the end zone, the defense forced another fumble, recovered by Justin Brooks. Another good day for the defense was led by Lance Lilla, Giddiani Albuerne, Chris Diacono, and Derek Cingel. A balanced drive using Jimmy Eloff ( 86 yards on 17 carries), Alex Davis (99 yards on 8 carries) including a 17 yard Davis reverse and a 20 yard Ince to Zack Vidra pass set up the Ince to Haynes touchdown pass combination from five yards as the second quarter clock ran out and made it 26-0 for Novi. Novi took the second half kickoff and appeared to be headed for another score until a holding penalty forced a passing situation which was picked off by Pinckney. This time it was the Pirates to take advantage of the turnover with a 36 yard pass play and two point conversion for a 26-8 game. An instant replay of the prior Novi possession including the hold and interception gave the ball back to the Pirates. Fortunately a heads up interception and great 30 yard return by Alejandro Albuerne put Novi back in scoring position. This time the line provided the running room for Davis who ran it in from the 10 to make it 32-8 as the third quarter ran out. Although Cingel recovered the ensuing kickoff, Novi turned the ball over on downs and Pinckney was able to put together a 72 yard drive to bring the score back to 32-16. After another change of possession it was Michael Gurney who finally sealed the end of the game and the season with a pass interception. |
