| Fingertip separates Milford, Novi |
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Mike Scott August 29, 2009 Reprinted with permission of the Oakland Press MILFORD — Rain. Lightning. Turnovers. Big offensive plays. And a last-second field goal with the opportunity to win a game. The battle between Milford and Novi had it all Friday night. But in the end it was the host Mavericks holding on by the tip of a finger — literally — in an 18-16 victory. Novi drove 60 yards in its final drive with no timeouts before stalling on the Milford 17. Junior kicker Scott Stanford had a chance to win the game on a 35-yard field goal attempt with 18 seconds left, but his kick was tipped by a couple of onrushing linemen to preserve the Maverick victory. Milford (1-0) only finished with 75 total yards rushing after sacks, but the Mavericks made enough plays when they had to, and took advantage of a short field on a couple of touchdown drives. It was just the recipe that a young football team needed to get the win. “We have a number of guys in skill positions and on the lines — really all over the field — that were getting their first varsity action or first significant varsity action,” Milford head coach Jeff Hill said. “I was really proud of our kids because we improved on both sides of the ball as the game (progressed).” The Mavericks got the winning score in the third quarter after a 40-minute lightning delay with just over a minute left in the first half. The drive started after Milford senior linebacker Cody Beck recovered his second fumble of the game, taking the ball 21 yards into Novi territory. Milford kept its drive alive on a pass interference call in the Novi end zone. The Mavericks then had a second-and-goal at the Novi 1-yard line and were stuffed on two straight running plays. But quarterback Luke Johnson snuck it in on fourth down for an 18-9 lead. Mike Brant cut the lead to three on a 2-yard touchdown run with 5:33 left in the fourth quarter. That came after Jimmy Gurney’s 39-yard reception put the ball inside the Milford 20. The teams traded possessions in the final five minutes, and the rain finally stopped before Novi’s final drive. “We just did what we had to do because there was no way we were going to lose this game,” Beck said. “I think the (lightning) break helped us, because we were able to run the ball a little better later in the game.” Novi quarterback Brandon Rydzewski was a threat on the ground all night, compiling 122 rushing yards on 14 carries, most of which came on the option. He completed just 4 of 12 passes but did finish with 124 yards in the air. Dominic Sabo added 52 yards rushing for the Wildcats (0-1). The Novi option attack gave Milford some trouble throughout the game, but the Mavericks did a better job of containing the quick Rydzewski in the fourth quarter. “I don’t know that we made major adjustments but we did a better job on our (defensive) assignments in the second half,” said Hill, who told his squad after the game that Novi would be one of the best teams they would face all season. “That is a well-coached team with good players.” Novi turned the ball over four times, including two critical ones in the second half. Milford had three turnovers. Novi also hurt itself with 10 penalties, many of which were offensive illegal procedure calls. “They made some mistakes early and we gave them a few back, so that evened out,” Hill said. Milford struck first, courtesy of great field position on its first drive. The Mavericks went 45 yards in five plays, capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run by Bryar Miller. Miller finished with 55 yards on 23 carries, but 42 of those yards came on his last 10 carries. Novi came back, thanks to a Milford turnover deep in its own territory. On second-andlong, Rydzewski found Brett Kuhn streaking down the right sideline uncovered for a 34-yard touchdown reception. Like Milford, Novi was unable to convert the point-after. But the Mavericks answered on the ensuing kickoff, as Brandon Bell went 81 yards off a misdirection play for a 12-6 Milford lead late in the first quarter. Milford committed its second turnover of the first half on the move in Novi territory when Novi’s Jeremy Mims picked off Milford Johnson. Novi had a chance to tie or take the lead midway through the second quarter after Rydzewski scrambled 52 yards on an option keeper to the Milford 7. But the Mavericks’ defense stiffened and held the Wildcats to a 25-yard field goal. Minutes later lightening streaked through the sky. |
