Friday, August 29, 2024
Sterling Heights, MI-The Stevenson Titans cruised to a 27-3 victory over the Novi Wildcats in the 2024 season opener. The Titans capitalized on a strong rushing attack and a stifling defense to control the game from start to finish.
Stevenson struck first late in the opening quarter with a 38-yard field goal by Pawel Surowiec, capping an 8-play, 42-yard drive. The Titans extended their lead in the second quarter when quarterback Andrew Knight scampered for an 11-yard touchdown, putting Stevenson up 10-0. Novi managed to respond before halftime with a 26-yard field goal by David Galligan, following a promising 8-play, 31-yard drive, cutting the deficit to 10-3.
After halftime, Stevenson reasserted their dominance. Early in the third quarter, running back Jaiden Hill-Alston powered into the end zone on an 11-yard run, completing a methodical 6-play, 70-yard drive. Knight then connected with Owen Pecar for a successful two-point conversion, stretching the Titans' lead to 18-3. Moments later, Stevenson’s Moustafa Elzhenni added to Novi’s woes, forcing a safety after relentless defensive pressure.
The Titans put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. Knight notched his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run, capping an 8-play, 74-yard drive. Surowiec’s extra point sealed the 27-3 victory.
Stevenson’s ground game proved unstoppable, amassing 262 yards on 37 carries. Hill-Alston led the way with 98 yards and a touchdown, while Knight added 46 yards and two scores. The Titans' defense was equally formidable, recording three sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Demario Horton contributed six tackles, a sack, and five tackles for loss, making his presence felt throughout the game.
For Novi, quarterback Johnny Aurilia was under constant pressure but showed resilience, completing 14 of 35 passes for 170 yards. Christian Gillings stood out for the Wildcats with six catches for 114 yards. Despite the flashes of potential, Novi's offense struggled to find consistency, finishing with just 178 total yards.
The Wildcats' defense had its moments, highlighted by Reece Pippin’s 11 tackles and two sacks. However, they couldn’t contain Stevenson’s multi-faceted attack, allowing three red-zone touchdowns on as many attempts.
With the win, the Titans moved to 1-0 and demonstrated their potential as conference contenders. The Wildcats, now 0-1, will regroup and aim for a stronger showing in their next game as they seek to bounce back from a tough opener.