Rick Schulte
October 9, 2010
Reprinted with permission of the Detroit Free Press
It's kind of hard not to notice the numbers -- 298 points scored in six games, making for a gaudy average of 49.7 points per game.
But defense was a big part of what gave Northville its first Kensington Lakes Central football championship.
The Mustangs kept Novi's offense in check, rolling to a 27-14 win Friday night.
"They moved the ball efficiently, but our defense stepped up," Northville coach Matt Ladach said. "Our boys were physically and mentally ready."
Northville will play Canton in the KLAA playoffs next Friday.
The Mustangs (7-0, 5-0) broke it open in the second quarter. Jonathon Alandt scored on a 2-yard run, and Trei Walton took a Jeff Gertley screen pass 11 yards for another score with 58.9 seconds left to lead, 20-7.
Gertley finished 7-for-12 for 93 yards and two scores. He also rushed for a team-high 89 yards and opened the scoring with a 1-yard run.
But what set up the final score of the half for Northville was a fourth-down stand at midfield with 2:59 left. That was enough time for the Mustangs to mount a six-play drive.
Levi Perry gave Northville a huge lift early in the second half, picking off a pass to end a good-looking Novi drive. Jeff Hewlett also had an interception for the Mustangs. Linebacker Brett MacDonald, who was in on 11 tackles, led the defense.
Later, Alendt caught an 11-yard touchdown pass to push the Mustangs' lead to 27-7 after Victor Bodrie's extra point.
Novi (4-3, 4-1) made it a little closer midway through the final quarter on a 44-yard scoring strike from Derek Ince to Dominic Sabo. Scotty Stanford added his second PAT.
Novi's first score came on a first-quarter, 32-yard run by Zach Mohr (seven rushes, 87 yards).