Novi Football - Podvin leads Mavs on road to redemption

Scott M. Burnstein
August 29, 2008
Reprinted with permission of The Oakland Press

NOVI — About the only thing Milford’s senior Kyle Podvin didn’t do on Thursday night was go into the stands and sell concessions.

Starting at running back, but also spending time in the Mavericks’ defensive backfield and under center playing quarterback Podvin scored two rushing touchdowns and snared an interception on defense, while leading Milford to an impressive, 21-7 win against host Novi in Thursday’s season opener.

In addition, Podvin ran for 52 yards on 16 attempts and made three tackles.

“That was a real fun game, real exciting and intense on offense and defense” said Podvin following his all-purpose performance. “We had a solid game plan, and we executed it real well. I can play wherever coach wants to put me. This is my senior year, so it’s my last chance to show what I can do. Last season, we were down a bit and only won four games. This year, we have a new coach and a new attitude and we’re going to make some noise.”

Milford got the scoring started with 3:49 left in the first quarter by putting together a seven-play, 63-yard drive that was capped by Podvin’s 1-yard touchdown run.

Keeping with the steady ball control offense they had been employing the entire first half, the Mavericks’ took possession at midfield after a short punt and marched back to the goal line, scoring on a 1-yard keeper by senior quarterback Steve Buglione, providing Milford a 14-0 lead with 9:13 remaining in the second quarter.

Buglione’s trip into the end zone was set up by a 13-yard scamper by Podvin that put the ball at the opposition’s doorstep.

Novi got on the scoreboard for the first time with less than 2 1 /2 minutes to play in the half when senior quarterback Chris Bellamy — playing his first game as the signalcaller for the Wildcats after being a wide receiver the past two seasons — connected with senior running back Paul Favorite, who took a screen pass and went 45 yards for the score, pulling his team within a touchdown at 14-7.

But Novi wouldn’t score again the rest of the night, with Milford dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. Breaking in a new quarterback proved costly for Novi, as the Wildcats had trouble moving the ball the entire contest.

The Wildcats didn’t register a first down until the 2:28 mark of the second quarter.

Adding to his stellar night, Podvin put the game out of reach when he connected on a 40-yard pass play to the Novi 1-yard line, hitting Buglione, who lined up at receiver for the play. Podvin promptly scampered in for the score to make it a 21-7 ballgame with 5:11 left in the fourth quarter.

Any hopes of Novi comeback was dashed with 2:36 left to play in the game, when Milford forced a Wildcat fumble and recovered the ball at the Wildcat 46-yard line. Novi was led by Favorite’s 17 yards rushing, 60 yards receiving, and seven unassisted tackles from his linebacker position.

“Throughout the entire offseason, we were preaching strength, toughness and pride, and I think we displayed all of those attributes tonight in getting this win,” said Milford head coach Jeff Hill, who was coaching his first game at the helm of the Mavericks’ football program.

“I’ve got some great kids on this team and they believe in everything the coaching staff is teaching. Plus, my seniors are fantastic in terms of skill and leadership. That makes my job a lot easier.

“Tonight we were able to do the little things that don’t show up in the stat sheet but really get the job done when you need it. We were down as a program last season and I know this is the group that’s going to put us back on the map. This was a nice victory for me and the team and really something we can build on as we go forward.”

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