JV Stallions Win Battle with Walled Lake Braves, 19-12

The JV Northville Stallions (1-1) squared off with the Walled Lake Braves this past warm, breezy Saturday afternoon. The Stallions were primed, locked and loaded to post their first victory of the season with a defensive assault.  Grant Hood started things off, booting his first of many towering kicks to establish great field position as Parker Dietrich flew down field to flatten a Brave in his tracks.  The Stallions defense kept stampeding right up until Michael Merritt partially blocked the Braves punt on their opening drive.  A defensive and scoreless battle waged on through the first quarter, including a bulldozing hit by lineman Alex Gentner that sent the Braves QB reeling on the one yard line.

Stallion coaches turned some dials in the second quarter to get their offensive cylinders firing.  Alex Karam and Cooper Leverton led the running attack while quarterback Jack Pevovar warmed up his rifle arm,

throwing bullets downfield.  The Stallions surged down the field, finding themselves in a 4th and goal situation at the Braves 6 yard line.  Pevovar took the snap and rolled right, sending a perfect spiral to receiver Enzo Rodriquez, who beat his defender and hauled in a touchdown pass.  After going up 6-0, the Stallions defense clamped down with spectacular plays, including a sack by defensive lineman Saaz Malhotra.  The Stallions mounted another offensive drive led by outstanding blocking from Merritt, Dietrich, Luke Smith and Kevin Townsend.  Karam ripped a 20 yard run to the Braves 35, followed by a blazing pass from Pevovar to Dietrich, putting the ball at the Braves 23.  Leverton then took a handoff, running over defenders and into the end zone, but the play was called back on penalty.  The Stallions could just not be denied however, as Karam took the ball on the next snap and flew around the right side for a 23 yard touchdown run, sending Stallion Nation into orbit and the first half ended Stallions 12, Walled Lake 0.

Despite great defensive plays like Spencer Thakady’s explosive quarterback sack and dominant tackles by Joey Bahu, the Braves reenergized in the third quarter, scoring twice to tie the game.  Going into the fourth quarter, both teams locked horns until the Stallions established a strong final drive.  Following great blocking and tackling by Smith, John Hamilton, Matthew Esqueda, Robert Reynolds and Josh Morrisey, the Stallions marched all the way down to the Braves 25 yard line.  On fourth down and just 8 seconds left on the game clock, quarterback Pevovar connected with trusted receiver Rodriguez across the middle and he scampered into the end zone for his second TD reception to give the Stallions the lead.  As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Stallion players and coaches went wild showing their deep Stallion Pride.  The final score ended Stallions 19 and Braves 12 with the Stallions sidelines and stands just beaming with pride.

By Greg Baker