By Matt “Sweets” McCarthy
For Flivver Football
Down 30-16 at the intermission last week, Kingsford scored 18 second half points, while their defense pitched a shutout to advance to the MHSAA district championship game with a 34-30 win.
“Great team win for our team and the entire program over Kingsley, we just kept fighting. The long touchdown pass to Nic Nora (81 yards) to start the third quarter gave us a spark,” said Kingsford head coach Mark Novara.
“Our defense stepped up and got some key stops, holding Kingsley to zero points in the second half. Our passing game was effective with key contributions from Nora, Michael Floriano and Cardel Morton.”
Sophomore quarterback Nic Novara finished 14-19 with three touchdown passes. Senior running back Cole Myllyla had 136 yards rushing with a score. Elizin Rouse also had a rushing touchdown.
Gladwin, the 2022 Jack Pine Conference champions, finished their second consecutive undefeated regular season with a 35-7 win over Standish-Sterling. This is the third straight season the G’s have qualified for the Division 5 playoffs after posting a 1-8 record in 2019.
“Gladwin is a good football team. Their defense has given people fits all year,” Coach Novara said. “Their quarterback is their best player and we have to keep an eye on him.”
Last week’s 35-20 victory over Ogemaw Heights was Gladwin’s second playoff win in the last three seasons. In 2020, the G’s defeated Hancock in round one of the playoffs, 33-14.
Great Northern Conference member Menominee has faced Gladwin twice in the postseason, both games were won by the Maroons. In 2014, Menominee won a 69-41 shoot out.
In 2002, Menominee shut out the Flying G’s 42-0, one week after defeating the Flivvers, 27-15 in the Division 4 District round. The first playoff game in Gladwin school history was in 1998, a Class B pre-regional game versus Gladstone, a 28-10 victory for the Flying G’s.
