Northville Youth Football Association

It was a perfect morning to start the football season in Northville. Cool and cloudy, with the clouds giving way to the sun as the game unfolded at Tom Holzer Ford Field.

The Stallions opened the scoring in the first quarter with a long touchdown run by Al Altwal. However, they were not able to convert on the extra point. The defense played hard into the second quarter with flag pulls from Lucas Stefani, Ashtyn Kersey, and Zach Dababneh, but it was not enough to keep the Blue Jays from reaching the end zone to tie the score 6-6. The Stallions struck back quickly with a long run by Wills Theisen, followed by a touchdown run from Anthony Salerno. Back on defense, the Stallions had good flag pulls from Zach Dababneh, Anthony Salerno, Al Altwal, and Charlie Brach, but the Blue Jays eventually worked their way into the end zone to tie the game 12-12. A great kickoff return from Braden Toomey set the Stallions up with good field position. It wasn’t wasted as Braden Toomey, Ashtyn Kersey, and Lucas Stefani all had good runs to move the ball down the field. The drive was capped off with a great touchdown run from Ashtyn Kersey to give the Stallions an 18-12 lead heading into halftime. 

The Blue Jays received the kickoff to open the fourth quarter. After flag pulls from Wills Theisen and Anthony Salerno, the Blue Jays broke a long run for a touchdown and converted the extra point to take a 19-18 lead. On the next possession, the Stallions were not able to reach the end zone and turned the ball over on downs. The Blue Jays overcame flag pulls from Wills Theisen, Al Atwal, Ashtyn Kersey, Braden Toomey, and Zayn Jaafar to eventually score a touchdown. An amazing diving one-handed flag grab from Ashtyn Kersey at the goal line stopped the extra point to hold the score at 25-18 and keep the Stallions in the game heading into the sixth and final quarter. 

The Stallions opened the drive with runs from Braden Toomey and Wills Theisen. Anthony Salerno threw a long pass to Wills Theisen and then another run by Wills Theisen set the Stallions up with first and goal with 2:30 left to play in the game. Two runs by the Stallions were stopped just short of the goal line as time expired and drew a conclusion to the game.

The Stallions played hard and fearless throughout the game. The team has a great season to look forward to, starting next Sunday with the Braves.