Northville Youth Football Association

The Battle for the Shoe at the Big House in Ann Arbor didn't disappoint this year. The Stallions hung on for a thrilling 27-26 victory over the crosstown rival Colts. A wet, windy, blustery day didn't dampen the enthusiasm for this annual Northville football tradition. The Colts scored 5 minutes into the 1st quarter for a 6-0 lead. However, the Stallions marched down the field on a long run by Erik Brown and pulled even with a touchdown run by Zac Slagle to knot up the score at 6-6. The Colts scored on their next possession and converted the 2-point try to take a 14-6 lead. Future Michigan Wolverine, Brody Domeracki, sparked the Stallion comeback with a 50-yard TD to bring the Stallions closer, 14-12. The Colts broke off a big run on their next possession, but Logan Toomey saved a TD run, and then Coach Bandilla's gray squad held the Colts out of the end zone, to keep the score 14-12. Kaden Mack broke off a long run before halftime, but several questionable holding penalties stalled the drive to keep the score 14-12 Colts at halftime.

 

Coach Bandilla's gray team came out fired up in the second half and put the Stallions on top 19-14 on a Colin Richardson TD run and Adam Bandilla extra point conversion. The Colts dug deep into the playbook with a double reverse TD run and went up 20-19. Erik Brown scored on a 19-yard TD run to make it 25-20. Drew Meussner aired it out to a diving Brody Domeracki to convert the 2-point try to take a 27-20 lead heading into the 6th quarter. Colin Dowling booted the kickoff deep and pinned the Colts at their 17 yard line, and the Stallions held on defense, with Zac Slagle pulling a key flag on 4th and 6. The Stallions stalled on offense, and the Colts marched down the field and scored to inch closer, 27-26. However, the defense clamped down on the 2-point conversion try to secure the 27-26 victory over the Colts. Coach Toomey praised the Colts and Stallions squads after the game for representing Northville with pride and good sportsmanship.