Walled Lake Northern Football

Walled Lake Northern Knights vs Northville Mustangs

Football seasons come and go and as an entire body of work rarely get noticed except by those who have been intimately involved with them; particularly the players when it's the last or next to last one in their lives. But regardless of how long you've played the game, High School football is usually the last stop for most people when it comes to being "really close to the game". That is why the winning and losing typically feel a little more emotional during the Varsity years; especially when you're good and you come THAT close to your dream as high school football players. In this case it was making the state playoffs for the first time in school history. That said, regardless of the final score or record, you should hold your heads high as proud members of this 2011 Northern Knights football team today because you are simply the best team that has played football for this school to date. Entering "the bowl" in Northville on the chilly, late October night not many people thought you had a chance to beat the Mustangs with their 7-1 record vs. your 5-3. You showed up and you proceeded to prove everyone wrong as this one unfolded into a game that gained you some big-time respect. And the respect started right off the bat...

Taking the kickoff with a light breeze to begin the game, Northern began their possession at their own 27. Matt Kosmalski had a great catch to the 49. After an incomplete pass and a run for no gain, a pass to Ryan Soulet on 3rd and 10 had an interference call and kept the drive alive. A couple of run attempts were made until Kirk Thomas found Ryan Soulet again on 3rd down and long in the left corner of the endzone making a Megatron-like catch with tight coverage on him. The kick was good off the crossbar in true soccer fashion by Senior kicker Brent Juhnke and Northern struck first while shocking the Northville faithful into the realization they may have a game on their hands. That said, Northville didn't take much time getting down the field themselves, moving the ball effectively themselves eventually evening the score at 7-7 with 5:52 left in the first. Ted Lilley received the kickoff and returned it to the 27. Kirk then led the Knights downfield starting with a keeper out to the 37, then a pitch to Ted Lilley for another first down. Jake Ginster then took over getting the Lion's share of the plays on this series with a dash of Kozzy thrown in. With Jake getting the ball to the 10, getting 3rd and 7, Kirk rolled right and found Ryan Towns just across the endzone for the second score of the night. Kick good, Knights 14, N'ville 7 with 1:56 in the first. It was at this point that the stands for Northern were starting to feel good about how this one was going. However, the Mustangs marched the ball back down the field and despite Northern's best defensive effort at holding them to 4th and 1 on the 1, N'ville scored on the next play on a QB sneak to tie it again at 14-14. The Knights again took over on the 27. Ted Lilley then on the connecting end of a pass from Kirk and off to races he went; all the way to the N'ville 12. He then carried to the 4, Kirk took it to the 2. After an incomplete pass on 3rd and 2, Northern called timeout looking at 4th and 2. The offense then retook the field, handed off to Jake and the score was now 21-14 and the game was almost officially a tennis match. With 9:38 left in the half. That thought was sent home after N'ville scored on a 56 yd. run on its next series to tie the game once again with 8:51 on the board. If that wasn't enough to twist your neck, on the ensuing kickoff Ted Lilley took the kick return to the house to return the Knights back into the lead with a score of 28-21 and only 13 seconds had elapsed from the previous score! It was now becoming evident that this one was going the distance. While Northville didn't return their kick, they did take over at the 46. Northern's defense did have a nice stand here by once again eventually holding them to 4th and 3, before the Mustangs scored on a QB toss to even it once more at 28-28 with over 6 minutes still remaining on the clock before the half. Cam DeSir took the liberties on the Northern kick return, bringing the ball all the way out to the 39. After nice runs by Jake and Ted to get the ball across midfield, Cam carried the ball for a first down to the Mustang 37. After a slip in the mud made it 2nd and 11, a pass interference call on Ryan Soulet brought the ball to the 24. At this point, the N'ville frustrations at being challenged so tightly in a game began to show as a late hit call was made on them continuing the forward progress of the Northern drive down to the 13. Taking advantage, Kirk threw a quick pass to Kozzy allowing the Knights to go up once again with the score now at 35-28. Northville fumbled on their kickoff but recovered at their 20. Collin O'Donnell then had a very nice open field tackle on a pass play. Ted Lilley also joined in the pass defense as he batted down a pass long downfield that could have gone in for a score if it would have connected. After a roughing the passer call gave the Mustangs 1st and 10 at the 34, they were called for grounding as the result of a tenacious pass defense taking them all the way back to the 45. With :33 sec left in the half and 3rd and 26 for the Mustangs at the 48, Northville called timeout. They then came out with the old hook and ladder, ultimately fumbling with Northern recovering. Taking a knee, Northern entered halftime hanging on to a well-deserved 35-28 lead.

In the stands there was a nervous anticipation as the clock wound down to the second half kickoff and the possibilities of football life at the end of the game. It was Northville's turn to receive and they took over at the 32 as the result of Mike Peer's coverage on the kickoff. Jimmy Bartsch then had a nice stop that forced 2nd and 10 for the Mustangs. Alex Samborski then forced 3rd and 3, but N'ville found a way to move the ball downfield and score to tie the game once more. It was now 35-35 with 10 min. left in the 3rd. Matt Kosmalski then brought the kickoff back to the 37, Kirk Thomas kept one to the 41 and Ryan Towns made a nice catch for a first down. Eventually Northern was held to a 3rd and 14 and a pass to Ted Lilley was incomplete forcing Northern to punt. Ted Lilley made a nice punt for a fair catch at the 15. Northville then had some luck running the ball in some 10 yd. chunks. But after a Chad Bailey stop, an incomplete pass and then one batted down, N'ville had to punt and Northern took over at the 16. The Knights then had a successful series of plays with a pitch to Cam, a 1st down pass to Matt Kosmalski, a patented Kirk Thomas keeper, a Jake Ginster catch for another first down. After Jake gained five on the next play, unfortunately a pass was intercepted and Northville took over at the 42. The Mustangs quickly took advantage and scored with 1:49 left in the 3rd to take the lead once again at 42-35. Matt Kosmalski returned the kickoff all the way to the 38 yard line where Kirk to a keeper out for a first down at the 50. He then gained another first down with another keeper. After an incomplete pass lead to 2nd and 10 at the 39, Kirk took another keeper to get first and 10 at the 28. The next play had pass interference called on Northville for a pass intended for Ryan Towns giving the Knights first and 10 from the 15. Kirk kept the ball once more to the 10 and once more to the 5 for first and goal. Kirk then passed to the right corner of the endzone where the ball was tipped to Kozzy who had paid attention in all of the tip drills. Unfortunately the extra point was blocked and the score was N'ville 42, Northern 41 with 10:06 left in this nail biter. Northville fielded the kickoff and returned the ball back to the 29. After a couple of plays, Chad Bailey had a nice tackle which forced N'ville into a difficult 3rd & 7 situation. Unfortunately, they were successful on a pass play for first down. After another screen pass to the 30, they scored on 30 yard run up the middle to take the score to 49-41 in this incredible offensive showdown between these equally talented teams. With a little over 8 minutes left, Matt Kosmalski received the kickoff and brought it all the way back to the 34. Next, he took the option from Kirk Thomas out to the 40 to make it 2nd and 4. Kirk was stopped on the next play to make it 3rd and 4. Jake Ginster was stuffed on the next play to make it fourth down, but realizing Northern needed the score, Jake Ginster took advantage of another opportunity and gained the first down. After another couple of plays, Ted Lilley got to the 45 to make it 2nd and 1. On the next play Ryan Towns made a great sideline possession catch to gain a first down at the Northville 40. Sensing it was working, Kirk Thomas threw once again to Ryan Towns to gain another first down at the Mustang 25. He then threw to Ted Lilley in the endzone leaving the Knights down late in this contest by only 2 points. Deciding to go for it, Kirk Thomas made a well thrown, out pass to Jake Ginster in the front right corner of the endzone to tie this game at 46 all! The Northern stands were going crazy and the mood was electric! With only 4:34 remaining, Northern kicked off to the Mustangs and Ryan Towns got down the field and made a great tackle on the return to pin them at the 20 yard line. After an unsuccessful play, Jimmy Bartsch made a huge stop making it 3rd and 4! Could they stop them? On the next play the Northville QB after finding everyone covered was forced out of bounds short of the first down by a yard! Northville called a timeout. Now 4th and 1 with the season seemingly on the line, the Knights "D" strapped it on as Northville called the play. Attempting power football up the middle on their own 30, the Northern Knight "D" stopped Northville in its tracks for no gain! Northern ball on downs! This was getting crazy and all the pieces finally seemed to be falling in place for Northern to get a break when they most needed one! With a little more than 3 minutes left in the game, it was Northern's ball deep in Northville territory. On the first play of what was seemingly the winning drive, Jake Ginster ran the ball to the 18. Sensing the favorable momentum, on the next play Kirk Thomas rolled right and saw Ryan Towns hooking around back towards him near the sideline looking wide open! What he didn't see was the cornerback hidden from view by other players breaking on the ball three yards in front of Ryan. There was simply nothing either of them could do at that moment no matter how badly they wanted to. It was simply a great effort and a great play that was met by another great play. And that's how it should be remembered. Northville did return the ball to the 40 and eventually scored to make it 56-49 winning the game.

Picked to finish second to last in the KLAA North in the annual KLAA coaches poll prior to the beginning of the season, this year's Varsity football team has every reason to be proud of what they accomplished! What little respect they had going into the season they had earned back by the end of the season. While losing their final game left them at 5-4 on the season, it should be remembered that it was a WINNING season! Another positive is that the Knights missed making the playoffs by .333 of a point and that makes them the best football team this school has ever had. As Coach Calhoun mentioned prominently at the end-of-the-year Football Banquet "you guys set the foundation". And that, no one will ever take away from you.

On behalf of the rest of the very proud Moms, Dads, Extra-Proud Grandparents, Sisters, Brothers, relatives and fans of this year's team, thanks for all of the fantastic memories you've given us. What a great ride! And thanks especially for taking the giant leap forward in this school's history and football program! You have taken the steps necessary to gain your school "football respect". Perhaps next years' will be bigger. And to those guys, good luck and GO KNIGHTS!

And finally, I would like to add that my son played the best game of his Varsity career this game and I want to personally thank him here for making me a very proud Dad. For all he has done. He knows who he is.

Final: Walled Lake Northern Knights 49, Northville Mustangs 56. Congrats Knights!

Walled Lake Northern Knights vs Milford Mavericks

The Last Home Game. Friday Night Lights. It was real and it was all sadly winding down. In reality, most of the Seniors on this years' Knights team will never again have a "Last Home Game". That's why this one was special. And as it turned out, it was special in more ways than one. This was an evening that began with the Seniors getting hit with their first reality check when they came across the field to get their pictures with their Moms, Dads and/or other very special people in their lives while getting their names announced over the PA system. Then it was exchanging hugs and heading back to the locker room knowing they had one more contest on this field. One more chance to "leave it on the field" at Knights Stadium and to make the most out of this uniquely special night. And at the end of this last home game it would be hard to argue that they did anything but.

At kickoff, the evening was milder and drier than predicted. Milford won the toss and deferred to the second half. Respecting the kick return capabilities of Northern as most teams have, the Mavericks squib kicked to the 27 where the Northern offense took over. Kirk Thomas began the drive by throwing a couple of nice strikes to Ryan Soulet and Matt Kosmalski before stalling on a delay penalty and sack; perhaps suffering from last home game opening jitters. Milford suffered the same fate with a 3 and out. After fielding the Milford punt, Northern would stall again and things began to feel uneasy. Ted Lilley then launched a beautiful punt that Ryan Towns downed at the 3. After Northern was called for a horse-collar tackle, Milford seemed to get energized off that and marched downfield to eventually score on a pass play for the first score of the game to make it 7-0. Being the team they've been all year long, the Knights have never doubted their ability to come back and score on a team and that's exactly what they did. Jake Ginster took the ball to the Milford 39 for a first down, the Ryan Soulet fielded a pass from Kirk Thomas for another first down to the 26. Ted Lilley then caught a pass to the 7 yd. line and with 54 sec. left in the first quarter, Ted caught another to tie it up at 7-7. Milford then got the ball and Cam DeSir made a great TD saving tackle. After a couple of more Milford plays, Miles Kenney then made a nice stop causing 3rd and 4. The next play was a long pass attempt broken up by George Smith. Then Collin O'Donnell picked off the next pass play to stop the Maverick drive in its tracks. On the first play of Northern's possession Ryan Towns made a tough catch in traffic for a nice gain that set the table for the Knight's next series of offensive plays. Matt Kosmalski had a 7 yd. carry, Kirk Thomas had a keeper to the 21, then Jake Ginster caught a pass to the 5. After an incomplete pass, Ryan Towns then made a nice possession catch low at the 3. At 4th and 3, Northern called timeout with 8:16 left in the half. It proved helpful as Kirk threw a TD pass to Jake Ginster for the score to go up for the first time in the game 14-7. The Brent Juhnke kick was good. On the ensuing kickoff to Milford, Collin O'Donnell showed that he has been working hard in practice as he had a great open field tackle at the 29. After a great tackle by Jimmy Bartsch to force Milford into a 3 and 9, the rest of the defense stuffed the Milford ball carrier when they went for it on 4th down to turn the ball over on downs. Northern promptly took advantage of the field position at the 46 with Ted Lilley, Jake Ginster, Kirk Thomas and Ryan Soulet all contributing to the scoring drive that ended up with Jake taking the honors on the scoring carry to go up 21-7 with 4 minutes left to go in the half. A personal foul on Milford was enforced on the kickoff ensuring that there would be no return on the kickoff when Brent Juhnke put it deep, then out of the endzone. Starting at the 20, Milford moved the ball well. Milford ran a reverse and Chad Bailey made a critical touchdown saving tackle at the 12. Then Mr. Bailey turned around and had a backfield tackle causing a 3rd and 11 at the 13. An incomplete pass led to 4th and 11. With the D looking so good, Milford elected to attempt a FG and made it with :57 sec. left in the half. Northern got the ball back and elected to attempt one run and then took a knee into halftime leading 21-10.

Milford received the 2nd half kickoff. The defense continued to play well on Milford's possession as George Smith had a nice open field tackle on a pass play, Matt K. also broke up a pass, Kody Harthun stopped a QB keeper for a loss and Miles Kenney had another TD saver that forced Milford to settle for another field goal to change the score to 21-13, Northern with 8 minutes left in the 3rd. Ted Lilley would take the kickoff to the 36. Kirk had a keeper plus a facemask call added to his yardage to move the ball out across midfield. A pass to Jake Ginster, another keeper by Kirk and then Ted to the 16 and then Kozzy to the 6 inch line led to Kirk's keeper for the TD. With 7 minutes left in the 3rd, Northern rearranged the scoreboard one more time to make it 28-13. Milford's next drive was cut short thanks again to George Smith on his pass coverage and another team tackle in the backfield. Milford punted to the 36. Northern itself then had a bad series of downs and was forced to punt themselves on nice punt by Ted to the 38. Milford again went up big and another TD saver by Matt Kosmalski prompted a Milford timeout. Next Kody Harthun again got in their backfield to tackle them back to the 7. Mike Peer then batted down a pass to cause 3rd and goal at the 7. Milford then was called for motion, backing them to the 12 and at that point, the goal line continued to get farther away as holding on the next play brought it back to the 21. A tipped pass by Matt K. forced 4th and 21 after which Milford was tackled short by Matt K., Mike Peer and Chad Bailey. Northern took over on downs and Matt K. got out to the 26 for some breathing room. Northern continued to move the ball but was eventually tackled for a loss at their own 48. On the next play Kirk Thomas would set a new non-official school record of having the longest scramble in school history taking him back about 30 yds. before finding Ryan Towns who came back to make another great catch at the 45 but was short of the first down turning the ball over to Milford. Collin O'Donnell then got to the QB causing him to throw wide for the incompletion before Milford's running back would go 40 yds. on a breakaway for a TD to edge them closer at 28-20. Matt Kosmalski then took the kickoff from the 15 back to the 48 yard line. The Knights then would go 3 and out. Milford then brought the house on the following punt and blocked it getting it at the 45. Smelling blood, they jumped on the opportunity and scored after 3 plays to turn this one into a white knuckle ride the rest of the way with the score now tied at 28 all. Always knowing that they had the firepower, the Knights took the out of bounds re-kick from the 35 of theirs to the 38 of Milford. After a keeper to the 44, Kirk would send a pass to Ted Lilley who would take it 56 yds. to the house to go up once again 35-28 (Brent Juhnke kick)with 7:43 left in this roller coaster of a game. On Milford's next possession Ted Lilley would pull a magic trick out of his hat by stepping in front of a Milford pass to hand It back over to his teammates at the 49 yd. line while the full house crowd went wild. Kirk Thomas then took a keeper to the 43 where they would call timeout with 6:07 left in the contest. After an incomplete pass causing fourth down, Ted Lilley would punt into the end zone and Milford would take over on the 20. Moving steadily down the field with 4th and 5 on the 46 and 3:19 left Milford would get a first down. After an incomplete pass George Smith had another touchdown saver at the 5 yard line with Milford now having 1st and goal. Matt Kosmalski then got a tackle in the backfield to make it 2nd and 9. Chad Bailey then almost intercepts the next pass on 3rd and goal at the 9. With breaths held everywhere in the stadium, the Milford QB took the snap on fourth and goal with the game in the balance. Rolling right, he found his target running right and in lockstep with him just across the goal line. He released the ball towards the outstretched hands for a sure catch when out from behind those outstretched hands a lone black hand belonging to Ted Lilley appeared and knocked the ball harmlessly away to the turf preserving the Knight victory in this incredible journey of a season!

Like the game they just played and the memories they will now leave behind, one could confidently say that this group of guys made the most of their time here as Walled Lake Northern Knights. However, one more test lies ahead of them in their football careers in their quest to find a way into the State Playoffs. Good Luck Knights, you've made us all very proud. Now go do it for yourselves. Get there!

"The Run" continues!

Final: Walled Lake Northern Knights 35, Milford Mavericks 28. Congrats Knights!

Next game: Regular Season Final @ Northville GO KNIGHTS!

Walled Lake Northern Knights vs Lakeland Eagles

Six years. That's a long time. Well, at least for these guys. Most of the Knights that played in this game were in 6th or 7th grade the last time that Northern beat Lakeland. But that's exactly what they did last Friday night. Maybe it was the "Pink-Out" jerseys they wore supporting the national Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, but more than likely it was the team. With the temperature making this reminiscent of one of the first games back in August instead of early October, this was one for the memory books.

Northern took the initial kickoff and on the first play, PA announcer Mike Stanis announced that it was "Craig Thomas on the keeper". Well, there you go, Craig; your ink for the year! Unfortunately from there it was three and out but not for long. Lakeland then got the ball on a punt. On that series, Ryan Soulet had an incredible breakup of a pass to Lakeland's wideout Chuck Sanders while Sheldon Islami batted down another pass. Ryan Towns then got in and caused a hurry-up on the punt causing it to only travel 15 yds. Ryan Towns and Ryan Soulet then both caught passes on the next drive but Northern was forced to punt. Mike Peer downed the Ted Lilley punt at the nine. As this test-out phase continued, Lakeland couldn't move the ball on their series and then Northern had their own 3 and out. Lakeland then had to punt after Matt Kosmalski tackled Lakeland's top receiver for a loss to force a fourth and 7 just after the turn of the first quarter. Because of the loss of yardage on the previous play, the punt only made it out to the 50 and was fair caught by Matt Kosmalski. After an incomplete pass, Kirk Thomas (not Craig) then took the keeper for a first down at the 40 and then again to the 37. With a 2nd and 7 Kirk's pass went to Ted Lilley for the first score of the night. The extra point missed and it was Northern 6, Lakeland 0. Lakeland then felt the pressure and moved the ball consistently down the field; eventually scoring with the extra point to go ahead 7-6. Not to be outdone, Northern reciprocated moving the ball back downfield themselves eventually scoring on a pass to Ted Lilley into the endzone with Matt Kosmalski getting the extra 2 to go up 14-7 with a little over a minute left in the half. Lakeland stalled on their drive and after a couple of incomplete pass attempts, punted to Northern after which they took a knee to halftime.

Lakeland received the kickoff to begin the second half of this close game between Bogie Lake rivals…and were promptly stopped by Mike Peer and Ryan Towns at the 20. And to quote Northern fan and fellow parent John O'Toole slightly tongue in cheek, "I think Ryan Towns has the most kickoff return coverages in the last 2 games". ; 0) Lakeland would then go 3 and out once again and punt. This time the punt was actually blocked but called back for what is now assumed to have been contact to the kicker prior to the ball being touched by a defender. This gave Lakeland the ball back, yet they were forced to punt again after Northern's defense (which continues to get better and better as the season rolls on) stopped them again led by Ryan Soulet and George "the Hammer" Smith. Lakeland then seemed to re-gather their defense as they held the Knights who were forced to punt. After receiving the punt at the 49, the Eagles put their number one player Chuck Sanders to work who took a 43 yd. breakaway run up the middle for their second score of the night to come within one point with 3:30 left in the 3rd at 14-13 Knights. The extra point kick went wide. Lakeland continued to respect the kick return capabilities of the Knights by kicking out of the endzone again. Northern took over at the 20 with passes to Kosmalski and Ryan Soulet before hitting Cam DeSir (after a helmet to helmet call against Lakeland) for a 39 yard TD (his first of the year). The score now stood at 21-13 Northern with 2:03 left in the 3rd. Lakeland moved the ball for a couple of first downs on their next drive after being stopped by Alex Samborski to cause a 3rd and 1 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Eagles were then stuffed by an amped up Chad Bailey to cause a Lakeland 3rd and 10 that forced a Lakeland timeout. Their next play was an incomplete pass and then Ryan Soulet broke up a fade on fourth and 10 to turn the ball over to Northern on downs at the 19. Unfortunately Northern had a rare turnover on their next series giving the ball back to Lakeland with 7 minutes left in the game. After a couple of great stops by Mike Peer and Chad Bailey, Lakeland passed to score and were successful on the 2 point conversion to tie the game at 21 apiece with 3:21 left in the game. With tension building to not lose another close one, Northern then did what they've done all year long and went to work when the pressure was on. From the 20, Matt Kosmalski took the ball to the 35 for a first down. Then Kirk Thomas ran it to the Lakeland 45 for another first down. After two successive incomplete passes, Kirk hit Ryan Soulet for a pass for a first and 10 to the 22. After another run to the 13, Kirk Thomas took the keeper going in for the score to go ahead 28-21 (with the Brent Juhnke kick). With just under two minutes left in the game, Lakeland took an out of bounds rekick at their own 44 yard line. The Eagles had just gotten going and then the equalizer came with Lakeland's QB coughing up the ball to the Knights with just over a minute left. Kirk Thomas took the keeper for a first and 10 at the 40 and then Jake Ginster gained a yard up the middle. Lakeland then called timeout with :41 seconds left. Kirk Thomas then carried to the 35 where the Eagles called time once again. Lakeland then was called for encroachment moving the ball to the 20 at which time Kirk Thomas then took a knee. And for the first time since he was 12, for the first time since they ALL were 12, they did something that wasn't even on their radars back then. They had won the battle of Bogie Lake!

"The Run" continues!

Final: Walled Lake Northern Knights 28, Lakeland Eagles 21. Congrats Knights!

Next game: Milford @ Northern (crossover)! Last Home Game and Senior Parent Knight

GO KNIGHTS!

Walled Lake Northern Knights vs Waterford Kettering Captains

Weather always has the potential to affect how the game is played and sometimes how it ends up. It didn't a great deal to the former and thankfully not at all to the latter. Mother Nature became a part of this 2011 Homecoming game by beginning with the wind and rain at just about kick-off. If you were a player in this, it was one thing, but as the person in the stands trying to take notes, it was totally another. Wet, slippery and fall-cold is the way this one went and due to very soggy paper that prohibited note-taking along with a very short week prior to the Lakeland game, this summary will be uncharacteristically (and gratefully) brief. By halfway through the 2nd quarter it was simply pointless to write as the ink wouldn't roll onto wet paper. But regardless of that, the Knights themselves found a way to roll. And roll they did. All the way to a 40-16 point win over the visiting Captains of Kettering High School.

Once again Jake Ginster and Matt Kosmalski had great nights with two touchdowns apiece and for the second time this year, Ryan Towns caught a beautifully thrown pass from Kirk Thomas late in the first half for a 38 yard TD himself. Other nice offensive performances were put in by Cam DeSir for a couple of good runs and Ted Lilley who had an unbelievable one-handed catch in the flat that went for a critical first down. Tyler Watzke also had a nice catch just before halftime. And none of this would've been possible without the steady improvement of the Offense Line!

Defensively, one of the great highlights of the game (and the season) would have to be Sheldon Islami's pick around the 5 yd. line of the Captains where he put his hands up to block the pass and then realizing that he actually caught the thing, ran toward the end zone only to be told that he was down before that. In fact, all the guys playing "D" deserve a big hand for this one. They too, have become one solid unit this year and have played especially good in the miserable weather that was delivered for Homecoming. While this was a game where many passes skipped off fingertips like rocks off a lake, by the end the Knights were happy to chalk it off as one more win in their pursuit of gaining the program's first-ever playoff berth. It was another great TEAM effort!

This continues Thursday night, October 6, 2011 at Northern Knight Stadium as they face a team they haven't beaten in many years who happen to be the first of the last three on the schedule.

"The Run" continues.

Final: Walled Lake Northern Knights 40, Waterford Kettering Captains 16.

Next game: White Lake Lakeland! GO KNIGHTS!

Walled Lake Northern Knights vs Walled Lake Western Warriors

Few games this year would compete with the level of anticipation as this one. It was the first day of Autumn and the Knights found themselves in one of the games they perhaps wanted the most. Cross-town rival Walled Lake Western was the foe and it was generally felt in HS football conversations that Northern didn't have a chance and would likely get trucked by this 4-0 team with their sights set on an undefeated season and beyond. Except they didn't. In fact, with the arsenal Northern would throw their way, the Warriors would be lucky to survive the night.

On the first truly chilly evening of the season and an omen of things to come, the kickoff would be fumbled by Western. After three and out, they punted to the 45. Northern would also go three and out on their next series. On Western's next set of downs, the defense would come to life after Western again would recover their own bad snap. With standout Middle Linebacker Andy Rabaut now out for the year with a blown-out knee Mike Peer and Chad Bailey would begin to recover that loss by stuffing Western for a 2 yd. loss. After tailback Brent Zedebski (BZ) would then gain a first down at the Northern 44, Matt Kosmalski would pick off a pass at the 20 to stop the drive. Unfortunately, Northern's tires would again get stuck spinning and they would need to punt. Western would then move the ball steadily down the field on the legs of Zedebski who after a series of plays would score after the end of the first quarter direction change. However, a big surprise was in store for Western as the Knights came in a blocked the extra point attempt to leave the scoreboard at 6-0 Western. Fearing the Northern big play capability of the Knight kick returners, Western would send the balance of the evenings kickoffs into the endzone forcing the start of the next Northern drive at the 20. To begin the drive, Kirk Thomas (who is having an outstanding year), had zig-zag keeper to the 32 for a first down and Ted Lilley (who is also having an outstanding year) had a nice carry to the 38. After two incomplete pass attempts, Northern was forced to punt and this time Ryan Towns who had been out the previous week had nice punt coverage on both punts so far, tackled Western for no return at the Western 31. Then Alex Samborski went to work on the Western tailback. He individually had successive tackles on BZ that created 2nd and 8 and 3rd and 6. After a long pass a WLW TD was called back for holding. BZ was then hauled back for a loss of a yard by Kody Harthun. Western was then stopped on pass attempts of 2nd and 20 and 3rd and 20 to be busted up eventually by Matt Kosmalski to force the punt. With Northern's defense getting better and better as each week goes by, the punt return team got in and blocked the punt by ? After Northern took over at their 46, Ted Lilley took the ensuing handoff for a first down to Western's 47. It was at that point that Kirk Thomas decided to put together his own set of keepers to get to 4th and 2 after no gain. Western decided to spend a timeout and when the play resumed Kirk thought "why not?" and took the ball into the endzone with 4:25 left in the half . An illegal procedure penalty was called on the extra point, moved back 5 yds. and then automatically put through the uprights by dependable kicker Brent Juhnke to let the Knights take the lead 7-6. Western then took the kickoff to the 37, and then tackles by Mike Peer and George Smith were made before BZ got a first down at the 22. The very next play, Matt Kosmalski intercepted the ball in the end zone who ran it out to the 30. The play was then called back to the two yard line for an unknown phantom reason that wasn't obviously announced. After being backed up that deep, Northern used two timeouts after a hardcount attempt and eventually left the field at halftime leaving Western feeling jeopardized for the first time all season leading the contest 7-6.

Northern received the kick to begin the second half with a touchback and out to the 20 keeping game breaker Ted at bay. Western's defense appeared ready to play the 2nd and half causing the Knights to go three and out. After being faced with 2nd and inches, BZ ran the ball and was tackled by Anthony Comarda. Western's QB then ran the ball around the end to the 12 for a first down. After a series of plays Western was faced with 4th and 2 by being stopped by Comarda and Harthun. On the next play, BZ got the ball again (surprise) and went in for the TD. With the Western coaches acknowledging Northern's big play ability, Western attempted the two point conversion and was STOPPED! The score now stood at 12-7 Western but they still knew that Northern was coming back. After another kickoff into the endzone to avoid the kick return, Northern went to work on the ground. Runs by Kosmalski, Ginster got a 3rd and 5 when Kozzy was hit with the ball on a crossing route gaining yardage to midfield. Kozzy then got another first down with a run to the 41 of Western. With a nice mix of play calling Kirk Thomas found Ryan Soulet down the Western sideline for a 50 yard strike to the one. Kirk then took it in on a keeper up the middle untouched. Northern then attempted a two point conversion of their own and were once again looking down the scoreboard at Western with the score at 15-12, WLN Knights. But just as the realization that upsetting Western was becoming a legitimate reality to everyone Knight-related, the momentum took a hairpin turn as Western took the kickoff all the way back. This then fired up the Western defense who up unto that point were seriously having doubts in their ability to stop Kirk and Co. The only benefit to the return was that for the first time all game Western couldn't get the kickoff to the endzone. Northern was down but not out as the score now stood with Western on top at 19-15, but their defense had found new life and held the Knights to 3 and out . With the first 3/4's of this game now in the books, Western was still riding the high of the return and put BZ to work again. Except remember? Northern came to play defense, too and slowed down BZ. Tackling by Samborski who continues to have a great year too and more from Anthony Comarda and Chad Bailey eventually forced Western with a 4th and 5 where Western called timeout. They then came on the field in field goal formation and were stopped on the fake attempt by this Walled Lake Northern team that wouldn't quit playing hard!

Northern's offense did have opportunities the rest of the game such as a Jake Ginster 70 yd. run to the 10 which was called back along with a motion penalty called the same series that seemed to come out of nowhere. They eventually punted to Western and Brent Zedebski was put back to work once again eventually scoring with 1:49 left in the game to increase their lead to 26-15. But just when everyone thought this one was out of reach for the night, the mighty Knights started a comeback one more time that would really have Western worried. After Western was called for a penalty for pass interference on hitting Ryan Towns before the ball arrived for their first (or second) penalty of the night, Kirk and Co. went at 'em one more time. Passing the ball three times, Kirk Thomas ran out of bounds to stop the clock with :59 sec. on the clock. Then a pass to Ryan Towns left the Knights at 2nd and 7 at the 35. Kirk then completed a pass to Matt Kosmalski at the 18 before having two incompletions to Ryan Towns and Ted Lillley before he took a keeper in to bring the score within 5 pts. at 26-21 with 24.3 seconds on the clock. At this point the Northern side had really come to life when the Knights went out for the onside kicking crew. After a beautiful squib kick to the left side, the ball unceremoniously bounced off a Western player and out of bounds. Western then took a knee (and a huge sigh of relief). They had gotten away with one and knew it.

What a game and effort by Northern! They are simply too good to own the record they do. That said, with the amount of talent and heart this "team" has, they have a very real opportunity to get to where they want to go the rest of this season with four games remaining on the schedule.

"The Run" begins here. And who knows? We may see this team again this year.

Final: Walled Lake Northern Knights 21, Walled Lake Western 26.

Next game: Homecoming! Waterford Kettering GO KNIGHTS!