Detroit - When it seems like things are going well and it's too good to be true, it usually is.  Nouvel seemed to have total control over Inkster through most of the first half.  Penalties and Turnovers limited the Panther's stranglehold on the scoreboard but it was clear Nouvel had things going their way early on. 

A fired up Nouvel ball club moved the ball pretty well on offense and held Inkster in check on defense effectively.  The Panthers scored on their first drive after stopping Inkster on the game's first possession.  The score was a 3 yard TD plunge by Nick Birnbaum with just 5 minutes gone in the opening quarter.  With nine minutes to go in quarter number 2, QB Brad Sonntag hit Tim Ryan on a 6 yard TD strike to put the Panthers up 14-0.  After that is when Nouvel realized that they were in for a grudge match and the feeling that this was going to be a walk was indeed too good to be true. 

The most exciting player on the field this evening was wearing #4 for the Vikings.  Call him, Inkster's version of Troy Smith.  Aaron Shavers, the Vikings QB had success on the ground early on but had trouble hitting open receivers, most of the passes either overthrown or just out of reach.  As the game went on, he started to settle down.  Not only did is running game start to take over, his passing started to improve more and more as the game progressed, which was a headache and a half for Nouvel's D.  Down a couple of scores, Shavers ripped off gains of 15 and 7 before hitting Tim Hogue for 15 yards down to the Nouvel 7 yard line.  On first down, Shavers called his own number again.  Shavers took the snap, evaded just about everyone on the Panther defense and crossed the stripe for the Vikings first score.  Shavers was absolutely brilliant creating plays with his legs, buying time and making positive things happen. 

Things got worse for the Panthers.  After effectively moving the ball for most of the first half, their offense began to hit a rough patch.  On third and 6, Sonntag looked to go deep to his favorite target Tim Ryan.  Sonntag launched the ball up the left sideline.  It was Inkster defensive back Derrick Coker that came down with the ball however.  Coker had tremendous coverage on Ryan and had the better position.  Starting on their own 32, the Vikings put together a 12 play drive that took just under 2 and a half minutes and eventually evened things up.  Shavers was getting things done on the ground but his passing improved passing performance was more evident than ever on this drive.  Shavers completed two passes to Renty Rollins, an 18 yarder and a 5 yarder that went for a score on first and goal.  Shavers connected with Coker in the left side of the endzone for the tying 2 point conversion.  Just like that, the game had taken a complete 180.  With the game tied, momentum was clearly with the Vikings.

At any level, the first possession of the 2nd half is a statement drive.  It was Nouvel's opportunity to do just that and seize the momentum back for themselves.  The Panthers hot themselves in the foot with penalties and a critical drop on third and five at midfield.  I am sure thoughts were crossing the fans minds, just for an instant.  "Here we go again!"  Nouvel has only lost 2 games in the past three seasons, both in the playoffs.  This game was starting to follow that trend of that one game every year that Nouvel plays below their potential.  Every team has one, it just so happens that Nouvel's game is un-lucky enough to hit them in the playoffs.  Was it happening again?  No, not this time and not with this team.  The Panthers had the look of determination in their eyes and instead of worrying about the score they regained momentum for themselves and played like a true champion.

Inkster was set for their first offensive possession of the 2nd half.  It didn't look good early though.  Faced with a 3rd and 12, Shavers got out of trouble and rushed for 13 and a first down.  The next three downs were the turning point.  Stopped for no gain and an incompletion on 2nd down, Shavers dropped back for the pass.  He rolled right to evade pressure but Nouvel wasn't letting him out of their grasp this time.  In hot pursuit Jeremy Matter grabbed a hold of Shavers and didn't let go, which resulted in a 14 yard sack and a forced fourth down at the Vikings 11.  Inkster punted away but only managed 27 yards net.

With fate against them, destiny was on their side.  The Panthers rushed twice to the 30, setting up a big 3rd and 2.  Sonntag dropped back and hit Nick Awrey on a quick dump pass.  Awrey got the 2 yards needed but didn't stop there.  It was one of the most dazzling runs you will ever see.  Awrey weaved in and out of traffic, juking defenders left and right, helped with great downfield blocking by his teammates.  Awrey then got to the 2 and dragged defenders into the endzone with him, scoring the go ahead and what would end up being the game winning score. 

Inkster wasn't phased by the score for the time being.  Shavers went to the air and hooked up with Renty Rollins for 12 and 8 yards, then Shavers called his own number again.  This time for the tune of 43 yards and a game changing carry down to the Nouvel 11.  The Panther's D stood tall once again.  After stopping Inkster for a 3 yard loss on first down, Shavers went to the air again.  He took the snap rolled right and tried to force it to Rollins.  DB Kenji Shaltry was there and made a beautiful leaping grab and came down with the INT.  What looked to be a game tying drive turned into another momentum swinging turnover.  Problem is, the Panthers had to start at their own 3, they were far from out of the woods yet.  When the drive started their was 4:34 left in the 3rd quarter, when it ended, the clock read 7:47 remaining in the game.  The drive took just less than nine minutes, 97 yards and more importantly added 7 more points to Nouvel's scoring column and a 28-14 lead.  On a drive filled with clutch plays, the play of the drive had to be 3 and 8 from their own 6.  Sonntag took the snap, rolled right and found an open Matt Klenk near the sideline.  Klenk hauled in the pass and 16 yards later he had the first and more importantly moved the Panthers out of harm's way and the shadow of their own goaline.  Anther clutch play came on 3rd and 18 from their own 33.  Sonntag went back to pass again and hit Birnbaum on the screen pass way behind the line of scrimmage.  Birnbaum took the ball, broke a few tackles and powered his way down the field for a gain of 33 yards.  Faced with yet another 3rd down, Sonntag was incomplete to James Miller, problem is that the Inkster defender got their early and rode Miller's back to the ball.  2 plays later, Birnbaum bulled in for a 9 yard score and a 14 point lead, 28-14.

This game was still far from over with almost 8 minutes still remaining.  That was evident when Inkster just missed on a 58 yard touchdown pass that went off the fingertips of Rollins.  Rollins found himself way behind the defender but was unable to haul it in.  On 4th and 3 from their own 49, Shavers was sacked by Jordan Roe, which put and end to their threat, at least on this drive.  Inkster got one more shot at it after Joshua Howard intercepted a Sonntag throw.  Inkster took over at the 30 but was intercepted on 4th down and 3 but a great grab by Andrew Schooltz.  The ball bounced off an Inkster Receiver, Schooltz played the tip drill and came down with the ball before it hit the ground. 

With two minutes to go, Nouvel need just one first down.  Who else but the Class C player of the year, Sonntag, on 3rd and 4 got five and iced it.  It was victory formation time.  Joy, elation, adrenaline all pumped through the home side and on the field with the boys in blue.  After years of coming up short and having to face the critics that ragged on them for not bringing home the title after tremendous regular seasons can now disappear, while the Panthers now can ride off into the sunset.  The Seniors who had meant so much to this program leave with a trophy in hand and memories that will last a lifetime.

After the game, in the press room, Awrey, Ryan, Birnbaum and Sonntag joined their Coach, Mike Boyd.  Boyd could not express how much these seniors had meant to the team and their journey to the promised land.  Boyd also had high praise for Shavers who almost won this game single handedly.  Just as he has all season, Coach Boyd also talked about the importance of his defense.  When the offense hit rough patches, it was the defense that made sure they picked up the slack and came out victorious.  For this group of young men, life will have many unexpected twists and turns as they proceed to the next stage but what they did on Friday night, no one can ever take that away from them.