Plymouth qualifies for state playoffs with 25-22 victory over Novi

Oct. 15, 2010, 11:59 p.m.

  Plymouth's football team qualified for the state playoffs in dramatic fashion Friday, defeating Novi, 25-22, on a last-second field goal by Kyle Brindza.

  The Wildcats are now 6-2 heading into next week's regular-season finale against Adrian.

  Novi took a 7-0 lead with 7:53 left in the first quarter when Derek Ince hit Alex Wilson with a 52-yard TD pass. Scotty Stanford converted the extra point.

  Novi stretched its lead to 15-0 with 3:39 left in the first quarter when Zach Masserant scored on a five-yard run. Masserant then ran in the two-point conversion to make it 15-0.

  Plymouth cut its deficit to 15-7 with 10:28 left in the second quarter when Shaun Austin threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brennen Beyer. Brindza kicked the extra point.

  Plymouth pulled to within 15-14 with 7:31 left in the first half when Tyler Goble returned a punt return 42 yards for a TD. Brindza kicked the extra point.

  Novi stretched its lead to 22-14 with 6:56 left in the fourth quarter when Masserant scored on a five-yard run. Stanford kicked the extra point.

  Plymouth tied the game with 2:57 left when Donte Fox scored from five yards out. Shaun Austin threw to Nate Emminger for the two-point conversion.

  Brindza won the game with two seconds left with a 22-yard field goal. The field goal was set up by a botched snap on a Novi punt.

  Novi outgained Plymouth, 367-287. Jerel Jenkins led Plymouth with 104 yards on 22 carries. Fox gained 26 yards on four carries.

  Austin completed 14 of 17 passes for 150 yards and a TD.

  Mike Olevnik caught five passes for 42 yards. Beyer caught 3 passes for 34 yards. Jake Morris caught three passes for 23 yards. Emminger caught two passes for 32 yards.

  Goble led the Wildcats with 6.5 tackles. Fox had 4.5 tackles.