Nouvel shuts out rival Flint Powers
FLINT -- Not since Mark Ingram, Jr. was running through helpless defenses had there been such a buzz at Atwood Stadium, as Thursday night's high school football season pitted a pair of Flint football legends against one another, each now at the helm of their respective alma maters.
Beecher's Courtney Hawkins led his Bucs squad against good friend Andre Rison, who made his head coaching debut with Flint Northwestern. Before thousands of fans on a perfect night for football, Rison's Wildcats put up a great effort against Beecher's powerhouse squad, but ultimately came up on the short end of a 28-18 final. Beecher's halftime edge was only eight, at 14-6, but they opened the second half with a touchdown off a Northwestern turnover, and the Wildcats could never draw closer than nine points the rest of the way.
Elsewhere, Saginaw Nouvel made a statement in their opener against Flint Powers, as the Panthers were coming off a rare losing season in 2009. Nouvel overwhelmed the Chargers to the tune of a 28-0 final, earning redemption for a season-opening loss last year at Holy Redeemer Field at the hands of Powers.
In Saginaw Valley League action, Saginaw High and their highly-touted wide receiver prospect DeAnthony Arnett welcomed conference foe Midland Dow. But Arnett was shut down by a bruising Charger defense, and his teammates were likewise overwhelmed in a 41-6 rout. Elswhere in the SVL, B.C. Western went on the road and outlasted Flint Northern in a shootout, 53-30.
In non-league action, Goodrich had to wait an extra half-hour for their kickoff against Warren Lincoln, whose team bus was delayed by an accident on Interstate 75. When the Abes finally showed up, they quickly wished they hadn't...as the Martians rolled to an easy 48-0 victory.
