Howell running back Jack Gondick’s mind mostly went blank as he shook off the final Northville defender and raced the rest of the way untouched during a 49-yard game clinching touchdown with 3:57 remaining in Friday night’s 35-22 Highlanders victory over Northville.
The roar of the crowd kicked him into another gear. His devotion to God gave him peace and tranquility. And his final steps into the endzone assured Howell of its third straight KLAA championship and avenged a bitter 17-7 loss to Northville a year ago the Highlanders only KLAA loss in the last 21 conference games.
“All you can think of is your brothers and glory to God and there is no better feeling than that,” Gondick said.
Can you say dynasty?
Head coach Brian Lewis would not, but he likes where his program is.
“I hope we can continue on,” Lewis said. “I want us to dream big, believe in big things. I want us to believe in each other. Great things will happen. Our kids believe in each other.”
Gondick rushed for 234 yards on 24 carries and his touchdown bursts helped bail out a questionable call by Lewis. With Howell up 21-10 Lewis drew up a run play on fourth down and five at his own 36-yard line that failed.
Northville’s Jackson DeFore cut into Howell’s lead to 21-16 behind a 35-yard touchdown scamper.
Then Gondick turned into Michael Jordan back in the day, first running for a 36-yard touchdown followed by another from 49 yards out. The great news for Howell is stand outs like Gondick return next season as does offensive lineman Frank Kanka who has already committed to Eastern Michigan University to play football.
Highlander nation breathed a sigh of relief seeing Kanka back on the field after he missed a game due to a head on auto collision while driving to school two weeks ago. Kanka spent a few days in the hospital. Doctors said a lesser man may have still been out of commission.
How did he recover so soon?
“Because he’s a Kanka,” Lewis said. “He is from Tom and Beth Kanka. That’s why he is out here. His shoulder popped out. It goes back in. I mean this guy does what it takes for the team. How does he do it? Because he’s Frank Kanka from the Kanka blood line.”
Arbor Korkut had a Highlander hat trick. He had a rushing touchdown; one receiving and recovered a fumble. Afterwards, he held three fingers in the air to signify the three KLAA titles.
“It means a lot after these tough games,” Korkut said. “We always train for these, and we are ready for more to come.”