Plymouth RB McCaig’s record-setting night ends with tough ‘L’
Jaxon McCaig ran for 333 yards in a 48-45 loss to Novi Friday night. PHOTO: Michael Vasilnek
Running through gaping holes created by his talented offensive line — and creating space with his speed and elusiveness — Plymouth senior running Jaxon McCaig piled up a school-record 333 yards rushing Friday night, but it wasn’t enough for the Wildcats who suffered a devastating 48-45 loss at Novi.
Plymouth, which grabbed a 45-42 lead with 3:09 left on a 28-yard Daniel Vigo field goal, had its heart broken with no time left on the clock when Thad Lawler secured a 7-yard TD pass from Caleb Walker.
The Wildcats are now 2-4 and need to win their final three games to earn an MHSAA playoff berth.
Novi improved to 5-1 overall and 5-0 in the KLAA West Division with a potential first-place showdown with also unbeaten Northville coming Oct. 13.
Early lead evaporates
Plymouth bolted to a 14-0 lead thanks to a 20-yard TD pass from Sam Plencner to Cam Witt and a 64-yard TD scamper by McCaig.
The host Wildcats stormed back with 21 straight points before Plymouth used back-to-back scoring runs by McCaig to regain a 28-21 advantage.
Among the offensive linemen who made McCaig’s night special were Alex Witt and Idrys Cotton.
Novi deadlocked the game at 28-all 9 seconds before halftime when Boden Fernsler scored on a pass from Walker.
PlayStation-like scoring
Novi seized a 35-28 lead in the crazy, PlayStation-like contest when Logan Ellison scored from 18 yards out, but Plymouth bounced back to make it 35-35 on a Dylan Sesena TD reception.
Ellison and McCaig scored for their respective teams to make it 42-42 before Vigo’s field goal and Walker’s late heroics.
Novi outgained Plymouth in total yards, 502-458.
