GLADWIN –The Kingsford varsity football team joined the unfortunate group of teams that couldn’t upset undefeated Gladwin on Saturday.

The Flivvers (7-4) had their 2022 season end with a 59-25 loss to the host Flying G’s (11-0) in a MHSAA Division 5 playoff contest.

For Kingsford head coach Mark Novara, the reason for the loss was faily simple. Gladwin was simply the better team, at least on Saturday and on its home field.

“All in all, we found out they’re a really good football team,” Novara said. “They were a lot better team than what we saw on film.”

That wasn’t a slight to his own team but a tip of the cap to the Flying G’s, who Novara said were the bigger and more physical team in the playoff matchup.

“We’re making strides in our program,” Novara said. “Being in the playoffs was huge.

“We threw everything we had at them,” he added. “(The loss) wasn’t due to a lack of effort on our part.”

Cole Myllyla helped fuel the Flivvers’ effort with 105 yards rushing and a touchdown on seven carries.

Kingsford quarterback Nic Novara hit 5 of 13 passes for 196 yards, with Nic Nora tallying 106 yards receiving and catching two touchdowns. Cardel Morton also had a 76-yard TD catch.

Bryce Wenzel led the Flivvers defensively with 11 tackles, with Josh Peterson chipping in seven hits in the playoff loss.