By Tom Gilchrist

Sports Editor

MILLINGTON — Ithaca won a state football playoff game over Millington on Friday, and won Nicole Davis’ heart.

“I just couldn’t believe that a community that we’re going to play in a game — and who had never even met our family — stepped up the way they did,” said Davis, 35, of Tuscola County’s Watertown Township, whose husband, Bradley Davis, was killed in a Nov. 4 explosion at Lapeer Industries Inc.

Bradley and Nicole Davis’ son, 15-year-old Joshua Davis, a Millington High sophomore football player, was in uniform Friday for the game at Ithaca, about 65 miles from Millington.

“He decided to be on the sidelines for the game that night,” Davis said. “He just thought that’s what Daddy would want.”

Ithaca, the four-time defending state champion in Division 6, beat Millington 35-0 to win its 67th consecutive game. But at halftime, Ithaca Public Schools Superintendent Nathan Bootz and Ithaca resident Mandy Symonds greeted Nicole Davis to hand her money, checks and gift cards.

During the game, Bootz — the public address announcer — informed audience members of their generosity.

“I said ‘For all of you that were kind enough to donate money tonight, this is the reason why all of us choose to live in a small town in Michigan. We’re able to rally like this to support our neighbors. Whether you’re from Ithaca or Millington, all of our hearts go out to this family, and that’s why we’re able to raise just over $5,000,’” Bootz said.

The crowd of about 2,500 fans erupted in applause.

“That was probably the loudest ovation you heard that night on both sides, all night,” Bootz said.

Volunteers at Ithaca Church of God — across the street from the Ithaca football field — collected food for Davis and her three sons.

“It’s so overwhelming, but so much appreciated, because it lets me focus on the most important things right now and that’s helping my boys get through this,” Davis said. “They’ll never get over it, but I can get ’em through it.”

Davis’ son, Jacob, 13, attends Highland Pines School in Caro. Her youngest son, Jared, 10, attends Millington’s Kirk Elementary School.

Ithaca school officials “even took a moment of silence for my husband, and my cupboards are overflowing from the food donations,” Davis said. “And over $5,000 in cash — wow. I can take care of my boys. You know what I mean? We can have some down time.”

Ithaca’s unexpected generosity has been a blessing, according to Nicole Davis, who works at Keene Small Engine Sales & Service Inc. near Millington.

“It has been, because I only work part-time,” Davis said. “My husband was our primary breadwinner. I only work a couple days a week, and we really lived paycheck to paycheck. But I don’t have to worry about groceries, I don’t have to worry about my bills getting paid. I can just focus on helping my family grieve, and taking care of my boys.”

Donors continue to show goodwill. Joshua and Erica Cunningham have helped organize a benefit turkey dinner, silent auction and raffle drawing for the Davis family Nov. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Millington. Employees at a Menards store in Clio donated a freezer chest where Nicole Davis stores donated food.

Millington-area residents “have been amazing also” with their generosity, Davis said.

“They have brought meals, monetary donations and I have meals set up until almost Thanksgiving being brought here every night,” Davis said. “They have helped fill my freezer.”

Bootz said a few Ithaca residents still plan to donate to the Davis family, noting the town rallied behind the effort from the start.

“I’m not sure you can really point to one person who started it,” Bootz said. “As soon as our community heard of it, everybody wanted to jump on board and help out in any way they could. Churches, our leadership classes here at the school — everyone felt the need to help out because we’ve got kids in our school that are (Joshua Davis’) age.

“At 34 years old, (the late Bradley Davis) is probably the average age of one of our parents here, so everyone could relate.”

Nicole Davis said hundreds of people visited Hanlin Funeral Home to pay respects to her husband.

“He was just a good man, and he’d have never wanted to leave us,” she said. “But he went doing what he did, and that was taking care of us.”

Davis said her husband already had passed away when she left McLaren Lapeer Region hospital on the day of the explosion. She made a vow to him nonetheless.

“I promised him Tuesday when I left that hospital that I’m going to make it, and I’m going to do it for these boys,” Davis said.

“And I am.”