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As a kick returner, Podvin was his conference's special teams player of the year in 2007.

And that's before you to get to offense, where he is averaging more than 150 yards per game in total offense this season as a tailback, slot receiver and taking direct snaps from center in some formations. Oh, and he has completed a 40-yard pass and thrown several devastating blocks for teammates on screen passes.

"Kyle is a great high school football player," Milford coach Jeff Hill said. "A lot of what we do as a team is to try to take advantage of his unique and varied skills."

Podvin is 5-feet-10, 175 pounds, so there are certainly bigger players. He is one of the state's top hurdlers, finishing seventh in the Division 1 track meet in the 300-meter hurdles last spring. So he has excellent speed, but there are faster backs. Colleges have inquired about Podvin, but he has received no football scholarship offers yet, so there are more highly-recruited players.

But is there a better all-around high school player in Oakland County? Podvin is only out of the game for a few plays each Friday night.

"And when he is, I can tell he is not too happy about it," Hill said. "I get him right back out there as soon as possible. He is the only player on our team that starts both ways. We're just a much better team when he is on the field."

Podvin is unselfish.
"If we just lined him up at tailback and gave him the ball 30 times per game, he'd get a ton of yards," Hill said. "To help us win football games, this is the best way to use Kyle. He has sacrificed his statistics for the team, but that is what he is all about."

Milford made the playoffs during Podvin's sophomore year, but struggled last season. All five of the Mavericks' defeats were by six points or less. The Mavericks are 2-1 -- including impressive victories over Novi and South Lyon -- heading into tonight's game against Pinckney.

"We lost a lot of close games at the end last season, and have been very determined to finish better this season," Podvin said.

Podvin has been playing football since he was 5 years old and signed up for the Milford Mustangs' youth program.

"Rick Sharpe really helped me with the Mustangs, my family and coaches have been really supportive and I have a great offensive line," Podvin said. "I thank them. They deserve the credit."

Podvin wants to play college football and sees himself as a defensive back. He is confident that will happen, but just doesn't know where.

Hill feels the same way.
"You look at things like Rivals (an Internet service that rates recruits) and it is all about raw talent," Hill said. "Kyle is a refined football player. He has speed and I have little doubt he can play somewhere, and contribute a lot, at the next level. What we try to do is get him the ball in space and let him go to work. He sure gets it done for us."

Podvin enjoys track, but considers football his primary sport. He says his goals are strictly team-oriented, and that this season is all about getting Milford back into the state playoffs and doing damage once there.

"We really put a lot of time in on our strength and conditioning program getting ready for this season," Podvin said. "It's going to pay off."

Hill said Podvin will be there for his team at the crucial moments. He won't talk a big game. Just play one.

"Kyle doesn't say much, but he is one of our captains because he does such a great job of leading by example," Hill said. "He is Mr. Do It All for our team."

And as such, one of the most versatile -- if not the most versatile -- football players in Oakland County.