Wildcat Football;
5 More Things You Oughta Know
“We look good on
paper, but
the games are played on grass!”
-Former Texas Coach Fred Akers
8/23/04
Kerry Kreutzberg said many times last year, “ I want this team to be
talked about 10 years from now.” So far, he has his wish. And although
comparisons are inevitable, this season’s version of the Wildcats
deserves to stand on it’s own as a whole new edition, and they have the
potential to be talked about 10 years from now as well. They have a
blank canvas to paint their own masterpiece, and it all starts Friday
night! My eyes have gravitated to 5 key situations:
1) at Chelsea- Last year the Cats
scored 35 on offense, and 14 on defense, pounding the visiting Bulldogs
49-20. Chelsea remembers. A tough road test awaits, and Novi does not
want to be 0-1 heading into KVC play.
2) Brighton- Last year the Cats invaded Brighton, and despite trailing
17-7 in the 4th quarter, Novi pulled out a dramatic overtime win 20-17.
The host Bulldogs committed 3 costly turnovers late, but Novi
capitalized. This was the game of the week on WDFN radio. Brighton
remembers. Coach Bill Murray and his troops visit Novi during Week 5,
and he’s privately said, “This may be my best team, ever.”
3) at Milford- Two years ago, the Cats ruined their homecoming, and then
knocked them out of the playoffs. Last year, Milford tried to do the
same on our home turf, but Novi prevailed in a tough one, 28-21! Milford
remembers. Heading into Milford week 6, the host Mavericks will feature
a ton of returning underclassmen that were a handful last year. This
game promises to be a real challenge.
4) at South Lyon- The Lions return (9) starters on a defense that held
the Cats to (17) points at home last season. That was the lowest output
of the year. This season the game is at South Lyon, and it follows the
Brighton game. During last year’s game, the visiting Lions had the ball
deep in Novi territory as time ran out, and our boys prevailed. South
Lyon remembers.
5) at Northville- The final game of the year means a trip into enemy
territory again. The Baseline Jug Game is always a challenge. Granted,
the Cats have dominated the last two years but… the Mustangs remember!
Whatever the records are at the time, throw them out. Back in 1988, the
eventual State Semi-Final Novi Wildcats were riding high, and upstart
2-7 Northville bested the undefeated Wildcats 23-18!… Coach John Osborne
remembers!
By the way, I haven’t forgotten about
Howell, Pinckney, Hartland or Lakeland, either.
You may not know this, but since the
inception of the Kensington Valley Conference, the Novi Wildcats have
the highest winning percentage (.612) of all member schools. There’s a
reason for this and it’s simple... Tradition never graduates.
I look for the Novi Wildcats to be
highly competitive this year. I have no idea what their record will be.
But, I bet well be talking about them down the road.
Maybe even 10 years from now.
(c) 2004 Novi
Information Network
www.novi.org
___________________________________
Bernie Fratto is a freelance writer, radio personality, and
motivational speaker. His passion for sports comes in part from
his experience as a former Cincinnati Red farm- hand. "Behind
every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real human beings"
said Fratto. "These athletic endeavors often serve as a
metaphor for the game we call life."
Bernie is also the voice of Novi Wildcat Hockey
and host of Wildcat Face-off, a local
radio program dedicated to youth sports in Novi.
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