|
Speaking |
|
10/17/04 John Osborne held the reigns for 33 years, compiling an impressive winning record and putting Novi football on the map. Tab Kellepourey officially took over in time for the 2000 season, and during his tenure, the Wildcats have never failed to qualify for the playoffs. Inheriting a junior laden team in his inaugural campaign, his team defeated Portage Northern the first round of the playoffs before losing a heartbreaker in the District Finals. After another playoff appearance in 2001, things got really interesting. The Cats won their District in 2002, before falling to the eventual State Champion in the Regional Finals. Last year of course, they featured the winningest team in Novi Wildcat history, as they won their first 12 games, the KVC Championship, the District Title, and the Regional before falling just inches short of going to the Dome in a dramatic Semi-Final game. The 2004 Novi Wildcats have been impressive this season as well. As they captured their 6th win on Homecoming night against Coach Kellepourey’s former team, the Hartland Eagles, they once again guaranteed themselves a playoff berth…for a 5th straight season! The playoffs are a special time. There are over 750 High Schools in Michigan, and 80% don’t qualify for the playoffs, so to do it 5 times in a row puts the program in rarified air. It’s like a second season. But every play from scrimmage is that much more intensified, because the games are basically sudden death. But the truth is, wherever the Wildcats end up, it’s already been a successful season. Now the second season is about to begin, and the Cats are right where they need to be. Not until of course, they take care of the Jug. You can’t jump ahead too far. (c) 2004 Novi
Information Network ___________________________________ |
|
