Speaking
of Sports 

by
Bernie Fratto

 
No Cavalier
attitude here!

October 25, 2010

Ten years ago tonight, Oct 27, 2000, the Novi Wildcats defeated Portage Northern 24-14 in the 1st round of the MHSAA football playoffs. It was a glorious event for many reasons. HOLD THAT THOUGHT FOR NOW!

There was no doubt in my mind that Novi would defeat Flint Carmen-Ainsworth Friday night and they did so 25-0. In fact, last week when the ‘Cats took a commanding two-touchdown lead against Plymouth, I started to script this column.

I was certain that Novi would win Friday night, because any way you slice it, for all intents and purposes, it was… A Playoff Game; A Must Win. Do-or-die. It would be the first extreme test for Todd Pennycuff’s squad. And, you just knew they would come through, and they did.

Travel back with me to 2000. It was the start of a new era with a new Coach, like now. It was the start of a new decade, like now… It was even the start of a new millennium.

First-year Head Coach Tab Kellepourey’s team was led by the great Matt Gorman, Jake Ray, et al., and they overpowered the Portage Northern Huskies 24-14 that evening in a first round tilt. Little did they know they set the stage for many epic playoff wins over the next several years, including multiple District Championship’s as well as a sensational Regional Championship in 2003.

Classic playoff victories over state powerhouses like Milford, Lake Orion, Adrian, Canton, and Detroit MacKenzie assured the Novi Wildcats their rightful place as one of Michigan’s premier HS football programs.

And, who can forget the illustrious state semi-final game against Brother Rice in November 2003? The game ended in overtime, as Novi would miss out on a trip to the Silverdome by just inches, even though they had dominated the contest.

The playoff win over Portage Northern back in 2000 was significant, as it was not only the first tournament win for Novi since 1988, it ushered in a new era of Wildcat football that will be talked about for generations.

Meanwhile, prevailing in a big way over the Flint Carmen-Ainsworth Cavaliers Friday night was equally significant. It might as well have been a playoff game because in reality, it was. Win or go home. And the Cats came up big.

So, even though the MHSAA selection show Sunday did not include Novi as one of its participants for the 2010 postseason competition, take heart Novi...

Green and White fans, you can be sure of one thing;

The Novi Wildcats will be back in a huge way next season, as a new era of Wildcat football has begun. In my view, you’re already 1-0 in playoff games in this decade.

And that my friends, is a pretty glorious event in itself…

(c) 2010 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org