The Novi JV Wildcat football team got off to a fast start in the season opener at home against the Milford Mavericks. In fact they were so fast that on the first snap of the season, quarterback Derek Ince optioned to fullback Jimmy Eloff and Ince ran the length of the field to the end zone. Meanwhile, the Milford defense swarmed Eloff at the line on the fake and the referee whistled the ball dead. It was, after all, the first game of the season for everyone.

The Wildcats rallied from the call and marched the rest of the field to score on a 25 yard pass play from Ince to Adam Haynes. A two point conversion run by Haynes put the Cats up 8-0. 

The Wildcats set the offensive tone for the game as the offensive line of Derek Poppinger, Justin Michael, Josh Feight, Chris Diacono, Derek Edwards, Nathan Peters and Evan Thomas opened up the line for the running backs. Eloff carried the offensive load for the day with 98 yards on 17 carries.

Milford also scored on their first possession early in the second quarter, despite a spectacular 50 yard run-down by Haynes to save the first scoring attempt. The players headed into the locker room knotted at eight all. 

The early second quarter defensive coaching adjustments to the Milford offense proved on target and kept the Mavericks scoreless the rest of the game.   Novi played their characteristic swarm defense resulting in two Milford turn overs on downs. Leading tacklers for Novi were Derek Cingel, Lance Lilla, Chris Diaconno and Haynes. Andrew Bell contributed with several key stops from the nose guard position.

The second half allowed the Cats to hit their offensive rhythm, complimented by the stingy defense. Eloff set up his first score early in the second quarter with several consecutive runs. By the end of the third period, the offense ground up yardage behind Eloff and Alex Davis runs. Haynes notched the touchdown as he ran into the end zone untouched off an Ince option. The fourth period was a defensive grind, yielding no points but helped to solidify team work and provided a look into what the JV team can develop this year.

The Novi JV Wildcats are led by Head Coach Rand Helmcamp, Coach Dave Hartman, Coach Eric Hoffman and Coach Ray.