| Wildcats fumble through to first win |
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Chris Jackett September 17, 2009 Reprinted with permission of the Novi News Despite several missteps, Novi plowed on for two third-quarter touchdowns and a 23-0 win at South Lyon East. The Cougars (0-3) were given every opportunity to succeed as Novi lost the ball four times on three fumbles and an interception, but East's youth and smaller roster was noticeable as the Wildcats (1-2) got their act together for a win over the second-year program. “The biggest problem we have is we're making mistakes out there, we're not executing. The penalties that we're taking every game are taking their toll on us,” Novi coach Tab Kellepourey said. “You can't get the ball in your possession and drop it. We've got to find a way to hold onto the ball. Turnovers must be taken care of or we won't be successful.” On the first down of the game, senior RB Brett Kuhn took the ball 12 yards up the left line, a play that would've been a 55-yard touchdown - as the players played it out all the way to the end zone - had Kuhn stayed in bounds and Novi hadn't been called for a holding penalty. Novi kept the chains moving in the first quarter, but lost the ball twice on fumbles in South Lyon East's final third of the field. Novi kept good field position most of the quarter, supported by the Cougars' weak punts, which allowed Novi to start their drives as close as East's 48-yard line. Two minutes after an 18-yard run up the left flank by Kuhn, junior RB Mike Brant burst through the middle for a three-yard touchdown. The Wildcats got a false start penalty on the point after touchdown, but Kuhn made the 25-yard kick to give Novi a 7-0 lead. “We were able to get around the edge a little bit,” Kellepourey said. “Brett Kuhn made some good runs and cuts. Mike Brant turned out a very good game overall.” After both teams recovered their own fumbles, senior WR/QB Jimmy Gurney hit senior WR Justin Hopton with a 35-yard bomb at the Cougars' 17-yard line. On the next play, East's junior DB Tyler Jedinak picked off an end zone-bound pass on the right side from Gurney and ran it out 13 yards to East's 15-yard line. Fueled by the defensive effort, the Cougars' offense made a late push thanks to a pair of roughing penalties against the Wildcats. On a fourth-down punt, Novi roughed the kicker, allowing East to keep the ball with a first down and 25 seconds to go in the half. Novi then roughed East sophomore QB Scotty Kempa following an eight-yard pass to sophomore RB Matt Lindman on the right side. At Novi's 40-yard line, Kempa hit junior WR Justin Urich with a six-yard pass as Urich dove out of bounds to stop the clock with eight seconds ‘til the half. With a long ball to the end zone in mind, Kempa dropped back, but was sacked 15 yards behind the snap at Novi's 49-yard line to end the half with Novi still ahead 7-0. SECOND HALF Kellepourey's ‘Cats shaped up in the second half after one final setback. Nearly four minutes into the third quarter, Novi looked to have things back on track, but a 10-yard pass from Gurney to Hopton at the left side of the Cougars' 24 resulted in a turnover when Gurney turned into East senior DB Alex Grabinski, who knocked the ball loose and recovered the fumble for the Cougars. On the ensuing drive, Kempa hit junior WR Josh Moore for a 29-yard third-down conversion up the right side to their own 49-yard line. With fourth and nine to go on the 50, East made the error of the game. The Cougars snapped the ball over their punter's head, who recovered it at his own 11-yard line for a turnover on downs. “It was a 7-0 game at that point and fourth down and they could have put us back inside our 10. We ended up (at) theirs. It was a major turning point in that game,” Kellepourey said. “There was a lot with a huge momentum change.” Novi didn't miss their cue, as Brant ran the ball in from two yards out two plays later and Kuhn kicked the extra point for a 14-0 Novi lead with 5:17 remaining in the quarter. The Cougars tried to get big yards quick as Kempa hit Moore for a 24-yard gain to get to their own 48-yard line. Two plays later, Kempa overthrew a pass up the left line that junior CB Brian Bush intercepted at Novi's 22-yard line. Following a 28-yard third-down conversion run by Kuhn and a few shorter gains, Pitcher ran up the left for a three-yard touchdown. Following two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the Cougars after the play, Brant failed on a two-point rush attempt, keeping Novi's lead at 20-0. Following an unsuccessful Cougars drive, Novi's Brant broke away up the right side for a 58-yard run, but it was cut back to a 25-yard gain as Brant stepped out at Novi's 46-yard line. Senior K Tommy Duquette hit a 32-yard field goal with 5:24 remaining to put the final nail in the Cougars' coffin and give Novi a 23-0 lead. Powered by the one-two punch of sophomores Kempa and Lindman, and Moore, South Lyon East kept the chains moving and the clock ticking. Lone varsity freshman Lucas Buck made a 17-yard run and Moore caught a pair of 12-yard passes to move the Cougars to Novi's 24-yard line before East failed a fourth-down conversion to end the Cougars' final drive. “South Lyon East really was a much improved squad,” Kellepourey said. “Shutouts, you cherish them when you can get ‘em.” East was held to -15 yards rushing in the game, but out-passed Novi 180-104 yards in the air. Novi had 272 rushing yards on 48 carries, the third highest single-game number of Wildcat carries. Three quarterback sacks stunted the Cougars' rushing game; two made by senior DL Jordan Jabbori, tying several players for second best in a single game. Juniors DL Joe Burris, LB Greg Kolis and sophomore LB Alex King also made seven or eight tackles each. Senior OLB James Smith led East with nine tackles. Something was in the air at Cougar Stadium, as the two teams combined for 25 penalties, six fumbles and two interceptions, equalizing the field at times. With senior QB Brandon Rydzewski sidelined, Gurney (6-for-9) and Hartland (2-for-3) combined for 104 yards and one interception at quarterback. Chris Jackett is a freelance writer and former Novi News staff writer. Additional Facts ON TAP After out-gaining South Lyon East 376-165 in total offensive yards last week, the Wildcats will look to bring their strong rush defense and overall offense back to Novi for their next division opponent. Novi will host Plymouth Salem (0-3) 7 p.m. tomorrow as part of the Tastefest blackout event. Patrons are encouraged to wear black clothing to the game. “This new coach, he’s got a group he’s ready to play football with. They have big, physical kids,” Kellepourey said. “They’ve got running and passing threats.” Salem is looking to get back on track following a 34-7 loss vs. Livonia Stevenson. |
