| Defense leads Novi 14-10 over Salem; Wildcats grind way to .500 with win |
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Chris Jackett September 20, 2009 Reprinted with permission of the Novi News Novi’s football team evened it’s record out at 2-2 following a hard-fought 14-10 victory over Plymouth Salem in one of the most evenly matched, but impressive, performances for the Wildcats this season. Both teams took the first five minutes off from solid play, as each team fumbled and lost the ball once, and Salem’s Alex King intercepted a third-down pass from senior QB/WR Jimmy Gurney, returning it 37 yards to Novi’s 37-yard line. The Rocks (0-4) struck first with a 37-yard field goal by Ethan Walsh with 6:11 remaining in the first quarter. Senior RB Jim Pitcher made several effective runs up the middle throughout the quarter, including a fourth-and-one play at Salem’s 31-yard line with 1:43 remaining in the quarter, where Pitcher pushed through the middle for a seven-yard gain. The play put Novi’s offense into striking mode, as Gurney completed a 23-yard pass to sophomore WR Mike Jocz at the one-yard line with 6.8 seconds left. “Our passing attack is getting better and better week by week. (Gurney) is learning the reads. For the amount of time he’s had, he’s done an outstanding job for us,” Novi coach Tab Kellepourey said. Junior RB Mike Brant started the second quarter with a run to the right corner of the end zone and senior RB Brett Kuhn kicked the extra point to give the Wildcats a 7-3 lead. “Pitcher has the ability to carry and go. Brandt had a few good carries around the outside,” Kellepourey said. Pitcher and Brandt finished with 39 and 27 rushing yards, respectively. Salem QB Brian Maksimovic regularly found his passing options well covered by the Wildcats, causing him to make several desperation dashes, accumulating 32 yards (69 gained, 37 lost) throughout the game. “We were getting hurt with their quarterback getting loose,” Kellepourey said. Novi’s defense forced Maksimovic to fumble the ball at the midline, but Salem recovered. Junior CB Brian Bush intercepted a 23-yard pass from Maksimovic at Novi’s 17-yard line a few minutes later, putting the chains back in motion for the Wildcats. The next two drives by each team only resulted in one first down, but Novi scored on one of their drives thanks to a huge defensive error by the Rocks. Wildcats’ senior Jordan Scheffler punted to Salem from Salem’s 46-yard line with 26 seconds remaining, but it slipped through the hands of the Rocks’ Evian Pardo at the 10-yard line and was covered in the end zone by senior Masaru Nogami for a touchdown. Kuhn’s kick after put the Wildcats up 14-3 going into the half. Novi had out-gained Salem 149-80 in total first-half yards, but was also penalized nearly twice as much as Salem, 66-35 yards. Realizing their passing game was failing, the Rocks hopped on the back of sophomore RB Marcus Houston, who burned the Wildcats for 91 rushing yards, including a touchdown 6:10 into the second half. Following the kick by Walsh, Salem had cut the lead to 14-10. As the teams traded quick unsuccessful drives, Salem spent the final 4:04 of the third quarter and first 3:08 of the fourth quarter handing the ball off to Houston on nine of 12 plays, out-gaining the Wildcats 99-19 in total third-quarter yardage. Novi’s Bush ended the Salem drive with his second interception of the night on a 24-yard pass from Maksimovic, taking the ball five yards out from Novi’s one-yard line. “Both were great catches,” Kellepourey said. “Salem really did control the game in the second half. Our backs were against the wall really through the second half. It put a lot of pressure on defense. We were punting the ball right back up there.” Novi found themselves on the wrong end of some ill-timed penalties in the fourth quarter, but put a cork in Houston’s running game while maintaining their dominance in pass defense. “I think the outside linebackers and safeties made some adjustments,” Kellepourey said of stopping Houston. “We had 12 penalties. We’re getting a little concerned about it. The reason they’re jumping offside is because they’re trying to make a play, but its hurting the team.” Neither team was able to get another first down the final 8:52 of the game. Kellepourey credited senior LBs Tim Kolis, Ryan Jok, junior LB Nick Littleton and sophomore LB Alex King with keeping Salem from a late-game comeback. King led the Wildcats with 13 tackles, followed by Kolis with eight and Bush, Jok and Littleton with six each. On the offensive line, senior Jon Fields and junior Joe Mikkelsen made several good blocks, while senior Ryan Margrave, junior Alan Mencer and senior TJ Karaisz provided effective pass protection for Gurney (9-for-22, 95 yards). The Wildcats out-gained Salem 181-169 in total offensive yards. The Wildcats also benefited from strong special teams, which provided the second Novi touchdown. Senior punter Jordan Scheffler punted for 264 yards, two kicks which were downed inside Salem’s red zone. “Jordan Shuffler really has a tremendous leg when he punts the ball,” Kellepourey said. “Our kicker, Tommy Duquette, is doing well kicking the ball up field.” Novi will travel to South Lyon High 7 p.m. tomorrow to take on the Lions (0-4) before hosting Livonia Stevenson for a 7 p.m. Oct. 2 homecoming. “South Lyon is always a traditional game for us, a border rival. You’ve got to throw out their record and be ready to play a good game,” Novi coach Tab Kellepourey said. “Stevenson’s going to be tough and Northville is getting up there.” Chris Jackett is a freelance writer and former Novi News staff writer. |
