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There
is no less important statistic,
than the score at
halftime
9/12/2006
Ever since the MHSAA adopted the current point/playoff
system for football, every school is in a race to get to
(6) wins, or avoid (4) losses. So as losses mount, it’s
only human to think ahead and project.
For some programs, the
slide continues. Not in Wildcat Country! In fact, it
could be said the ‘Cats are at their best when they’re
cornered.
Perhaps there is no
better example of this than in the 2002 season. On
Sept.27th, the Wildcats suffered their 3rd loss of the
season at the hands of South Lyon. One more loss, and
their playoff hopes would be dashed.
And the kicker?… In two
weeks Novi would have to visit undefeated, #1 ranked
Milford on the road, in a game where they would be the
decided underdog.
But first they righted
the ship with a home 13-6 victory over Hartland in the
"mud bowl."
Next it was off to Milford. An unnamed Detroit News
writer had predicted that Milford would prevail, 38-0.
Wrong.
Milford started fast, but
remember… a Cat has nine lives. The game advanced to
overtime as Novi out-hustled, out-hit, and out-witted
the heavily favored Mavericks. In the end, Novi came out
on top, 35-28.
Next, it was Homecoming
against Pinckney, and Novi prevailed 39-0. The Cats were
rolling! Only Northville stood in the way of another
postseason as the Novi’s record stood at 5-3.
Novi scored early and
often as they disposed of their cross-town rival, 46-26.
Interestingly enough, their opening round playoff
opponent would be…you guessed it! Milford. Again. On the
road. Again.
Novi did not come to hail
Caesar, that was evident from the get-go. Their
hard-hitting defense held high-flying Milford to just 7
points. Novi would move on, 14-7. And oh yeah, that same
reporter had predicted Novi would lose 38-0. Wrong
again.
Novi advanced to the
District Finals against another powerhouse, the Lake
Orion Dragons. The Dragons, a team that featured
multiple all-state players like Roger Allison (Michigan)
and Nate Recknagel, had trouble moving the ball against
the stingy Green and White defense.
The game was broadcast on
WDFN’s Friday night ‘Game of the Week,’ and the
announcers were visibly moved as Novi’s Kerry Kreutzberg
demonstrably thrust his hands in the air with joy as the
final scoreboard read Novi 17, Lake Orion 13. In 28
days, The Novi Wildcats had gone from potential playoff
elimination, to District Champs!
The legendary Yogi Berra
once said, “The sooner you fall behind, the quicker you
can catch up.”
In other words, it ain’t
over until it’s over…
Nobody knows that any
better than the good folks… in Wildcat Country.
(C) 2006 Novi Information
Network
All rights reserved.
Bernie
Fratto's
column appears right here each
week during the football season.
Bernie is a member of the Minor League Baseball Alumni Association
and in his former life, he spent time in the Cincinnati Reds Farm
System. He is an accomplished Freelance writer, and sought after keynote
speaker, appearing often at Award Ceremonies, Athletic Banquets, and
Company functions.
He is passionate about sports and the life-lessons
they teach. "Behind every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real
human beings," Fratto said..."And these athletic endeavors often serve
as a metaphor for the game we call life."
Bernie is also on the broadcast team at Live 97.1FM talk-radio, and is a
frequent
co-host on the popular "Parker &
The Man Show," a nightly sportstalk show which airs Monday-Friday from
7-11pm.
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