Wildcats Stumble in Season Finale Against Dearborn

Friday, October 25, 2024

Novi, MI - The Novi Wildcats were unable to secure a win in their final game of the regular season, falling to the Dearborn Pioneers 38-14 on Friday night at Novi High School. Despite the home-field advantage and flashes of resilience, the Wildcats struggled to contain the Pioneers' potent rushing attack, leading to a tough loss as they head into the postseason with a 5-4 record (5-3 in conference). 

The game began with a missed opportunity for Novi. A 40-yard field goal attempt early in the first quarter missed, and Dearborn capitalized on the shift in momentum. The Pioneers took control of the ball and marched down the field, ultimately scoring on a 14-yard touchdown run by Suna Chami to take a 7-0 lead. Chami proved to be a handful for Novi all night, rushing for 217 yards and five touchdowns.

Novi responded with a promising drive of their own. Logan Ellison capped a 75-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run, narrowing the deficit to 14-7 and bringing life back into the home crowd. But Dearborn answered quickly, as Chami found the end zone for the third time, finishing a methodical 74-yard drive that pushed the score to 21-7. Just before halftime, Dearborn's kicker, Carl Wolski, added a 32-yard field goal, sending the Wildcats into the locker room trailing 24-7.

In the second half, the Pioneers continued to dominate time of possession, wearing down the Wildcats' defense. Chami punched in another score from one yard out in the third quarter after an 11-play drive that spanned 57 yards, chewing up valuable minutes. He later added his fifth touchdown with a 14-yard run early in the fourth quarter, giving Dearborn a commanding 38-7 lead.

Novi managed to find the end zone once more, as quarterback Johnny Aurilia connected with Christian Gillings for a 5-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats put together a solid 60-yard drive, but it was too late to alter the outcome. Aurilia finished the game with 137 passing yards, completing 11 of 24 attempts, but faced constant pressure from Dearborn's defense, which recorded two sacks.

Defensively, Reece Pippin was a bright spot for Novi, tallying 17 tackles in an impressive effort. However, the Wildcats’ defense as a whole struggled to slow down Dearborn’s relentless ground game. The Pioneers' offensive line repeatedly created openings for Chami, while the Wildcats' front struggled to keep up with Dearborn's physicality.

Despite the loss, the Wildcats displayed some promising moments, especially on the ground with Logan Ellison's efforts and through the leadership of Pippin on defense. As they prepare for the playoffs, the team will need to focus on improving their consistency, particularly in pass protection and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

Dearborn leaves the game riding high, improving to 5-4 (5-3 in conference) and entering the postseason with momentum. For Novi, it's time to regroup and learn from this loss, as they look to make a deeper impact in the playoffs. The Wildcats have shown they can compete, and with the right adjustments, they still have the potential to surprise in the weeks ahead.