October 12, 2024
By Bill Khan
NOVI — The Novi Wildcats stepped onto the field Friday night with aspirations of claiming the KLAA West football championship but fell short in a 35-21 defeat to the undefeated and fifth-ranked Howell Highlanders.
Despite the setback, Novi (5-2 overall) has plenty to play for, starting with its annual Baseline rivalry game against Northville next Friday on the Mustangs’ home field.
“I try to preach to our guys to have high aspirations,” Novi coach Jim Sparks said. “We wanted the whole ball of wax. We wanted to beat Howell. We wanted to be undefeated in our division. We wanted to walk off the field tonight saying we were West champs.
“So, we didn’t get that. So, for 24 hours, we’re going to let that sting a little bit, then hopefully that drives us forward. We have our rivalry game next week, which is not something I have to worry about the kids getting up for.”
Novi entered the game ranked No. 8 in the Detroit Free Press’ state Division 1 rankings, having won three straight games on late long touchdown passes from quarterback Johnny Aurilia to receiver Jaden Vondrasek. That duo eventually found its rhythm in the second half against Howell, connecting for touchdowns of 80 and 23 yards. But by the time their big-play connection ignited, the Wildcats were already in a 21-0 hole.
Trailing 35-14 late, Novi cut the deficit to 35-21 on a 54-yard pass from Aurilia to Sele Cox with 1:31 remaining. Aurilia recovered the ensuing onside kick and led the Wildcats to Howell’s 7-yard line, but Howell’s Aiden Horvath intercepted a pass with 27 seconds left to secure the victory.
While Novi’s offense excelled through the air, Howell dominated on the ground, amassing 420 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 51 attempts. The Highlanders attempted just one pass—a five-yard completion late in the first half—and scored touchdowns on five of their eight drives, with the others ending in a fumble or at the half.
“There’s a saying in football, ‘It’s not the X’s and O’s, it’s the Jimmies and the Joes,’” Sparks said. “That type of offense, they’re just trying to turn it into a man-on-man, your guy’s better than our guy type of deal. If you sum up all the plays in the one-on-one battles, they probably won the majority of them today.”
Justin Jones led Howell with 263 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. He also intercepted Aurilia late in the first half.
For Novi, Aurilia completed 13 of 24 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Vondrasek caught eight passes for 135 yards and two scores.
The Wildcats, now 5-1 in KLAA West play, are tied for second with Brighton. Howell improved to 6-0 and clinched the division title. Novi will look to bounce back in its rivalry game against Northville next Friday, with playoff implications on the line.