Jeff Theisen
October 9, 2008
Republished with permission of the Novi News
The Baseline Battle for the Jug hasn't meant this much in a long time.
Novi and Northville will be battling for the Jug, the divisional championship and the right to compete for the conference title Friday night at Northville.
Novi has owned Northville since its last loss in 2000. Head coach Tab Kellepourey hopes the Jug stays in the halls of Novi.
"It should be a good ballgame. It's about a 37-year history," Kellepourey said. "They're a good squad and a good team. They know us and we know them. We're looking forward to it."
Novi will work the offense by using the spread attack that has shown the ability to work through the air and on the ground.
Paul Favorite had a huge game against South Lyon, going for more than 150 yards and four scores. He showed the ability to get tough yards on the touchdown and more importantly on the two-point conversion against Stevenson late last week in Novi's 28-27 road victory.
Quarterback Chris Bellamy is a dual-threat to run or pass.
Brandon Bradford, Will Mikkelson, Brandon Bryant and Andy Donatto have all proven to be capable receivers with deep-threat abilities.
But big games are usually won with defense. Both defenses would be considered undersized, but they've also shown the ability to get the job done.
Kellepourey knows his team will bring a lot of confidence into Friday's game riding a five-game winning streak and sitting just one win away for automatically qualifying for the playoffs.
"These young guys that we have, they're coming to age," Kellepourey said. "We weren't this same team at the beginning of the year, but they've improved week by week by week and sometimes play by play."
Both teams allow an average of just more than two touchdowns a game. Throw out the crazy numbers both teams put up against South Lyon East, and the offenses are very similar at more than 20 points a game.
Last year's game saw Northville put it all on the line, despite having just one win all year. The Mustangs led late, but a Novi rally turned things around for a 27-24 victory to keep the Baseline Jug.
Things are very different this year for Northville football. Head coach Matt Ladach has the boys playing hard and winning. The Mustangs started the year 3-1 before a loss to 21-7 Livonia Stevenson gave Northville its first loss in league play.
Last week, Northville put itself in position to compete for the divisional crown with a 20-14 victory against Salem, despite playing without its starting quarterback.
"It would mean a ton to our program to win this game," Ladach said. "The pride both schools take in winning this game is greater than any rivalry I have ever been a part of."
The Mustang offense is led by Matt Kreager at quarterback and a stable of capable running backs. The Mustangs aren't opposed to doing things on the ground or in the air.
Kyle Galdes, Brett Smith and Kreager are the headliners in the backfield.
Tight end Ryan Gerblick and wideouts Aaron Brown and Kris Baumgardner have been the go-to guys through the air.
"The division championship means a lot to our team. We never won a division championship in the Western Lakes," Ladach said. "It would be a huge accomplishment for our program to win a division title in the first year of the KLAA's existence."
Friday night should be a rocking game at Northville as playoff hopes will be on the line for both teams.
Kickoff is 7 p.m., but the good seats will be long gone by then.