Novi, Michigan, October 19, 2025
News Summary
In a closely contested match, the Novi Wildcats triumphed over the Northville Mustangs with a score of 19-16. This victory is significant for Novi, improving their season record to 3-5 after a tough prior game against Howell. Standout performances included Jack Ranka’s defensive strength for Northville and a strong special teams effort from Alex Baird. Both teams now face an uncertain future without scheduled games, making this match a crucial moment in their season.
Novi, Michigan – In a thrilling high school football contest last Friday, the Novi Wildcats edged out the Northville Mustangs by a narrow margin of 19-16. This victory marked a significant turnaround for the Wildcats, who had previously lost to Northville in their earlier encounter held in October 2024.
Northville’s standout player, Jack Ranka, showcased his defensive prowess by achieving a new season-high with 15 total tackles and recording two sacks against Novi’s quarterback. The Mustangs maintained aggressive pressure throughout the game, accumulating a total of four sacks.
The Mustangs scored the majority of their points, totaling 10, through special teams, thanks to the kicking performance of Alex Baird, who completed three field goals and one extra point. However, the loss brings Northville’s record to 6-2 for the season, while Novi improved their season record to 3-5.
Neither Novi nor Northville have future games scheduled following this match, which intensifies the importance of the performance exhibited by both teams. Prior to facing the Wildcats, Northville convincingly defeated Hartland with a score of 55-9. This win was part of a string of victories for the Mustangs, many of which were by 20 points or more.
Key contributors for Northville included Cooper Derkach, who rushed for 43 yards and scored one touchdown, and Cassius Montgomery, who tallied 84 total yards and added two touchdowns. Notably, Nick Nathan made significant contributions to the defense, securing two interceptions during the game.
On the other hand, the Wildcats had been battling defensive challenges this season, averaging 28.9 points allowed per game. They were coming off a heavy loss, having been defeated 42-0 against Howell in their previous game. In the earlier meeting with Northville, Novi fell narrowly by a score of 27-25, a result significantly influenced by Northville’s Max DeFore, who rushed for 209 yards.
The match against Northville put substantial pressure on both teams, as Novi sought to overcome recent struggles and mark a new beginning under their coach, Zach Hauk, who has been focusing on improving defensive strategies after last season’s discouraging defensive statistics.
As of now, the future schedules for both teams remain undecided, leaving the outcome of this match as a challenging yet victorious achievement for the Novi Wildcats.
FAQ
What was the final score of the Novi vs. Northville game?
The final score was Novi Wildcats 19, Northville Mustangs 16.
What was the impact of this game on team records?
This victory improved Novi’s record to 3-5 and brought Northville’s record to 6-2 for the season.
Who were the standout players from the game?
Jack Ranka had a significant impact for Northville with 15 total tackles and two sacks. Key players included Cooper Derkach, who rushed for 43 yards and scored one touchdown, and Cassius Montgomery, who gained 84 total yards with two touchdowns. Alex Baird also contributed significantly with three field goals.
What defensive struggles did Novi face this season?
Novi struggled defensively, allowing an average of 28.9 points per game this season.
What was Northville’s performance leading up to this game?
Before playing Novi, Northville won convincingly against Hartland with a score of 55-9 and had several victories by 20 points or more this season.
Key Features of the Game
| Feature | Novi Wildcats | Northville Mustangs |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 19 | 16 |
| Season Record | 3-5 | 6-2 |
| Key Player Statistics | Various players contributed but defensive struggles noted. | Jack Ranka: 15 tackles, 2 sacks; Alex Baird: 3 FG, 1 extra point. |
| Future Games Scheduled | No | No |
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Additional Resources
- MaxPreps: Novi Wildcats vs. Northville Mustangs Preview
- Hometown Life: Novi Football Changes Narrative
- USA Today HSS: How to Watch Novi vs. Howell
- MaxPreps: Northville Mustangs vs. Novi Wildcats Preview
- C & G News: Novi High School Seniors’ Art on Parking Spots
- Wikipedia: Novi, Michigan
- Google Search: Novi High School Football
- Google Scholar: Novi Wildcats Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Novi Wildcats
- Google News: Novi Mustangs Football
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
