Northville travels to Belleville on Friday, Oct. 9, for a 7 p.m. game with Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) Black division title implications.
Northville enters at 5-1 and Belleville at 4-2, according to MHSAA’s Week 7 preview. The Mustangs dropped their first game of the season Oct. 2, falling to Dearborn Fordson 14-10. Belleville, the division leader according to the MHSAA's Week 6 review, has won four straight after opening with losses to Grand Blanc and Howell, according to its results.
The MHSAA noted that Fordson's own title hopes "now rest with the Mustangs (5-1), who play leader Belleville next." Fordson's only loss this season came against Belleville by five points in Week 3, meaning a Northville win Friday would tighten the race heading into the final two weeks.
Belleville head coach Calvin Norman is in his fourth year leading the program, according to Social House News’ preseason report.
Northville head coach Brent Luplow listed his season philosophy in that report: "1-0 each week. Trust the Process and Stay Focused!"
Novi hosts Plymouth for homecoming
Across town, Novi (0-6) welcomes Plymouth for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Novi High School. The school’s calendar identifies Oct. 9 as its homecoming parade and game date.
The Wildcats have struggled in first-year head coach Logan Pawloski's debut season, entering the game after a 55-6 loss to Belleville.
Plymouth also enters off a loss. First-year head coach Matt Penn's squad opened the season with a 40-28 win over Monroe on Aug. 28 but fell to Dearborn Heights Crestwood 43-37 on Oct. 2, according to its MaxPreps results. Social House News’ preseason report identifies Pawloski and Penn as first-year head coaches.
This is the KLAA's final football season. Most member schools will join the Southeastern Conference in 2027, according to Social House News. Northville and Novi will instead join the Oakland Activities Association in fall 2027, according to Northville Public Schools.
What's next
Northville is scheduled to host Salem on Friday, Oct. 16, according to its schedule. Novi stays home to face Dearborn Fordson the same night, according to the team’s schedule.
