Northville enters the KLAA's last football season as the team to beat in the Black Division, while first-year Novi head coach Logan Pawloski inherits an offense-heavy roster for a farewell campaign before both programs move to the Oakland Activities Association in 2027.
Coaches from all 14 KLAA programs gathered Aug. 6 at Hillside Middle School in Northville for the conference's final Football Media Day, organized by Commissioner Bryan Masi and Northville athletic director Brian Samulski. Several coaches shared heartfelt appreciation for the 13-year-old league, according to SocialHouseNews.com, which published preseason capsules for every team.
The KLAA's familiar East and West divisions are gone. After three Livonia schools departed, the league returned to Black and Gold division names last used in 2017. Following this season, most remaining schools will join the Southeast Conference.
Mustangs picked first
Fourth-year head coach Brent Luplow's Mustangs were voted the Black Division favorite in the preseason coaches' poll. Luplow's philosophy for the season: "1-0 each week. Trust the Process and Stay Focused!"
Northville returns a deep group led by Noah Stump, Tristen Salvas, Danny O'Neil, Nick Nathan, Parker Laney, Cassius Montgomery, Drew Meussner and junior kicker Alex Baird. Baird earned All-KLAA honors in 2025, while Meussner received honorable mention. The staff also added defensive coordinator Thomas Stevenson, who brings head-coaching and coordinator experience from elsewhere in the KLAA, according to the program's January announcement.
Newcomers Cole Boring, Nick Spaude and Mason Irving are expected to compete for roles.
The Mustangs open Thursday, Aug. 27 at Lake Orion at 7 p.m., then host Brighton on Friday, Sept. 11 and face Belleville on Friday, Oct. 9 in two of the KLAA's marquee matchups.
Wildcats reload under Pawloski
Pawloski, promoted from offensive line coach after Jim Sparks departed, takes over a Novi squad that went 3-6 in 2025. The Oakland Press reported the Wildcats averaged nearly 33 points per game in their three wins but fewer than six in their six losses.
The good news: eight offensive starters return, including senior quarterback Cody Walker, senior running back Aidan Cook, junior receiver Johnny Woytowich and junior lineman Hayden Dokus. Cook steps into the lead backfield role vacated by graduated All-KLAA running back Anthony Madafferi.
The challenge sits on the other side of the ball. Novi must replace seven defensive starters. Senior defensive back Alex Abler and senior lineman Chris Hancock Jr. anchor what remains.
Pawloski laid out his program vision at Media Day: "Establish our program pillars of T.R.U.S.T. (Toughness, Resiliency, Unity, Selflessness, Tenacity) and create an environment for personal and athletic development that positions us to compete at a high level."
Newcomers Lewis Cardenas, Marcio Corbeli-Tavolari, Dante Darling and Colt Campbell are among the players to watch as Novi fills out its roster.
Novi opens Friday, Aug. 28 at Traverse City Central at 7 p.m.
The rivalry game
Northville and Novi meet Friday, Sept. 18 at Northville, a matchup SocialHouseNews.com ranked as the KLAA's fourth-best game of the season. It will be the last regular-season meeting between the two programs as KLAA members before both head to the OAA.
