Northville's 3-0 Mustangs host Novi's 0-3 Wildcats at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in a KLAA Black Division Week 4 game. It is the last regular-season meeting between the programs before both move to the Oakland Activities Association in 2027, as we reported in our preseason preview.

The Mustangs enter the game ranked in two statewide polls. Northville debuted at No. 9 in the initial Associated Press Division 1 rankings and No. 24 in MLive's Top 25. MLive's Week 4 playoff picture lists the Mustangs second in Division 1 with 68.000 playoff points, behind Howell at 68.333.

Senior Danny O'Neil has been the engine. O'Neil has rushed for 315 yards through three games, ranking 20th among Michigan high school rushers, according to MaxPreps.

His father, Jim O'Neil, is a third-year Detroit Lions assistant head coach and safeties coach, according to the Detroit News.

Northville stopped a two-point conversion with 30 seconds left to preserve a 35-34 win over Brighton on Sept. 11, according to MLive. Fourth-year head coach Brent Luplow asked his postgame huddle who made the winning play. His players shouted Avery Caldwell's name, the Detroit News reported.

At KLAA Football Media Day on Aug. 6, Luplow summed up his season philosophy: "1-0 each week. Trust the Process and Stay Focused!"

Novi is searching for its first win under first-year head coach Logan Pawloski, who was promoted from offensive line coach after Jim Sparks departed. The Wildcats have been outscored 114-42 through three losses: 55-22 to Traverse City Central on Aug. 28, 26-14 to Salem on Sept. 3 and 33-6 to Canton on Sept. 11.

The offense returns senior quarterback Cody Walker, senior running back Aidan Cook and junior wide receiver Johnny Woytowich. But the defense lost seven starters from a 3-6 squad in 2025. Senior defensive back Alex Abler and senior defensive lineman Chris Hancock Jr. anchor what remains.

Recent history favors the Wildcats. Novi won the last meeting 19-16 on Oct. 17, 2025.

Northville was voted the Black Division favorite in the preseason coaches' poll and enters Week 4 unbeaten. The Mustangs enter Friday second in the Division 1 playoff-point standings cited by MLive.

Northville hosts Plymouth on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Novi hosts Hartland the same night at 7 p.m.