Perfect Season on the Line: Undefeated Howell Hosts Northville in Week 9 Showdown
Howell’s pursuit of an undefeated regular season will face one final—and substantial—test.
The 8–0 Highlanders will host 7–1 Northville on Friday, October 23, in a Week 9 KLAA crossover matchup featuring two of Michigan’s leading Division 1 contenders. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Howell.
Howell enters the regular-season finale ranked No. 6 in MLive’s statewide Top 25. Northville, which has won seven of its first eight games, is ranked No. 25.
The records make Friday’s game significant. How the two teams reached this point makes it even more intriguing.
Howell’s perfect run
The Highlanders have been one of Michigan’s biggest stories this season.
Howell opened with a 49–35 victory over Traverse City West before earning a statement 41–31 road win over Belleville. The Highlanders have since defeated Dearborn, Westland John Glenn, Wayne Memorial, Hartland, Brighton and Dearborn Heights Crestwood.
The road has not always been easy.
Howell escaped Hartland 28–27 and edged rival Brighton 14–13 in consecutive weeks, showing it can close out tight games. The Highlanders then produced one of their most complete offensive performances in Week 8, defeating Crestwood 54–13 to improve to 8–0.
Senior Bryce Kish remains one of the players to watch. The four-star linebacker and running back is committed to Clemson and has been a two-way centerpiece for the Highlanders throughout their unbeaten run.
A victory Friday would give Howell a perfect regular season and significant momentum entering the MHSAA Division 1 playoffs.
Northville brings a résumé of its own
Northville is more than a potential spoiler.
The Mustangs opened the season by surviving Lake Orion 38–31 in double overtime. They followed with victories over Canton, Brighton, Novi and Plymouth before suffering their only defeat, a 14–10 loss to Dearborn Fordson.
Northville responded with two convincing victories. The Mustangs defeated Belleville 30–7 on the road and handled Salem 55–21 in Week 8.
That win over Belleville adds another compelling connection between Friday’s opponents. Howell and Northville are two of the teams to defeat the Tigers this season, accomplishing it in different ways.
Running back Danny O’Neil leads a Northville rushing attack averaging nearly 200 yards per game, while quarterback Greyson Harris gives the Mustangs another option offensively. Defensively, Northville will be challenged with slowing Kish and a Howell team averaging more than 41 points per game.
A postseason-level Week 9 test
This matchup should provide both programs with an immediate indication of their playoff readiness.
Howell has already proven it can win shootouts, defensive battles and close rivalry games. Northville has demonstrated similar toughness, with three of its victories decided by four points or fewer.
There is also a revenge element for the Highlanders. Northville defeated Howell 17–7 during the 2025 regular season, handing the Highlanders one of their two losses before the playoffs.
This time, Howell will have home-field advantage and a perfect season at stake.
For Northville, knocking off an undefeated top-10 opponent would be its biggest victory of the season and an ideal way to enter the postseason.
One team is protecting perfection. The other is trying to make a championship-level statement.
Friday night in Howell should provide one of Metro Detroit’s strongest Week 9 matchups.
Game information
Matchup: Northville at Howell
Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Howell
Records: Northville 7–1; Howell 8–0
Event: KLAA Week 9 crossover matchup
