Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named John Novara of Portland High School the week nine recipient of the 2018 Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan High School Football Coach of the Week Program. Novara's Raiders defeated the Montague Wildcats 27-20 to end their regular season undefeated at 9-0. Portland is currently ranked No. 2 in Division 5 and will host the 6-3 Ovid-Elsie Marauders in a Division 5 Pre-District playoff game on Friday, October 26.
Novara has coached high school football at Portland for 24 years and is currently in his 20th season as head coach. Novara led the Raiders to the 2012 Division 5 state championship, has won four straight CAAC White Division titles, compiled a record of 39-4 since 2015 and has been to the MHSAA playoffs 15 out of the last 16 seasons. Novara's career record is 141-64 (68.8%).
High School Football Coach of the Week Program
Each week throughout the 2018 nine-week high school football regular season, one coach that best demonstrates success on and off the field, develops players' character, discipline, and football skill in addition to emphasizing player health and safety in their program, will be recognized for his commitment to the team, school, and community. The winner is selected by a panel of high school football media members—Mick McCabe (Detroit Free Press), Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News), Bret Bakita (WOOD Radio-106.9 FM, ESPN 96.1 FM-Fox 17/Grand Rapids), James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle) and Scott DeCamp (MLive-Muskegon Chronicle).
This season's program will award $22,000 to aid the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan, thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions, the NFL Foundation, presenting partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan and associate partner, Gatorade.
Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school's football program and a Gatorade performance package, compliments of Gatorade. At the conclusion of the 2018 Michigan High School Football season, the Lions will also select the High School Football Coach of the Year. This season's Coach of the Year will receive a $4,000 donation to his school's football program, in addition to the Gatorade performance package. All winners will receive a certificate signed by Lions' head coach Matt Patricia and National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell, a personalized game ball as well as acknowledgement at an upcoming Lions home game.
Currently in its' 22nd year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $411,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Lions' Director of Football Education, at 313-262-2248.
