DETROIT — Iron Mountain High School graduate John Novara was named the state coach of the week for a program sponsored by the Detroit Lions and Farm Bureau Insurance.

Novara’s Portland Raiders defeated the Montague Wildcats 27-20 to end their regular season undefeated at 9-0. They are taking a perfect record into the Division 5 state semifinals against Marine City.

Novara has coached high school football at the Lansing area school 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 42-4 since 2015 and has been to the MHSAA playoffs 15 out of the last 16 seasons.

Novara’s career record is 144-64 (72 percent).

Novara is from a coaching family. His dad, Charlie, was a highly regarded Iron Mountain High School junior varsity assistant. His brother, Mark, is a Kingsford High School varsity assistant.

Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school’s football program and a Gatorade performance package.

At the conclusion of the 2018 Michigan high school football season, the Lions will also select the 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 acknowledgment 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.