Northwood football team one win away from reaching CIF finals

Northwood, led by No. 3 Adam Harper, takes the field for a game in August. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

It’s been quite a post-season run for Northwood’s football team, coached by JC Clarke, and now the Timberwolves are one win away from competing in the CIF finals for the second time in school history.

Northwood (7-5) takes on Vista Del Lago (9-3) Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Division 11 semifinals in Moreno Valley. The winner moves on to face the winner of the Jordan vs. Twentynine Palms semifinal the weekend of Nov. 26-27 at a location to be announced.

Northwood appeared in the CIF championship game in 2005, losing to Tesoro 27-6 in the Division IX finals at Orange Coast College.

This year’s Northwood team, which won the Pacific Valley League crown, is looking to cap a special season with a trip to the title game.

“The finals would be icing on the cake, the kids have bought in and gotten better every day,” said Clarke, who been a long-time assistant coach at the school before being hired last summer.

Northwood defeated Riverside Poly 48-20 Friday night in the quarterfinals in Riverside. Star running back Adam Harper led the Timberwolves rushing for more than 230 yards. He also caught a 50-yard TD pass and had a punt return for a touchdown, according to Clarke.

“The entire O-Line was great,” Clarke said. “Danial Kamel, Ahmed Kazi and JK Kang led the defense.”

Northwood opened the playoffs with a 35-21 victory over Big Bear at Irvine Stadium.

Adam Harper had four touchdowns and rushed for 24 yards on 27 carries. His younger brother Joe also scored a touchdown.

“Special teams were great,” Clarke said. “We started four drives inside the 50.”

Northwood quarterback Eugene Miyata completed four of six passes for 70 yards “and had some crucial first downs,” Clarke said. “The O-line and D-line were great.”

Northwood defeated Beckman 30-9 Oct. 29 to win the first league title for the school since 2003.

“We got a special group and I think we can go pretty far, if we keep working hard, we can do some damage,” Adam Harper, a junior, said after the game.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com