New Northwood coach Erik Terry wants players to be ‘uncommon in everything they do’

Northwood’s football team prepares for the season opener vs. Irvine. (Photo courtesy Northwood athletics).

First-year Northwood High School head football coach Erik Terry has been pleased with the development of his squad as it prepares for the season opener on Friday, Aug. 22 vs. Irvine at Irvine Stadium.

Terry will be coaching against the team he used to coach. He resigned as Irvine head coach in 2018 after nine seasons and 18 years with the program and led the Vaqueros to three CIF playoff appearances.

The new Northwood coach takes over for former head coach JC Clarke, who has remained as defensive coordinator. Clarke, during his four seasons as head coach, led Northwood to two CIF titles.

Northwood was 9-3 overall and 3-2 in the Foxtrot League last season, advancing to the second round of the CIF playoffs.

Irvine will be the home team for the opener.

“After six years away I do not really have many ties to the current players/families at Irvine,” Terry said.  It will be a little strange to be on the away sideline at Irvine Stadium but I am a Timberwolf now and my focus is on our program. Ironically in my first game as head coach at Irvine we played against the first school I ever coached at, South Torrance.

“We are very happy with the progress the players are making towards our goal of being uncommon in everything they do.”

The Timberwolves have four starters returning on offense and four on defense, Terry said.

Among the standouts are lineman Jacob Harper, the younger brother of previous Northwood stars Adam and Joseph Harper. Harper will play on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Also expected to contribute on offense are wide receivers Isaac Kwon and Jack Schultz, offensive lineman Eric Chepenko and tight end Parsa Rabiee.

On defense, Northwood is looking for big seasons from defensive backs Caleb Kim and Ryan Del Valle, defensive back/linebacker Parsa Rabiee and linebacker Enoch Choi.

Among the players competing for the quarterback spot are Crean Lutheran transfer Dylan D’Epifanio.

“Dylan D’Epifanio and his family have moved into our attendance boundaries so CIF has declared him eligible immediately based on valid change of residence,” Terry said. “QB competition is under way and we will name a starter on Monday, Aug. 18.”

Terry said he has four expectations for his team:

“Play with uncommon effort for four quarters every week, be disciplined and limit pre-snap and emotion penalties, be great tacklers and play together as long as we can,” he said.

Northwood has five former head coaches on the staff, Terry added.

Besides Clarke, Mike Stewart, Phil Roh and Dean Toohey who were head coaches at Northwood and Stephen Barbee, who coached at Long Beach Poly and St. Margaret’s, are on the staff.

For full view, click on the photo:

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