Northwood CIF football champions had plenty of alumni support

Northwood head football coach JC Clarke holds the CIF championship trophy joined by assistant coaches (from left) Mickey Dickson, Phil Roh, Dave Harper, Dean Toohey, Mike Stewart, trainer Andy Sepulveda, plant supervisor Ernie Medina and Shahab Yazdanpanah. (Photos courtesy Northwood athletics).

Alumni and former head coaches at Northwood shared in the excitement of the Timberwolves winning their first CIF football championship Friday night.

Coach JC Clarke’s team defeated Long Beach Jordan 37-14 at Irvine Stadium to win the CIF Division 11 title. The Timberwolves (9-5) host CIF Central Section 7 champion Righetti (5-8) Saturday night in a 5A bowl game at 6 at Irvine Stadium. The winner moves on to the state final next weekend in Northern California. The winner faces the winner of the University Prep-Sacred Heart winner.

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Northwood alumni showed up in big numnbers at Irvine Stadium.

Northwood principal Leslie Roach with Ernie Medina, plant supervisor.

Northwood alumni supported the football team Friday night.

Former Northwood Coach Rick Curtis (second from left) joined ex-Timberwolve players at the finals. Plant supervisor Ernie Medina (right) was also among the supporters.

Ernie Medina (right) with Jerry Oregel, Northwood equipment manager.

Friday’s game was Northwood’s second time in the CIF finals.

“It was the most thrilling moment since 2005  when we traveled to La Habra High School and we pulled off the upset 22-19 in the semifinals,” said Northwood plant supervisor Ernie Medina, who was equipment manager at the school from 1998 to 2018.

“Head Coach Rick Curtis earned us a trip to championship vs Tesoro High School.”

Medina, who graduated from University in 1995 and played football under Mark Cunningham and baseball under Chris Conlin and Mike Gerakos, said a large contingent of alumni were on hand for the finals.

“We had about 45 former alumni players going back to 2002 Matt Harper class of 2002,” Medina said.

The accomplishment was also exciting for former head Northwood coaches, including Dean Toohey, Phil Roh and Mike Stewart, who are still on the Timberwolves staff and founding coach Rick Curtis, who is now head coach at Crean Lutheran. Another former head coach Paige Nobles, was also in attendance.

“I am very proud of this team, our coaches and staff,” said Toohey, who is defensive coordinator and also coaches the offensive line with Clarke. “It’s been a tough couple of years. To finally win a CIF championship with all the challenges this year just shows what a special group of players we have and a great coaching staff.

“As a long time coach on staff one of the best moments was sharing this CIF championship with all those who helped build this program. Our first head coach Rick Curtis and a large-contingent of former players were there last Friday and it made the night perfect.”

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