Northwood looks to keep rolling after winning two consecutive CIF championships

JC Clarke talks to his players after the CIF championship game vs. Lakewood. (Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone).

It’s been quite a couple years for Northwood High School’s football team, which won two consecutive CIF titles and two straight league titles under Coach J.C. Clarke.

The coach isn’t making any lofty predictions about his team bringing home another CIF title. Northwood won the Division 11 title in 2021 and the Division 8 crown in 2022. Northwood lost to Escalon 28-7 in the CIF 4AA State Bowl Game Championship and finished 14-2, a school record.

“We hope to compete for another league title this year and then try to stay in the playoffs as long as we can,” Clarke said.

Talented all-purpose running back Adam Harper and quarterback Eugene Miyata led the offense. But both have graduated.

This year, the approach will be different with Woodbridge transfer Eddie Ma leading the offense.

“Northwood just finished off a great summer camp, with Eddie Ma the new quarterback, looking good,” Clarke said.

For the past two years, the Timberwolves relied heavily on Harper, but the approach will be different this year.

“After two years of being a run first offense, we will be a more balanced offense this year. Eddie will have several talented receivers to throw to including Joe Harper (the younger brother of Adam Harper) and Cole Hidalgo. The offensive line should be a plus for us with returning starters Mohammad Wahby, Quinton Lynch and Shane Stradling.”

As for the running game, it will be “by committee: Jack Brucker, Tim Tran and Lucas Trausch.”

On the defensive side, Clarke said the Timberwolves “will be young and a work in progress. We expect great things from our defensive line anchored by two outstanding junior ends … Sun Tao and Joe Harper and tackles Will Tran and Wolfgang Hernandez . Lucas Trausch and Ryan Murphy lead the linebackers and Eddie Petrushin  highlights the defensive backs.”

Clarke credits the hard work of the players and coaches for the success the last two years.

“A lot of our success in the last two years (beside some amazing individual athletes) has been because our staff has sold the kids on our values: be good citizens, be good teammates, practice is where you get better, the weight-room makes you better and safer, and respect all opponents ….. fear none,” he said. “This staff has done a remarkable job selling this and I am so happy to coach alongside  them.”

2023 SCHEDULE

Home games at Irvine Stadium

Saturday, Aug. 19, vs. Woodbridge at University

Friday, Aug. 25, (H) vs. Kennedy

Friday, Sept. 1 (H) vs. Laguna Beach

Thursday, Sept. 7, at Valley View

Friday, Sept. 15, at Crean Lutheran

Friday, Sept. 29, at Irvine

Friday, Oct. 6 (H) vs. University

Friday, Oct. 13 (H) vs. Portola

Friday, Oct. 20 (H) vs. Laguna Hills

Friday, Oct. 27, at Dana Hills

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