Northwood QB Jaden Piazza proves his versatility, playing defensive line in key games

Senior quarterback Jaden Piazza has led Northwood to a 6-1 record. (Photos Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Northwood High quarterback Jaden Piazza and his teammates have had a season to remember.

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Northwood QB Jaden Piazza throws a pass in Friday's game against Woodbridge.

Jaden Piazza is Northwood's starting QB but also played on the defensive line last week.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Jaden Piazza of Northwood has some fun before last week's game.

The Timberwolves (6-1, 2-0) sit atop the Pacific Coast League standings with Portola (6-1, 2-0).

But Piazza, who will lead his squad into Friday night’s PCL showdown with Portola at Portola, knows there is still work to be done. The Timberwolves are trying to win their first league title since 2003.

“It’s a great feeling for all the seniors and everyone involved to be able to do something like this in our senior year and kind of leave our mark on Northwood before we leave,” Piazza said after the Timberwolves defeated Woodbridge 21-14 for their first win over the Warriors since 2012.

Piazza has played a big part in Northwood’s resurgence. In six games, he’s completed 93 of 175 passes for 940 yards and 16 touchdowns and also rushed for 254 yards on 43 carries and three touchdowns.

Piazza, who is also Northwood’s punter, even played on the defensive line in last week’s win over Woodbridge.

“We got him in a little bit last year in our quarterfinal game against Laguna Beach,” said Northwood Coach Paige Nobles. “Even though he’s our number one QB and he’s probably going to be the best Division 12 QB, I’m also recruiting him (for colleges) as a defensive end as well. A game like this, we needed him.”

The 6-4, 220-pound Piazza said he was excited to be playing both offense and defense.

“I love playing on both sides of the ball,” Piazza said. “Coach had been saving me for the league games. So, now is my time to get in there and show what I can do with it.”

Piazza hopes to play college football and says, “wherever colleges will have me, I’ll be there and I’ll do it.”

But the immediate goals are to lead the Timberwolves to a successful league finish.

“The goals the rest of the season are to win league, the (Dennis) Toohey Fence Post and go as far as we can in CIF (playoffs),” he said.

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