April 29, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Northwood’s Arena, Cousar and Piazza earn All-CIF Division 12 football honors

Jaden Piazza of Northwood earned All-CIF honors. (Photos; Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Three Northwood football players have been named to the All-CIF Division 12 football team, according to first-year Coach Paige Nobles.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

“Today was a good day for three Northwood Timberwolves football players. Travis Arena, Xavier Cousar and Jaden Piazza were named to the 2019 All-CIF Team for Division 12,” Nobles said Saturday.

“Getting three players named to the All-CIF team means to me that my coaching staff did an amazing job getting these players ready for battle each week to dominate at their position. Im not only proud of my players but I am also so proud of my coaching staff.”

Arena was an outstanding receiver for the Timberwolves.

“The 2019 season was a great season for  Travis,” Nobles said. “Travis was co-offensive team MVP, first team All-PCL, and the holder of two Northwood reception records. Travis not only dominated in the Pacific Coast League but he also dominated in Division 12 being second in receiving yards, first in receptions, second in yards/game, and third in total yards.”

Cousar, the defensive MVP of the Pacific Coast League, was an outsanding lineman who according to Nobles was, “the most dominating defensive lineman the PCL and Division 12 has seen in a long time. Xavier’s 2019 season was cut short in week eight by a broken foot but that didn’t stop all the recognition this young man is receiving.

“Xavier was named the team’s MVP, defensive league MVP, one of the most feared defensive lineman in the Pacific Coast League, a 2019 North/South all-star player and now back to back All-CIF defensive team. I know I speak for my coaching staff when I say we will miss this young man tremendously on and off the football field.”

Piazza, the quarterback, was the leader of the offense.

“Jaden is another Northwood player that holds numerous school records, was named (Northwood’s) 2019 co-offensive MVP, and 2019 first team All-PCL,” Nobles said. “In Division 12, Jaden was eighth in passing yards, fourth in yards/game, second in completed passes, tied for first in passing attempts, and fourth in touchdown passes.

“As a staff we couldn’t be prouder of Jaden as he worked really hard this past season and it shows because Jaden is in the process trying to decide which school he will continue his education and playing at next year.”