Senior Seth Locke poses a dual threat while leading Northwood football team to 5-game winning streak

Northwood senior Seth Locke leads the Timberwolves into Friday’s game with Woodbridge.

Northwood senior Seth Locke has a knack for finding the end zone.

Locke has had a remarkable season, leading the upstart Timberwolves, who bring a 5-1 record and a five-game winning streak into Friday’s Pacific Coast League football game with Woodbridge at University. The Timberwolves are ranked seventh in this week;s CIF Division 12 poll.

“We just want to be the best we can be as a group and go as far as we can and not set things too high for ourselves but take it one game at a time and one day at a time,” Locke said.

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

Seth Locke has only been playing football for three years.
TIM BURT PHOTO

Seth Locke picks up yards in a game this year.

Seth Locke warms up before Friday's game against University.

Locke plays wide receiver and quarterback on offense and free safety and strong safety on defense and he’s come up with big play after after big play. Locke has thrown three touchdown passes, caught three touchdown passes, run for two and returned three interceptions for scores.  On the season, Locke has four interceptions.

“The beginning of the season we started off pretty strong,” Locke said. “We were 4-1 and lost to a good team Los Osos and the rest of the games just made us prepare for league and we came into league strong.

“I feel like we have a good group of seniors. The senior leadership is very strong and the coaching is always good. We have a great group of guys coaching us and they know what they’re talking about. They’re teaching us well.

“Were a family, we’re all close, we hang out at school, we hang out on the weekends and we just workout together.”

LOCKE SHOWS STRONG WORK ETHIC

Leading the charge is Locke, who Coach Pete Mitchell said works extremely hard every minute of practice and during games.

“Obviously, he’s a great athlete,” Mitchell said. “Offensively, defensively, special teams, he does it all. But more than that he’s been one of our leaders. He’s one of our captains and he does a great job. We have a lot of young kids up here. We have quite a few sophomores, and Seth gets on them. If they’re messing around or they’re not focused, Seth is all over them. What makes Seth a great ball player is he works so hard.

“A lot of times you get guys who are naturally gifted who don’t work so hard. When we play defense, he works hard in his coverages. He’s unbelievable. He’s done it all.”

Locke has quickly picked up the game he started playing just three years ago. Locke is more familiar with basketball. He started playing basketball when he was 10 and was a standout player with the Northwood basketball team which won the PCL title last year.

“My friends wanted me to play so I just joined and said, ‘why not?’ It’s a brotherhood and a family out here and everyone is together,” Locke said. “It’s fun, you get to go out every Friday night with the boys and have fun all night and do what you like to do, playing football.”

GAME AGAINST CERRITOS MEMORABLE

Locke has had plenty of big games. But it will be hard to top the one against Cerritos in which he had a hand in five touchdowns and two extra points in the Timberwolves 51-20 victory.  Locke hauled in three catches for 41 yards and completed both passes out of the Swinging Gate for 96 yards and two touchdowns. On the night, he had a touchdown run, one TD catch, two TD passes and an interception for a touchdown while helping the Timberwolves convert two PATs.

“I just have to give credit where credit is due,” he said. “My team did a great job. Everyone did what they were supposed to do. The line blocked for the quarterbacks, the receivers blocked and the coaching was great. They led us in the right direction and we did what we were supposed to do on the field.”

Locke then had two interceptions returns for touchdowns against University Friday night in the PCL opener.

“I was deep playing free safety like I usually do and reading the quarterback and I was able to read correctly and I was able to pick off the ball and take it to the house,” he said. “It’s the biggest adrenaline rush (scoring on defense). When you’re on defense and you get that pick, you have one shot to give it your all.”

Locke and wide receiver Luke Demaio are the co-captains of the team and help lead the squad.

“We keep track of the guys, making sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to and keeping everyone accountable,” he said. “It’s my duty to pass on my knowledge to the younger guys.”

BIGGEST GAME FRIDAY NIGHT

Locke and the Timberwolves are preparing this week for Woodbridge (3-3, 1-0), the pre-season favorite to win the league tiitle. The game takes on added significance for Locke, who said he started out at Woodbridge before transferring to Northwood his junior year for “some personal reasons.”

“I feel like this is our biggest game of the season, especially for me coming from Woodbridge,” Locke said. “I definitely want to go out there and show them what I can do and show them what they’re missing,” Locke said.

Basketball is around the corner for Locke, but for now, his focus is on football.

“Who knows, maybe if we go to CIF we can keep going. I don’t want to end any time soon,” Locke said.

Football could be in his future in college too.

“I’ve been playing basketball most of my life but this football stuff is getting pretty fun for me,” Locke said. “So who knows, maybe if I can find the right college, I can play football there.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone