#25 Northgate Broncos Football Preview
Broncos are Looking for DVAL Title
By Chris Jackson Monday August 5, 2013
WALNUT CREEK-If anything is for sure, Northgate is looking to win the Diablo Valley
Athletic League this season, but do they have what it takes to compete with
Clayton Valley, who won the DVAL title last season?
The Broncos want nothing less than a DVAL title, but they first have to get past
league rivals Clayton Valley& Concord.
Head coach Justin Lowell looks to have a more run-oriented attack this season as they
return senior running back/linebacker Eric Haynes. Haynes rushed for 523 yards
and seven touchdowns as a junior. He looks to replace 1000 yard rusher Fisi
Tavake, who was one of the keys to the Broncos’ run to the NCS semifinals last year.
Kyle Austin is showing promise this summer at quarterback. Austin was the backup to
Joe Pelletier, who threw for 1292 yards last season. His main target this year
will be senior tight end Jake Smith, a 401 yard receiver last season.
Smith also looks to carry the load on defense at linebacker. As a junior, Smith was
one of the key players on the Northgate defense.
The only concern for the Broncos this season is the experience on their offensive
and defensive lines. They look to replace a majority of the line and hopefully
provide good pass and run blocking this season.
Defensively, Northgate looks sound this year. They have a strong linebacker core led by
seniors Eric Haynes, Nick Mastrelli and Jake Smith. All three are poised to lead
Northgate to a DVAL title, which is a realistic goal for them this season.
Before they can become the league champs this season, they need to get through a pretty
tough schedule. They face San Marin on September 6th, which features
one of the top quarterbacks in the area, Arizona State commit Manny Wilkins. The
following week they travel to Livermore, which isn’t exactly a walk in the park
either. Livermore features both strong offensive and defensive lines.
Northgate’s young defensive line needs to get past senior o-lineman Sam Ogee,
who currently holds an offer from Cal Poly. The Cowboys also have defensive end
Everett Powell, and Powell will be a tenacious opponent for the young Broncos’
offensive line to stop.
A matchup at Concord on October 18th will be challenging as well.
Northgate looks to be the favorite in that contest, but Concord is a resilient
team with great coaching and solid quarterbacks. Don’t expect Northgate to run
all over the Minutemen, but do expect a close contest.
Clayton Valley will be the Broncos’ most challenging opponent this season. Clayton
Valley may have lost 3000 yard rusher Joe Protheroe to Cal Poly, but they still
return a vast number of talented players. Northgate got squandered by the Eagles
last season in a 41-21 loss, which gave Clayton Valley the DVAL title. The
Broncos look to get revenge this season, and we will just have to see if that
revenge will come under the Friday Night Lights on Friday November 8th.
Northgate wants nothing less than a Diablo Valley Athletic League title. A berth to the
NCS Division 2 championship is another goal for the Broncos this season after
losing 30-17 to Rancho Cotate in the semifinals last season.
Top Players: RB/LB Eric Haynes, Sr.; TE/LB Jake Smith, Sr.
Key Losses: RB/DB Fisi Tavake; RB/LB Jimmy Sharpe; WR/DB Brandon Lee
Team Strengths: LB’s, Run game
Team Weaknesses: Inexperienced O-line & D-line
Last Season: 10-3 (4-1 DVAL, 2nd place), NCS Division 2 Semifinals
Schedule
8/30 @ Hayward
9/6 San Marin
9/13 @ Livermore
9/20 Las Lomas
9/27 @ Antioch
10/11 Mt. Diablo
10/18 @ Concord
10/25 @ Ygnacio Valley
11/1 College Park
11/8 Clayton Valley
WALNUT CREEK-If anything is for sure, Northgate is looking to win the Diablo Valley
Athletic League this season, but do they have what it takes to compete with
Clayton Valley, who won the DVAL title last season?
The Broncos want nothing less than a DVAL title, but they first have to get past
league rivals Clayton Valley& Concord.
Head coach Justin Lowell looks to have a more run-oriented attack this season as they
return senior running back/linebacker Eric Haynes. Haynes rushed for 523 yards
and seven touchdowns as a junior. He looks to replace 1000 yard rusher Fisi
Tavake, who was one of the keys to the Broncos’ run to the NCS semifinals last year.
Kyle Austin is showing promise this summer at quarterback. Austin was the backup to
Joe Pelletier, who threw for 1292 yards last season. His main target this year
will be senior tight end Jake Smith, a 401 yard receiver last season.
Smith also looks to carry the load on defense at linebacker. As a junior, Smith was
one of the key players on the Northgate defense.
The only concern for the Broncos this season is the experience on their offensive
and defensive lines. They look to replace a majority of the line and hopefully
provide good pass and run blocking this season.
Defensively, Northgate looks sound this year. They have a strong linebacker core led by
seniors Eric Haynes, Nick Mastrelli and Jake Smith. All three are poised to lead
Northgate to a DVAL title, which is a realistic goal for them this season.
Before they can become the league champs this season, they need to get through a pretty
tough schedule. They face San Marin on September 6th, which features
one of the top quarterbacks in the area, Arizona State commit Manny Wilkins. The
following week they travel to Livermore, which isn’t exactly a walk in the park
either. Livermore features both strong offensive and defensive lines.
Northgate’s young defensive line needs to get past senior o-lineman Sam Ogee,
who currently holds an offer from Cal Poly. The Cowboys also have defensive end
Everett Powell, and Powell will be a tenacious opponent for the young Broncos’
offensive line to stop.
A matchup at Concord on October 18th will be challenging as well.
Northgate looks to be the favorite in that contest, but Concord is a resilient
team with great coaching and solid quarterbacks. Don’t expect Northgate to run
all over the Minutemen, but do expect a close contest.
Clayton Valley will be the Broncos’ most challenging opponent this season. Clayton
Valley may have lost 3000 yard rusher Joe Protheroe to Cal Poly, but they still
return a vast number of talented players. Northgate got squandered by the Eagles
last season in a 41-21 loss, which gave Clayton Valley the DVAL title. The
Broncos look to get revenge this season, and we will just have to see if that
revenge will come under the Friday Night Lights on Friday November 8th.
Northgate wants nothing less than a Diablo Valley Athletic League title. A berth to the
NCS Division 2 championship is another goal for the Broncos this season after
losing 30-17 to Rancho Cotate in the semifinals last season.
Top Players: RB/LB Eric Haynes, Sr.; TE/LB Jake Smith, Sr.
Key Losses: RB/DB Fisi Tavake; RB/LB Jimmy Sharpe; WR/DB Brandon Lee
Team Strengths: LB’s, Run game
Team Weaknesses: Inexperienced O-line & D-line
Last Season: 10-3 (4-1 DVAL, 2nd place), NCS Division 2 Semifinals
Schedule
8/30 @ Hayward
9/6 San Marin
9/13 @ Livermore
9/20 Las Lomas
9/27 @ Antioch
10/11 Mt. Diablo
10/18 @ Concord
10/25 @ Ygnacio Valley
11/1 College Park
11/8 Clayton Valley
