JOURNAL SPORTS
Every high school football team is optimistic this time of year, heading into the first scrimmage action of preseason.
Talk of playoffs, even trips to the Caesars Superdome to play in the LHSAA’s Prep Classic in December, is not unusual, even commonplace as coaches and players discuss
their expectations, whether or not they sniffed postseason a year ago.
The Northwood Falcons are not shying away from the trend. In fact, they may be setting the curve locally.
During the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl’s High School Football Media Day early this month, Falcons coach Austin Brown and seniors Michael Robertson and Justin “Champ” Thomas exuded a soft-spoken confidence about the destiny of the 2025 Falcons.
“We have a shot to be the best Northwood football team we’ve ever had,” said Brown, whose 2024 team went 10-2. “We’ve talked about handling business during the season, and the leadership and the hunger we’ve had from these two around me and the other seniors has really been something I haven’t been a part of. They’re extremely focused and driven to be the best team in Northwood history.”
There are a few secrets to their plan for success.
“This probably the most player-led team we’ve had,” said Thomas, “Coaches have been able to rely on the players to hold workouts ourselves this summer.”
And lots of those players are pulling double duty in the workouts. The Falcons, playing in Class 4A in the regular season but moved up to Select Division I to compete against 5A teams in the playoffs, will do something the big school teams avoid – putting plenty of players into dual roles on offense and defense.
“We’ve bought in for the last nine months, going both ways,” said Brown. “Everything we’ve got, we’re hanging it up on the table.”
Robertson, a center, relishes the opportunity.
“I’m real excited. I’ve played defense before I got to Northwood, but I’ve been better on the offensive line,” he said. “I’m glad I am getting the chance to play both ways.”
Thomas is equally delighted, eager to line up at receiver or running back along with pulling his standard duties in the secondary.
“It’s a pleasure to go out and be able to contribute on both sides of the ball for my team, for my brothers. We have a lot of guys who are going two ways, knowing this is what we want and what we’re working for,” he said.
The bond that has developed in the Northwood program goes past those wearing helmets and shoulder pads, said Brown.
“It’s not just them who are important parts of our football program. It’s their parents, their aunts, their uncles, it’s a family thing,” he said. “At Northwood it’s everybody on board. Both of these kids and their families embody that ideal.”
Northwood will open the season Sept. 5 at Benton.