North Side has definitely had a fair share of hype around it in recent seasons, but it hasn’t translated to a considerable amount of on-field success, with the program having just a single winning campaign since 2013.
However, the talent on the Legends’ roster makes it possible that this year’s squad could echo or surpass Coach Ben Johnson’s 2022 squad that won eight games with a pair of close losses to Snider that began and ended the season.
A total of 14 starters are back, including eight on offense. While the underrated Tristen Newsome is gone at quarterback, 6-foot-3, 215-pound Jaydin Rivers steps in. A senior who started at Warren Central last year and at Bishop Noll in 2023, Rivers has the talent and experience to be a big-time weapon behind center.
And Rivers will have plenty of help. Newsome was the team’s leading rusher last year, but juniors Caleb Kiengele (744 yards, five TDs) and Markus Williams, as well as senior Jasean Early, who missed considerable time last season to injury, are all back. Kiengele is a three-year starter and will carry the load, but the other two are solid as well.
Maalik Moore is ultra-dangerous on the outside, and still just a junior. He amassed 39 receptions for 648 yards and 10 touchdowns last fall through the air. Senior Sebastian Moore and junior Omarion Waites are big targets who will see plenty of action.
What has largely held North Side back personnel wise in recent years has been depth up front. But that may not be the case this year. Multi-year starter Quincy Smith is back at tackle, with junior J’Sean Brown at the other tackle after starting in 2024. Junior Derrion Goodwin is an emerging star at center having already started two years and Micah Moore is back at guard. Juniors Braylen Smeltzer and Landen Davis are big, tall and can move in the interior.
North Side lost a pair of big-play guys on defense in edge James Early and linebacker Josh Masasu. Together, the duo last year combined for 26 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Add the eight sacks by fellow graduate Brandon Jenkins and the Legends have a lot to replace at or near the line of scrimmage.
A cast of juniors will be looked upon along the D-line – Leslie Woodson, Waites and Jamarcus Martin. They will be helped by returning starters at linebacker Jalen Jackson (32 tackles) and Quindale White (24 tackles).
The secondary is a strength, even with the departure of Jamari Pearson. Maalik Moore is as dangerous in the secondary as he is at wide receiver, having notched four picks a season ago. Damarquis Landers, Jasean Early, BJ Johnson and Sebastian Moore all have considerable playing time in the secondary.
Special teams is crucial, and junior Sofian Fakron is back to handle the kicking and punting duties.
Shakeup in the non-conference schedule and the rotation of the SAC slate sets things up well for North Side. Gone is Lawrence North, which was a tough matchup. Now, Coach Ben Johnson’s team opens with home games against Northridge and New Haven, followed by Northrop on the road and Concordia at Chambers Field in Week 4. North Side has a very good chance of starting the season 4-0 before a huge Week 5 showdown at Bishop Luers that could decide the “B” Division and give the winner the inside track on competing for the SAC title.
The Legends also avoid Carroll, which could be the top team in the league once again.
WHY #7?
Talent in bunches litters the North Side roster once again, but Coach Johnson’s growing comfort at the helm of the Legends may be the biggest advantage this team has. This is no longer someone learning on the job, but rather an ensconced head coach giving this program continuity.
The schedule is favorable, particularly early on, which should lend this team the ability to gain some momentum before heading into games against Bishop Luers, Homestead and Snider in the second half, not to mention the Totem Pole Game with South Side.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The drought without a sectional championship for North Side is now at 35 seasons. That’s a long time for a team that has had so much talent over the years.
The Legends are always dangerous, but they frequently seem to fall short of their true potential. Now in Year 5 at the helm, this is truly Coach Johnson’s team and is in his image. He would love nothing more than to end the sectional drought and prove the doubters wrong.
While an SAC crown would be nice, capturing a sectional title for the first time since 1990 would be sweeter.
CRUCIAL GAME
Week 5 at Bishop Luers
Much like the Knights’ crucial game was against the Legends, it is the same for North Side.
As mentioned above, this team could very well be 4-0 heading to Luersfield on Sept. 19. North Side has lost to Bishop Luers in each of the last two seasons, both by just two points. This could very well be an elimination game for SAC title contention.
CRITICAL PLAYER
WR/DB Maalik Moore, junior
Now a junior, Moore’s responsibilities will now include more of a leadership role. He will continue to turn heads on both sides of the ball and put up big numbers. Can he be a vocal guy in the huddle to keep teammates on task?
This North Side team, as most have been in recent years, is not short on talent. What it needs are leaders who hold their peers responsible. If Moore and others can deliver that, the Legends will be that much better.
Be the first to comment