Last year saw a renaissance of Northrop football. Long a pushover in the SAC and a non-factor in Class 6A, the program broke out of its two-decade slumber with an eight-win season that included a pair of victories over long-time nemesis Snider, as well as handing Bishop Dwenger its lone defeat of the conference season.
In a span of a year, the Bruins have gone from an underachieving program to a place where talent in the city is gravitating towards. And as we know, that momentum is worth a lot in this fickle city when it comes to where the talent ends up.
But is Northrop really back? Or was last year a one-hit wonder? With a new head coach in John Schaefer, it is up to him and a large contingent of returning coaches to make sure the Bruins don’t disappear as quick as they emerged.
It will be difficult to replace quarterback David Callison and his 2,911 yards passing and 28 touchdowns, but Northrop is going to do its best. Sophomore Jaelin Jackson saw some action in mop-up time a year ago. He is being challenged for QB1 by Carroll transfer Braydon Peppler. The junior has impressed coaches and teammates alike with his willingness to do whatever it takes to improve and help the team.
The entire backfield returns in terms of proven running backs, with the dynamic duo of seniors Kobe Reese (467 rushing yards, seven touchdowns) and Levi Portee (375 yards, seven TDs) expected to be leaned upon more in the offensive scheme with a new quarterback. Junior Robert Rembert IV (57 total touches, 330 yards, three touchdowns) is also dangerous out of the backfield and in the pass game.
Jerquaden Guilford is now at Ohio State, meaning 1,073 yards and 14 touchdowns needs replaced. Junior Maddox Weil is being highly recruited and is primed to surpass all of his receiving marks from last year, an impressive 58 catches for 968 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior Jaxson Robinson will see more touches as well. Northrop is really high on freshman Jaydin Haller, who may be raw but is already getting Division I interest and is a big play waiting to happen.
The offensive line returns two-way stud Camden Day, who will anchor the front. Junior Jayden Bryant at center will be a key cog in the Bruins’ machine.
Defensively, the headliner is University of Michigan commit Ifeanyi Emedobi. The edge is high on potential and will look to be a dominant force for Northrop in his senior campaign. A year ago, Emedobi amassed 50 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Overall, the top three tacklers from a year ago, including defensive leaders Dee Hogue, Donlaray Reese Jr. and Cornelius Jackson. Rembert IV will see time in the secondary, with seniors Dereyon Evans and Damarquis Landers needing to step up with the loss of playmakers Kamarii Underwood and Daveon Surry.
WHY #6?
Much like last year, there is a lot to like about Northrop in terms of talent and firepower. Weil and Emedobi are two of the best players at their positions in the country in their respective classes. Regardless of who is at QB1, there is weaponry aplenty in the backfield and on the outside.
There are some questions about the defense, but the front line should be very strong and can dictate what offenses are able to do.
With a new head coach, you never really know how a team will be different from one year to the next, but Coach Schaefer was on staff last year and knows this roster. There is no unfamiliarity there.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
One good year does not wipe away 20-plus years of mediocrity (at best). On paper, Northrop should be as good as it was a year ago with the roster it has. But there are unknowns, namely at QB1 and at the head coach spot. Coach Schaefer is a first-time head coach, so naturally eyes are going to be on him on how he handles being at the helm.
The non-conference schedule has been beefed up with a visit to Warsaw in Week 2, and regular-season games against North Side, Bishop Dwenger and Carroll are all on the road.
The Bruins are in “prove it” mode in the sense that they need to show they can be a constant presence in the SAC title conversation.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 3 at North Side
Northrop will open up SAC play with a big one on the road, at talent-rich North Side. A season ago, this victory was the first real indication that the Bruins were not the Bruins of old. With North Side expected to be better than a year ago, this will be a great barometer game to see just where Coach Schaefer’s team is.
This game won’t win or lose the SAC race, but it will give us a better feel on Northrop, and North Side, for that matter.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
QB1
Whether it is sophomore Jaelin Jackson or junior Braydon Peppler, the new starting quarterback will have big shoes to fill for Northrop.
The Bruins found themselves behind several times in big games a season ago, and it was David Callison who made plays in getting the ball in the hands of Northrop’s playmakers that helped the team emerge victorious. Guilford doesn’t do what he did to defenses last year if Callison wasn’t feeding him the ball. The same thing goes for guys like Weil and Robinson this season.
Close to 3,000 yards passing and 28 touchdowns, in addition to the leadership that Callison displayed, will be missed. The Bruins must identify an heir apparent and hope he runs with it.
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