Northview HC Marcel Perez: Mid-Valley Division Coach of the Year
Back in August everybody knew about Paraclete, Pomona, Sierra Canyon and San Dimas. Even schools such as Montebello, Baldwin Park and Arroyo were being tossed around as serious contenders. Nobody was hearing much about Northview.
The Vikings had a freshman quarterback, lost some key defensive starters and had to compete with San Dimas and Covina in the Valle Vista League. Championship? Some thought this team would be grateful just to make the playoffs. Well Marcel Perez led them to the playoffs all right. In fact he nearly led them to the Mid-Valley Division Finals. Northview was up on Paraclete late in the fourth quarter in the semi finals before falling 15-12.
The Vikings won the Valle Vista League with a perfect 5-0 record after rolling through Mid-Valley Playoff teams Rosemead, Montebello and Baldwin Park in the non league schedule. San Dimas? They beat them 44-26. Northview finished 11-2 overall.
How did they do it? The freshman Steven Comstock grew up in a hurry and managed his team effectively while throwing for over 1400 yards in the process. Running backs Eli Grijalva, Alex Camacho and Andres Hooper combined for over 2900 yards on the ground. Defensively Northview was one of the most physical teams in the division and proved it by trading punches with legendary Paraclete throughout the contest.
Perez oversaw the entire operation, moving the pieces, calling the shots and putting the Vikings in a position to win the title. Perez might not be the most vocal guy in the world but he coaches the way he used to play – with a toughness that is hard to match. He shows up every day and works hard at improving each and every facet of his team’s game. San Dimas HC Bill Zernickow called him one of the toughest, best players he ever coached. Coaching with the same toughness Perez was the best coach in the Mid-Valley Division in 2014.
He is our Coach of the Year.
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