By Tim Peterson
(Covina) – Last year Northview went 4-6 overall in the regular season but then kicked it into high gear and won four straight games to win the Division 10 CIF title culminating with a win over St. Anthony. The Vikings went on to beat Colony in a comeback victory in the First Round of the State Bowl before finally falling to Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco in the 4A State championship.
“Once we got everybody together on the field at the same time we were able to put it together. I knew we could do that once that happened and it did after the San Dimas game and into the playoffs,” said Northview head coach Marcel Perez.
It wasn’t easy but the Vikings got it done. Yes, that was the hard part, and no it doesn’t get easier. The task at hand now may be more difficult. The task of repeating.
“We’re here and getting ready. We can’t have two-a-days so we’ve been out here every day except Sunday,” Perez said Saturday morning as his team ran through drills. “We’ve been working hard all off season.”
Although defending the title is always tough the Vikings, with the talent they have returning, look ready for the challenge.
They won’t have to break in a new quarterback as they have James Arellanes III returning. “He’s been working hard all summer and has improved a lot from last year. He’s taken on a leadership role. He’s always been a good leader,” Perez said.
Arellanes will have a couple nice targets to throw to in Aaron Silva and Nathan Tome. Tome transferred in and Silva is a two-way starter who is expected to do big things this year.
The Vikings will employ a good a balance offensively as they incorporate the running attack as well. They did lose a couple of solid running backs to graduation but have some players ready to step in. Angel Barraza will be counted on to carry the load. Barraza, a junior, will play linebacker as well. Brother Julian Barraza suffered an ACL injury and missed last season but will be back for his senior season and is ready to play a big role.
The skill players should be well protected by the big boys up front. Center Noah Martinez, and O-lineman Daniel Santillan are both three-year starters and will anchor the offensive and defensive lines.
“He’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever met,” Perez said of Martinez.
Defensively Adrien Gonzales is another three-year starter and will lead the D from middle linebacker. Donovan Perez, Marcel Perez’ son, will play cornerback along with Dwayne Thompson and brother Deontray Thompson is expected to be ball hawking in the secondary as well. Adrien’s brother Vincent Gonzales is expected to make some noise on the D-Line as well as the O-Line.
The scene is set and the pieces are in place. Now it’s time to see what happens on the field. The Vikings will again face Los Altos, Diamond Ranch and San Dimas in the always competitive Valle Vista but they will earn their stripes in a very challenging non-league schedule. Take a look at this: At Muir, Charter Oak, South Hills, Covina, Cal, Sunny Hills, Bonita. The Vikes will then catch their breath and open league play at Los Altos October 14.
The stage is set and the Vikings are ready to dance. It all gets underway Friday August 19.
Cool but why the hype? Anything past D 5 is just JV TEAMS. Teams are really average Not hating either so don’t get butt hurt. I think he really means “enjoy it” because the likelihood it won’t happen for a long time. Hopefully some of those players continue for the love of the game.
Hater. Who exactly did they get demolished by? Oh and by the way, they beat Colony, the D-9 champ in the regional final. CIF Champs!!
Man, that was a fluke. They ain’t winning it again. That was once in a lifetime. Call me a hater all day but y’all know they benefited from being in a crap division. That team got demolished by local area teams. Enjoy it N-Town. Not gonna happen again.
From T. Peterson: Hater.