Chemistry, confidence has Northridge football continuing climb

JOHNSTOWN — If Northridge football players have been late arriving home from team activities this summer, parents do not need to worry.

The Vikings cannot get enough football this summer. After qualifying for the Division VI postseason last fall, they return a large portion of their core and are on a mission to earn the program’s first winning season since 2017.

"We have insanely good chemistry," senior defensive end James Kalas said. "We will sit out in the parking lot after practices and talk for a half-hour or 45 minutes, just being friends, being guys, being a family. That will really translate out on the field."

Northridge graduated All-Ohio running back J.D. Miller and his nearly 1,300 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns and kicker Connor Everts, who made two game-winning field goals, but the Vikings return senior quarterback Lane Hess to play behind an experienced offensive line. The defense also is loaded with multi-year starters, who helped the Vikings beat Shenandoah for the first time in three attempts and rival Johnstown for the first time since 2005.

"There are a lot of games like the Shenandoah game and the Johnstown game that showed these things can be done. Our program can win games. That is a pushing factor to prove ourselves," Kalas said.

"Those games definitely fuel the fire," senior linebacker Brody Booher added.

Coach Tod King is the obvious change for a program on the rise. King replaces Jay Campbell, who bookended his five-year tenure with his two best seasons before leaving for Mount Vernon.

King finally is the boss for the first time after serving as an assistant at various schools since 1986. He was a part of Granville’s run to a Division III regional championship last fall.

"I've always had aspirations of being a head coach. It's always something that has been on my radar," King said. "Northridge gave me the opportunity, and I'm ready to go. It's a family, a network of all of the people coming together — the great assistants that are around the program, the parents that have jumped right in, the administration that has been wonderful. We are a community out here at Northridge, and I just glad they invited me in."

King steps into a program with an aforementioned defense ready to flourish. Kalas (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and classmates Luke Bennett (6-1, 191) and Cooper Kibler (6-2, 260) make for a formidable front. Sophomore Cameron Brannigan is a rising star at linebacker and joins experienced seniors Booher and Peyton Wheeler at linebacker.

"They are just hungry and ready," King said. "They are wide-eyed, taking in information and just want to be directed. They have been all in."

Hess, who also stars in the secondary with classmate Haedyn Parman, moved from the receiver to quarterback and ran for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns. The offense will change from a Wing-T to a spread, but his dual abilities will continue to be a focal point.

Kalas will be more of a pass-catching threat at tight end than last season, but he also provides an edge blocker for a line that also includes junior Winton Arter (6-3, 249). Wheeler will have opportunities to carry the ball, but not one person likely will be expected to replace Miller’s production.

“We look at their experience and what they can provide in key areas,” King said. “They are talking in practice, talking with their teammates at their positions and are helping right on the field. Their accountability and leadership is the biggest thing we need out of them.”

A small school needs contributions from players in each of the upper three grades, and Northridge should get that.

Junior Christian Ulrey will be a factor in the trenches, and classmates Josh Chestnut and Drew Bingham will be weapons in a more balanced offense. Sophomores lineman Jake Davis and receiver Ben Aamodt also are ready to emerge for a program that is surrounded by a buzz.

"Some of the freshmen, I am teaching them how to do things right," Booher said. "Even just giving them more confidence, knowing a senior is taking care of them, trying to help them will help them in the long run."

Northridge will open the regular season against East Knox and Fredericktown each at home where the Vikings were 4-1 in 2021. The biggest change on the slate is the return of two LCL crossover games.

The Vikings, however, are a confident bunch.

"There is a lot of unanswered questions, a lot of mystery with these new guys, but it's brought up the energy," Kalas said. "There is excitement definitely."

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

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At a Glance

Coach: Tod King

State Classification: Division V, Region 19

In 2021: 5-6, 3-2

Key players: Lane Hess, Sr., QB/DB. Cooper Kibler, Sr., OL/DL. James Kalas, Sr., TE/DL. Luke Bennett, Sr., OL/DL. Haedyn Parman, Sr., WR/DB. Brody Booher, Sr., WR/DB. Peyton Wheeler, Sr., RB/LB. Christian Ulrey, Jr., OL/DL. Cameron Brannigan, So., WR/LB.

What to expect: The Vikings will do things differently under new coach Tod King, but many of the faces under the helmets remain the same. Lane Hess is a talented quarterback working behind a line anchored by Luke Bennett and Cooper Kibler, and the defense should be a strength with multi-year starters James Kalas, Brody Booher and Peyton Wheeler in the front seven.

Game to watch: Week 2 vs. Fredericktown — The Vikings were just a step behind the Freddies in a 42-35 loss last season. A victory in the return game will be key for the Vikings as they prepare for a more difficult schedule .

Postseason outlook: The Vikings move back up to Division V, which will making a repeat trip to the postseason difficult as will the return of a Licking County League crossover game against Granville. They were 4-1 at home last season, and the opening two weeks against East Knox and Fredericktown will be critical.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Chemistry, confidence has Northridge Vikings football continuing climb