Northlake Christian opens district play tomorrow

Northlake Christian School’s Wolverines open District 7-1A play tomorrow night against the Christian Life Academy Crusaders on the road in Baton Rouge at Memorial Stadium with kickoff set for 7 o’clock. The Wolverines (1-3) face off against the Crusaders (3-1). Christian Life is ranked No. 10 in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll for Class 1A.

Christian Life defeated Desire Street Academy 23-19 last week. NCS tries to regroup from last week’s 24-0 loss to Class 2A Pope John Paul II.

NCS downed Christian Life 35-18 last year.

Christian Life’s Warren Capone is in his third-year as head coach. Christian Life runs a one-back offense with two wings. The Crusaders have eight returning starters on offense and nine on the defensive side of the ball.

“Northlake Christian is a scrappy group of guys, Capone said. “I’m impressed by what I see on film. It appears their numbers are down from last year. They are a well-coached team. I know they will give us a fight so we will have to be prepared, and come to play.”

Junior Kevin Wright (6-2, 190) is the Crusaders’ starting quarterback. Senior Shane Andrus (5-10, 175) is the Crusaders’ leading running back with 843 yards. He has seven rushing TDs and three receiving. He averages 7.3 yards per carry.

Senior Anton Smirnov and senior Gary Droze line up on the wings, and are an integral part of the Crusaders’ offense.

Senior offensive tackle/defensive end Dillon Farrell (6-3, 275) will be counted to play on both sides of the ball.

Senior middle linebacker Chris Hayes (5-11, 200) tops the Crusaders with 28 tackles and eight assists. Senior defensive tackle/linebacker Jabot Broussard helps solidify the defense. Senior free safety Vincent Wicker picked off two passes in last week’s victory over Desire Street Academy.

Senior Tevin Moton turned in his best performance of the season from rover back position.

Northlake’s offense struggled last week against PJP, committing four turnovers including three pass interceptions and a fumble. The Wolverines were limited to 129 yards of total offense.

Freshman quarterback Tim Broussard was held to 83 yards through the air with the Wolverines managing only 46 yards on the ground. The Wolverines’ defense gave up two touchdowns on halfback passes in last week’s loss.