Northlake Christian School’s Wolverines are at home tonight hosting the Southern Lab Kittens. Tonight’s game kicks off at 7 o’clock at William Pitcher Field.

NCS (1-4, 0-1) tries to rebound after last week’s district opening 34-10 loss to Christian Life Academy.

Southern Lab (1-4, 0-2) lost to the Newman Greenies 39-29 last week. The Kittens turned the ball over five times in the 10-point loss.

NCS hosting Southern Lab in District 7-1A play

NCS won last year’s game 18-14. The Wolverines’ Kyle Mitchell had a strong game, rushing for 112 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns. He also completed a 40-yard halfback pass in last year’s game.

NCS second-year coach Rowland Skinner described Southern Lab as a young club just like his Wolverines.

“They have some inexperience, but at the same time they have a lot of talent. They have talented offensive skill position players to go with good size along the offensive line,” Skinner said.

“We are still concentrating on playing four quarters in a ball game. We have to learn to put together a full game. We are trying to become a more consistent football team,” Skinner added.

NCS freshman quarterback Tim Broussard completed 11-of-17 passes for 117 yards last week. He connected with Mitchell on a 30-yard scoring toss. Mitchell caught four passes for 108 yards.

Wolverines’ place kicker Kevin Pence kicked the extra point. He also clicked on an earlier 25-yard field goal. The Wolverines were unable to hold onto a 10-point lead, giving up 34 unanswered points to Christian Life.

Christian Life senior running back Shane Andrus worked his way through the NCS defense picking up 230 yards on 29 carries.

Wolverines’ defensive coordinator Tony Agresta said he is pleased with the development of his youthful sophomores on defense.

Sophomore linebacker Shawn Burst led the Wolverines’ defense last week with 16 tackles. Fellow sophomore linebacker Tyler Clark was credited with 11 tackles.

“Our sophomore corps of defensive players has done a good job. I’m proud of their effort,” Agresta said.

Agresta said Burst is really coming on. “Shawn is turning into one of the key leaders on our defense. He plays physical football. He is aggressive, and runs to the football extremely well,” the defensive coordinator added.

Three other sophomore defensive starters strong safety Derek Williams, nose guard Micah Agresta and Dylan Paquette have also made significant contributions.

Junior linebacker Carter Fitzgerald and junior defensive end Cody Jones were both in on eight tackles last week against Christian Life.

Agresta said Southern Lab is a speed-oriented team.

Southern Lab head coach Mike Roach is in his fifth year with the Kittens. He said his club is young with only four returning starters on offense and four on defense.

His club runs a spread offense with junior Brandon Patin (6-0, 170) calling signals. Junior running backs Derreck Taylor (5-10, 180) and Terrence White (5-10, 160) are the Kittens featured runners.

Defensively, Southern Lab runs a 4-3 defense. Senior defensive end Gary London (6-3, 240) is the Kittens’ leading tackler.

Roach said Northlake Christian is also a young team just like his club. They have a good young quarterback (Tim Broussard). I think he will be good in the future. We can’t mistakes,” Roach said.