Northwest Jaguars Look to Play with Honor
The Jaguars have even higher aspirations this year with several key returning players’ back, which has many believing they can contend for a championship in the 4A division.
Photo By: John Frank / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Hassan Dixon will carry the load for the Northwest offense returning as the team’s starting running back.
Photo By: John Frank / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
Defensively Northwest will be lead by senior and four year starter Ali Tolson who will man the defensive line.
Photo By: John Frank / GamedayMD.com | VIEW GALLERY
GERMANTOWN, MD - Like most coaches around the county, first year Head Coach Mark Maradei was well aware of the talent Northwest High School had returning for the 2009 football season. In 2008, Northwest was able to reach the playoffs despite struggling at points during the season.
The Jaguars have even higher aspirations this year with several key returning players' back, which has many believing they can contend for a championship in the 4A division.
Coach Maradei had spent time coaching at Rockville and Watkins Mill before taking over for Coach Andrew Fields this spring and was forced to take a leadership role right away under tragic circumstances.
Two horrible situations occurred within two weeks of each other this summer in the Northwest community, which has left some with a new found inspiration for the 2009 season. In late June, star senior running back Hassan Dixon lost his 12 year old sister, Shiane Dixon, in a car accident he and his mother were both in as well. Two weeks later rising junior football player Edwin "Dek" Miller collapsed during a summer workout and later passed away.
Coach Maradei had this to say on his blog www.northwestjaguars.com at the time of the tragedies, "During these tough times it is imperative that our bond and strength comes from within our Northwest Football Family and community. Believe and support each other. This too shall pass."
The players have rallied around the tragic events and are looking forward to a winning 2009 that can be dedicated to the two unfortunate people that lost their lives at such a young age and to the families that remain a part of the Northwest community.
Hassan Dixon will carry the load for the Northwest offense returning as the team's starting running back. Dixon is an elite talent that will make a run at all-county honors and could garner all-state consideration as well. What separates Dixon from most other running backs is his pure explosiveness both running away and through opposing tacklers.
He has plenty of support returning with senior three year starter Jarrhett Butler back under center to lead the athletic Northwest offense. Butler is adept at using his legs to attack defenses but carries a strong arm that will be used to keep defenses from crowding the line of scrimmage to stop Dixon.
Receiving the ball from Butler will be a pair of new starters Alieu Nyass and Javan Stewart who both have gotten off to a strong start this summer. Senior Tyler Gasaway will also see time and be a major contributor at the skill positions. Of this group Nyass may be the largest big play threat with his size, hands, and speed.
Defensively Northwest uses a 3-5 front that sports decent size and very good athleticism. The group will be lead by senior and four year starter Ali Tolson who will man the defensive line. Tolson will also contribute along the offensive line this year as he has contributed at tight end in the past.
Speed will be available all over at linebacker and at defensive back. Look for the Jaguars defense to attack offenses using their quickness to their advantage and not allow physical teams to come at them first.
5 Camp Observations
Motto
Head Coach Maradei has used the Motto, "Beyond Limits," to inspire his players this offseason. He wrote on his blog in late spring the following to explain the motto, "The difference between being a good team and a great team is taking care of the little things. Turning things in on time, showing up early, working to exhaustion to get better. So now my question is this "Do you want to be good or GREAT?" It's your choice. I'll work you to be great but ultimately you are responsible for the outcome."
Transfer
Northwest will have the addition of athletic transfer Tyler Dement from Thomas Johnson High School one county over. Dement has shown the ability to contribute right away and will see time at the skill positions on offense as well as make a contribution in the defensive backfield.
Schedule
Northwest will not only have to face the tough competition of the Montgomery 4A division, but will also play division 3A powers Seneca Valley and Quince Orchard High Schools. Both games fall in a three week period sandwiched around a solid Churchill team that just missed making the playoffs last season. The Jaguars will need to start off strong facing a tough, deep, week one opponent, Whitman, on the road.
Loss of Size
Off of the 2008 Northwest squad Coach Maradei's group will need to replace an awful lot of talented size. Tight end Marcus Whitfield 6'3" 225lbs now playing at University of Maryland, lineman Drew Cheripko 6'4" 250lbs still holds multiple division I offers while attending Hargrave Military Academy, and the largest of the group Brandon Myers 6'0" 310lb lineman now playing at Texas Southern University all departed off of last year's team. Senior Ali Tolson will lead a group not as large, that will need to play well in order for the Jaguars to play up to their potential.
Quarterback Experience
Very few teams can come into a season with a returning quarterback at the helm and even fewer can say that they have a three year starter returning under center, but that is exactly what Northwest has in senior Jarrhett Butler. Butler will be asked to lead the offense and very well may be the difference in a potential championship season.
Fellow backfield mate Hassan Dixon has gotten well deserved attention, but it will be Butler who will have to keep defenses honest with an inexperienced line and receiving group. How well Butler spreads the ball around to the highly athletic group will determine the Jaguars ultimate success in 2009.
