NORTHWEST WHITFIELD BRUINS
Head coach: Josh Robinson (60-37 in eight years here and overall)
Returning starters: 5 offensive; 4 defensive
Key players: QB Owen Brooker (6-1, 185); WR/DB Matthew Redmond (5-8, 160); WR Ray Morrison (6-2, 180); LB Jordan McCamish (6-1, 195); LB Jake Fossett (6-1, 200); RB/DB Dominique Smith (5-9, 170).
Team strengths: Brooker was thrown into the fire as a freshman last season and more than held his own as both a passer and runner. In Redmond and Morrison, he has nice weapons who can keep drives alive with short catches or hurt teams deep. Fossett and McCamish keep intact the program’s reputation of having strong linebacking.
Team concerns: The defensive line took a hard hit via graduation and will feature several young but talented players. Much like last season, the Bruins will count on a committee of running backs, but Coach Robinson would like one to emerge as a leader.
Breakout candidate: Morrison could have the quickest rise. Robinson said of the receiver, “He can win over the top or underneath, and he’s the most naturally gifted athlete in our program.”
Season outlook: The 2019 season was expected to be a rebuilding project for Northwest, especially on offense, but only an eight-point loss to Heritage kept the Bruins from winning the region.
The quick progression of Brooker in coordinator Chad Fisher’s offense, coupled with a nice array of weapons around him, has folks in Tunnel Hill excited, including Robinson.
“With Owen in his second year and depth at receiver, the passing game has the potential to be explosive,” he said.
Redmond, a senior who has started since he was a freshman, is one of the most versatile players in the region. He has experience at quarterback, running back and receiver, and he is one of the team’s top defensive backs as well as the main returner and its punter.
“Matthew has been extremely consistent for us, and he’s one of those kids you just never want to come off the field,” Robinson said. “His experience, along with his dynamic playmaking ability and reliable hands, makes him very valuable.”
Northwest had one of the top defensive units in the region in 2019, but losses up front will force linebackers Fossett and McCamish and defensive backs Redmond, Keaton McQuaig, Smith and Damien Seritt to make even more plays this year.
Staff file photo / Northwest Whitfield quarterback Owen Brooker started as a freshman last season and used his right arm and his legs to make plays for the Bruins, who came close to winning a region title.