High school football: If line steps up, watch out for Northridge

LAYTON — There might not be a team in the state that features as many dynamic skill-position players as the Northridge Knights.

So why isn't coach Erik Thompson rejoicing?

It's because his team's offensive line is a question mark, and will be without one of its top players until region play starts.

"I'd say that's (the skill players) the strength of the team," Thompson said. "Unfortunately, I think that's the least important part of football. Big guys are what win you the games."

The Knights have two solid returning players on the offensive line in Gavin Farr and Cody Harris. Farr is 6-foot-3, 245 pounds and plays with a mean streak. He is an intelligent player who makes all of the blocking calls for the line. Harris, Thompson believes, is the best lineman in northern Utah. The problem for the Knights is that Harris will probably miss Northridge's preseason games after suffering a major hip injury in the team's padded camp earlier this summer.

"He's the perfect high school lineman," Thompson said. "He's our strongest kid in every lift. He plays hard. He's as fast as our running backs."

The Knights have confidence in their linemen. They realize that outsiders aren't sure their line will hold up. And they're working those ideas to their advantage.

"Actually, it fires me up," Farr said. "It makes me want to work harder to prove them wrong."

If Northridge's line does perform well, watch out for the Knights. The team has a set of skill-position players who will take their fans' breath away.

Running back Peni Maka'afi has committed to BYU. He had 1,200 combined rushing and receiving yards as a junior. He's 5-11, 220 pounds and runs a 4.5 40. He was a first-team all-region pick last season, and he's a player that no safety or cornerback wants to attempt to tackle once he gets in the open field.

Receiver Chris Washington has been offered scholarships by both BYU and Utah. He is 6-2, 195 pounds, and athletic as they come in high school football. He'll be joined on the outside by Blake Smithing, who is fast and tough to bring down in the open field.

Junior Cole is the team's new starting quarterback. He is a strong player, and he'll be different from recent Northridge quarterbacks in that he is a running threat.

Because of Cole's abilities, as well as other personnel issues, the Knights will use more of a spread-oriented offense this season.