TLN: New AD for Northwest athletics, Week 6 picks
The word leading up to Joel Johnson’s appointment as the Northwest ISD’s new athletic director suggested that it was a mere formality.
After all, the philosophy and processes left behind by new UIL AD Susan Elza worked so well that those in a position of authority didn’t want to fix what wasn’t broken.
Now, that’s not a knock against the rest of those who were finalists, or even Johnson. You still have to go out and convince the selection committee that you can lead a district that carries 186 coaches between three high schools and five middle schools. You also have to convince a committee that you can be the person who can lead a district that is destined to grow rapidly over the next decade.
Johnson did. He served two years under Elza as one of the two assistants. But he also carried athletic director experience. Before he joined Bill Patterson’s football staff at Northwest as offensive coordinator, he spent five seasons as both the head coach and athletic director in San Saba. The school board formally approved the 41-year-old Johnson on Sept. 14.
“I always knew I wanted to get into the administrative side,” Johnson said. “I enjoy it. This is a great opportunity. This is a dream job. The interaction with the coaches and giving them what they need to be successful is what I wanted to do.
“We have such a great blueprint because Susan’s passion and plan were unbelievable. My responsibility is to make sure we carry those things. Even though I’m so familiar with the NISD, there is still a lot watching, listening and observing I have to do.”
Johnson’s plate is already full. V.R. Eaton is open but it is still far from finished from a construction standpoint. There are more coaching positions that have to be filled. The turf and other amenities have to be added to the indoor practice facility.
It’s never too early to start thinking about realignment next February, either. School districts are about one month away from turning in their numbers to the UIL. As is stands, Eaton is carrying nearly 990 students (freshmen and sophomores). Take that figure and multiply it by two and that’s where Eaton will be. Depending on what cutoff the UIL sets for Class 6A, Eaton should be a 5A school.
There’s a strong possibility Justin Northwest will fall from 6A to 5A. Northwest took the biggest hit from losing students when Eaton opened. Byron Nelson should remain 6A. Then, it won’t be long before a fourth high school arrives.
“There’s no doubt it’s coming,” Johnson said. “How fast it gets here depends on what we’re seeing in the developments and people moving into the area. We just have to make sure that we keep everything moving in the direction so our programs will compete every year.”
As an aside, Johnson is looking for a new assistant AD to take his position. He hopes to have that named sometime in October. His goal is by the second board meeting on Oct. 26.
Now, to the picks. We enjoyed pretty solid showing last week. Everyone will be talking about the epic game between Byron Nelson and Keller Timber Creek for months, if not years. Colleyville Heritage has the bye this week.
Last week: 7-2
Season: 35-16
Birdville (0-4) at FW Eastern Hills (0-5, 0-1); 7 p.m. Thursday, Clark Stadium, Fort Worth: Following its bye, the Hawks likely had an opportunity to find out how they can right their defense. The Highlanders have not scored in 2015.
Prediction: Birdville 49, FW Eastern Hills 0
Keller Fossil Ridge (2-2, 1-0) vs. Keller Timber Creek (2-2, 1-0); 7 p.m. Thursday, Keller ISD Athletic Complex, Keller: You have to believe in Kevin Golden’s Falcons. What an amazing game in five overtimes. It was the game of the year in our area. They have a great running back in Braxton Washington. Fossil Ridge QB Bryce Baccarini returning makes such a difference for this program. This is the ultimate tossup.
Prediction: Keller Fossil Ridge 31, Keller Timber Creek 30
Keller (3-1, 0-1) vs. Keller Central (2-2, 0-1); 7 p.m. Friday, Keller ISD Athletic Complex, Keller: This is going to be a long week for each team’s defense, which surrendered 62 and 51 points respectively. Now, KISD rivalry games always summon emotions. Having said that, the Indians are the better team.
Prediction: Keller 32, Keller Central 21
Denton Ryan (4-0, 1-0) at Northwest Byron Nelson (2-2, 0-1); 7 p.m. Friday, Northwest ISD Stadium, Justin: The Raiders are quietly putting together a pretty good start. This program is learning how to win. Nelson head coach Brian Polk has to get his team back emotionally after a heartbreaking loss to Timber Creek. This is a pretty telling game for the Bobcats.
Prediction: Denton Ryan 31, Northwest Byron Nelson 27
Justin Northwest (0-4, 0-1) at Denton Guyer (4-0, 1-0); 7 p.m. Friday, C.H. Friday, Collins Complex, Denton: Guyer’s defense isn’t exactly a shutdown group. But Northwest’s frustrations are pretty evident. Guyer is going to have to help the Texans.
Prediction: Denton Guyer, 50, Justin Northwest 17
Carroll (3-1) at Coppell (3-2, 1-0); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Cowboys Stadium, Coppell: The renewal of a great rivalry. The intensity is unlike any other. While the Cowboys will be ready, the Dragons are battle-tested on the road. This is game No. 4 away from Southlake.
Prediction: Carroll 34, Coppell 25
Hurst L.D. Bell (0-5, 0-1) at Richland (2-3, 1-0); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Birdville Fine Arts and Athletics Complex, North Richland Hills: You don’t want to see any program struggle and face the possibility of a winless season. But the Blue Raiders have really struggled. The Rebels have some confidence and have the better QB in Jordan Wiley.
Prediction: Richland 28, L.D. Bell 20
Haltom (1-5, 0-1) at Euless Trinity (5-0, 1-0); 7:30 p.m. Friday, Pennington Field, Bedford: This is a total mismatch. You really have to feel for the Buffalos, who will come into this game hoping to show some good things. But they just do not have any answers against one of the most physical teams in all of Texas.
Prediction: Euless Trinity 55, Haltom 0
Grapevine (3-2, 0-1) at Fort Worth Poly (0-5, 0-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Handley Field, Fort Worth: As disappointing as last week was against Lake Dallas (a 17-7 loss), the Mustangs will find the perfect way to bounce back against the Parrots, who have scored only 34 points this year and are coming off consecutive shutouts. And I don’t think they’re going to score against Grapevine either.
Prediction: Grapevine 38, Fort Worth Poly 0
This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 12:17 PM with the headline "TLN: New AD for Northwest athletics, Week 6 picks."