By MEL PERKINS

Northgate will start the 2011 football season with a new head coach and a fresh new attitude, both directed at turning around a program that has struggled for several years.

Head coach T.J. Wiley and his staff are ushering in an energetic brand of football, a brand of football that appears to be deeply rooted in Wiley’s enthusiastic style of coaching.

He also brings a new coaching staff that carries a wealth of football knowledge.

"We are changing the culture of the Northgate football program, and we are only two months in," says Wiley, and his enthusiasm appears to be shared, given that the team will suit up 41 players for the start of the season.

The Flames had a very productive off-season, as they participated in several 7-on-7 team passing competitions. Furthermore, they had high participation rates in their off-season weight lifting program, and in their summer camp.

Wiley speaks highly of his players: "We have a tough and gritty group of kids, and that is what we expected from the Bellevue and Avalon community."

The kids are excited about football this year, and the feeling is contagious, as the community is abuzz about the start of football this year.

Northgate will run a spread offense that will be led by returning senior and quarterback Jon Girvin. Look for Girvin to target returning wide receiver Rob Jones (senior), who has a great set of hands, and with his size can pick up extra yards after the catch.

While much of the offense is tailored around Girvin's athleticism, fans will likely be impressed by the Flames' running back tandem of Cody Walter (junior) and Mack Quinn (junior). Walter will bring the speed and the flash from the slot back position, and Quinn will counter with a bruising style of power running between the tackles.

The Flames will run a 4 - 4 defense, and will rely on the speed and athleticism of their linebacker corps. Shutting it down on the inside will be Quinn and Jones. The outside linebackers -- Joden Rocco (junior), Brett Howell (freshman) and Jake Abernathy (senior) -- will be charged with the formidable task of protecting against the pass, and containing run offenses that feature the option.

The Flames are in their second season in the Class A Eastern Conference, and a few key match-ups this year will be games against Springdale, Avonworth and Canevin Catholic.

If you are not ready for some football, you had better get ready, because this year Northgate will be bringing an "in your face style of football" that is generating a lot of excitement.

The Flames open up the season next Friday against Our Lady of Sacred Heart (OLSH) at Robert Morris' Joe Walton Stadium.