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The Northern Knights players heard the message loud and clear.

From day one this season, the team coaches emphasized a team-first and family mentality, and it paid off this past weekend when the Knights won a Six Rivers Conference AA youth football championship at Ferndale High School.

And they succeeded in their first year playing in the Six Rivers Conference.

“From day one, I told them if we wanted a chance to be a championship team, then we immediately need to embrace each other as family on and off the field,” head coach Mickey Torres said. “They bought in immediately.” 

The Knights faced off against McKinleyville in the championship game and capped a perfect 9-0 season with a 13-6 victory.

Mailia Her scored the winning touchdown on an 12-yard reception from quarterback Trae Florvilus to break a 6-6 tie with just five minutes remaining in a competitive and well-played game.

And that was enough for a dominant Knights defense that held a normally high-scoring McKinleyvile offense to just six points for the day.

“The defense stepped up massively,” Torres said.

Florvilus was hugely influential on both sides of the ball, much as he has been all season.

The young standout finished with eight tackles and an interception and was involved in both of his team’s TDs.

Earlier in the game, he opened the scoring on a 21-yard rushing TD to give the Knights a 6-0 lead.

McKinleyville, however, would battle back to tie the game in the third quarter before Her’s late score helped seal the win.

But it was the team-first mentality that really paved the way to success this season.

“They picked each other up, they encouraged each other,” Torres said. “They even encouraged the new players who’ve never played before. From day one, I said this team was special. I didn’t quite know what that meant until the season started playing out. 

“There’s no individuals on this team, we’re a family.”

And that meant there were several contributors on the team, including Florvilus, who stepped in at quarterback after an injury to another player in the preseason.

It was a move that paid huge dividends.

“Trae stepped in those shoes and really showed his capabilities as a dual threat quarterback,” the head coach said. “With him in that position, we were able to force the defense to decide whether to go after Trae or to stay back in coverage. He really flourished in that position and I’m incredibly proud of him.”

Ziyon Lewis also played a pivotal role all season on both lines and finished with around seven tackles on Sunday, according to the coaches, despite missing a quarter of the game because of an injury.

Check out the game-winning TD from Sunday’s game below …

“When he came back, he absolutely dominated,” Torres said.

Dash Millender also had a big year in the trenches.

“Dash was absolutely instrumental, especially on our offensive line this season,” the head coach said of the young lineman, who had “countless pancakes per game” and also scored two touchdowns on the season, one on offense and one on defense.

Wide receiver/linebacker Nu’u Tupua also appears to have a bright future in the game after a big season with the team.

“(He) is an absolute terror,” the coach said. “Not only was he a capable offensive player, he had multiple interceptions on the season.”

One of the younger players on the team was running back/linebacker Arik Anglin, who played beyond his years and was a key contributor all season, making multiple big gains on offense and pulling in an “amazing 22-yard one handed head top catch to convert a third and long situation,” the coach said.

“I wish I could say something about every player because every player on this team assisted in our accomplishment this year,” Torres added. “I tried to get them to embrace that family aspect and to pick each other up, and not just on the field but off the field as well.”

All of the players responded on a roster that also includes Rennell Gary, Cannon Renner, Dominic Robinette, Eli Ritchey, Zayden Miller, Connor Bowser, Emillio Zaragoza, Levi Tice, Elyas Manzi, Akai Judge, Chris Brown, Jonathan Antongiovanni, Jon Omey, Kutsu Saulque, Josiah Jamison, William Strohbin, Ayden Achane, Jameson Ybarra, Levi Pearlstein and Luca Maggio.

And it wasn’t just the players who contributed.

“The unsung heroes for the season would have to be the parents,” Torres added. “The parents were incredible. After coaching 13 seasons, this was one of the most pleasant experiences with parents I’ve had yet. 

“Not only did they trust in me and my coaching staff, they were quick to offer volunteer support, banner making, posters, you name it. I’m just so thankful for them and their flexibility, especially as this season is the Northern Knights’ first season.”

The coaching staff also included Frank Florvilus, Jon Omey, Matt Anglin, Scott Robinette, Ranell Gary and TeqKauri Achane, with the Knights Single-A coaches Toga Fonoti and Jordan Black also stepping in and helping out after their team’s season concluded.

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