Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NAPPANEE - Tradition.
From the time they are little, boys from NorthWood dream of playing football for the Panthers.
"You grow up wanting to be on the football team," said Aaron Huber, senior tailback for the Panthers. "When you're little you come to the game with your family. Then at halftime you go play football with your friends. Your goal is to be out on the field playing some day."
"The tradition is so great here that you want to be a part of it," said Charlie Roeder, junior quarterback. "Everyone wants to be a part of it, they come to the games and really show a lot of support for the team."
"Football is always big here," said NorthWood coach Rich Dodson. "We have almost 80 seventh graders, 60 eighth graders, and 40 freshmen coming up. We have a great interest in football in this area."
Huber and Roeder are living out the dreams of hundreds of young NorthWood fans - they are playing for the Panthers and they are doing a good job of it.
Huber, who has rushed 158 times for 1,168 yards, is a state-ranked scoring leader.
"Huber is an intense, competitive football player," said Dodson. "He doesn't like to lose. He plays with intensity from start to finish."
Roeder has completed 86 passes for 1,428 yards to place him among the state leaders in passing.
"Roeder is a competitive player, but he does not have the same intensity as Huber," said Dodson. "He has a lot of potential. Charlie is a good leader; he can run and throw the football well. In his position, he must keep his composure; he can't show as much emotion as other players beacuse he needs to be the leader.
"Roeder is having a nice year, but he had a career season last year," said Dodson. "It's not as easy for him this year because other teams are watching him and putting more pressure on him."
Both Huber and Roeder have a family history in football, and they have fond memories of growing up with the Panther football tradition.
"I can remember going to state with my family when I was little," said Huber. "Then I knew I wanted to be a state champion."
"My brother (Andy Roeder) played here five years ago, but he hurt his leg - broke it - and it put him out for the rest of the season," said Roeder. "I think he wants me to do what he didn't get the chance to."
Huber and Roeder will get the chance to move one step closer to their goal of reaching the state championship tournament when they play against the Northridge Raiders tonight.
"You practice like you play, so we've been practicing hard for this game like we do all of our games," said Roeder. "We won't change our gameplan. We want to execute and play smart, that's the key to any win."
Although Northridge has only defeated NorthWood once since the teams have started playing each other, the Panthers are not taking the Raiders lightly.
"Northridge is going to play this game tough," said Huber. "Everybody plays NorthWood tough because everyone want to be able to say they beat NorthWood.
"Northridge runs a good option and they have a strong quarterback. I know Raatz made the All-Conference team. They'll try to surprise us, but they will definitely play tough."
As the postseason progresses, Huber feels a rising internal pressure to win and play with more intensity in each game.
"Last week against Angola was probably the most intense game so far," said Huber. "I know if I lose, I'm done playing high school football for the rest of my life.
"The games will get more intense as we keep going."
