Pictured L-R: Northview & Bonita coaches Marcel Perez, Bo Beatty & Steve Bogan 

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

The most prudent path to a potential league championship and a deep playoff run is heavily dependent upon a challenging nonleague schedule.

And such is the case for the Northview and Bonita programs.

When NHS travels to BHS, they’ll bring a collective 10-1 record into their Thursday night showdown.

The Vikings (5-1) have yet to lose a game in California, and the Bearcats (5-0) return to play after last week’s bye.

They match up well statistically and both programs boast experienced, successful and respected coaching staffs.

Northview still runs the ball well, but the 2023 version of this offense is more balanced.

Erik Jimenez has thrown for 1,162 yards and nine TD’s, and the Vikings’ junior has been picked just once.

Angel Barraza and Keanu Tauvao make up a two-headed monster for the NHS ground game.

Barraza and Tauvao have rushed for a combined 1,285 yards and 21 TD’s.

And their star receiver, Dwayne Thompson has nearly twice as many yards as his closest Bonita counterpart.

Thompson has 36 receptions for 687 yards and 7 TD’s.

Bonita has arguably their deepest offense in at least five years.

Freshman Daniel Mielke is 71-of-111 for 1,094 yards through the first five games.

Mielke has tossed 11 TD’s to five separate receivers, and he’s been picked three times.

Northview holds a two-point lead in weekly scoring, as they average 40 points per game to Bonita’s 38.

Jayden Montenegro, Cole Parra and Noah Mikhail make up the Bearcats rushing attack.

The BHS trio have combined for 910 yards and 12 TD’s.

Ryder Cadam, Mikhail and Montenegro are Bonita’s top receivers, and they’ve totaled 57 catches for 836 yards and nine TD’s.

The Bonita defense has allowed an average of just 13 points per game, while Northview surrenders nearly 22 points each week.

Mikhail, who is arguably the SGV’s best athlete and certainly the most sought after by D-1 programs, leads both teams with 53 tackles.

Northview’s Barraza is having a tremendous season on both sides of the ball, and he leads the Vikings with 38 tackles.

Isaiah Lazarus and Dominic Avelar have three sacks apiece for the Bearcats defense, and Barraza leads NHS with three of his own.

BHS’ Jacob Maddox and NHS’ Matthew Martinez have three picks apiece to lead their respective programs.

The one common opponent is Monrovia.

And Bonita put up 56 points in a 35-point week-zero victory, while Northview scored 54 in a 19-point win in week four.

The kickoff is set for 7 at Bonita High School.

Quotable:

Northview coach, Marcel Perez: “We are doing well passing and our running game has been effective. We knew what we had coming back on offense and our offensive coordinator (Anthony Silva) put the pieces together well. Regarding Bonita, we tried to upgrade our preseason schedule against tough and well-coached opponents so we’re ready to go for league and the playoffs. (Bonita co-head coach Steve) Coach Bogan does a great job spreading the ball around and getting into multiple sets. We’ll need a sound defense and fly to the ball, because they’re a very talented team.”

Bonita co-head coach, Bo Beatty: “They’re the real deal. Marcel (Perez) is probably the best coach in the valley. We have nothing but respect for his staff, Their offensive coordinator, Coach Silva, does an amazing job of getting in and out of the wing-T. Northview is nearby and travels well and we get great support as well, so this will be an exciting game tomorrow night and it will help both programs going forward. We continue to be pleased by the effort and selflessness of our players. They play for one another and love each other.”

QB’s
Erik Jimenez (N): 62-of-93 for 1,162 yards, 9 TD’s & 1 INT
Daniel Mielke (B): 71-of-111 for 1,094 yards, 11 TD’s & 3 INT

RB’s:
Keanu Tauvao (N): 84-for-691 yards & 9 TD’s
Angel Barraza (N): 82-for-594 yards & 12 TD’s
Jayden Montenegro (B): 43-for-447 yards & 4 TD’s
Cole Parra (B): 35-for-266 yards & 4 TD’s
Noah Mikhail (B): 26-for-197 yards & 4 TD’s

Receivers:
Dwayne Thompson (N): 36-for-687 yards & 7 TD’s
Dylan Ochoa (N): 8-for-158 yards
Donovan Perez (N): 4-for-166 yards & 1 TD
Jayden Montenegro (B): 29-for-370 yards & 5 TD’s
Noah Mikhail (B): 16-for-210 yards & 2 TD’s
Ryder Cadam (B): 12-for-256 yards & 2 TD’s

Tackles:
Noah Mikhail (B) 53
Angel Barraza (N) 38
Byron Tovar (N) 36
Cole Parra (B) 33
Dominic Avelar (B) 33
Dylan Robinson (B) 25
Rudy Velazquez (N) 22

Sacks:
Angel Barraza (N) 3
Isaiah Lazarus (B) 3
Dominic Avelar (B) 3

Interceptions (more than one):
Matthew Martinez (N) 3
Jacob Maddox (B) 3
Juan Alcaraz (N) 2

By the Numbers:
Records: N (5-1); B (5-0)
Points Scored: N (242); B (190)
Points Allowed: N (134); B (66)
Points Scored Per Game: N (40); B (38)
Points Allowed Per Game: N (22); B (13)
Passing Yards Per Game: N (194); B (227)
Rushing Yards Per Game: N (245); B (197)
Total Offense (Yards) Per Game: N (439); B (424)
Northview’s Road Record:  (2-1)
Bonita’s Home Record: (1-0)
MaxPreps State Ranking: N (128); B (95)

Northview Schedule-Results:
8/17: Northview 41, Muir 6
8/25: Sierra Vista (Las Vegas) 34, Northview 26
9/1: Northview 49, South Hills 14
9/8: Northview 37, Covina 35
9/14: Northview 54, Monrovia 35
9/22: Northview 35, Harvard Westlake 10

Bonita Schedule-Results:
8/18: Bonita 56, Monrovia 21
8/25: Bonita 34, Ontario Christian 31
8/31: Bonita 44, La Salle 0
9/9: Bonita 28, San Dimas 0
9/15: Bonita 28, Los Osos 14