2025 Preview: Northside Christian Crusaders

Northside Christian has been a program on the rise for the last four years under head coach Dean Howell.   And while last year was a success as they finished with a record of 10-2, it didn't end the way the Crusaders would've liked as they lost 35-21 in the second round of the playoffs to the eventual state champion in SCISA, Pinewood Prep.   Now as they begin to look ahead to 2025, they will have a lot of youth. But the optimism is high according to linebacker Kai Finkbeiner (pictured above).    “I believe we can be a great team in general. A lot of people don't believe in us. They're not saying any names. They don't believe in us because we lost a few of our players but all we got is all we need. That's what we can do. I believe in my team. I believe that we can do great. We play a lot of 4A and 5A schools as a small 3A school. I think we'll do great in general,” Finkbeiner told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Westwood on July 11.   The lines of scrimmage on both sides of the ball will consist of a duo of sophomores in Cason Veasey and Bowers Long and junior Will Brodie.   As the 2025 season approaches, Howell wants his team to focus on continual improvement.   “We want to continue to work and get better, and it's going to make a lot of difference, you know, who's playing best in October as opposed to who's playing best in August,” Howell said.   STARS SET TO SHINE   Hunter Peeler TE/DE, 2027 – Peeler played in 12 games in 2024, but saw limited touches as a receiver. We expect his production to pick up with the graduation of a large senior class. Peeler also plays on the defensive line.   Something he feels he can take to another level this year: “I want to be able to take my catching and run after the catch and especially with my speed, being able to hit hard, tackle.”   General expectations heading into 2025: “Just to keep fighting and keep working and get better because we have people who doubt us but we believe that we can compete with other people. I believe myself that we're capable of competing with every single team on our schedule.”   John Rogers LB/RB, 2026 – Rogers returns for his senior year as one of the leaders for the Crusaders defensively. He had 66 total tackles and 10 TFLs, and three pass breakups in 2024. He's been working to improve his pass coverage this offseason.   Improvements heading into 2025: “I've been working on my pass coverage because that's kind of the area I lacked in last year. I was a lot better against the run and we'd take me out a lot of passing downs but just overall, I think I've gotten a lot better (for) this year.”   Something he feels he can take to another level this year: “Definitely my blitzing, my pass rush game, my pass blocking.”   BJ Suits QB, 2027 – Suits returns for his junior season as the Crusaders' signal caller in 2025. Most of his production came via the run game, as he ran for 552 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. And it's something that he believes will be a big part of the offense to help elevate the play of his teammates.   Improvements heading into 2025: “I've been working on mechanics type of stuff, mainly. And just running routes with my receivers (and) trying to get them more accustomed to the offense because we've got a lot of young bucks this year so, a lot of it is going to be making sure they know the routes and what to run and that kind of stuff.”   General expectations heading into 2025: “I hold the team to a very high standard. I think we're going to do very well this year. But I also believe that nobody's perfect, right? So, I think we've got a lot of room to grow and get better but I look forward to seeing how we can surprise some people this year.”   KEY LOSSES   Sam Burks RB – Burks ran for 1132 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 113.2 yards per game. Filling the void as far as his production in the run game will be key for the Crusaders' offense in 2025.   Trevor Hoffman LB – Hoffman was a key component to the Crusaders' defense, leading the team with 153 tackles and 24 tackles for loss.   FILM REVIEW   Kai Finkbeiner LB/RB, 2027 – Finkbeiner had a great year as a sophomore, recording 77 total tackles and eight tackles for a loss. He also had four sacks and four pass breakups. He is aggressive at the point of attack and can plug up run lanes well and make tackles in the open field.   Click the link to view the video: <a href="https://share.qwikcut.com/674bb22db8d8f9a0e809542b/Northside%20Christian%20Academy">https://share.qwikcut.com/674bb22db8d8f9a0e809542b/Northside%20Christian%20Academy</a>   Improvements heading into 2025: “Something that I've been taking away that I think I should be working on in general is how I read plays at linebacker and how I can get better at reading the run. And just playing laterally in certain plays like screens and stuff. Just getting stronger, getting faster for my team.”   Something he feels he can take to another level this year: “My speed. I run a 4.7. I believe I can run faster than that. I play very fast laterally in general. In the game, it's just a different zone and stuff like that.”   UP AND COMING POTENTIAL   Gracen Wilson FB, 2027 – Wilson saw limited time as a sophomore and will have the opportunity to have an elevated role on the Crusaders' offense in 2025.    Alex Hoffman WR, 2027 – Hoffman is another young guy that Howell and the staff will be looking to contribute more in 2025.    Lindstam will be a junior on the defensive line and he will be one of the few veterans up front.

Northside Christian has been a program on the rise for the last four years under head coach Dean Howell.