Despite losing all of their Redwood Empire-Mountain League games and finishing the season with a 3-7 record, the Healdsburg Greyhound varsity team made their presence felt under first-year coach Criss Rosales.
“I believe we were able to bring life back to the program and to the community,” Rosales said. “Regardless of what the record says on paper, we were a very good football team this year and other coaches agree. We are a hungry team with a lot to prove.”
Nobody demonstrated that spirit, or hunger, like Nathaniel Rowland. The senior lineman won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, with five sacks, 4.3 tackles per game, and constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks and rushers, leading his coach to bubble over with enthusiasm.
“He is an animal. There are not many players who have the passion, motor and attitude that Nathaniel has,” Rosales said. “He truly is that player that a coach will talk about throughout their career and use him as an example. One of the greatest Greyhounds of all time.”
Quarterback Nova Perrill II also rated well among the all-league selections, made by the teams’ coaches. Runner-up for Offensive Player of the Year, he easily made the league’s second team. “He really was the driving force to our offense. I really put a lot on his shoulders with our offense,” Rosales said.
Other second-team honors went to running back Frank Rea, a sophomore this year. “The Healdsburg Greyhounds have always been known for having a monster running back lead the way, and I’m proud to say Frank Rea will carry the torch for us,” Rosales said, clearly looking forward to next year’s schedule.
Offensive lineman Isaiah Robles also rated a second-team selection, as did defensive lineman Leo Kluse and linebacker Max Morris.
“We have a lot of dogs returning next year, and there are a few young guys that will be on the varsity lineup that will be big-time play-makers for us next year,” said the coach. “We have just started our off-season program, and these kids have winning a league title in their sights.”
