A Season of Renewal
North Valleys High School’s football program is entering a pivotal year after finishing the 2024 season with just five victories. The Panthers will return 13 starters, a significant portion of the lineup that struggled a year ago, and will do so with a renewed sense of purpose.
The most notable change comes at quarterback, where the team will no longer have all‑region standout Mikole Almond under center. Instead, senior Trenton Reyna, who completed 33 of 60 passes for 260 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions last season, has been named the starter. Coach Brad Rose believes Reyna’s familiarity with the offense will provide stability.
Alongside Reyna, wide receiver Jason Brodie returns as a senior and is expected to be a primary target. Defensive stalwarts such as Ben Morello, who led the team with five sacks and ranked third in tackles among juniors, will continue to anchor the defense while also seeing time on offense. Jayden Gonzalez, an all‑league player, will contribute both as a running back and a safety, adding versatility on both sides of the ball.
The Panthers’ schedule features matchups against traditional rivals including South Tahoe, Lowry, University Prep, McQueen, Douglas, Carson, Galena, Wooster, Hug and Reno. Each game will test the team’s depth, but the coaching staff sees the slate as an opportunity to build momentum early in the season.
Coach Brad Rose has emphasized that the combination of experience and competitive character will be the team’s greatest assets. With a healthy roster and a clearer understanding of each player’s role, the Panthers hope to improve on their offensive output, which averaged just 12.9 points per game last year, and to compete more effectively in the 4A North league.