TRIB TOTAL MEDIA • 125
DYLAN McWILLIAMS
NORTHGATE AIMS TO
END LOSING STREAK
Northgate had a young roster
last year when it struggled and
finished winless.
The Flames’ losing streak, which
dates to 2017, reached 24 games.
But hope flickers on the eve of a
new season.
“We’ve been young the last couple
years,” third-year coach Mike
Fulmore said. “We have had some
leadership issues, but we’ve made
improvements. I have more guys
who have played for me now than
guys who haven’t. This has been a
process. We’re trying to establish
a culture with continuity.”
Fulmore will turn to a junior
heavy class of two-year starters
to help the program turn a corner.
“This is their team,” he said of
the Class of 2022.
An experienced line returns
most of its key components, including
Vito Pascale (6-3, 220), Jake
Harrison, Leroy Wheeler, Israel
Sustayta (6-3, 260), Damion Pike
and Dylan McWilliams.
“McWilliams has worked so hard
in the offseason,” Fulmore said. “I
think he jumped two years ahead.”
At quarterback, the Flames will
look to junior Davonte Christie,
who played some under center last
year after taking most of the snaps
as a freshman.
“He’s a tough kid who is going
to give us everything he has,” Fulmore
said. “He’s spinning the ball
well this summer.”
Christie is a playmaker with his
feet, but he can’t go it alone, which
means junior Delvin Mitchell (6-2,
175) will be counted on as potential
pass catcher or rusher.
Fulmore is anxious to see what
sophomore Lewis Clark can do as
a slot receiver.
“The thing about Single-A is
that you look for guys with versatility
because you may move
them around,” the coach said. “We
want guys who can slide into any
position.”
Senior newcomer LeVar Green
could provide a boost in the backfield
since coming over from the
basketball team.
Sophomore Jaden Mitchell is
another one to watch.
Sealing up the defense was a
point of emphasis heading into
training camp. Last year, the
Flames surrendered 51.1 points
per game, the most in the WPIAL.
“Keeping the points off the
board is going to be a big key to
our success,” Fulmore said. “We
take ownership of (the points allowed),
and we know we have to
get those stops.”
Bundles of points on the wrong
side of the scoreboard only hinders
the custom of players ringing
the victory bell at Alumni Field in
Bellevue.
“We talk about pride, grit and
toughness,” Fulmore said. “If we
do the right things, the wins will
come.”
by BILL BECKNER JR.
Coach: Mike Fulmore
2019 record: 0-9, 0-7 in
Class A Big Seven Conference
All-time record: 205-225-7
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 Rochester* 7
9.18 Cornell* 7
9.25 at Union* 7
10.2 Fort Cherry* 7
10.9 Shenango* 7
10.17 at Burgettstown* 1:30
10.23 at OLSH* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Christian Davin*
104-231, 1,050 yards, 11 TDs
Receiving: Delvin Mitchell
43-494 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing: Jeff Roberts
34-94 yards
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• Northgate averaged just 12.1
points last season and rushed
for less than 200 yards as a
team.
• The Flames’ last win was
Sept. 22, 2017 when they defeated
Sto-Rox, 17-14, at Stone
Field in North Park.
• Fulmore added Northgate
alum Chris “Lucky” Lucas to
his coaching staff. Lucas was
the offensive coordinator at
North Catholic when the Trojans
won a PIAA title in 2013
when Fulmore’s son, P.J., was
the quarterback.
• The Flames are scheduled
to open Big Seven Conference
play at home against Rochester
on Sept. 11.
DAVONTE CHRISTIE
NORTHGATE • BIG 7