SAFR Football Helmet Covers: Safer Through Science
 
PA Football News Scoreboard powered by Circle W Sports
 
Leading Edge Fundraising
 
 
Northgate huddles before taking the field against Keystone Oaks on Aug. 28, 2026 at Alumni Field in Bellevue, PA.
 

Flyin’ Flames: Northgate’s improved speed and physicality dominate Keystone Oaks

 
Tagged under: District 7, Game Photos-Videos, Gameday Hub, pfn

| August 29, 2026

After a 1-9 season, the Northgate Flames came into 2026 with nowhere to go but up, with many returning starters and a talented quarterback.

But considering the struggles of the 2025 Northgate Flames, to say that Friday night’s 35-13 win over the 2A Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles was a statement victory would be an understatement. The Flames led start to finish, going up 27-0 by halftime.

“You never know what to expect coming into that first game,” Northgate Head Coach Chris Lucas said. “The energy from these kids is just infectious. They are so fun to coach.”

Northgate elected to receive after winning the toss and took what the defense gave them on their opening drive. 2028 QB DJ Smith gained a lot of yardage on keepers up the middle all night and was efficient with short-yardage throws, giving his weapons plenty of yards-after-catch opportunities, which were taken advantage of. Smith got his first of 3 touchdowns on the night with a 10-yard run up the middle.

While the offense set the tone, the Northgate defense was lights out throughout. Keystone Oaks couldn’t get anything going in the passing game, and whatever run game they did find couldn’t stay consistent, often resulting in 3rd-down-and-long situations. 2027 WR/FS Johrdon Hairston began his big night with an interception on the Golden Eagles’ first drive.

The most impressive and encouraging aspect of the Flames’ performance was their ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball despite a clear size disadvantage, as well as their execution of fundamental tackling on defense.

“What I was most impressed with was our tackling,” Lucas emphasized. “That is something that we’ve struggled with. I was so proud of the way they got to the ball with intensity.”

After the defense got another stop to close the first quarter, Hairston caught the punt to start the second quarter on a bounce while colliding into fellow returner Billy Hurley before putting on the burners down the left sideline and taking it to the house for a 47-yard return for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked to keep the score 13-0.

A turnover from the Northgate offense due to a mishandled exchange on a handoff set the Keystone Oaks offense up inside the Flames’ 20-yard line with a great opportunity to get back into the game. After a questionable decision to pass on a 3rd-and-2, running back Brady McDine was met in the backfield on fourth down by a herd of Flames to force a turnover on downs.

“They [Keystone Oaks] were big up front,” Johrdon Hairston said. “But it didn’t matter because our hearts were bigger and we came to play.”

On the ensuing drive, DJ Smith would make his best play of the night to create a big-play touchdown. After maneuvering around a free rusher and rolling out right, Smith kept his eyes downfield to find 2028 WR/CB Samir King in stride, where he would outrace his defender down the right sideline for a 65-yard score.

The extra point by 2028 kicker Sam Stiteler, who also impressed taking over punting duties for the first time in his career, made it 20-0.

On another 3rd-and-long for Keystone Oaks, 2028 linemen Braylon Mosley and Romaro Clark invaded the pocket of QB Brody Kickler to force a strip sack, with the ball being recovered by Mosley. Two plays later, 2027 RB/CB Savian Baptiste would show off his track speed and bounce a carry to the outside for a 37-yard rushing touchdown.

After a stop and a score, along with a two-point conversion, the Flames had the game sealed by the middle of the third quarter with a 35-0 lead.

Coach Lucas, who coached his first game as interim after 3 years at the helm of Northgate from 2022-2024, wanted his team to enjoy the satisfaction of their Week 1 success while also keeping their focus on the tasks ahead.

“Tonight’s about enjoying it,” Lucas said about his team’s performance. “This [high school football] is the last bit of pure football some of these guys will play.”

“We talked about continuing what we did to get here. We can’t feel too good about ourselves. We’ll be 0-0 going into next week.”

According to Johrdon Hairston, the Flames (1-0, 0-0) will continue to have plenty of motivation going into next week, as Serra Catholic (0-1, 0-0) comes to Alumni Field for another Friday night kickoff at 7 p.m.

“We want to show the WPIAL that Northgate isn’t the same Northgate from last year.”

Photos by: Amir Worthy

 
 
PA Football News Scoreboard powered by Circle W Sports
 
Showcase by Circle W Sports
 
 
 
x