Aug. 9, 2025 – With a fresh roster and a determined mindset, Northpoint Christian head football coach Tyler Gold is embracing the challenge of rebuilding his team after graduating 26 seniors, a group that included 20 starters. Despite the turnover, Gold is optimistic, citing the squad’s coachability and commitment to daily improvement.
“These guys come in every day with a one percent better mindset,” Gold said. “They’re young, but they’re eager to learn and have no ego. That makes them incredibly coachable.”
The team recently returned from a recent bonding camp at Victory Ranch in Mecklenburg, Tennessee, where Northpoint players focused solely on football—no phones, no distractions. Gold emphasized the importance of cohesion, noting that teams who play as a unit often outperform more talented but less connected groups.
As he enters his seventh season at Northpoint Christian, Gold is tailoring his game plan to the strengths of his players. He aims to build a team that is “quick, physical, and aggressive,” with a focus on competing in every rep.
While replacing last year’s starters is no small feat, Gold isn’t trying to replicate the past. “You don’t replace kids like that—you highlight the strengths of the ones you have now,” he said. Among those expected to lead are senior running back Justin Henderson, who has started since his freshman year, and versatile veteran Brady Duff, who contributes on both sides of the ball. The quarterback position remains undecided, with scrimmages set to determine the starter.
Player safety is also top of mind. With rising temperatures, Gold has adjusted practice schedules to the evenings and follows state-mandated heat protocols. “Football isn’t forever—life is,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to protect our kids.”
Looking ahead, Gold expects his team to be competitive in a tough TSSAA Division II-AA district, led by perennial power Lausanne Collegiate, which Northpoint plays at the end of the regular season at home on Oct. 30. “We’ll face well-coached teams with college-level talent,” he said. “But I’m excited to see what this group can do.”
Northpoint is scheduled to take part in a jamboree at St. Benedict at Auburndale Aug. 15 ahead of the team’s regular season start the following Friday evening at the University School of Jackson (USJ).
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
