As they say in Arkansas, losing the 2010 Toledo Area Athletic Conference championship to Toledo Christian has stuck in Northwood's craw since last season.

The Rangers never forgot what it felt like to lose to the Eagles – and lose the TAAC title in the process.

“It was the biggest motivation we ever needed,” said Fletcher Isaacs, Northwood's talented free safety and split end. “The coaches were putting that in our heads, replaying that in our heads over and over again in the offseason. You always play one game at a time, but we did know that to get that (TAAC title) back we had to beat Toledo Christian. I wanted to win out and win a championship and get into the playoffs and take things from there.”

Northwood split end Fletcher Isaacs. (Press photo by Don Thompson/ picasaweb.google.com/donrachael)

The Rangers (8-1, 6-0 TAAC) clinched at least a share of their eighth conference title in the last 10 years with last week's impressive 49-9 win over Ottawa Hills. Northwood, which has lost just four of 61 TAAC games since joining the conference in 2000, can win the title outright this Friday with a victory over backyard rival Cardinal Stritch (2-7).

Coach Ken James' Rangers appear to be playoff-bound for the seventh time in the last 10 years. Northwood was rated fourth in the Division V, Region 18 computer ratings after nine weeks, and the top eight teams in the final computer ratings earn playoff berths.

“We have a good shot at a home game (in the first round),” James said. “Patrick Henry looks like a likely opponent. If the favorites win this week, we could be at home or on the road. It just depends.”

The 6-foot, 171-pound Isaacs has been a big reason for the Rangers' success this season. He went into the Stritch game leading the team with 12 catches for 261 yards and one touchdown, and he was tied for the team lead with four interceptions to go along with 27 tackles. He returned one interception more than 60 yards for a touchdown in Northwood's win over Delphos Jefferson.

“He's physical and he's an excellent open-field tackler,” James said. “As a blocker, he's physical. He'll get guys on the ground sometimes. He's been a big-play guy for us this year. He was a role player early in his career, but he's one of those guys who worked hard in the offseason and made himself a better athlete through hard work. He's put on about 15-20 pounds of muscle since his sophomore year and he's done a lot to make himself better.”

The fact that Isaacs is even playing at Northwood is nothing short of a miracle.

He grew up in Toledo and attended school in the Anthony Wayne district from grades 5-7. His family then moved to a small town in Arkansas called Warm Springs. Isaacs went to school about 15 minutes from home.

Isaacs' family moved to Northwood – his mother, Heidi, got a better paying job here – during his freshman year. What's the difference between living in Arkansas and Ohio?

“Besides the heat?” Isaacs said. “It's a lot hotter there than it is here. It's basically the same. People are just as nice there as they are here.”

Isaacs, 17, said he moved back to Ohio sporting a southern accent.

“I got teased a little bit about it,” he said. “It was just kidding around and stuff. It took me until the end of last year to get rid of it. I never knew I had one. I still say 'y'all.' I was kind of excited to move back here. I like the atmosphere here in Ohio and it was cool to get in touch with my old friends.”

As a receiver, Isaacs, who also returns kicks, spends a lot of time blocking in Northwood's triple-option offense. The Rangers are famous for preferring to run the ball down an opponent's throat rather than throwing the ball all over the field.

Isaacs had a “big” game last week, catching three passes for 62 yards against Ottawa Hills.

“Split end really isn't a glory position in our offense,” James said.

That's just fine with Isaacs, who can only dream of catching 60-70 passes in a season.

“It would be fun,” he said, “but I'm more worried about helping the team out and winning the championship and getting far in the playoffs. I'm more of a fan of defense anyway. I like taking the ball from the other team.”

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