Northampton head middle school football coach Mark Slivka understands the link of his team in the overall program.

Slivka’s team responded with an overall 7-2 mark this past season, and he won a championship in the NAA last season.

“Our teams have done pretty well the past few years,” said Slivka after the season ended, and who is in his 10th year coaching in the system. “I have been fortunate to have a coaching staff that has been together for a while.

“But we have all worked in the same system as the varsity, as their coaches have been very supportive. Northampton football is in an upswing. We are working to instill the same things in our players as (Northampton head) coach (Kyle) Haas is instilling in his players.

“We are just trying to help build a foundation. The middle school level teams have struggled recently, and we are doing what we can to make it better.”

Quarterback AJ Slivka and running back Tristen Pinnock served as team captains and guided the team throughout the season.

Running back Caden Henritzy also played a major role during the year.

Up front, linemen Colby Reph, Jacob Ladd, and Jacob Kohler helped clear the way. Zane Kessler also was a steady contributor.

“We have some kids who played a big role, but we really had a total team effort this past year,” added Slivka. “We have really played well together.

“The kids are hard workers and very coachable. They have seen what the varsity has done the past two years and they want to be part of it.”

Slivka sees the program benefiting from the local outlets as well as the Moore Township program, which was the runner-up in its league.

He also has seen benefits from a weight-training program, one that has been instilled throughout the year.

Slivka believed a convincing 32-0 preseason scrimmage over Easton set the tone for the season.

“We faced them (Easton) and they had 77 kids,” recalled Slivka. “We really took it to them. We knew we had some pretty special kids.

“We had a couple of tight games against Emmaus and Parkland and came up short. But our kids never gave up. We learned a lot as a team, and got better from it.”

The majority of his playmakers this past season will move on to the freshman team next year.

Yet, Slivka isn’t worried about a transition mainly due to the new culture continuously being created.

“The kids have bought into the system, and we are all on the same page,” said Slivka. “There is a change and it is getting better.

“There is a new kid in town with Northampton football on all levels, and people are finding that out.”