Matt Weisker is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Northwest Christian School for AZPreps365.

PHOENIX– When glancing at the Northwest Christian Crusader sideline on Friday nights, any spectator will find many individuals with headsets. Two of these individuals seem to catch attendees' eyes.

One paces and calls out for substitutes on a given defensive package. The other does the same thing for the offense while communicating with receivers and quarterbacks.

They are father-son coaching duo head coach David Inness and offensive coordinator Drew Inness.

Before leading the Crusaders into the first round of the 4A playoffs against Walden Grove tonight, the Innesses have had quite a journey together.

David Inness began coaching his son Drew in tackle football during his seventh grade year at K-12 school Northwest Christian. He had coached him in other sports in previous years, such as Little League, flag football and soccer.

After a brief pause during Drew’s eighth grade year, David Inness coached the young quarterback all four years of high school at NWC.

In those four years, Drew amassed over 7,100 passing yards, 104 total touchdowns and 29 wins as a starter under center when he earned the role his sophomore year while coming off of winning the 2A state championship his freshman year.

After attending Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, to play baseball and football, Inness found himself back on campus as the quarterback’s coach, transitioning to offensive coordinator in the 2022-2023 school year.

In interviews with other outlets, David Inness stressed the importance of not bringing what happened on the field home during Drew’s playing career.

Doris Inness, the matriarch of the Inness household, said that the mindset has changed since the duo grabbed the headsets together.

“They talk about [football] every day,” Doris Inness said. “After the season ends, the next day, they’ll start talking about next year’s season and what they’re preparing for … [Drew] knows how much time his dad puts into it and he wants to make his dad proud.”

The former signal caller agrees while still taking in notes from his coach.

“I feel like I’m really blessed that we have such a good relationship,” Drew Inness said. “Watching him every day, [my dad’s] so selfless. He’s constantly doing stuff for the school or for the kids. He wants them to have the best experience and I’ve tried to embrace that it’s not about me at all.”

The elder Inness recalled a fond memory of their time together.

“We won a game against Yuma Catholic in three overtimes [in 2018],” David Inness said. “We didn’t have the lead until the last play of the game. His younger brother [former wide receiver Dustin Inness] caught the game-winner while [Drew] was on the sidelines coaching ... I just love having him out there.”

In practice, the duo remains tight-knit. The cohesion and mutual trust is evident.

Where David Inness brings the foundation of the team, Drew Inness’s play-calling brings the offense to new heights.

The father-son duo looks forward to competing not only in tonight's playoff game against Walden Grove in Sahuarita, but for years to come.