All out, every down
Coach Mario Drayton brings energy, grit, and relentless effort to Northview football
Photo by Everett Baumann
Ansh Vigh, Sports Editor & Isha Patel, Staff Writer
The August sun beats down on Northview’s football field, heat rippling above the helmets like a mirage. Sweat streams down players and coaches alike as they run through plays back to back. At the center of it all is Northview’s first-year Head Coach Mario Drayton; crouching to adjust a lineman’s stance, clapping to fire up a receiver, sprinting downfield to reset a drill. Fresh from Ronald E. McNair High School in DeKalb County, Drayton isn’t just here to coach our students. He’s here to reform and improve our culture of grit, energy, and determination, one player at a time.
Drayton’s first head coaching experience came at McNair, a program that was struggling when he arrived, hitting a low of 28 players the year before he joined, in division AA. In just two years, Drayton brought the team membership to an all-time high of 85 players, making the playoffs, and bringing the school to Division 1 scouts.
“It was my first head coaching job,” Drayton said. “I got into it not knowing a lot about being a head coach, but it was very rewarding. I had to do a lot myself, and it helped me become a better mentor and father.”
Northview Football Head Coach Drayton previously led Ronald E. McNair High School in DeKalb County.
Photo: Mario Drayton
The move to Northview offered Drayton a chance to take the lessons he learned and build something new.
“I knew about Northview,” Drayton said. “When the job came open, I felt like it was time for a fresh start, somewhere I could create the atmosphere I wanted, the type of program I wanted to have.”
From his first day, Drayton made his energy the building blocks of his approach. He’s not interested in just maintaining the program; he wants to rejuvenate it.
“The interest in football here is great,” Drayton said, “but the excitement around the program should match that. That’s the biggest reason I feel like I’m here.”
Even with the team showing more early success than in previous years, Drayton emphasizes that this is about long-term growth, not short-term wins.
“I’m excited about the process; building a program, getting my feet wet in the school culture, and getting these kids excited about football,” Drayton said. “We may take lumps along the way, but every experience sets the foundation for where we want this program to go.”
His ideology is simple: compete at your best, every play. “We’re going to have a no-quit attitude. I don’t care about the score or who we’re playing. We’re going to go out there for 48 minutes and play as hard as we can,” Drayton said.
This mindset was evident during Northview’s 14-0 scrimmage victory against Johns Creek High School on Aug. 14. The team’s preparation and Drayton’s leadership paid off. The victory isn’t just a statistic; it’s a sign of progression and an indication that the team is starting to live up to his vision.
Scott Schwarzer, Northview’s athletic director and former head football coach, has observed Drayton’s methods firsthand. Schwarzer first met Drayton coaching against him three years ago and followed his progress at McNair.
“What he did at McNair High School is amazing,” Schwarzer said. “That program went from 15 kids to making the playoffs. He genuinely cares about kids and does things with a purpose.”
Schwarzer also understands the challenges Northview faces. Having led Northview for four years, Schwarzer knows what it takes to navigate the highs and lows of a competitive season.
“This is a tough job,” Schwarzer said. “We don’t have the same football kids some of the other schools do, but our kids work hard. With Coach Drayton, we hope to compete at a higher level, find more wins, and keep improving.”
Players notice the transformation too. Starting quarterback Drew Beane describes Drayton’s impact on the team culture.
“I love him. He’s brought energy, culture, and new coaches. The atmosphere around the program has improved tremendously; it’s like a whole new program,” Beane said.
Beane also highlights Drayton’s focus on character development. “He teaches us not just football, but how to be better people,” Beane says. “He wants us to improve, see improvements, and give our 110%. If we make a mistake, we make it up as fast as we can. That mentality is how we’re getting better.”
As the season moves forward, Drayton’s eyes remain on the bigger picture.
“This is a process, and involvement is necessary for everyone. The students, teachers, parents, we’re all setting the foundation for long-term success,” Drayton said.
Under Drayton’s guidance, Northview football is no longer just about Friday nights and scores. It’s about cultivating our energy, resilience, and dedication, not only on the field, but everywhere in the community. And if the win against Johns Creek is any indication, the program is on the rise, ready to play every down with everything they’ve got.
