By LIBBY PUGH
News Sportswriter
The 2020-2021 football season has come to an end for the Northview Chiefs. In the second round of the playoffs, the Chiefs played the Vernon Yellowjackets. After an early lead, the Yellowjackets were in the lead at the end of the night with a score of 34 to 19.
After the game, Head Coach Summerford commented, “It is always disappointing when you lose the last one. It makes it worse when you have a solid set of seniors. I have said it many times, I’m not sure I could hand pick better seniors to be my players in my inaugural season as head coach of the Chiefs. They are all different, but contributed all year. They will be missed.”
After an onside kick, the Yellowjackets recovered the ball and were in good field position to score. The Yellowjackets scored, but their 2-point attempt was no good. The Yellowjackets recovered the ball again after an onside kick, but the Chiefs defense stopped them on fourth down. The Chiefs then responded with a touchdown from Jayden Jackson. The extra point by Jamarkus Jefferson was good. On the kickoff, the Yellowjackets scored and were in for 2 extra points. On fourth down for the Chiefs, the Yellowjackets stopped them. The first quarter ended with a score of 14 to 7, the Yellowjackets in the lead.
To start the second quarter, the Yellowjackets were in for another touchdown and 2 extra points. The Chiefs responded with a touchdown from Jackson. The Yellowjackets scored again, but they were unsuccessful on their 2-point attempt. The Chiefs and the Yellowjackets were stopped by their opponents defense for a turnover on downs. The second quarter ended with an interception on the Chiefs drive and a score of 28 to 13, the Yellowjackets still in the lead.
The Tribal Beat band performed what ended up being their final show for the football season but provided entertainment for both sides.
The Chiefs came out after halftime looking for a lead. Senior Johnny Windham started the third quarter with a recovered fumble from the Yellowjackets. Although the momentum had shifted, the Chiefs were unable to get past the Yellowjackets defense and were forced to punt. The Yellowjackets were stopped by the Chiefs defense and the ball turned over on downs. The Chiefs looked for a long drive resulting in a touchdown, but their drive ended with an interception for the Yellowjackets. The Yellowjackets responded with a touchdown, but were not successful in getting the extra points. At the end of third quarter, the Yellowjackets were in the lead with a score of 34 to 13.
The last quarter of the night was filled with several plays by the Chiefs defense that changed the momentum, but the Chiefs offense was unable to get in scoring position on most of their drives. A fumble for the Yellowjackets was recovered by Windham, but the Chiefs ended their offensive drive with a turnover on downs. Logan Bryan intercepted a pass from the Yellowjackets quarterback, and Jefferson scored. The Chiefs opted to go for 2 extra points, but they were unsuccessful. Clayton Kittrell intercepted a pass for another Chiefs interception, but the offense for the Chiefs was unable to score in the final plays of the game. The Yellowjackets were able to win the game with a final score of 34 to 19.
“We have some young guys that got to watch the older guys, and it will be because of the leadership of the seniors that we get some special things done here at Northview,” Coach Summerford said. “I am beyond excited to see what these young guys can do!”
Although it is sad to say that the Chiefs have ended their football season, there are many more opportunities to get involved at Northview. It is always great to be a Chief!