By MCKENNA SIMMONS
News Sports Writer
Last Friday night, November 18, the Northview Chiefs defeated the Holmes County Blue Devils in the second round of the playoffs at home in Bratt. One step closer to the finish line, Northview will now advance to the Regional Championship, which will be hosted at their home again this Friday. The Chiefs’ record is currently 11-0, and they will be facing the Chipley Tigers, also 11-0. This one will be a game to remember as the two undefeated teams battle for a chance to make it to state.
Starting off the first quarter Friday night, the Blue Devils received the ball. Ready to bring the heat, the ball was turned over when Northview recovered a fumble. The Chiefs were not able to score during their first possession, so the ball was turned back over to the Blue Devils. They were quickly in the red zone, and they ended up scoring bringing the score to 7-0. Chiefs quarterback Kaden Odom received the ball on kickoff and ran it all the way down the field into the end zone scoring the first touchdown of the night for Northview. Brandon Ferguson’s extra point was good, and the score was tied at 7-7.
Odom started off the second quarter by running the ball into the end zone, and with another good kick, the Chiefs were up 14-7. Ready to combat, the Blue Devils scored. They went for a 2-point conversion, but John Michael Ward intercepted it, keeping the Chiefs up at 14-13. Odom ran it into the end-zone for his third time of the night, putting the Chiefs up 21-13, with the kick being good. Holmes County got the ball back, but Northview’s DJ Lyons recovered a fumble, turning the ball over to Northview again. The Blue Devils got the ball back, but were not able to score. Jamarkus Jefferson ran the ball in for the Chiefs, advancing their score even higher up to 28-13, with the extra point.
In the third quarter, Northview had the ball first, and Luke Bridges got a first down, but they were not able to score. The Blue Devils got the ball back and score, making the score even closer at 28-19. Odom ran the ball in for the Chiefs for his fourth and final time of the night making the score 34-19.
In the last quarter of the game, the Blue Devils scored, bringing the final score of the game to 34-26.
It was a close game for the Chiefs, but they still managed to pull through with the win. They are currently the only team in Escambia County, Florida as well as Escambia County, Alabama still in the playoffs.
“I feel like we started off slow and didn’t play our brand of football through the game,” Odom said. “I think the bye week got us too comfortable. A win is a win and I’m proud of our team for fighting to pull it out. It’s a one-game season right now, and we just have to win week by week!”
It’s been an outstanding season for the Chiefs thus far, and fans and coaches alike are excited to see where it goes, as they inch closer towards state. The whole community will be there this Friday night to support their Chiefs. The battle of these two undefeated teams is one you do not want to miss!