By MCKENNA SIMMONS
News Sports Writer
The Northview Chiefs stormed past the undefeated Chipley Tigers this past Friday night, Nov. 25, in Bratt, and they are now regional champs. They will advance deeper into the playoffs, as a final four team, inching even closer to the state title. The final score Friday night was 42-6
Starting off the first quarter, the Tigers received the ball on kick off. However, their possession did not last very long when Northview’s Jamarkus Jefferson intercepted the ball. With a solid pass to Wyatt Scruggs, the Chiefs had a first down early on in the first quarter. Jefferson ran it into the end zone for the first touchdown of the night. Unfortunately for the Chiefs their extra point attempt was not good, but they were up 6-0 in the first quarter.
On the next NHS possession, Kaden Odom passed it to Scruggs for first down into the red zone. Shortly after, Jefferson ran it into the end zone for another touchdown. With the extra point being good, the Chiefs were up 13-0.
In the second quarter, the Chiefs’ Luke Bridges received a good pass for a first down. Progressing closer to the end zone, Jefferson got a first down. Shortly after, the Chiefs scored, which made the score 20-0 with the good extra point. The Tigers gained possession of the ball, but Northview’s defense held them, and they were not able to score. When the Chiefs got the ball back, Odom ran the ball into the end zone for yet another touchdown, with yet another good kick, the score was 27-0 at half time.
After half time, the Chiefs scored again. With a good 2-point attempt, the Chiefs were up 35-0 early on in the third quarter. On defense, Maliki Haynes intercepted the ball from the Tigers, regaining possession for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs scored shortly after, making the score 42-0, with the extra point.
In the fourth quarter, the Tigers scored a touchdown; however their extra point attempt was not good.
The two undefeated teams came head to head Friday night, but Northview pulled out the win by a large margin.
Quarterback Kaden Odom said, “I’m just really proud of our guys. We came out with a killer mentality and trusted the game plan. We have a special group for sure. Before playing Chipley, people doubted us, and I think that just added fuel to the fire. We are OK with being the underdogs because it makes us want to prove ourselves to everyone even more.”
Jamarkus Jefferson said, “We came out and did what we had to do, and we didn’t let the long break distract us. We handled business, and we’re moving to the next round now.”
Luke Bridges added, “It was a game that the team really wanted, and we knew going in that we were the better team. We just had to come out strong and play like we have been all season, and that’s what we did.”
Next week the Chiefs will host Union County at their home stadium in Bratt. Fans from all over surrounding communities will be there to show their support for Northview, the reigning Region 1 Champions. This is the first time in 10 years, since last winning state, that they have held that title. Now in the final four, they are ready to make it across the finish line. The game starts at 7; make sure to be there, you will not want to miss it!