Heartbreaking Homecoming For Northview Chiefs

October 25, 2008

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It was a heartbreaking homecoming for the Northview High School Chiefs Friday night in Bratt.

The Chiefs lost a district game to Vernon, 29-12.

For a complete photo gallery from the game, click here.

The Yellow Jackets faced first and 25 early in the game, but they gained the 25 and then some on a single play with a 58 yard touchdown run. A good kick, and the Yellow Jackets were up 7-0 with 8:54 to go in the first.

The Chiefs returned the kickoff to the 45 yard line on a

Jackson carried for another six yards before Yuhasz  scored on a 14-yard run with 4:56 to go in the first quarter. Austin Reid’s kick was blocked by Vernon, leaving the Yellow Jackets on top 7-6.

The Yellow Jackets returned the kick 43 yards before being forced out of bounds by Austin Reid. Ka’Daris Grice took down a Yellow Jacket behind the line to lost three yards for Vernon, setting up second and 14.  Seth Leonard helped take down a Vernon runner, putting the YJ’s at third and eight.

The next Yellow Jacket with the ball was stung by Lonnie Gardner and Grice, but he picked up a first down.

The third quarter ended with the Jackets still on top 7-6.

The Chiefs gained ground in the second quarter, but it was never enough for the “O” to cross the goal line. On one drive, Jackson picked up 15 yards to put the Chiefs at first and 10 on the 31. Chris Sheets then picked up a one-yard carry. Jackson picked up a first down, and  Holmes picked up yardage.

With 52 seconds to go in the half, the Yellow Jackets score again and picked up a good kick to expand their lead  to 14-6.

Jackson returned the kick to the 48 yard line to start the second half, first and 10 Chiefs. A Jackson to Austin Arrington pass was incomplete. With 36 seconds to go in the half, another Jackson pass attempt, this oneto Yuhasz, was also incomplete. Jackson carried on third down to make it fourth and two with third seconds left in the half. The Chiefs punting team went in, but Jackson took the ball up the middle.

The referees ruled the run short. Northview Head Coach Cody Keene called for a measurement, which he did not get. He called a timeout and called for a measurement again, but the referees refused his request to measure what was obviously within inches of being a first down.

The first half ended with the Yellow Jackets in possession. The score at the half: 14-6 Vernon.

A Chief’s fumble early in the second half was returned by a Yellow Jacket for another half dozen. A good kick, and Vernon was ahead 21-6 with 7:53 to go in the third.

Sheets returned the kick to the 40-yard line. Holmes picked up another first down for NHS. An encroachment call against Vernon made it first and five for the Chiefs. A Jackson carry put the Chiefs at second and three. Another Jackson carry, and the Chiefs were at third and two. Jackson was stopped short on the next play, bringing up fourth and two and a punt.

The Chief’s next drive ended with a Holmes touchdown with 2:30 to go in the third quarter.. Jackson was taken down in the backfield on the point after attempt, cutting Vernon’s lead to 21-12. And that’s where the third quarter ended.

With 2:11 left in the game, a Northview fumble was returned 80 yards by Verson for another TD. Their two point attempt was good, expanding the Vernon lead to 29-12.

Verson ran out most of the remaining time on the clock with their quarterback dropping to the knee for all four of their next downs. Northview got control of the ball for the last time with just 11 seconds on the clock.

Northview’s homecoming hopes ended with a 29-12 loss to Veron.

“I’m disappointed. I hate it for our kids. Hats off to Vernon; they did a better job than we did,” Head Coach Cody Keene said after the game. “They had a little better speed and tackling in the first half.”

“We’re a young football team. Got to keep working,” Keene said. “We have just got to get better.”

Northview is now 2-5, 1-2 in their district.

The Chiefs will be on the road Halloween night against Marianna.

For a complete photo gallery from the game, click here.

Pictured above: Jay Jackson (#25) picks up yardage against Vernon Friday night in Bratt with blocking help from Austin Cooper (#76) and Samuel Cooler (#67). Pictured below: Dustin Yuhasz (#4) with the ball. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

10 Responses to “Heartbreaking Homecoming For Northview Chiefs”

  1. Just Me on October 31st, 2008 10:20 am

    Jackson right,Jackson left,Jackson up the middle enuff said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. fan on October 28th, 2008 10:13 pm

    dude i was watching the game right.
    well i was looking at the new uniforms.
    they dont even match the cheerleaders or the band.
    COMEONN now think about it . does it make any sense??
    it looks like our girls are cheering for a diffrent team. (not the chiefs)

    well maybe the coaches are looking for a rude awakining…

  3. William on October 27th, 2008 8:23 pm

    Kevin:

    The homecoming events, homecoming court, cheerleaders and band were all covered in separate stories and photo galleries. Here’s a link to a story that has all links to all of them:

    http://www.northescambia.com/?p=4693

  4. Kevin Boughner on October 27th, 2008 8:17 pm

    hello, great football pictures how about the homecoming court and the floats the kids worked so hard on thats a big part of it. its not just a regular football game

  5. Chase on October 27th, 2008 1:52 pm

    Come on now 2-5 what a great season…..its time for a change in everything

  6. fan on October 27th, 2008 7:09 am

    I like the uniforms! It has nothing to do with Century or Ernest Ward, that is what is wrong with our program now, people do not know how to let go of the past and come together as a community. It is very obvious, just look out across the crowd during a ballgame. I have never seen so many people sitting during a ballgame. People we need to come together as a ommunity and forget the past, if we don’t what are we teaching our children? Go Chiefs! Hold your head up.

  7. Mary Ann Spence on October 26th, 2008 8:06 pm

    I loved the new uniforms. Chiefs never, ever, ever quit! Keep your heads up and keep that great spirit. Next year will be better.

  8. Concerned Fan on October 26th, 2008 7:01 pm

    The black uniforms are different; however, the results are the same: another loss. I thought the school colors were garnet and gold. What’s going on with the administration allowing this non-school color (black) being put in place? Is the Northview trying to become something that it is not? NHS looked more like West Florida Tech than a traditional Chief’s team.

  9. Concerned Native on October 26th, 2008 1:01 pm

    Love those Black Jerseys, maybe if we put a little more gold on them and a BLACKCAT on the shoulder we might get things going.

  10. Keith on October 26th, 2008 12:48 pm

    We have a lot to look forward to. We have a very young team this year. There is a lot of talent at Northview that will be moving up next year. It was great that so many kids got experience on varsity this year.Keep your heads up boys and do not be discouraged. You have a great coach know matter what the critics say. Just work hard and take responsibility for your assignments.Lets finish the season as best as we can and come out next year with a renewed DETERMINATION. God Bless !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!