Northview Chiefs Win Regional Championship

November 27, 2010

The Northview Chiefs made school history Friday night as the only team to ever bring home a Regional title. And for the Chiefs, the victory was also sweet revenge over Freeport, the only team to beat the Chiefs this season.

In the Regional 1-A finals, Northview (11-1) defeated Freeport (9-3) 21-12 to advance to the state semi-finals next week in Jacksonville.

“I can’t put into words how proud I am of this group,” Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley said. “They went on the road to a tough place to play and a tough place to win. It was a huge win, a huge win for this football program.”

Less than a minute into the game at Freeport Stadium, Northview’s Taylor Martin picked off a Bulldog pass, returning it 35 yards. With a good kick from Lance Bushaw, the Chiefs held 7-0 lead with 11:12 to go in the first quarter.

“Taylor Martin’s interception was really, really big for us,” Wheatley said. “It was a really big boost for us and a good way to start a game.”

Freeport answered with a four-play, 70 yard drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs missed the extra point kick, and the Chiefs held a 7-6 lead at the end of the first.

In the second quarter, the Chiefs drove hard on 16 plays for 62 yards, all the way down to fourth and goal from the Freeport four. Roderick Woods, who ended the night with 80 yards on 17 carries,  plowed in for the touchdown. Bushaw put the pigskin through the uprights again, and the Chiefs held a 14-6 lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, La’Mikal Kyles was in the end zone in the fourth on a 43-yard dash through the Bulldog defense. Bushaw’s kick was once again good, and Northview was up 21-6 with 10:40 in the ballgame.

Freeport managed a two-yard touchdown run with 9:03 to go in the fourth.

Neither team could find the end zone on the following downs, and Northview sealed win with a big interception by Kyles with 1:49 remaining in the game. Kyles finished the game with 86 yards on a dozen carries.

“I thought we played extremely well on both sides of the ball. The defense made stops when we needed to, and the offense was able to produce enough points,” Wheatley said.

Northview will be on the road next week in the state semi-finals in Jacksonville to take on top-ranked Trinity Christian at 6:30 p.m. Central time. The winner of that game will be in the Class 1A state championship game in Orlando on December 10.

“It’s going to get tougher,” Wheatley said. “But we are in a routine, and we will continue to work to stand up to the challenge.”

Trinity Christian earned their trip to the semis with a 42-41 triple overtime win over Providence of Jacksonsville Friday night.

Pictured top: Northview defender Tyler Brooks closes in on the Bulldog’s quarterback Friday night in Freeport. Pictured top inset: La’Mikal Kyles scored a fourth quarter touchdown for the Chiefs in the fourth quarter. Pictured bottom inset: Taylor Martin returns an interception 35 years to put Northveiw on the board. Pictured below: The Chiefs score. Submitted photos and courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

66 Responses to “Northview Chiefs Win Regional Championship”

  1. FAN 74 on December 2nd, 2010 4:31 pm

    Northview,

    Hope all are safe in travel bothways. Please do not pay attentiion to folks saying they are related to TCA on here showing their ignorance. Football games are meant to be fun for all but some take it too far. Friday’s game will be a great one for all and both teams will walk away with great memories of this. Trust me as I made the trip to Freeport lastyear and had a great time with all the dump trucks. There is alot of great passion with football in North West Florida and it was great lastyear to see it out there. Hope all players are safe and stay injury free. Good luck to both sides.

  2. Chiefs Fan on December 2nd, 2010 1:28 pm

    Actually according to the FHSAA website Northview is not a runner up, but it in fact tied for first place. Therefore, NHS is a district co-champion! Freeport got homefield only because of its head to head win and no other reason.

  3. Trinity Christian on December 1st, 2010 3:44 pm

    Yuk yuk yuk,

    Like Northview fans need a reason to despise us. They hate all private schools up there since we are able to cull talent from a larger area.

    IF we combined with Bolles and Eagle’s View we would be the dominant sports force in the entire state, would pretty much be the ultimate roadblock(like it isn’t now?) in high school athletics.

    I am just telling it like it is, and is gonna be. Maybe the rural classificiation will save the money and expenditures to travel over here for those schools in the future.

    Northview has a quality team as their district runner-up, but they don’t have some of the best talent from the Jacksonville area.

    That isn’t their fault, but it is the deciding factor.

  4. TC on December 1st, 2010 12:19 pm

    To the comments made by “Trinity Christian” – I doubt you are really a Trinity Christian fan…. most likely a northview supporter providing some bulletin board material for Northview. Anyway, Northview fans… we sincerely look forward to having you guys come. Our coaching staff, fans and players realize it will be a hard fought game with two deserving teams that have won their way to this point in the season.

  5. Trinity Christian on December 1st, 2010 10:25 am

    Travel safe Northview Chiefs and Fans,

    Just over 48 hours left in your season.
    We pray for your safe journey so we can send another Panhandle team into their off-season, as we did Freeport last year.

    Pray our coach is merciful and plays the back-ups for most of the second half as he did against Freeport last year.

    At least this game should be closer than the 222-0 contest between Georgia Tech and Cumberland.

    It isn’t bragging if you are confident and know you can do it. One dimensional running teams stand little chance, but that is why we play the game.

    Welcome!

  6. TC on December 1st, 2010 10:16 am

    Keith – I appreciate your research about TCJax. However, before we read too much into who we beat or sucht, remember that according to MasseyRatings.com, TCJax’s schedule was #1 in difficulty among all 1A teams in the State. Currently, they have TCJax as the # 34 ranked team in the State regardless of class. Northview is currently #160. It’s a fun site, you should give it a look. Either way, I think it will be a great game Friday night and we are looking forward to you guys coming. I think it will be a close game with alot on the line for both teams. Have a great trip and see you guys Friday !

  7. Keith on November 29th, 2010 5:16 pm

    Trinity finished 8-2 on the regular season. The 2 losses were to 2A schools. 3 wins were over 1A schools that finished with below .500 records, 3 wins were over 1A schools that barely finished at .500. 1 win was over a 1A opponent with a 10-3 record. And 1 win was over a 3A team that just plain sucked.LOL Interesting facts.

  8. nhs cheerleaders sister on November 29th, 2010 4:09 pm

    And your suppose to be a christian school? Haha, you had me fooled.

  9. Keith on November 29th, 2010 4:08 pm

    To Trinity Fan,
    Thank you for the motivation ! And remember that pride always comes just before a fall !

  10. Trinity Christian on November 29th, 2010 3:42 pm

    Congratulations Northview!

    We welcome you to Jacksonville this week as your season comes to an end, as did Freeport’s last season.
    Enjoy the next few days as the Conquerors prepare to send you packing.

  11. William on November 29th, 2010 3:04 pm

    A spirit bus is available for the game:

    http://www.northescambia.com/?p=36766

  12. hatesmondays on November 29th, 2010 11:11 am

    Im so proud of yall! Way to spend our senior year, guys!
    @ Jacinda-auburn & alabama has NOTHING to do with the chiefs, your crazy.

  13. centuryboy on November 29th, 2010 6:21 am

    @jimmy: 11:30 doesnt has anything to do with the 11th hour. It has nun to do with the time. It has sum to do with defense. It means 11 players on the field and 3 plays and 0UT. I was there when Coach Keene came up with that in 2005.

  14. rc on November 29th, 2010 2:17 am

    To Jimmy what the nhs cheerleader said about 11:30 is exactly what it meant I asked Coach Keene what it meant back when he was here and that is what he told me it meant it was a defensive thing

  15. NHS on November 28th, 2010 9:01 pm

    Those talking about the bus; why don’t YOU be the ones to organize it!

  16. jimmy on November 28th, 2010 8:53 pm

    to NHS cheerleader and anyone else wanting to know what 11:30 means…..
    we all know the expression ” the 11th hour” well coach Keen came up with the “what time is it…….11:30″ chant that means you go play like it is half way through the 11th hour. simply put, you play like it is crunch time, all the time. you play hard, you play serious. you play like it is 11:30. it is a modification on the eleventh hour.
    has nothing to do with players and downs and mistakes…….

  17. Amanda Sellars on November 28th, 2010 7:25 pm

    I think the bus would be a great idea. The school that NHS is going to beat on Friday is only 30 minutes from Jacksonville University where both John and I go to college. We will be there to support our Chiefs!

  18. grad on November 28th, 2010 2:15 pm

    I agree about the spirit bus!! I think a lot of parents and people from the community would be interested! I know several that would.

  19. chief fan on November 28th, 2010 12:53 pm

    anyone planning to organize a spirit bus? there just might be a lot of people who would like to go to the game, but not spend $ on a hotel, nor want to drive home so late. i’d be interested.

  20. Keith on November 28th, 2010 12:38 pm

    Yo C,
    According to the FHSAA class 1A playoff brackets that I have on my fridge, We are part of the final four. Jax Vs Northview and American Heritage Vs Ft Meade and the winners will duke it out in Orlando for the Class 1A championship! You can go to Max Preps and click on Florida then click on Football then click Class 1A . It will give you a list of all 50 teams in class 1A . Some have up to date stats and others have none. Trinity has updated stats for offense and defense. I have heard of their QB having over 3000 yards passing on the season, turns out its just a fairy tale.

  21. William on November 28th, 2010 11:11 am

    NHS CHEERLEADERS wrote “Can anyone figure out what TCA’s mascot is?”

    Conquerors.

    Logo looks like this:

    http://www.northescambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/tc.jpg

    I don’t think there is an animal mascot or anything, although I could find a few things that had like a Greek warrior helmet. The “TC” logo above is what they have on their helmets and spirit flag. They use blue and white as their colors.

    The school is operated by a Baptist church. They use Bible verses on the signs for the spirit line run though. “The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied” from Prov. 13:4 is what they used last week.

    Go here and you can see photos from their game last week:

    http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/category.asp?eventID=1124398&CategoryID=57820

  22. NHS CHEERLEADERS on November 28th, 2010 10:45 am

    Can anyone figure out what TCA’s mascot is?

  23. C on November 28th, 2010 10:42 am

    To Jacinda: Alabama was undefeated & National Champions last year, and northview didn’t go too far? College football has no affect on the Northview HIGH SCHOOL chiefs! They get what they deserve, these boys have worked hard for it, so they deserve the rewards! Way to go Chiefs! We couldn’t be more proud of you..
    Let’s go to Jacksonville. and show TCA how the REGIONAL champs work! We’re in the “Elite 8″ Which means their are 8 more teams still in the running for state champs!
    So let’s make it down to the Final four.
    And let’s bring that title home!
    <3OURCHIEFS

  24. Virginia Chiefs Fan on November 28th, 2010 8:16 am

    I remember when 11:30 was born it was my senior year that was another good year for the chiefs. lol I also remember the chipley refs running off the field. I’m glad to see that all though the boys have to play away they are still winning

  25. Jacinda on November 28th, 2010 3:15 am

    I love my home team CHIEFS!!!!!! Always have and always will! I sure wish I could go support my Chiefs Friday. I believe we need more home games. You know it’s odd that Northview has come this far this year. When Auburn is having a good year, so does Northview. When Alabama has a good year, Northview doesn’t. Maybe it’s just me. Just something to think about. I’ll never forget Coach Williams and how our team kept it together and made it to district. I’ll never forget our star player of that year Oneill Dubose. Awesome player Oneill. Let’s win this next game in honor of Coach Williams. May he rest in peace. What do you say Chiefs? I know you can do it.

  26. nhs cheeerleader! on November 28th, 2010 12:03 am

    Great job boys! This has beeen such a great year! Be humble and dont get big heads! We can do this next weeek!

    To Bama: 11:30 means 11 players on the field, 3 downs, and 0 mistakes.

  27. Brenda Garrett-McCall on November 27th, 2010 8:20 pm

    Way to go CHIEFS!!!!!! Man was it COLD, but you guys made it well worth it. All of you and the coaching staff did an outstanding job. The football players looked great, the cheerleaders, the band, and the chief fans sounded great…….but all I can say about the refs is….they SUCKED!!!! Can’t wait to take the road trip next Friday.
    GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!

  28. Bama on November 27th, 2010 4:48 pm

    what does 11:30 mean??

  29. Keith on November 27th, 2010 3:36 pm

    Working on the game hi-lites. Will have them up asap!

  30. Keith on November 27th, 2010 3:34 pm

    Max Preps released their prediction for the Northview Vs Trinity game and they say it will be Trinity 38 – Northview 30. Trinity isn’t laying a hit on anyone. Our Chiefs are the ones bringing the hits! Max Preps doesn’t just predict the games, they analyze the seasons and stats for each team ,Then they determine their prediction. Our boys will not go down easy if they go down at all ! Lets Go Chiefs !!!!!!!

  31. DC on November 27th, 2010 3:16 pm

    Thanks for putting Northview on the map…and congrats on a great win…”GOAT CHEESE”

  32. stuart on November 27th, 2010 12:47 pm

    War Chiefs!!!!

  33. kelly on November 27th, 2010 11:24 am

    Go chiefs!!!!!!!! I can’t belive you guys won the championship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  34. Virginia Chiefs Fan on November 27th, 2010 11:05 am

    I LOVE MY CHIEFS. you make me proud to have been a chief. Remember Boys that no matter what happens you have a fans across the country that love you. and now thanks to William we can in some way still feel part of it all. now boys go give Trinity Christian hell and bring the state championship home to the hall of NHS you’ll deserve it. GO CHIEFS

    @bob remember the saying you learned in school “if you cant say anything nice DON’T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.” so do all of us a favor and shut up. the bulldogs knew their “star” player would be to old to play during playoff season so they should have prepared just like our boys do. a team should never rely on ONE person.

  35. #1 Fan (: on November 27th, 2010 10:46 am

    I love how Freeport talks all this smack and then we make the drive to come all the way up there and all they have to come up with is excuses. Well I support them chiefs either way it goes because they practice everyday to acheive what they want to happen and we as supporters need to boost them and let them know that we are here for them..! I LOVE ME SOME CHIEFS AND WARR EAGLEE!

  36. L on November 27th, 2010 9:46 am

    bob,

    just shutup.

  37. Angi B. on November 27th, 2010 9:29 am

    Congratulations on you Big Win Chiefs, WTG!

  38. SARA KYLES:) on November 27th, 2010 8:52 am

    GOOD JOB CHIEFS, I KNEW YALL COULD DO IT…. KEEP IT UP && KNW THAT EVERY1 IS BEHIND YALL 100%, DNT WORRY ABOUT NOTHIN ELSE, SO STAY STRONG && YALL WILL MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!!!!! CONGRATS TO MY NEPHEW LA’ MIKAL KYLES, HE DID DAT LAST NITE!!!

  39. jimmy on November 27th, 2010 7:54 am

    this could be the year to make the record books! I think it has been 31 years since Ernest Ward won the state Championship. lets enjoy some more home grown pride and win the big one!

  40. jimmy on November 27th, 2010 7:51 am

    This win is great and this season is making history for the school. these kids need to know there is still more to life than football. what would be most impressing is if the team all carried a 3.0 GPA! i can enjoy this as much as the next person but do not want the players to think everything works like this. they still need to be prepared for life. to end on a positive note I would enjoy seeing a win on the road next week and a spot in the state championship. good luck team.

  41. chief on November 27th, 2010 6:32 am

    Coach Wheatley, everyone says you are a great baseball coach… and you are. Last night you proved you and your assistants are great football coaches. This is first for NHS and you can be so proud! Way to lead these boys to this victory! Go Chiefs! and good luck next week in Jacksonville.

  42. Class of 02 on November 27th, 2010 2:56 am

    Way to go Chiefs! Over my 4 years at NHS we made some marks in the record book, but you guys have stepped ahead of highest level! Be proud of your performance this season, and Godbless each you! Goodluck in Jacksonville!!!!

  43. Melissa on November 27th, 2010 1:05 am

    Chiefs you played another AWESOME game!! Let’s do it again next week!!

  44. Christina on November 27th, 2010 12:29 am

    Gez Bob, you’re suppose to show support and back the Chiefs up, not try and get them down. But that’s okay, we can’t expect everyone to be behind us 100%, there will always be those who doubt us. But we don’t need your “fine words of encouragement”, we have our own spirit and pride that no one can take away. GO CHIEFS! YOU CAN DO IT! You all did great tonight, keep it up!
    And I’m proud of you Dustin! #4 <3

  45. Lisa & James on November 26th, 2010 11:21 pm

    Way to go Chiefs! Congratulations!

  46. arw on November 26th, 2010 10:35 pm

    go chiefs

  47. Bama on November 26th, 2010 10:08 pm

    to Bob…he is NOT their star running back…he is NOT on the team, he is an ADULT and too old to play HS football…

  48. Most school spirit on November 26th, 2010 10:07 pm

    this is the best year EVER!!!

  49. Cheerleader Momma on November 26th, 2010 10:04 pm

    So proud to be a Chief!!! Great win tonight! Hold on tight Jacksonville the Chiefs are headed your way!!!

  50. walnuthill girl on November 26th, 2010 10:02 pm

    CONGRATS CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!
    WE ARE PROUD OF YA’LL

  51. Bob on November 26th, 2010 9:54 pm

    To be honest people. Freeports star running back didn’t play tonight. So no wonder we won. Trinity Christian is gonna lay a hit on us. End of story. Goodluck to the chiefs though, although they already have a lot, they need to borrow some from Auburn.

  52. Carl on November 26th, 2010 9:48 pm

    WTG Chiefs !!!!! Awesome win tonight !!!!!

  53. daniel on November 26th, 2010 9:43 pm

    way to go guys….took whats rightfully yours…wooooooooohoooooooooo!!!!!!!

  54. Lindsay G Rector on November 26th, 2010 9:41 pm

    i wonder what BOB thinks now?

  55. DWG on November 26th, 2010 9:35 pm

    Everyone meet back at the school and show your spirit. Show em how much all this really means to this community. GO CHIEFS!!

  56. daniel on November 26th, 2010 9:34 pm

    come on chiefs i know itz a long distance but lets go to jacksonville boys you can do it

  57. Lindsay G Rector on November 26th, 2010 9:31 pm

    GO CHIEFS

  58. nhs grad!!! on November 26th, 2010 9:27 pm

    Go Chiefs

  59. KB on November 26th, 2010 9:24 pm

    Come on CHIEFS yall can do it!

  60. daniel on November 26th, 2010 9:23 pm

    thanks for the playoff explanation william

  61. Lindsay G Rector on November 26th, 2010 9:13 pm

    looking like freeport is getting more than they expected from a team they beat once already

  62. LJ on November 26th, 2010 8:49 pm

    Great coverage! Thanks!!

  63. William on November 26th, 2010 7:46 pm

    The next round is determined by even/odd years, and this just happens to be the year the game goes to the other side of the state next week. (last year, the game would have been in Bratt, and next year it would be in Bratt)

    After that, it’s the finals in Orlando. So no home playoff game for the Chiefs.

  64. Royal Fan on November 26th, 2010 7:43 pm

    got to beat the district winner first then they might

  65. walnuthill girl on November 26th, 2010 7:38 pm

    way to start…..GO CHIEFS

  66. Lindsay G Rector on November 26th, 2010 7:31 pm

    y caN’T our guys get a home game