1A Champ Chiefs Compete Tough Against 5A Bay In Tied Preseason Game (With Gallery)

August 24, 2013

The Northview Chiefs walked away from a preseason classic game Friday night with a tie on the scoreboard against Panama City Bay, but it might as well have been a win for the defending Class 1A state champions.

“I like the way we competed tonight,” Northview coach Sid Wheatley said about how the Chiefs handled the much larger 5A Bay Tornadoes. “”As a confidence standpoint, I know they’ve got to feel good coming out of here, at least score-wise,  and the way we did compete. It has to instill some confidence.”

The first half of the game in Bratt was a varsity on varsity scrimmage that ended in a 0-0 tie. Despite the score, the varsity teams showed a depth that impress Wheatley, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

“I love the way the defense competed. They bent at times, but they didn’t break. They played hard,” he said. “”Offensively, we’ve got to go to work on our mistakes. We were able to make plays at times, but the thing was it was third and 28.”

But overall, Wheatley saw the great potential within his Chiefs.

“Those guys, they are going to be OK,” he said. “Physically, I think we have a chance to be pretty good up front. It’s just a maturation process. They are going to be better Tuesday, and better the following Tuesday. But they’ve got to kind of grow into that role. And mentally, that’s a big part of it right now.”

For a photo gallery, click here.
For cheerleaders, mini-cheerleaders, band, dance team and NJROTC photos, click here.

The second half of the game was scheduled to be junior varsity and reserves only. But 5A Bay rolled on with varsity starters against much younger, smaller and less experienced JV and reserve Chiefs.

“They competed; they played tough,” Wheatley said of his JV and reserves, stacked up against a much larger Bay that continued to play starters in the second half.  “They just got after them.”

Northview freshman quarterback Luke Ward, moving up from an almost perfect season last year at Ernest Ward Middle, led a late Chiefs drive to tie the game.  At third and goal, he found junior Hunter Sherouse for a two-yard touchdown with 37.3 seconds on the clock. With the score tied 6-6, the extra point kick by the Chiefs was no good.

Then the Chiefs were able to set up a 30-yard field goal as time expired, but the kick was far wide to the left as the clock rolled to zeros.

“It was a little drama there at the end,” Wheatley said with a laugh.

Next week, the Chiefs will look at Friday night’s film, looking for the areas that need improvement.  “We have inexperienced guys; hopefully we are going to be able to look at the film and correct those mistakes,” he said.

The Chiefs will host Bozeman next Friday night at 7:00 in Bratt.

For a photo gallery, click here.
For cheerleaders, mini-cheerleaders, band, dance team and NJROTC photos, click here.

Pictured top: Northview senior  Neino Robinson breaks away from a host of Panama City Bay defenders Friday night in Bratt.  Pictured top inset: Northview quarterback Daulton Tullis gains yardage for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom inset: Northview coach Sid Wheatly watches his Chiefs under the Friday night lights.  Pictured below: A Bay Tornado pass was too long, almost resulting in a Chiefs interception. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

2 Responses to “1A Champ Chiefs Compete Tough Against 5A Bay In Tied Preseason Game (With Gallery)”

  1. nhs football mom on August 24th, 2013 11:35 pm

    Y’all did a good job

  2. Marshall on August 24th, 2013 12:37 pm

    Congratulations Northview!!! You should definitely take this as a Win-Win. Especially since you played against their Varsity with the reserves and still almost won. Too bad Bay could not stick to the agreement, but it may have been better experience for the reserves. Good Luck for the upcoming season!!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports