Throwback Thursday: Northview Chiefs Last Escambia County Football Team To Win State

August 22, 2019

For a Throwback Thursday, we are turning the clock back nearly seven years ago to December 7, 2012, when the Northview Chiefs won the Florida Class 1A football championship in Orlando. The Chiefs were the last team from Escambia or Santa Rosa counties to win a state title, beating the Trenton Tigers 42-21 for the trophy.

The 2012 road to Orlando had been oh so long for the Chiefs — losing out the previous two years a the state semi-final level — making the victory oh so much sweeter. The state title was the first and only for Northview. There were 3,609 fans on hand for the game — over 1,500 of them making the road trip from North Escambia.

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.

After a scoreless first quarter, La’Mikal Kyles scored for the Chiefs on a 58 yard run with 11:07 on the click. And the Chiefs were just getting warmed up. Chad Smith was in with 8:25 in the half on a 20 yard blocked punt return. And LaDarius Thomas scored on a two-yard run with just 34 seconds in the half. With good kicks from Kevin Vaughan on all three touchdowns, the Chiefs held a 21-0 dominating lead at the half.

Trenton scored on a three yard run in the third, while Northview scored twice in the quarter. Neino Robinson had a 79 yard kickoff return, and Brannon Freeman added a touchdown with a 28 yard run. Northview had one touchdown, a six-yard run from Kevin Vaughan, in the fourth, while Trenton scored twice.

As the clock wound down, the Chiefs won the 1A championship 42-21.

Kyles finished the night with 113 yards and one touchdown on 12 attempts. Freeman had a touchdown and 61 yards on 11 attempts, and Thomas also added a TD and 39 yards on 10 attempts.

The 2019 regular season gets underway Friday night for Northview. The Chiefs will host Lighthouse Christian at 7 p.m.

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Throwback Thursday: Northview Chiefs Last Escambia County Football Team To Win State”

  1. Gayle Weaver on August 22nd, 2019 7:24 pm

    It was a dream come true. Bittersweet!

  2. The Baggetts on August 22nd, 2019 7:34 am

    Oh, my goodness. This is the greatest Throwback Thursday memory ever! Thanks, William! State Champs!

  3. Coach Bell on August 22nd, 2019 7:20 am

    A great victory for the Chief’s. And a giant step for the Rural Division of FHSAA.

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