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Undefeated Northview Chiefs Head To State With 21-11 Win Over Union County (With Gallery)
December 3, 2022
It’s been a decade since the Northview Chiefs brought a state championship trophy back to Bratt, but they have a little trip to Tallahassee planned to pick up the hardware and earn the rings.
The Chiefs defeated the Union County Tigers 21-11 Friday night in Bratt’s Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in the Class 1-R state semifinal.
It was the toughest battle of the season for the Chiefs as they improved to a school-record 13-0.
“It feels awesome,” Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “It’s a little bit surreal right now. It will probably take a few hours, and yeah, we’re going to Tallahassee!”
Summerford credited a team effort for the win, but gave extra credit to his seniors, several of whom have played together since their youth football days.
“That’s our senior leadership,” Summerford said. “These guys will run through a brick wall for each other, and they just about did that; I think they did everything but that tonight.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, fans, celebration and more photos coming soon.)
In the first couple plays of the game, Jefferson broke free for a long sprint down to the 1-yard line. But the Tigers held him from crossing the goal line in four straight downs.
But in the second quarter, the Chiefs would be first on the board on a 37-yard run from Jefferson and a good extra point by Brandon Ferguson.
In the second quarter, Jefferson was in again from 32-yards out. Toss in a field goal from the Tigers, and it was 14-3 at the half.
In the fourth, Union County was in from 2-yards out to cut Northview’s lead to 14-9.
After eating about eight minutes off the clock, QB Kaden Odom found Jefferson for another touchdown with just over a minute to go to seal the win, 21-11.
“The best moment of the game is when we scored that touchdown,” Summerford said. “We were just trying to get a first down. I never had any doubt these seniors would come up with a big play, and boy they did with that catch.”
“Jamarkus told me before the play…he’s like ‘dude, I’m going to slip out and be open, I promise. Give me the ball, and I trusted him’,” Odom said. “I took a lick, but delivered a strike to him.”
“We always talk about big time plays, big time things,” Jefferson said. “Kaden told me that he was going to give it to me; he told me to make a play. And that’s exactly what he did. He threw it to me, and I made a play.”
The Union County Tigers finished their season at 8-3.
The Northview Chiefs will face Hawthorne (11-0) in the state 1R championship game. Hawthorne is coming off a 28-0 shutout of Blountstown Friday night. The FHSAA 1-Rural state title game will be played at 7 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, December 10 at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, fans, celebration and more photos coming soon.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
11 Responses to “Undefeated Northview Chiefs Head To State With 21-11 Win Over Union County (With Gallery)”
keep going boys!
Super effort by the entire team.
From the guys that were hurt hyping them up to the ones that replaced them playing their hearts out.
I hope everyone is able to play next week for the Championship experience.
A great year already.
Go Chiefs !!!
Laid the smack down on those LSU wannabes
So proud of this group of kids. They have given over 100% and it shows. Go get em Chiefs.
Congratulations on a job well done Chiefs !!
I travel all over the area and watch high school football. I must say this was one of the best high school football games I have ever seen. The team from Union County – Lake Butler was hugh, they outsized and out weighed the Chiefs hands down. It was clear from the onset that their game plan was to run up the middle over and over and wear the chiefs down. It was a winning strategy against most teams but not Northview. The Chiefs defense was exhausted in the second half but they kept fighting. The heart that these kids showed was amazing! During the last few minutes of the game the Chiefs reached down deep and played hard. Near the end the game with just over 3 minutes remaining and leading by 3 points the Chief’s offense had to drive in for touchdown or else they may lose as their defense was absolutely exhausted and struggled to stop Union Counties last drive to no avail. With 1:38 left leading by 3 points they went for it on 4th down and 8 yards or so. Northview coach knew they had to score a touchdown no doubt, a fake run up the middle and a perfectly thrown flair pass in the end-zone sealed the win. I must say the Northview coaching staff called a perfect game! I was most impressed with the heart of this team. These kids never give up and gave 100% as many were absolutely exhausted at the end. Congratulations!
13-0. Hard to imagine in sports these days. Congratulations to everyone associated with the team and hoping for a big win next Saturday. What a Christmas present that would be for the entire area.
Great job Northview. A great season so far now a chance to bring home the title. Best of luck.
Congratulations Chiefs!!! So proud of our hometown team. Why have the local news stations not covered any of this yet?? Thanks William for always keeping up with our area!!!
CONGRATULATIONS NORTHVIEW CHIEFS…now, go to Tallahassee and FINISH like the Champions you all are. Bring home the Hardware!!!
Congratulations Chiefs!!!