Following a close 41-28 loss to an undefeated (10-0) West Florida team Friday night in Bratt, Fla., the Northview Chiefs (7-3) will now turn their attention to their first-round playoff game against the Cottondale Hornets.

The Hornets enter the game with a 4-5 overall record. However, the team has a solid 3-1 district record, which led them to the playoffs.

The Chiefs will host the game in Bratt after winning their district with a 40-6 road victory against Baker two weeks ago.

While the Chiefs are coming off a loss, their playoff opponent is following a loss as well. The Chiefs were neck and neck the whole game with a team in the much-higher 5A classification versus West Florida.

The Hornets also lost to a playoff-bound team, although the Bozeman Bucks are in the same 1A classification and the final score was a 48-22 blowout.

The Hornets have played four of the same teams as the Chiefs. They compiled a 1-3 record against such foes, while the Chiefs were 3-1.

Both teams lost to Marianna, although Northview’s loss was a close 48-42 loss, while Cottondale’s 48-20 loss was another blowout.

Both teams defeated Vernon, but again, the margin of victory was much different. While Northview shutout the Yellow Jackets 40-0, Cottondale beat them 34-13.

Also among shared opponents, Northview beat Jay and Chipley, while Cottondale lost to both teams.

Injuries were a setback for the Chiefs earlier this season, but don’t seem to be a concern at this point in the season.

“I think right now we’re okay,” head coach Sid Wheatley said following Friday’s loss. “We’ve got a couple linebackers with hand issues, one of them played tonight with a cast. I think we’ll get another back next week. I don’t know about tonight. I think we’ve got a couple of guys with an ankle [issue] here and there, but I didn’t see anything major so that’s good.”

Should the Chiefs win the game on Friday, they would advance to play either the Freeport Bulldogs or the Graceville Tigers. Whether the Chiefs play host or not depends upon which team advances.

The Northview Chiefs will host the Cottondale Hornets in Bratt on Friday, Nov. 16 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.