Northview has never been to the Florida high school football championship before, so suffice it
to say, people in Bratt and the surrounding areas are filled with excitement.

The team has certainly has a lot of success over the last three seasons, as the two seasons prior
to this season they made the state semifinals. However, booking a trip to Orlando to play in the
Citrus Bowl before a televised audience is a first.

Following the team’s resounding 48-14 win over Liberty County last Friday, Northview head
coach Sid Wheatley said, “It was just an awesome night. We’ve been so close before. They
played their hearts out.”

Many weeks ago, when it became apparent Northview would make the state playoffs, Northview
defensive back, wide receiver and special teams sensation Neino Robinson said, “I know my
team’s going to have a great performance. We’ve been working hard all summer and working
hard all through the season to get to where we want to be and that’s win a state championship
and hopefully that’ll happen.”

All the team’s hard work has paid off thus far and now only one obstacle remains: beat an
undefeated Trenton team in order to be remembered as the 2012 state champions.

The team faces a ride to Orlando of roughly seven hours, while Trenton’s trip will be a little
more than two hours.

Northview head coach was asked whether a long trip would affect his players before last week’s
game to which, Wheatley replied with something that seems even more relevant this week.

“With our kids right now, there are a lot of guys that still remain from two years ago—the first
time we won the region championship and went to Jacksonville, which I guess was about six
hours,” he said. “There’s kids obviously from last year that are still a part of this team and this
is their third opportunity to finally quote ‘knock down the door’ and get to where we want to be.
These kids just want to win. I know that, and whether it’s here or in another state for that matter,
I think they’ll be up to the task this Friday.”

Every second spent on the road will be worthwhile if the team is able to accomplish the goal
they’ve been working on since the becoming of this summer: win a state championship.