“A win is a win.”

Those were the words Northview coach Sid Wheatley used to sum up his team’s 34-14 romp over Bozeman of Panama City.

While Wheatley said he was proud of the win, he pointed out many ways the Chiefs could improve after a sloppy start to the game.

“We had too many mistakes,” he said. “We took points away from ourselves and let them have some.”

Wheatley is referring to a first quarter that saw three penalties for the offensive line, including two false start penalties in a row.

The defense played well, allowing only two touchdowns, but did give up 150 yards rushing to the Bucks on 29 carries.

“We have to play lower and have our linebackers closing holes,” Wheatley said. “They had a lot of yards after contact. We need to have 11 bodies to the ball.”

The Chiefs also did well on the ground, picking up 213 rushing yards. Northview was led by junior Ladarius Thomas, with 81 yards on 15 carries. Neino Robinson added 52 yards on three carries.

The Chiefs scored first in the game, but it wasn’t until 3:18 was left on the clock before halftime.

The drive started on their own 46-yard-line with runs by Thomas, Brannon Freeman and Dezmine Moorer. After an illegal motion penalty, Robinson busted a 20-yard touchdown run to set the Chiefs up at the 14-yard line.

Thomas had a 2-yard run and quarterback Daulton Tullis connected with Freeman for an 11-yard pass. After two straight Thomas runs were stuffed at the line and Tullis fumbled the snap on the next play, the quarterback found Cameron Newsome open in the end zone for a touchdown. The two-point play was no good and Northview led 6-0.

Bozeman punted with 1:08 left in the half and the Chiefs got under way from the BHS 46-yard line.

Tullis completed a 45-yard pass to Newsome before connecting with Robinson from 8 yards out for a score. Moorer housed the two-point conversion and NHS led 14-0 at the half.

After forcing a Bozeman punt on a three-and-out, Northview made quick work of a 46-yard drive. Robinson ran for 27 yards to the Bozeman 19-yard line before Tullis hit Nathan Shipps from 9 yards out for a score. Freeman’s extra point attempt was no good and NHS led 20-0.

Bozeman answered with a seven-play drive that ended with a Bubba Thompson pass to Davud Elmore for a touchdown. The Bucks cut the lead to 20-6.

Northview scored on the ensuing drive that started at its own 17-yard line. Tullis carried the ball for 36 yards before Thomas broke runs of 17 yards and 1 yard. After a penalty, Tullis hit Robinson for a 43-yard touchdown with 4:36 left in the third quarter. Freeman’s extra point was good and Northview led 27-6.

After Bozeman’s drive stalled, Northview took control just as the third quarter ended, with a 4-yard Thomas run. Thomas then broke a long run for 11 yards before Tullis added his own 11-yard run.

Moorer picked up three yards and Thomas found a hole for 15. Tullis connected with Freeman for a 5-yard-pass and a penalty placed the ball on the 50-yard line.

After a pass interference call on the Bucks put the ball back at the 35-yard line, Tullis passed to Shipps again for a touchdown. Shipps converted the extra point to give Northview the 34-6 lead with 7:43 left in the game.

Bozeman answered for the final score of the game on quarterback sneak from a yard out.