By By DONALD WRIGHT
Sports Writer
The 2001 season got off to a great start for the Northview High School Chiefs as they beat the Vernon High School Yellow Jackets 34-21 in a game that was highlighted by beautiful passing and big plays.
Big plays proved to be critical for both teams; there was only one sustained scoring drive in a night that saw eight touchdown plays.
We had the effort out there and made the key plays when it counted," said Northview High School Head Coach David Williams.
The opening kickoff was taken by the Chiefs who were foiled when a complete pass from senior quarterback Kyle Williams to senior receiver Jonathan Andrews was fumbled on the Northview 38-yard line where Vernon gained possession.
Despite the opening miscue, Andrews went on to chalk up 182 yards receiving. On the night, Williams had more than 220 yards passing and no interceptions in a spectacular performance than included three touchdown passes.
After taking possession, Vernon was stopped by an aggressive Northview defense that forced a turnover on downs at the 22-yard line.
The Chiefs wasted little time on their next possession as they had a two-play, 78-yard drive for a touchdown. Williams connected with Andrews for a 27-yard gain to the 49-yard line. On the next play, Leonte Wright ran 51 yards for the touchdown. The extra point was good, and with 6:49 to go in the first, Northview led 7-0.
On the next possession for Vernon, the Chiefs defense flexed its muscle again. The Yellow Jackets only gained three yards in three plays and punted the ball back to the
Chiefs. The Chiefs had good field position at the Yellow Jackets 47-yard line.
Again, Northview wasted little time in getting back in the end zone. This time the drive only took one play. Williams went back to the air and connecting again with Andrews for a 47-yard touchdown. The PAT was added, and with 5:31 to go in the first quarter, Northview had a comfortable 14-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Vernon flexed its offensive muscle. The kickoff was returned by Montez Lee to the Yellow Jacket 49-yard line. It took just one play and Lee scampered 51 yards to the end zone for the touchdown. The PAT was added with 3:41 left in the first half, to cut the Northview lead to 14-7.
On the next play, the Chiefs fumbled the kickoff at their own 15-yard and the Yellow Jackets recovered deep in Chiefs' territory. The Chief stopped the Yellow Jackets on three consecutive plays forcing them to attempt – and miss – at 32-yard field goal.
Northview and Vernon exchanged punts throughout the second quarter as neither offense could get on track in the driving rain. Finally, Northview caught a break and got the ball deep in Yellow Jackets' territory at the 32-yard line. It was another one-play drive as Leonte Wright ran the ball 32 yards for the touchdown. The PAT was good to put Northview up 21-7 at the half.
The second half started with Vernon taking the kick off at their own 30-yard line. Vernon ate up much of the clock in the third quarter as they put together an 11-play, 70-yard drive highlighted by key runs from Montrez Lee and Cortez Bowers. Yellow Jackets' quarterback Clint Peace capped the scoring drive with a 17-yard touchdown run. The PAT was added and Northview held on to a slim 21-14 lead.
The wet field again came into play as Northview and Vernon exchanged turnovers. Northview came out best snagging the ball on the Vernon 37-yard line. It only took one play again as Kyle Williams connected with Jonathan Andrews for the 37-yard bomb. The PAT was added, and with 1:10 to go in the third, Northview led 28-14.
The next 1:10 would be critical for Vernon after they rallied for a score when quarterback Clint Peace connected with Montrez Lee for a 45-yard touchdown thanks to an offensive penalty that stopped the clock at 0:00 and gave Vernon one extra play in the quarter. The PAT was good, and the third quarter closed with a thin 28-21 Northview lead.
Vernon never really threatened again during the fourth quarter. The Chiefs' defense stood tall and turned the Yellow Jackets away on several drives. The offense, though, was not finished.
With 3:22 to go in the game, Northview put it out of reach as Leonte Wright again found the end zone. The drive was five plays for 68 yards with Wright providing the highlights with a 34-yard scamper for the score. The PAT was missed, and Northview went on to win by the final score of 34-21.
Northview High School head coach David Williams said the he was pleased with the results, but that his team has a lot to work on. " We need to quit shooting ourselves in the foot, " he said. " We had way too many penalties and lost our composure."
The Northview Chiefs will be back in action on September 7. They will play Arnold at homein their first District game.