By By Zach Brooks
Sports Writer
The Escambia County High School Blue Devils played the Northview High School Chiefs in a regular season-ending game for both teams in Northview Friday night.
Northview came into the game with an undefeated record of 9-0 and an awesome offense that averages over 500 yards a game. Escambia County Head Coach Frankie Bell said,"they have four guys that can beat you on offense, so you can not defend against one because the other three will beat you just the same."
The Northview offense did not disappoint the home crowd. They had over 300 yards of total offense and had 4 different guys score touchdowns. Northview beat the Devils 48-14, and gained valuable momentum heading into their first round playoff game in Northview next week. The Devils played hard but committed four turnovers in the first half that Northview converted into three touchdowns.
Northview's first drive of the game created a pattern that would repeat itself thoughout the entire first half.
Northview received the opening kickoff and marched downfield with a time-consuming drive that ate up 6:00 minutes on the clock. Leonte Wright punched it in from four yards out to make the score 6-0. Jeremy Greenwell then added the extra-point to make the score 7-0.
After a Blue Devil punt, Northview then marched down the field and scored on a one yard rumble by Wright to make the score 13-0. Greenwell's extra-point was good to make the score 14-0.
With 2:42 remaining in the first quarter Chris Simpson fumbled on the Devil 17 yard line to give the Chiefs possession at the Devil 14 yard-line.
Northview then took swift advantage of the turnover when, two plays later, Chiefs running back O'Neil Dubose had a 13 yard touchdown run to make the score 20-0. Greenwell's extra-point try was good to make the score 21-0.
On the following possession for ECHS the Devils drove down the field and scored on a 11 yard Chris Simpson jolt up the middle to make the score 21-6.
The extra point try was no good by James Wilson so the score remained 21-6.
Then with 8:44 left in the first half, Northview quarterback Kyle Williams launched a magnificent 50 yard touchdown bomb to Mendell Smith to make the score 27-6 lead. The extra point by Greenwell was good to make the score 28-6.
Then with 5:09 left, Antonio Richardson fumbled the ball and the Chiefs recovered on the Devil 22 yard line.
A couple of plays later, Dubose scored again on a 7 yard screen pass from Williams to make the score 34-6. Greenwell extra-point was good to make the score 35-6.
On the kickoff. Blue Devil return man James Wilson gave the Devils an emotional lift with an electrifying 55 yard kickoff return to set the Devils up on the Northview 40 yard line.
The Devils then marched downfield but had their drive stalled when Mendell Smith intercepted a half-back pass from Simpson in the endzone and ran it back to the Chief 25.
Then with 1:54 left in the half, Williams threw a jaw-dropping 75 yard missile to Johnathan Andrews that gave the Chiefs a 41-6 lead. Greenwell converted the extra-point to make the score 42-6.
There was no more scoring for the rest of the half, so Northview took a 42-6 lead into halftime.
The Blue Devils got the ball to start the second half and drove the ball down the field to score on a one yard touchdown plunge to make the score 42-12.
The two-point conversion was converted to make the score 42-14.
On the Chiefs next possession they drove downfield and scored on a nine yard Leonte Wright tackle-breaking touchdown run to make the score 48-14. Greenwell's extra-point try was no good so the score remained 48-14.
After a Kyle Williams interception by Albert Williams, the Devils marched downfield but could not capitalize, however, as they had to turn the ball over on downs at the Chief 30 yard line.
Then with 3:17 left, the Devils got a clutch interception by Harvey Knight to give the Devils the ball inside Chiefs territory.
The Devils took advantage of the turnover and marched downfield to score on Richardson's second touchdown of the game, a one yard blast into the endzone to make the score 48-20. The extra-point try was no good so the score remained 48-20.
The Devils could not score again, however, and the Chiefs won the game 48-20.
Northview racked up 329 yards of total offense. Williams lead the offense with 240 yards passing and three touchdowns on 10-17 passing.
Johnathan Andrews lead all receivers with 3 receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. O'Neil Dubose followed with 3 catches for 21 yards and a touchdown. Mendell Smith also had 1 reception for 50 yards and one touchdown.
Leonte Wright lead all Northview running backs with 16 carries for 77 yards and three touchdowns. Dubose followed with 2 carries for 26 yards and one touchdown.
The Blue Devils had one of their best games on offense this year, piling up 341 yards of total offense. Chris Simpson lead the Blue Devils offense with 103 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Antonio RIchardson followed with 32 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.
Dereke Martin had 63 yards on 19 carries also had one of his best passing games of the year going 14/21 with 143 yards.
James Wilson lead all Devil receivers with 9 catches for 69 yards. Harvey Knight followed with 5 catches for 64 yards.
The Devils season is over, but Northview plays in the first round of the Florida state playoffs in Northview Friday night at 7:30.