By By ZACH BROOKS
Sports Writer
In the first round of the Florida State Playoffs, the Northview Chiefs tomahawked the Florida High School Seminoles in a 47-13 blowout in front of a NHS home crowd.
The win advances NHS to the next round of the playoffs, where the Chiefs will again have a home game against an opponent to be named this week.
The Chiefs brought in an undefeated record and an undaunted offense that was averaging over 50 points a game and over 500 yards of total offense.
The Northview crowd came to see an offensive explosion and were not disappointed.
Even NHS Head Coach Bo Lambeth was impressed with his team's performance.
The Chiefs led the entire game, with their defense pitching a shutout until the third quarter after the Chiefs had rolled to a 40-0 lead before allowing a score.
On the opening kickoff, Northview attempted an onside kick that was recovered by the Chiefs at the Seminole 35 yard line.
Northview wasted no time in scoring, marching down the field and scoring on a 15-yard Leonte Wright touchdown run. Jeremy Greenwell converted the extra point to make the score 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Seminoles muffed the kick and Matt Gilmore recovered for Northview at the Seminole 20 yard line, setting up an NHS scoring drive.
With 10:24 left in the first quarter, Leonte Wright scored on a bruising nine yard run. Greenwell extra point was good to make the score 14-0.
Then with 5:54 left in the first quarter, the Chiefs held the Seminoles on fourth and five to give them possession on the Chief 20 yard line.
After a Florida punt, Northview marched down the field and scored on a outstanding 21-yard bullet from quarterback Kyle Williams to receiver Nick Gradia to make the score 20-0. Greenwell's extra point was no good.
Then with 11:50 left before the half, O'Neil Dubose blocked a Seminole punt to give the Chiefs great field position at midfield.
The Chiefs could not capitalize however, and had to punt the ball away.
With 7:44 left in the half, Mendell Smith caught a short pass from Williams and rumbled 18 yards into the endzone. Greenwell converted the extra point to make the score 27-0.
Then with 5:04 left, Northview scored again on an electrifying 41 yard run by Wright to make the score 33-0. Greenwell shanked the the extra point attempt.
With 4:41 left, Northview killed a Seminole drive with a Daryl Cohen interception at the Chiefs 16 yard line.
Then after Northview drove the length of the field, the Seminoles returned the favor with an interception in the Chiefs endzone to end the half.
In the third quarter, Northview got the scoring started again, as O'Neil Dubose scored on a two yard plunge that made the score 40-0. Greenwell's extra point try was no good.
Then with 6:01 left in the third quarter, the Seminoles finally got in the endzone with a sensational 80-yard romp into the endzone by Seminole Donald Singleton to make the score 40-6.
After an exchange of turnovers by both teams, Northview's Mendell Smith made the play of the game with an exceptional 70-yard interception return for a touchdown. Greenwell converted the extra-point to make the score 47-0.
Then with 7:41 left in the game, Seminole Melvin Ford scored from four yards out to end the scoring for both teams. The extra point was good to make the final score 47-13.
The game ended when a last-minute Hail Mary on fourth down was knocked down by the Chiefs and they ran out the final seconds to win 47-13.
The Chiefs finished the game with over 400 yards of total offense.
Kyle Williams led the Chiefs with 155 yards on 9/16 passing and two touchdowns.
Mendell Smith led all recievers with four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. Jonathan Andrews followed with 2 catches for 48 yards.
Nick Gradia also had 2 catches for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Leonte Wright lead all rushers with 128 yards on 8 carries and three touchdowns. O'Neil Dubose followed with 93 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Jonathan Andrews also had 33 yards on 3 carries.
Chase Lashley and Mendell Smith lead Northview on defense with seven tackles apiece. Daryl Cohen and Jermaine Murray followed with 5 tackles each.
Smith and Cohen also had a interception apiece.
Northview does not know who its opponent will be in this week's 2nd round game, but the game will be in Northview and at 7:30.