By By Tim Cottrell
It's been a long three-week stretch for the Northview Chiefs, laced with three long road trips and two tough losses.
Now the Chiefs (3-2, 0-0) will finally come home to take on the Wewahitchka Gators (3-1).
The Chiefs will also celebrate homecoming festivities Friday night in Bratt.
After starting out 3-0, the Chiefs have struggled mightily in their last two outings, especially in the red zone. Northview head coach Cody Keene felt the biggest problem was a lack of execution.
"We've just got to execute," Keene said. "We might simplify what we're trying to do offensively, but the biggest thing is just executing. Some of it is obviously the teams we've played, but we can't get rattled and not execute."
Keene said the Gators would provide another stiff test.
"The only loss they have is to an undefeated Port St. Joe team," he said. "We've got to play well to win. This isn't your average homecoming game. We can't take them lightly."
The Chiefs have come through the year relatively unscathed by injuries with the exception of losing Kenny Wilson for the season in the first game of the season. Keene said the Chiefs were nursing a few bumps and bruises, but no serious injuries were being treated.
"We're still about the same," he said. "We're hoping to get Jordan Cook back from a sore ankle. Thomas Wolfe is nursing a sore shoulder. Outside of that we're fine."
Although Keene is concerned with his homecoming opponent, he doesn't expect the alumni to go home Friday night disappointed.
"I think we match up pretty well with them," he said. "They've got a good fullback and a good tailback that's really fast. We're going to have to execute and play well to win."
The Chiefs will take on the Gators at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.