By By Matthew Nascone
Most video game enthusiasts remember the phrase "Get over here!" from the early 1990s classic "Mortal Kombat." Well, the Northview High School football team has its own version of Scorpion in coach Karl Smith. Smith said the popular saying was what gave him the idea for his own saying, "Get down there."
These are the three words no Chiefs offensive or defensive lineman wants to hear. When Smith bellows these words then whoever he is directing his command knows he did something wrong.
These words were yelled at least twice on the third day of spring practice May 4. Northview opened spring practice May 1 and Thursday was the first day in pads for the squad.
Smith's emphatic bellow of those three dreaded words are only one symbol of the dedication of the coaches and players of the Northview squad to not only get back to the playoffs, but to do well there.
"If we don't improve and go beyond the first round of the playoffs we are backing up," head coach Cody Keene said. "Our goal is to win the district again and to play well, not just show up, for the playoffs."
Keene said the nine seniors on the team will play a vital role in the success of the team as a whole.
"They are not a big group, but they are definitely a quality bunch of guys," he said. "And we also return a lot of starters from last year's team."
The questions that need to be answered for the Chiefs during spring practice are who will fill the shoes of departed quarterback Courtney Whatley and who will step up and fill the gaps in the offensive line.
Keene said he is confident those questions will be answered by the time the Chiefs hold the Garnett and Gold scrimmage game May 18. The game will be at 6:30 p.m. and a hot dog supper will be held before the game for any fans that would like to attend.
This year's football team has spent a lot of time in the weight room attempting to get stronger and better. Keene said that effort is evident in the first few days of practice.
"It is obvious that they have been working hard in the weight room because the guys are so much stronger," Keene said. "They worked hard in the off-season in the weight room and they are still working hard and they all have great attitudes."