By By Matthew Nascone
Northview High School head football coach Cody Keene is not the only coach who has noticed the efforts of Chiefs John Donaldson and Nakita Myles. Some of the other coaches in the state of Florida took notice during the 2006 football season to what Donaldson and Myles did on the field.
The two were named to the 2006 FHSAA All-State Team Wednesday.
Donaldson was named to the Class 2B All-State Football Team First Team Defense as a defensive lineman and Myles was named to the Second Team Offense as a running back.
"I am proud of both of them," Keene said. "It is great for these guys and it is great for this program because it shows the rest of the state that we are headed in the right direction."
Keene said this would not be the end of seeing Chiefs on the All-State team.
"We hope this is a start and we hope to have even more guys on the team in the future," he said. "It is an incentive for the rest of the guys to work harder. There are a lot of good football players in the state of Florida and it is an honor to have two of our guys on that team."
And Keene said it is an incentive for Myles, who is a junior, to work harder and make First Team Offense next year. As for the graduating Donaldson, Keene hopes the best for him as well.
"I hope this helps John play college football," Keene said. "We have not received any solid offers so far, but I believe this honor will help because now I can tell the coaches about it and sell him as an All-State athlete."
There is another way to look at the success the two athletes had on the field.
"When you have team success, you can have players who are recognized and that is great," Keene said.
Keene was informed about the All-State selections last Tuesday and the Pensacola News-Journal published the team Wednesday.
Donaldson compiled 49 tackles, 12 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, two fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered in the 2006 season and Myles compiled 1,165 yards and 15 touchdowns on 140 carries. He also caught eight balls for 93 yards and two touchdowns.