By By Matthew Nascone
The Northview Chiefs remained undefeated this weekend. The Chiefs lost 49-36 to the Chipley Tigers, but the Chiefs have not lost to any team besides the Tigers since the beginning of last year.
Chipley must have a Northview radar that picks up a great signal every time the Tigers come to Bratt.
I was not at this game, but I saw the pictures and they were literally bloody. This game seemed to be a slugfest for the ages. One week removed from winning a defensive battle in the rain, the Chiefs put up 36 points and still lost because the defense allowed 49 points.
That is crazy because when a team scores 36 points, it should win the game.
I witnessed the excitement that occurred at Herbert Barnes Stadium Friday night. The Escambia County Blue Devils clipped the wings of the Blue Eagles from W.S. Neal 20-13. It was a brilliant game and proof that the Blue Devils are a dominating force on defense.
Any time you hold an offense that put up 40-plus points the week before to 13 points, that is a dominating performance. The Devils were flying all across the field and it felt great to be on the sideline this year as ECHS downed Neal.
The Escambia Academy Cougars were shut out for the second week in a row and just don't seem to be firing on all cylinders yet. I know there is no way with the athletes they have in Canoe that they are 0-3. They have played two of the toughest teams in AISA Class 2A so far, however.
Their opponent last week, Southern, won the state championship last year in 2A and the two previous state championships in 1A. EA was overmatched and outplayed, but I am sure they will get on track this week against fellow cellar dweller Jackson.
The Cougars game against Jackson should be more like the 14-6 game they played against Crenshaw Christian in the season opener.
And with that comment we shall jump right into Nascone's Picks for week four of the 2007 season. A 2-1 week for week two runs the tally to 5-2 for the season.
The Escambia County Blue Devils travel to Brewton for their annual battle with hated rival T.R. Miller. The Blue Devils have not won a game against the Tigers in 15 years and this year's hard-hitting defense should have enough fire to take down T.R. Miller.
This will be a hard-fought battle in the trenches and ECHS will eek out a win, 28-24.
The winless Escambia Academy Cougars will grab their first victory against Jackson Academy this week and I am expecting a breakout game from Jon Dean with about 150 yards rushing.
The rest of the Cougar offense will come alive as well and they will cut down the Eagles 35-20 in a battle royale in Canoe.
And last, but not least is the Northview Chiefs. The Chiefs lost for the second time in 10 months to the Chipley Tigers last week and they will take a lot of passion and emotion to DeFuniak Springs, Fla.
I believe coach Keene will have his troops ready for the task and NHS will win 30-24 on the road.
Matthew Nascone is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or online at sports@atmoreadvance.com.