By By Matthew Nascone
Never in the history of the Northview High School football program have three players been nominated to the Florida Sports Writers Association All-State team, but that has all changed.
Seniors Desmond Hunter, Nakita Myles and Nick Prather all made the Class 2B All-State Football First Team. Hunter was named to the team for his efforts on the defensive line, Myles for his efforts in the defensive secondary and Prather for his work on the offensive line.
"I am so proud of them," NHS head football coach Cody Keene said. "It is the first time we as a program have ever had three and they are all on the first team. This is such a great accomplishment for the kids and a great step for our program."
For Myles, The Atmore Advance Offensive Player of the Year, it is the second straight year he has made the team and another recognition he has received. But he made the team as a defensive back this year and a running back last year.
Keene said the individual honors are always good for the team as a whole.
"When we have individual award winners it shows that we are doing the right thing as a team and these three guys always did everything we asked of them," Keene said. "Their commitment has been there since we started with them four years ago. They do whatever it takes in the weight room and on the field to get better."
And football success is not all this trio of Chiefs has accomplished.
"They are all three great football players, but they are great kids off the field as well," Keene said.
Keene said the lull that comes after every football season has struck the Chiefs. He said he hopes the All-State selections will help boost the team out of that lull.
"With these three guys getting this recognition, maybe our younger guys will see what they have accomplished and strive to be our next batch of All-State selections. We can always hope it will motivate them to work harder, and if they do, it is good for our team."
Myles' career mark of five interceptions this year coupled with his 47 tackles and two pass breakups made him hard to look past when compiling the team. He also racked up career yards on the ground en route to the NHS all-time rushing title with 1,321 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Hunter had 58 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss and nine sacks on the year and was named the NHS most valuable defensive lineman. Prather was named the most valuable offensive lineman and had 15 pancakes in 2007.
Myles and Hunter were both four-year starters for the Chiefs and Prather was a three-year starter, with two straight most valuable lineman awards.