By By Chandler Myers
Last football season was a tough one for everyone in the Atmore area.
Coaches, players, fans and even sports writers had to witness three schools endure tough seasons full of heartbreak and defeat.
Each team some success, but could never overcome the bad luck that swept around Atmore, Bratt and Canoe.
This season, two of the three teams have done complete turnarounds with one locked into the playoffs and the other on the brink of a berth depending on how their season shapes up.
Escambia Academy is coming up on the end of their season, which culminates with their final two games against opponents ranked in the AISA Top 10.
The Cougars are 5-3 currently with a 4-2 record in their region. They have put together a successful season with several new players having migrated to the school to help give the football program a boost.
With the playoffs already in their sights, they now look to lock up the third seed in the postseason, which would give them a more even match up when their playoff game kicks off.
The way this team plays they could beat any team on any given day. They have played better in the second half of games and already have two players with both already having more than 700 yards rushing.
If the Cougars are able to match their abilities in the second half of games with the first then they could become the team to beat in the AISA playoffs.
Just across the state line on Hwy. 4, the Northview Chiefs have found new life under first-year head coach Sid Wheatley.
This team not only received a new coach but a new attitude to come with him.
Since their first game under his control, the Chiefs have been constantly pushing the ball down the field with their running game that continuously piles up monster numbers.
Just last week, Northview picked up 359 yards of offense with all 359 coming on the ground.
The defense for Northview has done a good job of playing hard-nosed football and constantly holding opponents under 20 points.
They are currently 4-1, 3-1 and battle Freeport for the district lead this week. If they continue to play like they have then locking up the playoffs and a district title should be no problem.
With that said, it will be interesting to see how both of these teams do in the final few weeks of their seasons.
It would be nice to see both reach the playoffs and possibly pull an upset here or there to reach far beyond their goals.
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com