By By Jamie Dickerson
The West Florida High Jaguars found themselves on the top end of the stick with a 17-14 victory over the Northview Chiefs Friday at Woodham Middle School.
The Jaguars had to dig deep and drive 70 yards down the field late in the fourth quarter to grab the last minute victory that had plagued them throughout the season.
La’Mikal Kyles was able to punch it in for the Chiefs from 4 yards out to take a 14-10 lead over the Jags with about six minutes left in the game.
The Chiefs held the Jags to a four and out but couldn’t hold on as the game barely slipped away when Kyles coughed up the ball to Jags Demetrius Smith inside the Jags 20.
The Jags were able to take the lead when Kyle Faxlanger hooked up with Al Harris for the second time of the game on a 31-yard touchdown with 1:31 to go.
Northview looked to have the game under control driving inside the Jags 20 with 4:12 on the clock before the big fumble recovery set up the wining drive.
This is the second season in a row the Jags finished one win shy of .500 after starting the program off with three years of winless football.
Faxlanger started the game off a bit cold for the Jags but was able to turn up the heat at the right time as he went 3 for 5 in the second half and finished the game with 95 yards and two touchdowns (47,31).
Antawn Carter led the Jags ground attack with 44 yards on 10 carries.
The offensive side of the ball was almost even for both teams as the Chiefs finished with 51 plays for 243 total yards and the Jags had 268 yards on 50 plays from scrimmage.
After going 2-8 in the previous season Wheatley was able to bring the Chiefs a 7-win season in his first year as head coach.
Brandon Sheets went 8-13 for 85 yards and a touchdown (5) while Roderick Woods was the leading rusher on the night with 62 yards on 10 carries.