Last football season was a a good season for the Escambia Academy Cougars and the Northview Chiefs.

This year, the Chiefs have continued to find success, while the Cougars have had some trouble and are sitting at 4-4.

The Escambia County Blue Devils have been the surprise locking up a playoff berth seven games into the season.

Escambia County is coming up on the end of their season, which culminates with their final three games including No. 1-ranked Jackson.

The Blue Devils are 5-2 currently with a 3-2 record in their region. They have put together a successful season with several new players taking on leadership roles 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 lost two games to two of their toughest opponents, but also had bad breaks in those games.

If the Blue Devils continue to improve under Mark Heaton, they could be a surprise in the playoffs.

Just across the state line on Hwy. 4, the Northview Chiefs have continued to improve under Sid Wheatley.

In their second season under Wheatley, the Chiefs are still a power running team that spreads the ball around to several different players.

Last week, they had five different players score a touchdown, which makes for a potent offensive attack.

The defense for Northview has done a good job of playing hard-nosed football and constantly keeping their opponents from the end zone.

They are currently 5-0, 4-0 and battle Freeport for the district lead this week. If they continue to play like they have been, 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.

With the Blue Devils locked into the playoffs and the Chiefs looking like they will make a push to the postseason, it will be nice to see football deep into November.

Hopefully when the second season begins these two can make runs toward championships.

Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com