The Northview Chiefs found themselves overmatched against a physical Gulf Breeze team Friday night, losing by a final score of 44-20.

“Their offensive line, their quarterback, and running back were all very good,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. “Their offensive line is very big and very physical.”

Neiko Robinson’s strong return was one bright spot for the team. Robinson showed no rust, after serving a four-game suspension issued by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

The suspension was originally six games, but the severity of the penalty was lessened after Northview High School appealed the original decision.

“I thought he played well overall,” Wheatley said.

Robinson’s eight solo tackles and nine assisted tackles seem to confirm Wheatley’s statement.

Also on the defensive side of the ball, Stetson Nash returned an interception 35 yards for a Northview touchdown.

Roderick Woods was the standout player on the offensive side of the ball with two rushing touchdowns for the Chiefs.

Woods also contributed four solo tackles and 10 assisted tackles on the defensive side of the ball.

La’Mykal Kyles returned to the team after missing last week with a hamstring injury. He finished the game with 42 yards rushing on nine carries.

Brannon Freeman carried the ball 12 times on the night and was able to get 41 yards rushing in the contest.

Wheatley was disappointed with mental mistakes on offense and defense.

“We had a couple dropped passes that could have been big plays for us,” Wheatley said. “We had a couple plays where we had a chance to make the stop and didn’t. We had a couple of missed tackles.”

The Northivew Chiefs will host the Jay Royals on Friday, Oct. 5 in Bratt with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Northview entered Friday’s match-up with Gulf Breeze ranked number four in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s rural league 1A classification.