All season long, Northview has been looking forward to this week’s game against Baker, Fla., Chiefs head football coach Derek Marshman said.

NHS will compete against the Gators for the Class 1A, Region 1 (District 1) title at BHS, and is aiming to end a three-game losing streak.

“By far, this is our biggest game of the season,” Marshman said. “For our part, we’ve looked forward to this game all season. That’s one that’s been in the back of our minds all season long.

“It’s going to be a big game for both teams,” he said. “Both teams have great crowd support. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.”

With an undefeated record at 8-0, Baker enters the contest with a host of talent, including quarterback Ryan Stoutenburgh; twin running backs Kalee and Jalen Ciurleo; and receivers Jamaal Day and Wade Walker, to name a few.

While Baker may have quite a few skill athletes, it’s up front where the Gators have made their mark, Marshman said.

“They’ve turned the program around and it’s one of the top of the state,” he said. “They’re not overly big, but not small either. They’ve got a good mix of size, strength and speed.

“They don’t do things to shoot themselves in the foot,” he said.

So far this season, the Chiefs and Gators have played three common opponents in Walton, Jay and Chipley. BHS will end its regular season at Liberty County. The Chiefs beat LCHS 34-15 on Oct. 7.

Marshman said the scores from each game have been similar, adding that Friday will be a good measuring stick for the Chiefs.

A big stress point this week at practice is going to be an accumulation of everything NHS has worked on this season, Marshman said.

“All of those mornings we worked, summer work outs and the ups and downs; all of that boils down to a 48-minute football game,” he said. “This is a really big game. Fortunately, for us, we’re kind of hitting our stride at the right moment. (Last) Friday night (in a 12-10 victory over 4A Walton) was a big win for us. We can’t be satisfied right now.

“There’s a reason they’re 8-0,” he said.

In addition, this week’s game will be the 11th consecutive contest for the Chiefs.

Kick off is at 7 p.m.
Injury report

Jacob Weaver is out with a shoulder injury. Freshman Trent Peebles is questionable this week. Jeremiah Woods will return to the field after spraining his ankle against Jay.