For Northview, the playoffs start this week.

The Chiefs are set to travel to face Freeport, Fla. this Friday night to end their regular-season.

NHS (5-4) won’t know who it will face next Fri., Nov. 9, in the first round of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 1A state playoffs until the horn sounds this week.

Last week, the Chiefs defeated Snook Christian Academy 56-0 on senior night.

NHS head football coach Derek Marshman said the coaching staff is proud of the kids, and how they fought to end their regular season at home. The Chiefs won four straight at home this year.

“That was big for our seniors to have that success, now to get that (playoff) game guaranteed to us,” Marshman said. “We stress to them the importance of the game, and that it comes down to pretty much the last play. We’ll treat this week as a playoff game. Knowing that we’re in the playoffs, we have an opportunity to prepare for the game next week.”

During last week’s rout, the Chiefs spread the wealth on offense.

Jaheem Durant had 92 yards on five carries and a touchdown. He added a defensive touchdown, too.

Aunterrio Minor had 89 yards on four carries and a touchdown; Cameron Findley had 48 yards on six carries and scored two touchdowns; Trent Peebles scored two touchdowns on the ground; and Jayden Jackson had a touchdown as well.

Defensively, Lance McLaughlin had 10 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and a sack to lead NHS; Daniel Merit had 8 tackles, 2 TFLs and an interception; and Matt Caine had 4 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.

On Freeport, Marshman said they are big up front and do a lot of different things offensively as they employ misdirection.

“They have a lot of reads,” he said. “They’re good inside and out. It’s going to be a good challenge for our defense against the run.”

Marshman said running back Jaret Dunwald, quarterback Justin Clark and utility player Tabios Holmes are standout players for FHS.

Being that it almost is playoff time, Marshman said the key now is to stay consistent on the gridiron.

“We want to continue to play our best football, really a consistency kind of thing,” he said. “Every team has some burps, things you can’t expect your team to be perfect for 48 minutes on. You want to be playing really good football.”
Kick off in Freeport is at 7 p.m. on Friday.