By By Matthew Nascone
Northview head football coach Cody Keene has stressed that he wants his players to be physical many times this year and he said the Chiefs want to have their most physical game of the season Friday night at Wewahitchka.
"They out hit us last year and beat us 20-12," Keene said. "But we are much more of a physical team this year and these guys won't allow that to happen again this year."
The Chiefs (5-0) are off to a good start, but Keene has made sure his guys do not jump ahead of themselves.
"We have to play hard like we have been playing and keep hitting," Keene said. "And our guys are mature enough to take one game at a time and get ready to work each week. They know they beat us last year and they will not let that happen again."
Wewahitchka is 3-1 so far on the season and has shown no signs of losing any of the physicality they possessed last year, Keene said.
And it all starts with their bruiser at tailback, Ryan Ranie.
"He is a good football player and we will have to keep him in check," Keene said.
Overall, Keene said the key to success for Northview is simple.
"We need to stick to what we have been doing and cut down on the penalties," he said. "We need to work and keep those out of the game. We need to keep our focus and take one game at a time."
But Keene realized this game is a big one for the Chiefs.
"This is the one we want to win and to do that we have to continue to be physical," he said. "Our guys have become more physical every game and we don't need to stop that now."