By By Matthew Nascone
The Northview Chiefs begin their defense of a FHSAA Class 2B District 1 title at home Friday night against a tough opponent in Pensacola Catholic High School.
"They are a good football team," NHS head coach Cody Keene said. "They make the playoffs every year in Class 2A."
Keene said the game against Catholic will show him a lot about his team.
"This game is a big challenge for us and I expect to win the game," Keene said. "Our kids work hard and they take pride in how they play. We are looking forward to playing a tough opponent because we will be able to really gauge where we are as a team after this game."
For NHS to win, the team will have to shut down Pensacola's skill players at quarterback and running back, according to Keene.
"They have a real good quarterback and their skill players all can beat us at the running back and wide receiver position," he said. "We will have to make sure we are in the right spot all the time. We cannot have missed tackles.
This is the first time in two years that these two teams will meet on the football field and Catholic head coach Gregg Seibert said he is ready.
"I think (Northview) is as strong or stronger than they were last year when they went 9-0," Seibert said. "Coach Keene has done a tremendous job with that program since he has been there."
The Chiefs are pumped up to finally get game action, Keene said.
"These guys are excited to play another team," he said. "They are tired of hitting each other. We want to play somebody different. It is game week and we are ready."
This would just be another football game without the fans, and Keene knows this.
"We want people to come out and support this team," he said. "These boys have worked very hard and they are such a dedicated group."
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.