Northview football team getting in right frame of mind

For two straight years, Northview has narrowly missed the playoffs.

In 2006, the Cougars ended in a three-way tie for the last spot in Class 6A, Region 7, but lost on a tiebreaker.

A year ago, they finished tied with Central of Phenix City for the final slot, but lost head-to-head to the Red Devils and didn’t make the playoffs.
The Cougars are determined to change the script in 2008.

“Our rally cry this year is making sure we are up for every game,” Northview head coach Chip Harris said. “I have talked at length after practice and with the seniors about making sure we are up for every game.

“I felt like the last couple of years we have had games we were supposed to win and we came out a little flat then we were kicking ourselves afterwards.”

The ache of missing postseason was magnified by close losses in key games. Last year, three of the four Cougar region losses were by eight, two and five points — 15 total points in three games. Two years ago, two of the three region losses were by two touchdowns or less, including a five-point loss.

In both years, Northview lost a game by a 21-16 score — at Smiths Station in 2006 and at home to Central last year.

“Twenty-one to 16 keeps getting us,” Harris said. “We say all the time, we want to win that 21-16 this year.”

Being mentally ready will be a key to breaking through those close losses and earning the program’s first state playoff appearance since 2000, said Harris.

“There will come a couple of games this year where there will be big playoff implications on the line and we have got to find a way to come out and put our best foot forward those nights,” Harris said.

Winning the close games, as been the case in recent years, could likely be the difference maker in what is again expected to be a tightly-bunched race.

Most region observers feel Opelika, which has won five of the last six region titles and the last three, is favored to win the crown in retiring head coach Spence McCracken’s final year.

From there, it’s a up for grabs with Auburn, Enterprise, Central of Phenix City, Northview and quite possibly Dothan all in the picture for the final three spots. Russell County is the region’s other team.

“You have five teams fighting for the second, third and fourth spots,” Harris said.

Though only only three starters return on offense and four on defense, Harris sees enough potential for Northview to get the job accomplished.

“This group seems a little more in tuned with our goals than we have in the past,” Harris said.

Though only a few starters return, Northview returns two key offensive playmakers from last year — B.J. Chitty and Joe Coachman.

The two athletic players split time at quarterback last year, but the Cougar coaching staff has made the decision to start Chitty at quarterback and move Coachman to wide receiver for this year.

The coaches, according to Harris, felt a need to have both on the field at the same time and that utilizing Chitty at quarterback made the most sense as did putting Coachman at wide receiver.

Chitty is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior and Coachman a 5-foot-11, 175 pound senior.

“Bottom line is we have two guys who are good quarterbacks,” Harris said. “We just thought if they were that close and that equal, go with the guy you will have for another year. With B.J., we have him for another year.

“Both are also good wide receivers. B.J. may be a little bit better deep threat, but Joe is a little better screen catcher and a little bit better after the catch. So we thought he (Coachman) might be a little better out there.”

Harris adds Chitty is also more of a natural quarterback and adds a dimension because of his taller height.

“B.J. has a lot of natural ability at quarterback,” Harris said. “His throwing motion is really good. It’s not anything we taught. He came here with a good motion, a quick release and good body posture when he throws.”

The two moves were also made to solidify plans for the season. A year ago, Harris said coaches had designs every week to have both in the game at the same time, but didn’t follow through.

Typically, one would be playing, while coaches would be talking with the other on the sideline about strategy.

“It was easy to say that in a Sunday meeting (to play both), but when the game came, we kept noticing that very rarely did we have both of them on the field (at same time),”  Harris said.

When they did, Harris said “good things were happening.”

Both players seem to like the plan, said Harris.

“We are real comfortable with where we are at and both guys are real comfortable with where they are at,” Harris said.