Here are updates from Friday’s high school football game between Southview and Northview. This story will be updated following each quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
Southview put together yet another lengthy drive (80 yards on 15 plays) that ended in a 24-yard field goal by Logan Howe that gave the Cougars a 26-9 lead with 6:48 left.
Southview looked to have gotten the ball right back when Ru Selmon forced a fumble but the ball bounced out of the end zone for a touch back.
With its back against the wall, Northview went for it on a fourth and 15 situation with the ball at its 15. Wide receiver Connor Cody broke into the open but the pass was overthrown and the Wildcats turned the ball over on downs. But Northview forced a quick three and out to get the ball back.
Northview then scored on a 19-yard pass from Jacob Weimer to Jackson Clasius to make it 26-16 with 2:48 left in regulation.
Southview running back Isaac Sexton then broke off a 44-yard TD run to seal it as the Cougars took a 33-16 lead with 1:54 left.
THIRD QUARTER
On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, Northview's Connor Cody recovered a Southview fumble. The Wildcats took over at the Cougar 18 but the drive quickly stalled. Northview settled for a 27-yard field goal by Alex Kasee that pulled the Wildcats within 14 points at 23-9.
Northview then forced a punt and nearly hit a big pass play on offense. But Jacob Weimer's pass just missed connecting with a streaking Jackson Clasusius and the Wildcats punted.
SECOND QUARTER
Northview punter Alex Kasee boomed a 76-yard punt on the first play of the second quarter.
However, Southview put together an impressive 16 play, 93-yard drive to take a 23-0 lead. Isaac Sexton capped it with a four-yard run with 5:35 left in the first half.
Northview battled right back as the Wildcats got on the board after a 12-play, 63 yard drive. Quarterback Jacob Weimer connected with Jackson Clausius on a 12-yard pass play as Northview made it 23-6 with 36 seconds left in the second quarter.
FIRST QUARTER
Northview went three and out on the game's first possession due in large part to a botched snap on the second play. Wildcats kicker Alex Kasee then booted a 59-yard punt.
Southview then marched 67 yards on 15 plays and took the initial lead on a one-yard QB sneak by Will Mayzes. The Cougars then went for two and converted on a pass to take an 8-0 lead with 3:02 left in the first quarter.
Southview then executed an on-side kick and Ben Tucker recovered the loose ball at midfield.
It took the Cougars just four plays to score again as Mayzes scored on a 27-yard QB draw up the middle. Southview seized a 15-0 lead with 1:30 to go in the first quarter.
PREGAME
In the battle of Sylvania, Southview travels to Northview to battle the crosstown rival Wildcats.
Southview (7-2, 4-2 NLL) has won three in a row. The Cougars opened the season with a four-game winning streak before falling in back-to-back weeks to Anthony Wayne and Perrysburg.
Northview (4-5, 2-4 NLL) has lost two straight. The Wildcats won four of their first seven games.
Northview has won three in a row in the series, earning a 24-3 road victory last year. The Wildcats also have won six of the last 10 meetings against the Cougars. Southview won eight straight in the series from 2007-13.
The game also has playoff implications.
Northview currently occupies the 16th and final playoff qualifying spot in Division II, Region 6. The Wildcats are hoping to clinch one of the final three seeds in the region. With a win, Northview could finish as high as 13th but also could still not be in the field. With a loss, the Wildcats could still clinch the final spot at No. 16 but would need a lot of help from other results.
Southview, which is currently No. 12 in the seedings, has already clinched a playoff berth. The Cougars could still finish as high as No. 5 — and host a home game — in the regional seedings with a win and as low as 15th with a loss.
Southview's Isaac Sexton has rushed for a team-high 729 yards and has scored 12 touchdowns. Sexton also has 14 catches for 189 yards.
Wide receiver Emite Lamb has 514 receiving yards and 7 TDs, while Ben Tucker has 318 rushing yards and 5 TDs.
The Cougars have two quarterbacks that have split time. Avery Offenburg has completed 35 of 54 passes for 502 yards and 4 TDs. Will Mayzes has completed 41 of 69 passes for 373 yards and 5 scores.
Logan Howe has kicked three field goals and has 39 extra points.
Northview is led by running backs Tim Peoples (355 rushing yards) and Kaden Tomasek (307).
QB Jacob Weimer has completed 93 of 154 passes for 999 yards and 10 scores. Wide receiver Cody Connor has 312 receiving yards and 5 TDs, followed by fellow wideouts Andrew Fineske (311 yards) and Jackson Clausius (212).
Northview kicker Alex Kasee has booted six field goals and has 18 extra points.
The teams both have first-year head coaches.
Southview coach Steve Hardy, who has 14 years of coaching experience, was the Cougars' offensive coordinator last season.
Northview coach Greg Silm also was an assistant for five years under former Wildcats head coach Doug Downing.
First Published October 21, 2022, 9:30 p.m.