HS Football: Chiefland rallies to defeat Wildwood in overtime in possible playoff preview

CHIEFLAND — Chiefland High never led in regulation, but made plays and got stops when it mattered most, snatching a 28-20 overtime win Friday night over visiting Wildwood.

The Indians are now 5-0 while the Wildcats fell to 4-2 in what could be a playoff preview.

Junior Dakota Fisher's 9-yard touchdown run and senior Clint Thomas' interception in overtime clinched the win.

Here are takeaways from the game:

Chiefland’s offense: Ground and Pound

The Indians’ identity is very similar to the one that advanced to the 1A State semifinals a year ago — they will run the ball all night and make you stop them.

Fisher, Thomas, senior Junior Brown and junior Anthony Blackman are all capable ball carriers for the Indians. Chiefland used all four to amass just over 200 yards rushing.

Brown, a fullback who made the score 8-6 Wildwood early in the second quarter, is the Indians’ most punishing runner, while Thomas is their most dynamic rusher. Thomas' 17-yard run and dive past the pylon in the third quarter tied the score at 14. Fisher ran for 50 yards on two carries to start the fourth quarter, scoring on a seven-yard dash to again draw Chiefland even at 20-20.

“Any time we need hard yardage, line Junior up and give it to him,” said Chiefland coach James Corbin. “He’s going to get three or four yards. And when you have an athlete like Clint, you have to get the ball in his hands. In one word, he’s electric.”

Chiefland’s defense: Fast, Physical, Freshmen

As the game wore on, Chiefland seemed to wear down Wildwood up front.

The Indians were getting their way with their run offense, and on defense, repeatedly either sacked Jamari Gaskins, or made him very uncomfortable. Chiefland’s defensive line was especially successful.

The Indians got five sacks from two freshmen — Jon Adams and Wykel Howard. Adams, who was second-team all-state last year as an eighth grader, had four QB takedowns alone. Three of them came in the second half, the most crucial of those three was in overtime, pushing the Wildcats back from the Chiefland 10 to the 18-yard line.

“He’s an absolute freak,” Corbin said of Adams. “He’s really quick. If he can get a one-on-one match up, he can win it.”

“The difference in the game was the physicality,” Wildwood coach Vincent Brown said. “At the end of the day, they were the tougher team tonight.”

The 20 points allowed by Chiefland’s defense Friday night matched its point total through the previous four games of the season.

Wildwood’s Vernell Brown III makes instant impact

Friday night was the first time Vernell “Trey” Brown III played a single snap this season for the Wildcats, and his presence was felt quickly.

With his dad, former Gator player and current senior director of player development and alumni relations, Vernell Brown Jr., on the sideline, “Trey” made his return from an injury suffered in Wildwood’s kickoff classic.

The explosive receiver caught a pair of touchdown passes, one for 31 yards when he managed to get all alone down the middle of the field in the first half, then a 12-yard grab as time expired in the third quarter. Both scores broke ties and pushed Wildwood back in front.

Playoff preview

Both the Wildcats and Indians have made deep playoff runs in the past two years.

Wildwood advanced to a regional final in 2020, while Chiefland made it to the 1A final four a season ago. The two schools now compete in Rural Class 1-Region 4, which means they could easily see each other again in the postseason.

Friday night’s overtime event, in which both teams battled to the buzzer, had all the appearances of playoff game come early.

“Wildwood is the real deal,” Corbin said. “They’re excellent in pass coverage. This summer they went up to Florida State’s 7-on-7 tournament, and they won it. That’s a big deal for a 1A school to do that.”

Chiefland takes on Jacksonville Zarapheth Academy next Friday at home. Wildwood travels to Jefferson County.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Chiefland Indians defeat Wildwood Wildcats in high school football