Northview holds off Three Oaks in annual Battle of the Choctaws

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

Just one night after the two schools in the Dyer County system met on the volleyball court, Northview hosted Three Oaks in football action on Thursday night as the orange and white from Newbern defeated the Choctaws from Upper Finley Road 22-14 to celebrate Homecoming 2026.

Northview got on the board in the first quarter on an AJ Young touchdown run. The two-point conversion put the Choctaws from Newbern on top 8-0 during the opening frame.

Three Oaks looked poised to score as the orange and white drove down the field deep into Northview territory. The NMS defense stepped up and stopped TOMS in the red zone to end the Three Oaks scoring threat.

But, on the first play of the ensuing Northview drive, a bad snap over the NMS quarterback’s head resulted in a safety and two points for Three Oaks with 2:04 left in the first half.

Northview was able to keep Three Oaks from adding to their side of the board after the free kick to send the game into half with NMS leading 8-2.

Northview wasted little time extending their lead in the third quarter. After recovering an onside kick to open the half and on the first play from scrimmage in the frame, Bryson Pinson broke free for a long touchdown run to put the Choctaws from Newbern back on the board. The two-point conversion was successful, extending the NMS lead to 16-2 with 7:48 left in the third quarter.

Three Oaks was able to get into the end zone late in the third quarter as Gage Emery capped a Choctaw drive with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed as TOMS cut the Northview lead to 16-8 with 4:15 left in the third quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Three Oaks threatened to pull even with Northview. But, a Wilson Smith interception deep in Northview territory ended the Three Oaks scoring opportunity.

The Northview offense made the most of the newfound opportunity, getting a Pinson eight-yard run to cap the scoring drive with a touchdown. The two-pointer failed but Three Oaks’ lead swelled back to 22-8 with 1:37 left in the game.

Three Oaks was able to keep things interesting and it was immediate as Emery hit Carsyn Scott for a long touchdown pass to put the Choctaws from Upper Finley Road back on the board. The two-point attempt was stopped, but Three Oaks cut the Northview lead to 22-14 with 1:23 left in the game.

But, Northview’s offense was able to run out the clock to seal the homecoming win.

Northview returns to action Thursday, Sept. 24 when the Choctaws travel to Ripley. Three Oaks is in action the same night when the Choctaws host Crockett County.

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