Photos: The Agony Of Defeat
December 3, 2011
After the final buzzer, the final notes from the bands, and the fireworks ended both on the field and in the skies, it was strangely quiet on western end of the football field at Northview High School Friday night. The scoreboard in the distance told the heartbreaking story for the hometown Chiefs, a 25-21 loss in the state semifinal game.
Moms held their sons; dads reacted with a pat on the back and a strong hug as they tried to find those perfect words to encourage their boys and make them feel rightfully proud about an impressive season cut short of their state championship dream.
Cheerleaders were oddly quiet, far from cheerful as tears flowed down their faces. Young men kneeled to the ground in disbelief that it was all over. Fans stood silently, many sobbing, each consoling the other.
It had been a football season from which dreams were made. Blood, sweat and tears to a semifinal spot only reached once before by anyone in a Northview Chief jersey.
A senior quarterback, denied the right to play in his last ever high school football game, stood crying uncontrollably, his cheerleader girlfriend speechless by his side. One by one, his fellow teammates spoke to him. This was not a time for handshakes, this was a time for sharing a tear and that bond that Chiefs have.
A family of Chiefs stood together, even in defeat. It’s the kind of thing that make one proud to live in North Escambia, and the kind of thing that makes one love the Northview Chiefs.
It’s a story, a love for God and country and community and one another and the Northview Chiefs that is just hard to put into words. It’s easiest understand this story by looking into the souls and the passion of the Northview Chiefs in a photo gallery we’ve entitled The Agony of Defeat.
Click here to view the gallery.
Pictured top: A tearful senior Sam Spence is comforted by cheerleader Autumn Rose following Northview’s loss to Chipley Friday night. Pictured top inset: Senior quarterback Brandon Sheets (center), sheds tears with teammates. Pictured bottom inset: Senior Austin Albritton is overcome with emotion following the loss. Pictured below: Senior Nathan Therrell, who was unable to play until undergoing brain surgery, was once the team’s waterboy. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Frontier, Cox Communications Both Experience Outages
December 3, 2011
Two communications providers in the area experienced major outages Friday.
Frontier Communications, which serves customers in Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino and Atmore, experienced a major internet outage from about 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Friday. Frontier phone services was not effected.
Cox Communications, which serves customers in the Pensacola area, experienced an internet, phone and 911 outage for a few hours Friday evening.
“We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience,” Cox Public Affairs Manager David Deliman said.
Ernest Ward Middle Ships Care Packages To Overseas Soldiers
December 3, 2011
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School raised over $600 for Christmas care package items for American soldiers serving overseas. Clubs and athletic groups at the school donated a portion of their own fundraising proceeds toward the project.
In addition to snacks and other items, the students also included hundreds of handmade Christmas cards for the packages that were mailed Friday.
Pictured: Representatives from several Ernest Ward Middle clubs and athletic groups packed Christmas care packages Friday for overseas American soldiers. Pictured are Bethany Reynolds, cross country; Peighton Dortch, FFA; Mallory Gibson, cheerleading; Brianna Parker, basketball; Amber Freeman, band; Gavin Grant, basketball; and Austin Whitehead, football. Several other clubs that are not pictured also contributed to the effort. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Open House At Wildlife Sanctuary Of Northwest Florida
December 3, 2011
The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida is holding a Holiday Open House and Give A Hoot Supply Drive today at 105 North “S” Street in Pensacola. The event will take place from noon until 3:30 p.m.
There will be facility tours, music, unique gifts, children’s story time, food and games. Cameras are encouraged.
The facility is in need of these items on daily basis: sweet potatoes, venison or red meat, fresh or frozen chicken or fish, peanuts in the shell, pecans, puppy Science Diet, suet, peanut butter, liquid laundry soap, first class stamps, monetary donations and gift cards from Walmart, Lowe’s and Home Depot.
For more information on making a donation, call (850) 433-9453 or www.pensacolawildlife.com.
Cantonment Man Is One Of America’s Most Wanted
December 3, 2011
A former Cantonment resident that was the suspected triggerman in the shooting a death of a Pensacola toddler over two months ago is being named one of America’s Most Wanted.
The America’s Most Wanted television program is filming a segment this weekend about 19-year old Dwayne “Money” Pinestraw. He’s wanted on an open count of murder for the shooting death of Ty’Quarius Moultrie, 19 months old; aggravated battery for the shooting of Vincent Dennis, 23; and firing a weapon into an occupied building for the incident that occurred in July at Pensacola Village, 500 East Fairfield Drive.
Multiple shots were fired into the apartment back on July 15, according to Pensacola Police, shortly after several people were involved in a drug transaction nearby.
Pinestraw’s last known address was on Lake Drive in Cantonment. Pinestraw is a black male, approximately 5-feet 6-inches tall and approximately 130 pounds. He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to Pensacola Police.
Anyone having information on the Pinestraw’s location or the shooting is asked to contact Lt. Doug Baldwin at (850) 435-1908, Detective James Reese at (850) 435-1976, or the Desk Sergeant’s Office at (850) 435-1900.
Pinestaw is expected to be featured on America’s Most Wanted with John Walsh on December 17 as part of a special two hour primetime special.
Man Arrested In Early Morning Murder Of Escambia Teen
December 2, 2011
An arrest has been made in the early morning murder of an Escambia County teen.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office charged Michael Palmer Davis, 25, with second degree murder for the shooting death of Alonzo Dewayne Knight.
Deputies responded to the 7100 block of Princess Lane near Fairfield Drive and Patricia Drive just after 2 a.m. Friday for a shooting victim. Upon arrival, Knight was
pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound.
Davis is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Chipley 25 Northview 21 FINAL
December 2, 2011
Chipley beat Northview in tonight’s state semifinal game 25-21.
Details and photos Saturday morning.
Cox Experiences Internet, Phone, 911 Outage
December 2, 2011
Cox Communications customers are currently experiencing service outages that include 911 telephone service. Residents in need of emergency services are advised to use their cell phones to call 911. Cox is currently working on the issue and hopes to restore services soon, according to Cam Johnson, Escambia County spokesman.
Chipley High Bus Burns On The Way To Northview
December 2, 2011
A bus transporting Chipley High School’s football team to Friday night’s semifinal game at Northview High School burned on the interstate.
There were no injuries and the team was able to save all of the equipment, Mike Morrison, public information officer for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office told NorthEscambia.com. The bus fire began during the 4:00 hour on I-10 at the 74 mile marker near Defuniak Springs.
The photograph on this page was taken as the fire was starting; it engulfed and destroyed the bus, according to Tracy Hinote, mother of Chipley player Kyle Hinote. She confirmed that there were no injuries and none of the football equipment was lost. She said that several players did lose their personal items on the bus, such as jackets
The team secured another bus to continue to Northview High School.
Pictured: Chipley High School’s bus burns Friday afternoon on I-10 near Defuniak Springs. Exclusive photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 29 Crash
December 2, 2011
There were no serious injuries reported in a Friday morning accident in Cantonment, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The accident happened about 11:15 a.m. on Highway 29 north of Archer Road, near St. Monica’s Episcopal Church.
The accident did cause traffic delays in the area for a short period.
Further details have not been released; the accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.