Our View: NHS Quarterback Sheets’ Suspension Just Isn’t Right
December 2, 2011
Tonight’s the biggest football game ever in Bratt, and certainly the big one for seniors like Brandon Sheets, starting quarterback and free safety.
But Brandon won’t play tonight, his suspension upheld Thursday by the Florida High School Athletic Association for taunting. Really? This is high school football. This is a sport for young men; this is not third grade kickball.
That said, there should have never been a flag on Sheets after his short touchdown late in the third. Video from two different angles clearly shows Sheets steeping across the goal line and stopping near immediately. There’s a Freeport defender wrapped around his legs. The tackle does not bring him down, but he stops until the Freeport player turns loose. Yes, he does look down, waiting to see when Mr. Freeport is going to let go. Then within a second, he turns and walks away with another Chief.
Plenty of “smart” armchair quarterbacks have read the reports on NorthEscambia and chimed in on how immature he was, how he should be taught a lesson, how the suspension was correct and lots of other uneducated comments. Some theorized that it was what he said that irked the referee. Most probably did not even see the game, blowing hot air behind their keyboards.
The videos clearly show he did not do anything wrong. But, most importantly to me, I did not see anything wrong. I’m not playing armchair quarterback or making that call from the perspective of a fan in the stands. I’m saying that as the person standing closer to the play than anyone else in the stadium except for other players. I was just feet away on the edge of end zone, closer than any referee. If he said anything wrong, I certainly did not hear it, and it would have been impossible for any referee to hear.
I never saw a second flag against Sheets. No one caught it on video. In fact, I can’t find anyone that saw the second flag, even among us media types on the field. There was never a clear signal from a ref that Sheets was ejected.
If Brandon Sheets did run back on the field clapping, then sorry Mr. Referee, he wasn’t making fun of you (again, this is not third grade kickball and no one’s out to get you). He was encouraging his team. That’s what Brandon Sheets does play after play, game after game. That’s leadership, not taunting.
After the game, Wheatley told me, and told other reporters in separate interviews, that Sheets was not ejected. Wheatley said he pulled him from the rest of the game, allowing backup quarterback Kevin Vaughan excellent playtime in the QB slot.
But somewhere between Friday night and Monday morning, an official from the Miracle Strip Association, decided and reported to the Florida High School Athletic Association that Sheets was ejected.
That’s another interesting issue. The Miracle Strip Association that provided the officials is based in Shalimar, about 30 miles from Freeport, with officials from across that area. They are, just to make the note, the likely officials for the Northview vs. Chipley game. Chipley is a short 75 miles from Freeport.
Ejections have their place in high school sports. Throwing punches, spitting, attacking an official physically, throwing a sissy fit — those are valid reasons for ejections. Ejections have been issued overturned on appeal this year in our area for players involved in fights and players that were arrested.
But what’s done is done, as wrong as it may be. Brandon Sheets will sit out Friday night’s game. He will hold his head high knowing his team, his fans and most of Escambia County are behind him.
Junior Kevin Vaughan will step and he will lead the Chiefs on the field tonight. Rest assured, his team is behind him, and they are ready to “Do it with Dewey”, as he is called by those that know him. The fans will pack the stands; those that can’t be there will follow our score updates on their computers and smartphones. We all have your back Kevin, and we are supporting you and each of the players fully.
Win or lose, we won’t be making excuses come Saturday morning, even though we know the suspension was wrong. The entire area will stand tall behind the Boys from Bratt. Most of us are already checking the couch cushions for gas money for Orlando. (Can you say Road Trip?!?)
Go Chiefs!
William Reynolds, Publisher
NorthEscambia.com
December Begins With Three House Fires
December 2, 2011
Escambia and Santa Rosa county both kicked off their annual December fire safety campaigns Thursday. In Santa Rosa County, the month was off to a rough start, with three residential fires reported in one day.
The first Santa Rosa County fire was ported at 4:15 a.m. on Covenant Circle in Pace. Two people were displaced by the fire, which was believed to have started in the home’s heating system.
The second fire was reported about 3:15 p.m. on Whychwood Road. The home was a total loss; the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Three people were left homeless.
The third fire was in the 8300 block of Sierra Street in Navarre, believed to have started in the trailer’s chimney, the fire left one person homeless.
For more about the “Keep the Wreath Green” program in Escambia County and the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign in Santa Rosa County, click here.
Want Jobless Benefits? Undergo Mandatory Job Training?
December 2, 2011
Continuing efforts to transform the state’s unemployment office into a job training center, a Florida House panel is expected to consider a measure next week that would require low-skilled applicants to undergo job training at no expense in order to receive jobless benefits.
The measure is scheduled to be heard Tuesday in the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee. The bill also renames the Florida Unemployment Compensation Law the Reemployment Assistance Program in an apparent refocus and rebranding of agency efforts. The measure would require applicants who score low on initial job screens to undergo training.
The agency would be required to provide the Legislature with a report on program costs by Jan. 2013.
By The News Service Florida
Northview Fans Rally Behind The Chiefs, Coach Reacts To QB Suspension (With Pep Rally Photos)
December 2, 2011
Northview will be without starting quarterback Brandon Sheets tonight in a state semifinal game against Chipley, but the Chiefs are ready to earn the school’s first ever trip to a state championship game in Orlando with the help of backup quarterback Kevin Vaughan.
NorthEscambia.com will post live updates from tonight’s Chipley at Northview state semifinal game on two Facebook pages:
http://www.Facebook.com/NorthEscambia (“Like” the page for updates)
http://www.Facebook.com/NorthEscambiaWilliam (Send a Friend request)
The Florida High School Athletic Association ruled against a Northview appeal on Thursday, deciding that Sheets’ actions last Friday night were “perceived as taunting”, resulting into a one-game suspension. [Read more details on the alleged actions, see video by clicking here for an earlier story.]
“We knew it (the appeal) could go either way, and we were ready to move on if it didn’t go in our favor,” Northview coach Sid Wheatly said Thursday night. “We were disappointed obviously; I am disappointed for Brandon.”
For a photo gallery from a Thursday night Chiefs pep rally, click here.
The Chiefs are moving forward with plans to “do it with Dewey”, as backup junior QB Kevin Vaughan (#12) is known to his friends and teammates.
“Our plan has been all week to work with Kevin and he’s going to be able to do the job. We’ve got a lot of confidence in him, and we are moving forward,” Wheatley said. “The kids have a lot of confidence in him.”
In tonight’s final four state semifinal game, the Chiefs (9-3) will host Chipley (10-2), a team that beat the Chiefs in game of turnovers back on September 16. But now a more experienced Northview teams is looking for revenge.
“We are going to get out there an complete really hard,” Wheatley said, “and bring home a big win.”
Wheatley admitted that Sheets’ suspension and a Vaughan in the QB slot does give the Chiefs a rather unique advantage over Chipley….the Tigers have likely watched hours of Northview game film — mostly with Sheets at quarterback — so they have no idea how the team performs with Vaughan and what surprise plays they might pull.
While 110 percent ready to perform with Vaughan as quarterback, members of the the varsity Chiefs are standing in support of Sheets, who has thrown for over 1,100 yard and a dozen touchdowns while picking up 16 touchdowns on over 900 yards rushing this year. Their goal? To make sure Sheets has one more shot to play a high school football game. With a win tonight, the Chiefs will head to Orlando December 2 for the state championship game. And Sheets will be eligible to play.
“We are going to do everything we can to make sure that you get to see Brandon Sheets take the field on more time,” junior Chad Smith told Northview fans Thursday night.
“We are going to win and give Brandon one more game to play,” Roderick Woods, also a junior, agreed.
At a Thursday night pep rally, Wheatley and the rest of the Chiefs encouraged Northview fans to pack the Northview stadium in Bratt tonight, and, above all, make a lot of noise in support of their Chiefs.
Wheatley said three playoff games on their home field has been a tremendous advantage for Northview. But he’s ready to pile the team on a bus and get out of Bratt.
“They do want one long road trip to Orlando next week,” he joked.
Tonight semifinal game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in Bratt. [Click here for game details you need to know.] It’s the second ever semifinal game for the Northview Chiefs, and they have big plans for a big win.
“We are going to make history,” Chief Laderious Franklin said.
For a photo gallery from a Thursday night Chiefs pep rally, click here.
Pictured above: Northview High held a community pep rally for the region champ Chiefs Thursday night. Pictured below: Team members autographed almost 100 spirit shirts. NorthEscambia.com photos, click here.
Winning $109,884 Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In North Escambia
December 2, 2011
For the second time this week, a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket was sold in North Escambia. The winning ticket in Thursday night’s drawing was sold in Davisville.
The Quick Pick ticket, with numbers 5-27-28-32-33, was sold at the State Line Gift Shop, 11208 Highway 97, at the Alabama state line. The ticket was one of two winning tickets in the drawing; the second winning ticket was sold in Miami.
Each of the winning tickets is worth $109,884.61. There were also 262 tickets with four correct numbers worth $135 each, and 8,571 with three of five numbers worth $11.50 each.
The winning ticket in Tuesday night’s Fantasy 5 was sold in Molino. Read more…
Northview vs. Chipley: What You Need To Know
December 2, 2011
Tonight will be, without a doubt, the biggest football game ever played in Bratt as the Northview Chiefs host the Chipley Tigers in the state semifinals. The winner heads to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando next Friday night.
It’s only the second trip to the state semis in the history of Northview High School, and the first final four game at home.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The ticket price, set by the FHSAA, is $9. There are no passes or student discounts.
- Tickets will be available at the school from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and at the gate.
- Kickoff will be 7:30 p.m.
- Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
- Parking will be free. However, the Northview NJROTC will be accepting donations for parking.
- Noise makers are encouraged, but no air horns or glass containers are allowed.
- Complete concessions will be available.
- Game time weather: Temperatures will be around 55 at kickoff under clear skies, falling to about 45 by the end of the fourth quarter. The humidity will be a bit high, around 65%, with a light wind out out of the east or east-southeast.
- NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage Saturday morning with all of the game details and lots of photos.
Directions:
For driving directions to the school at 4100 West Highway 4 in Bratt, click here for Google Maps and enter your address.
Feds Looking At Psych Meds For Foster Kids
December 2, 2011
A federal study released Thursday is sparking Congressional scrutiny of the high rates at which children in state care are prescribed potent psychotropic drugs.
In Florida, one of five states examined by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, foster children were medicated at a rate of 22 percent compared to 8.2 percent for non-foster children in 2008, according to the study.
The GAO found that Florida – along with Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan and Oregon – “falls short of providing comprehensive oversight as defined by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry” in its oversight of the use of psychotropic drugs.
Also on Thursday, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware held a hearing into the disparate rates.
George Sheldon, formerly Florida’s child welfare chief and now a federal official, last week wrote to states, “Enhanced efforts to properly prescribe and monitor psychotropic medication among children in out-of-home care are necessary, appropriate, and urgent.”
In 2009, as secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, Sheldon presided over an investigation into the suicide of seven-year-old Gabriel Myers, who hanged himself from a shower in Margate; the child had been taking several “black-box” drugs whose side effects include suicidal behavior.
“I am so thankful I was taken off of these types of meds,” said Derrick Riggins, a former Florida foster child who now works at the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington, D.C. “Kids in foster care don’t need to be over-medicated. They need a loving home.”
In 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will convene state directors of child welfare, Medicaid and mental health services to develop action plans for addressing the issue.
By The News Service Florida
Tate Regional Roundup To Collect Electronics, Tires And More For Free
December 2, 2011
Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management hosts the next Regional Roundup on Saturday, December 3, from 8 a.m. until noon at Tate High School, 1771 Tate Road, Cantonment. Regional Roundup events provide an opportunity to properly dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste (HHW), shoes and up to four tires per vehicle, free of charge.
Businesses and residents can dispose of all types of clean, dry, recyclable electronics including computers, monitors and terminals, keyboards, mice, printers, TVs, copiers, gaming systems, remotes, fax machines, VCRs, stereo systems, cell phones and telephones. Electronics that have been gutted will not be accepted. Businesses with large amounts of electronics should call the Department of Solid Waste Management to make an appointment to dispose of these items at the Perdido Landfill. Appliances, including fans and air conditioners, are not accepted.
HHW items can cause injury if handled improperly. These items will usually have a warning or cautionary statement on their labels, such as flammable, corrosive, poison or toxic and include items such as swimming pool chemicals, cleaners, drain openers, paint and paint products, fuels, gases, lawn and garden chemicals, aerosol cans and automotive repair and maintenance products.
Shoes are also collected for the Soles4Souls program. Donated shoes should be bound together with a rubber band.
All electronics, household hazardous waste and tires are recycled.
For more information about Regional Roundup events, proper disposal of waste or to make an appointment for a business electronics drop-off, contact the Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management at (850) 937-2160.
Bank Robber Takes A Cab, Gets Busted In Fun Park
December 2, 2011
A man that took a cab for his getaway car after robbing a bank Thursday afternoon was busted by deputies within a half hour later at an amusement park.
Darrel Ward, 27, walked into the Member’s First Credit Union on Airport Boulevard, passed a note to a teller demanding money and alluded that he had a weapon. After the teller gave Ward an undisclosed amount of cash, Ward fled in a cab, according to Sgt. Mike Ward (no relation), spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The cab driver said he dropped Ward off in the 700 block of Ladner Drive in the Marcus Pointe subdivision. Off duty deputy Troy Brown saw Ward jumping the back fence of Sam’s Fun City. Ward was taken into custody with incident. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on robbery and larceny charges with bond set at $105,000.
Sheriff’s K-9 units were able to recover a bag of money behind Sam’s Fun City and the Rave Theater.
Century Resident Retires After 11 Years With Escambia County Facilities
December 2, 2011
Louie Eugene (Gene) Findley of Century retired this week from Escambia County Facilities Management/Maintenance. He worked for Escambia County for 11 years after retiring from the Westinghouse Corp.
Findley’s work took him across the North Escambia area — often to the community centers, fire departments, tax and tag offices, Clerk of Courts offices, and Lake Stone.
Escambia County Public Works held a retirement party Wednesday for Findley, celebrating his accomplishments for Escambia County.
Pictured: Gene Findley (left) is congratulated on his retirement by Escambia County Facilities Management Deputy Bureau Chief David Wheeler. Pictured below: A retirement party for Findley was held Wednesday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
