UWF Beats McKendree, 35-3
September 10, 2023
The season has started with UWF’s football team getting a pair of wins by identical scores.
But the latest one on Saturday was viewed differently.
The sixth-ranked Argos again received a dominating performance by their defense, along with more superlatives from quarterback Peewee Jarrett, but an alarming number of penalties (15) in UWF’s 35-3 road win against McKendree University created an urgency to correct.
“We’re not content with how this game went, so we have to keep getting better,” said Argos’ coach Kaleb Nobles, whose team opened its season Sept. 1 with a 35-3 home win against Kentucky Wesleyan. “Obviously, we’ll take wins any way we can get them. And we have a lot to improve on and these guys know that.
“We just have to clean up little things, clean up things between the whistles and be better about smart play. But overall, I am proud of the team and we have to keep improving up.”
His biggest salute was with UWF’s defense, which has been two field goals away from producing two shutouts. An astonishing 22 different Argos’ defenders recorded at least one tackle. UWF held McKendree to minus-32 yards rushing, recorded seven sacks, and limited the home team to just 2.4 yards per play.
McKendree only crossed inside the red zone when the Bearcats were stalled at the 9 on their final possession and missed a field goal. Their only points came on a 47-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Senior linebacker Gael Laurent shined again with five solo stops. Newcomer John McMullen, a graduate student transfer, had four stops, including three sacks. Onelio Rios also had four stops.
“I am really excited about those guys,” Nobles said. “That (defensive) line is awesome and just doing a great job getting after the quarterback.”
The team’s big performance blemish was UWF being whistled for 15 penalties for 160 yards. One of the penalties – a holding call — nullified Caden Leggett scoring on a 62 yard direct snap on a fake punt early in the fourth quarter.
It did result in a first down, however, and UWF scored five plays later on Jarrett’s fourth touchdown pass of the game to complete the scoring. Jarrett finished by completing 21 of 28 passes for 329 yards, including a 77-yard catch-and-run by transfer John Jiles, who played a year ago at Virginia Union.
Nine different UWF players caught a pass, which reinforced this team’s potential.
“We have to worry about us, not worry about the other team or the officials, just do our job as a team overall,” said Nobles in a message he will likely keep repeating to his team this week.
The win continued UWF’s well-earned moniker as “Kings of the Road.” They are now 32-6 in road games since 2017, among the best road records of any NCAA Division II team. They had a 16-game road win streak ended last December in the D-2 national semifinal game and that was their first road playoff loss at a campus site.
This game was the fourth-longest, regular-season road trip – a distance of 724 miles – to a school located 28 miles east of St. Louis. The team was set to travel all night Saturday back to Pensacola.
Their next road trip will be the shortest one in UWF history – less than 220 miles to Tallahassee – for a marquee game Sept. 16 against Florida A&M, which played the South Florida Bulls in a night game Saturday in Tampa.
After that game, which will be the highest-profile Division I team UWF has played, the Argos will start Gulf South Conference play.
“Obviously, there is a lot of stuff we have to clean up because the road will be tougher moving forward,” Nobles said.
Saturday’s game at McKendree began the way UWF wanted. The Argos scored touchdowns on three of their first four possessions.
They capped their first offensive series with Jamontez Woods taking a pitch from Jarrett and sweeping seven yards into the left corner of the end zone.
On the second play of the second quarter, Jarrett connected with Leggett on a 47-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0. The Argos then answered McKendree’s lone points with a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Jiles catching his first TD of the game on a 16-yard throw with 5:10 left before halftime.
Jiles’ second TD was more spectacular. He caught a pass from Jarrett at midfield, broke right through a charging defender, and raced the final 50 yards untouched for a 28-3 lead late in the third quarter.
The fake punt in the fourth quarter followed a timeout. With the ball at the UWF 38, Leggett took the direct snap, stunned the McKendree defense and raced past defenders into the end zone, but the ball was placed at the McKendree 30 following the holding call on the run.
“I told our guys, I’m not afraid to use (fake punt) no matter what,” Nobles said. “I don’t try to hold anything for anybody. I wanted to make sure we’re giving our guys a chance to score points.
“(Special teams) Coach (Jordan) Remsza said (before play), ‘Are you good with this?’ I said, you are dadgum right I am. I told our guys on offense I’m not afraid to be aggressive and go for it on fourth down, too, and we did after that (fake punt to finish TD drive).”
After the game, UWF players and coaches had a picture taken with the scoreboard in the background. It’s a new tradition Nobles wants to continue for all wins – home and away.
The Argos are now 5-0 against the teams from the Great Lakes Valley Conference with its Midwest locations.
The Argos game against Florida A&M is set for a 5 p.m. (CDT) kickoff at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
by Bill Vilona / photo Tim Vizer / UWF for NorthEscambia.com
Wahoos’ Sixth In A Row Is Milestone Win for Randel
September 10, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their sixth straight game on Saturday night, 6-1 over the Rocket City Trash Pandas, and gave manager Kevin Randel a piece of history.
Randel, wrapping up his third season at the helm of the Blue Wahoos, became just the second manager in franchise history to reach 200 wins. The win was his 519th in an eight-year managerial career that began with Class-A Greensboro in 2015.
Evan Fitterer worked around five walks and two hit batsmen to put together 4.0 scoreless innings for Pensacola, and Will Banfield broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth with a three-run homer off of Michael Darrell-Hicks (L, 0-2). The Blue Wahoos added another three-run frame in the seventh, with RBI singles from Bennett Hostetler and Norel González, to pad their lead.
Rocket City scored their lone run with a Bryce Teodosio RBI single in the fifth against Chandler Jozwiak (W, 1-0), but stranded 13 men on base and left the bases loaded three different times.
In his Double-A debut, new arrival Breidy Encarnación (S, 1) coaxed a pair of double plays and got the final 10 outs to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos go for the six-game sweep in their final road game of the regular season on Sunday afternoon.
written by Erik Bremer
Head-on Crash Near Jay Claims One Life Saturday Morning
September 9, 2023
A head-on wreck Saturday morning south of Jay claimed one life.
A 48-year old Milton man was traveling south on Highway 89 near Highway 182 when his black sedan crossed into the northbound lane, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Trooper said the driver of a white pickup truck, a 38-year old Milton man, did not have time to react, and the vehicles collided head on.
The 48-year old man was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 8:58 a.m. crash. The driver of the pickup was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries.
The FHP Traffic Homicide Investigation Unit is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
BOCC Denies Request To Rezone Old Novak Parcels To Agriculture
September 9, 2023
The Escambia County Commission voted unanimously this week to affirm a planning board recommendation to deny a resident’s request to rezone their property to agricultural so that they could maintain farm animals.
Applicant Mitchell Hazelbaker told the planning board on August 1 that he has a farming background and moved from Indiana to the recently purchased property at 890 Old Novak Road. He said he was not trying to run a “big” farming operation, but just maintain his horses and cattle and “live off the land”.
According to the county, the property was never zoned agricultural.
Hazelbaker submitted a small-scale request to go from a future land use of mixed used suburban to agricultural. Like the surrounding properties, it’s currently zoned as low density residential which does not allow farm animals, other than chickens, and provides for up to four dwelling units per acre. Growing food for personal use is allowed, but not commercially.
The request, according to a county staff analysis, was not consistent with surrounding property.
During this week’s county commission meeting, one area resident said she did not agree with the rezoning.
“These people are not honest people, and because they are not honest, they have already established a pattern that they will not be honest business people,” Caroline Bramblett said. “I am dead set against this change, and I don’t understand why anybody with 20 acres would need their property changed to agricultural to have a few horses.
During the planning board meeting, Bramblett said Hazelbaker has brought trouble to the neighborhood.
Bramblett said Bobbie Lei Sales, who was recently charged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with allegedly impersonating a FDLE agent on Pauline Street, lives on the Old Novak property with Hazelbaker.
According to a court document and a FDLE arrest warrant, the last known address for Sales is 890 Old Novak Road, the subject of the planning board request. However, she is not listed as owner of the property, and she was not a party to the rezoning request.
“She is a pathological liar, Bramblett told the planning board, saying that Sales claims ownership of multiple parcels in the area. “She is a pathological liar.”
Planning Board vice chair Walker Wilson attempted to steer Bramblett on the topic of zoning and away from personal attacks.
Bramblett continued, saying that Sales trespasses on neighboring properties and mentioned code enforcement complaints.
“Nothing that they do is ethical; this is how they live,” she claimed. “This is what they brought into the neighborhood.”
Other neighbors made strong allegations against the rezoning during the planning board meeting.
Kim Smith of Kathleen Avenue claimed that many of the horses on the property were bought locally, not brought from Indiana.
“They do not take care of them; they do not have shelter. There’s a large majority of them that have mysteriously died,” Smith said. “His daughter has been posting where they plan to do hunting, camping, fishing retreats on that land. That’s why they brought that cabin in. They plan to make a business out of it.”
“The last year that they have lived there has been terrible. They have harassed everyone for a mile each direction,” Smith continued. “It’s unbelievable the problems that they have caused….they have already messed up everything since they’ve been there. So please don’t give them any more leeway in making a mess out of where we live.”
Hazelbaker said two bulls purchased from a cattle barn in Atmore had a disease that infected the entire herd despite veterinary care.
There are two pending Escambia County Code Enforcement complaints against Hazelbaker — one for the farm animals and one for an unpermitted structure.
Escambia County Code Enforcement Office Lynn Butler told the planning board that a structure near Hazelbaker’s pond was not permitted, nor were horses, goats and cattle. Butler said they have not been allowed onto the gated property, so they have not been able to confirm all of the animals are actually present.
A May 5 notice of violation posted at the property advised Hazelbaker to “remove the goats, horses, cows, pigs and donkeys from the property. You may keep 1 rooster and up to 8 chickens”.
In a May 1 application to the Florida Department of Revenue for agricultural classification of the land, Hazelbaker stated there are 10 livestock animals on the property, two acres used for “poultry, swine or bee yards”, and one acre of aquaponics. The application stated that he had a cattle income of $2,600, but lost $2,200 on cattle in 2022.
Hazelbaker told the planning board that there are less than a dozen cows on the property which are raised and sold as freezer beef “if we ever venture to get into it that far”.
Other residents of the area spoke in favor of the agricultural zoning, while others thought farm animals would be just too much.
“It’s going to affect me with the runoff, and the smell, the sounds of agriculture,” Kathleen Avenue resident Dorothy Johnson said.
“As far as the horses and cows and stuff, I grew up with them. I don’t want that noise anymore. I can listen to the roosters crowing,” Charles Johnson said. “It’s going to change what is going on in our neighborhood. ”
Janice King of Candy Lane said there has been no problem with smells or annoyances from the property and enjoys visiting the animals. She said Hazelbaker has started working with the Boys Club to teach agriculture.
“I’d like for it (the zoning) to go back to what it was for them to be able to continue that stuff for kids,” King said. “I just want to get it where he would be able to do things with kids, future stuff for America for the kids.”
“When he moved from Indiana, he should have researched that prior to this,” Sheryl Norton of Candy Lane told the planning board about Hazelbaker’s zoning problems. “If it was his desire to put animals on this piece of land, he should have looked at the zoning…I feel like they need to go north and buy land there if that’s their heart’s desire.”
Atmore Woman Charged With Kitchen Knife Stabbing At Apartment Complex
September 9, 2023
A woman has been charged in connection with a stabbing at an apartment complex in Atmore.
About 1:15 a.m. on September 4, the Atmore Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance on Point Escambia Circle.
“The officers contacted the family members involved who stated they were arguing when Janice Grant age 63 of Atmore, grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the victim in the leg,” Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated and released.
Grant was charged with domestic violence second degree.
Cat Country 98.7 Nominated For CMA Station of the Year
September 9, 2023
Cat Country 98.7 is one of five nominees for this year’s small market Country Music Association Radio Station of the Year.
“To be recognized as one of five stations for the biggest award in country radio is a testament to the work our team does each day. We are proud to represent our communities,” WYCT, Cat Country 98.7, owner Mary Hoxeng said.
The winners of the 57th Annual CMA Awards will be honored during a November 8 broadcast on ABC from Nashville.
Cat Country 98.7 won the CMA Radio Station of the Year in 2017 and 2019.
Pictured: Cat Country 98.7 morning show hosts Brent Lane and Mel McCrae. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Holds Mini Cheer Clinic
September 9, 2023
A Northview High School Mini Cheer Clinic was held Friday evening. Campers learned individual cheer skills, partner stunts, a spirit dance and more. They will also have a chance to cheer with the Northview cheerleaders under the Friday night lights at an upcoming football game. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 9, 2023
Here are high school football scores from around the North Escambia area:
- Pine Forest 53, Pensacola High 0
- Jay 41, Franklin County 18
- Pace 24, West Florida 21
- Milton 28, Washington 0
- Escambia 39, Gulf Breeze 27
- Pensacola Catholic 24, Fairhope 10
- Navarre 45, Rickards 18
- Tate 42, Northview 14 (Game story, photos from Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Banks Academy 60, Escambia Academy 38
- Escambia County 46, Satsuma 6
- T.R. Miller 47, Wilcox Central 12
- Mobile Christian 38, W.S. Neal 6
- Flomaton 21, Hillcrest-Evergreen 13 (Thursday)
Pictured: The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 42-14 Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Home Run Barrage Helps Wahoos Win Fifth Straight
September 9, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fifth game in a row on Friday night, overcoming an early deficit to beat the Rocket City Trash Pandas 8-4.
A night after scoring all 11 of their runs on four homers, Pensacola’s first six runs came on three long balls. Before adding two insurance runs in the ninth, they had scored 17 consecutive runs on home runs.
Jonathan Bermúdez (W, 4-5) struggled early, needing 39 pitches to escape a first inning that saw him serve up a three-run homer to Tyler Payne. Adrian Placencia added his first Double-A homer in the third to give Rocket City a 4-0 edge.
The Blue Wahoos couldn’t solve Trash Pandas starter Bryce Osmond (L, 0-1) until the fourth, when Cobie Fletcher-Vance launched a three-run homer to left-center to draw the score to 4-3.
In the fifth, Paul McIntosh hit a go-ahead two-run shot and Will Banfield followed it up with his team-leading 21st home run of the year to put Pensacola ahead 6-4.
Bermúdez settled into a groove and got through 5.0 innings, racking up 10 strikeouts to tie a season and career high, before Zach Willeman and Luarbert Arias (S, 3) worked scoreless relief for the final four innings.
Victor Mesa Jr. added an RBI single in the ninth, and Jake Thompson capped a 2-for-3 night with a sacrifice fly for a final score of 8-4.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Trash Pandas on Saturday night.
written by Erik Bremer
Special Election Date Set For Century Mayor, Council Seat (And How To Get Appointed To The Council Sooner)
September 8, 2023
Election dates have been set for the office of mayor and one council seat Century, and there is a chance for a resident to be appointed to the council before the election.
Interim Council Appointment
Ben Boutwell resigned as mayor on August 22. Then on August 28, Luis Gomez, Jr. resigned from his seat after being appointed interim mayor.
On September 19, the council will appoint a new interim council member. Any resident interested in an appointment to office through November 11 is asked to call the town hall at (850) 256-3208 to express interest. The person must be a registered voter in the town.
Special Election
The special primary election will be held on Tuesday, October 17 in a contest with three or more candidates. If that necessitates a runoff, it will be held during the general election.
The general election in a contest with only two candidates will be held on Wednesday, November 1 (along with any necessary runoff).
Candidates may qualify at the Supervisor of Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place in Pensacola from 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 26 through noon on Friday, September 29 and at Century Town Hall from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on September 27.
An registered voter in the Town of Century can qualify. A candidate for mayor must have resided in the town for six months prior to qualification date, but there is no previous residency requirement for council. The qualification fee for town council is $50; the qualification fee for mayor is $126.32.
The office of mayor pays $10,131.98 annually, while a council member is paid $3,714.92 each year.
The oath of office will be held on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11 at 10 a.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.