Seventh Ranked Argos Roll Into Postseason After Blowout Win At Mississippi College
November 13, 2022
On the team’s coldest football game of this season, UWF’s offense could not have been any hotter.
The seventh-ranked Argos (9-1) scored touchdowns with their first eight possessions in a 56-21 blowout win against Mississippi College that sends road-thriving UWF into the NCAA Division II playoffs with another full steam of momentum.
With a 42-degree temperature at kickoff at Robinson-Hale Stadium, the Argos quickly served notice of their proficiency by scoring in just four plays on the game’s opening series.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett threw the first of his four touchdown passes on a perfect play call and 54-yard delivery to David Durden, who finished with 173 yards in receptions and two scores. Jarrett’s four touchdown passes on a 9-for-11 day with for 246 yards, were complimented by his two rushing touchdowns. Of the 16 times he either threw the ball or ran it, he accounted for six touchdowns.
“Just everything clicked,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “(Mississippi College) tried to do some different things than they did the first game (a 45-17 Argos’ win on Oct. 22), so it really opened a lot of our passing lanes and Peewee just picked up right where he left off last week… on fire.
“So it was very exciting to see us firing on all cylinders.”
In fact, UWF did not punt until the final minute of the game with their backup players on the field.
This 15th consecutive road win assured UWF of a home playoff game next Saturday (Nov. 19) – the first-ever, on-campus postseason game at Pen Air Field. The Argos were a No. 3 seed in this week’s NCAA Super Region 2 rankings and will learn their playoff matchup during the Division II selection show at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
UWF traveled back Saturday night knowing this might have been the team’s most complete game of the season.
The Argos churned out a school-record 12.4 yards per play with 483 yards of total offense on just 39 plays – the fewest in UWF’s 73 all-time games.
The Argos led 35-14 at halftime, after scoring in just nine seconds, another Jarrett long pass, after a kickoff followed a Mississippi College touchdown.
Mississippi College starting quarterback John Henry White sustained a shoulder injury after leading the Choctaws to a tying touchdown in the first quarter. From that point, UWF took advantage and was able to contain the Choctaws’ triple-option, run-oriented attack.
“(Defense) was fantastic across the board. We challenged them to show up and play great football, challenged them to get-after it and they did,” Shinnick said. “It was very exciting to see them play that way. Now, going into the playoffs I feel good about the way we have prepared and now we just have to keep this thing rolling.”
Remarkably, UWF has not lost a road game since November 9, 2019 at Valdosta State in a game that decided the GSC Champion that year. The Argos started the streak two weeks later with a win at Wingate.
And what happened after that? Well, the Argos finished 13-2 by winning the NCAA Division II national championship in only their fourth season, including five post-season wins away from Pensacola.
They enter the playoffs having attained their fourth season of nine or more wins, all of which have resulted in playoff trips for a football program only six years in existence.
Like so many of UWF’s football feats, it’s something unheard of in collegiate football history.
“Well, looking back, we wanted to be competitive, we wanted to find a way to get into the playoffs, but what we really wanted to do is just become one of the best teams in this area,” said Shinnick, who has been UWF’s head coach since being announced in January 2014, two years before the team began playing.
“We don’t take anything for granted. We didn’t assume any of this would happen, but we are really blessed how our guys have worked and to be in the position we are in.”
Saturday’s game at Mississippi College did not count in the Gulf South Conference standings, but it was vital for UWF’s overall record in keeping its region seeding and playoff aspirations. The GSC opted to have the final Saturday of the 2022 regular season be rematch games within the conference, because of the difficulty in scheduling.
UWF only played 10 games after one opponent opted against playing UWF this year.
“We are a league that not a lot of people want to play,” Shinnick said. “We only have eight D-2 games, because we had to play an NAIA opponent (Warner University in the season opener). So, this really gives everyone that ninth D-2 game that we are all fighting and scratching to do.
“Next year, we are discussing when this game should take place, but it is really so we can all have quality D-2 games. I know we have this set up the next couple years, because there are really not a lot of options.”
The Choctaws (4-7) came out early in Saturday’s game answering UWF’s fast start. After the first TD pass to Durden, the Choctaws tied the game on a 14-play, 86-yard drive that ate up eight minutes of the first quarter clock.
Jarrett, however, quickly got UWF back in front with a five-play, 76-yard series that was finished with a 38-yard pass to Jared Smith. After the Argos defense got a fourth-down stop at their 35, the Jarrett-Durden connection went for 30 yards and eventually set up Jarrett’s 1-yard rushing score.
Another defensive stop ensued and Durden returned a punt to the Choctaws’ 43. The next snap, Jarrett connected with Caden Leggett on a 43-yard TD with 5:38 in the half.
Jarrett ended his day before the third quarter ended. Backup Michael Rich Jr. completed his first two passes on a 4-for-5 day and led UWF to its final two scores.
By Bill Vilona, UWF. Photo: Morgan Givens/UWF.
Crowds Pack NAS Pensacola For Blue Angels Show (With Photo Gallery)
November 12, 2022
The Blue Angels returned to NAS Pensacola and a big hometown crowd Friday for their first air show on base since 2019.
An estimated 72,000 people were on hand for Friday’s show, and even larger crowds were expected for Saturday.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
For Saturday’s schedule and need to know information, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge
FDOT Announces The Completion Of I-10/I-110 Safety Improvements, Shortly After Fatal Crash
November 12, 2022
The same week after a 19-year old man died in a single vehicle wreck there, the Florida Department of Transportation announced that they have completed a $1.5 million safety improvement project at the I-10/I-110 interchange.
The man was traveling north on the I-110 ramp to I-10 westbound Wednesday morning when his SUV went off the roadway and collided with a guardrail and concrete traffic barrier about 9:10 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected.
The safety improvement project included reducing the speed limit from 45 to 35 mph on that ramp.
Other project improvements cited by officials included:
Milling and resurfacing ramps to improve ride quality.
Applying an anti-skid surface to all ramps.
Adding audible edge lines along the outside edges of the ramps to alert drivers of the edge of the roadway.
Installing raised rumble strips across the I-110 northbound to I-10 eastbound travel lanes.
Improving guardrails, signage, and pavement markings.
FDOT said the goal of the project over the last several months was to improve safety for the estimated 90,000 drivers who travel through the interchange daily.
Volunteers Needed For Escambia County Extension Council
November 12, 2022
Escambia County is seeking residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia County Extension Council for zones 4, 5, 7 and 8.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Extension Council, who meet the requirements noted in the job description below, are asked to submit an information sheet and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m., Friday, November 26. Info sheets and letters should be submitted via email to shendrix@ufl.edu or by mail to:
Susan Hendrix
3740 Stefani Road
Cantonment, FL. 32533
The zones are as follows:
Zone 4 — South side of Gibson Road at Highway 97 to north side of Molino Road
Zone 5 — North side of Quintette Road to south side of Molino Road
Zone 7 — Nine Mile Road to Kingsfield Road
Zone 8 — At Large
High School Football Playoff Scoreboard
November 12, 2022
Here are the Friday night football playoff scores from across the North Escambia area.
Class 1R
- Holmes County 49, Freeport 20
- Northview will host Holmes County on 11/18
- Baker 33, Bozeman 14
- Chipley will host Baker on 11/18
Class 2S
- Pensacola Catholic 45, Wakulla 21
- Catholic will be at Florida State University High on 11/18
- West Florida 35, Bay 0
- West Florida will be at Suwannee on 11/18
Class 3S
- Pine Forest 35, Rickards 15
- Pine Forest will host winner of Saturday game: St. Augustine vs. Choctawhatchee
- Escambia 42, Middleburg 18
- Escambia will host Columbia on 11/18
Class 4S
- Crestview 26, Niceville 21
- Buchholz 35, Pace 34
- Crestview will host Buchholz on 11/18
- Creekside 47, Navarre 20
ALABAMA
- Handley 27, T.R. Miller 14
- Saint James 42, W.S. Neal 21
Man Gets 15 Years For ATM Burglaries, Trafficking Heroin
November 12, 2022
An Escambia County Man has been sentenced to 15 years on state prison in connection with multiple ATM burglaries in Escambia County.
Arthur Arless Streety was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; trafficking in heroin; multiple counts of burglary; attempted burglary; grand theft; and criminal mischief. He must serve each day of the 15 years for the trafficking in heroin sentence as mandatory minimum.
In January 2022, prosecutors said Streety took park in the burglary of over a half dozen ATMs at multiple locations.
The ATMs were significantly damaged in the process, with one machine completely removed from its original location with over $23,000 stolen. When law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on the Streety’s residence, multiple pieces of evidence linking him to the burglaries were located. Additionally, law enforcement officers found firearms and approximately 24 grams of heroin.
The burglarized ATMS included Central Credit Union on Nine Mile Road, SunTrust bank on Creighton Road, Regions Bank on South Blue Angel Parkway, and an ATM on Copter Road.
Update: Driver Charged In Nine Mile Wreck That Killed Cantonment Man
November 11, 2022
A 19-year old driver has been charged with the causing the death of a 37-year old Cantonment man in crash Friday morning on Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a pickup truck driven by a 19-year old Pedro De Souza of Pensacola was traveling west on Nine Mile Road in the outside lane and failed to stop at the traffic signal, entering the intersection with Guidy Lane. At the same time black Nissan sedan driven by the Cantonment man turned left from Guidy Lane onto Nine Mile, causing the vehicles to collide. .
The Cantonment man was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 4:54 a.m. wreck. His name has not been released.
FHP has charged De Souza with driving without a driver’s license causing death and failure to stop at a steady red traffic signal.
Westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road was diverted onto Guidy Lane for several hours due to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Armed Robbery At Highway 29 Convenience Store Under Investigation
November 11, 2022
Deputies are searching for the suspect in an armed robbery at a Highway 29 convenience store Thursday night.
The robbery happened about 9:38 p.m. at the Speed Mart at 1800 South Highway 29 in Gonzalez, across from Tate School Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the store was robbed by a black male that was armed with a handgun. The suspect was described as being approximately 5-foot 5-inches tall, about 28-30 years of age, and wearing all-black clothing and a mask.
The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot toward Highway 95A and Old Chemstrand Road.
Deputies established a perimeter and searched with a K-9, but at last report the suspect was not located.
There were no injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 433-STOP or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Photos: Bratt, Jim Allen And Pine Meadow Elementaries Honor Veterans
November 11, 2022
Schools across the North Escambia area honored veterans this week.
Bratt Elementary held a veterans parade and presented a special musical. During the program, Army Staff Sergeant Andrew Bolen was interviewed by his nephew Levi Bolen.
Pine Meadow Elementary School honored veterans with a parade, speakers, music, a Wall of Heroes, and breakfast.
At Jim Allen Elementary School, students drew pictures to honor veterans.
For a photo gallery from all three schools, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Honors Veterans (With Photo Gallery)
November 11, 2022
Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill paused to honor veterans from across the area Thursday morning.
The program featured the Presentation of Colors from the Northview High School NJROTC Color Guard, a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance from the Ernest Ward SGA, patriotic music from the EWMS Band and others, a live human video from the EWMS Drama Club and more. Guest speaker was EWMS teacher and retired Navy Yeoman 2nd Class Stephen B. Dillard.
The annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward is a longstanding community tradition, held annually (except 2020) for over 25 years.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
