Bonus Photos: Tate And West Florida Cheerleaders, Bands And Student Sections
September 13, 2021
Here is a bonus photo gallery of the Tate and West Florida cheerleaders, bands, student sections and more from last Friday night.
For the photo gallery, click or tap here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Home Finale Behind Velez’s Quality Start
September 13, 2021
The team had unfurled a thank you banner Saturday night in appreciation of Blue Wahoos fans.
And then on Sunday, the Blue Wahoos took a bow by completing their five month home schedule in a desired way.
In a game which best crystalized their entire season, the Blue Wahoos received stellar, starting pitching – this time again from Anthony Velez — solid relief and produced just enough runs to beat the Biloxi Shuckers 3-2 in the final, regular-season home game of the 2021 season.
The win improved the Blue Wahoos (56-53) position for an overall winning record. But losses in the first four games of this six-game homestand dampened hopes for reaching the Double-A South playoffs.
“It’s always good when you can bookend a series with a couple of wins,” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel, whose team beat Biloxi 6-0 Saturday night to end the losing streak.
“Obviously it is sort of a letdown, losing those first four and kinda dropping our chances to get into the playoffs. But it’s always nice to finish strong.”
The weather held up Sunday for a crowd of 3,444 to watch Velez, 24, a left-hander and former Florida State pitcher, to make his third consecutive quality start since joining the team August 17 from the Beloit (Wisc.) Snappers, the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate.
Velez, a Miami native and former Tampa Bay area high school star, gave up just four hits in six complete innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out nine to lower his earned run average to 0.50 in Double-A.
“He was really good,” Randel said. “He caught a stretch in Beloit and still is kinda riding that high. He’s a guy that throws strikes and changes speed and if you do that, you’ll pitch for a long time.”
In three Double-A starts, Velez has pitched 18 innings, allowed just one earned run, walked only two and has 18 strikeouts.
He got run support Sunday when centerfielder Kameron Misner, another recent addition from Beloit, led off the first inning with a double and scored on J.J. Bleday’s single to right field. Bleday then led off the fifth inning with a single, stole second base and scored on Lazaro Alonso’s single.
Bleday went 2-for-3 in the game with a walk and RBI, following a 2-for-3 night Saturday with two RBI.
The eventual decisive run occurred in the sixth, after Galli Cribbs Jr. doubled and scored on Misner’s RBI single. Misner went 2-for-5 after going 2-for-3 Saturday with two walks and two runs scored.
“He’s kind of a good all-around player,” Randel said. “He’s got some speed, some power, got a pretty swing from the left side. He’s just a good bat to add to the top of the order where we have been kinda missing that top-of-the-order-batter to get on base.”
The Blue Wahoos know they may have missed chances earlier in the series for more wins and closer position in for a playoff spot.
The Birmingham Barons (62-52) continued their red-hot play to control second place. They swept the Rocket City Trash Pandas to maintain a 3.5-game lead over Pensacola in the race for the other playoff spot. The Barons finish the season on the road against the Montgomery Biscuits.
The Mississippi Braves clinched first place in the Double-A South earlier in the week. The two teams with the best overall record in the Double-A South will meet in a best-of-five championship series starting Sept. 21.
The Blue Wahoos finish the season on the road against the Trash Pandas, whose manager, former major league star Jay Bell, is a Tate High grad and one of the all-time best players from the Pensacola area.
The six-game series begins Tuesday in Madison, Alabama, just outside of Huntsville, where Rocket City has played its inaugural season at newly-built Toyota Field.
The teams played way back on May 18-23 in Pensacola with the Blue Wahoos winning five of six.
“Our chances got limited pretty good,” said Randel, referring to the week. “But you try and win some ballgames (against Rocket City) and hope for the best and the other guys kinda battling it out. If we can just take care of business, hopefully, we’ll get some help and sneak into the playoffs.”
But if not, Randel has good memories of his first season in Pensacola, after coming into Blue Wahoos Stadium in past seasons as visiting manager with Jacksonville, then the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
The Blue Wahoos home record (33-27) was their fifth consecutive season with a winning home record. One-third of the home games (20) featured sellout crowds, including the final one on Saturday.
“Playing in Pensacola is great,” Randel said. “We have played well here at home. We had a good home record, one of the better ones in the league.”
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
One Person Injured In Century Drive-by Shooting Sunday Morning
September 12, 2021
One person was injured in a drive-by shooting Sunday morning in Century.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired in the 300 block of Hilltop Road, about one-third of mile off Highway 4A, about 5:30 a.m.
ECSO Sgt. Melanie Peterson said a residence and car were struck with multiple rounds. She said a male was struck in the calf and was treated for his injuries, which were not considered life threatening.
There was no suspect information available. Escambia County EMS also responded.
The investigation is continuing.
File photo.
Cantonment Man Struck And Killed Late Saturday Night Near Beulah
September 12, 2021
A 60-year old man from Cantonment was struck by a vehicle and killed late Saturday night in Beulah.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man walked into the direct path of a SUV at Mobile Highway near the intersection of Nine Mile Road about 11:25 p.m.
The 19-year old driver attempted evasive action but was unsuccessful, FHP said.
The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The SUV driver and her 22-year old passenger were not injured.
The Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
File photo.
Heads Up: This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
September 12, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 18. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- 17th Avenue interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound is closed at Gregory Street. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and the boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. In addition, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between North Pace Boulevard and approximately D Street as crews perform median improvement work. Motorists are reminded the speed between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 to allow crews to pave driveway tie-ins and place the final layer of asphalt.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Sept. 13 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Paving operations and construction activities continue. Drivers can expect the following construction related traffic impacts between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.:
- Nighttime intermittent lane closures and shifts between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The on- and off-ramps at the U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road interchange may be reduced to a single lane.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 18. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no anticipated traffic impacts.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River bridge 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 through Thursday, Sept. 16 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over the Pond Creek– Motorists will encounter intermediate lane closures one mile west of S.R. 89 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 for routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over the Blackwater River– Motorists will encounter intermediate lane closures four miles west of S.R. 87 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13 through Thursday, Sept. 16 for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Honoring First Responders, Lives Lost On And Since 9/11
September 12, 2021
Hundreds of people gathered Saturday to mark the 20tth anniversary of 9/11.
The event in the WSRE parking honored those how died on 9/11 and those that have died since in the war on terrorism.
Lance Cpl. Jonathan R. “JR” Spears of Molino was killed by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar Ramadi on October 23, 2005. His father, Tim Spears, was one of those attending Saturday’s ceremony.
“Unfortunately there will be more and we just want them to know that we are here for them, we’ve been through it and if they need anything we’re here to support them and get them the help that they need,” Tim Spears said.
“He came home that day from school on 9/11 and said ‘This has really affected me and I need to do something,’” Tim Spears said. “The next year when he graduated, that was one of the first things that he did. He went straight to the Marine Corps recruiter.”
Spears was the first Escambia County Marine to be killed in Iraq.
“That [was] one of the main things we were worried about was eventually JR would be forgotten and thanks to a lot of people so far, that has not come true,” Tim Spears said.
Jonathan R. Spears is one of the over 7,000 names appearing on the GoldStars Tribute Wall that was on display Saturday.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos courtesy WSRE for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: NWE Football Jamboree
September 12, 2021
Northwest Escambia held their jamboree Saturday at Northview High School.
Participating leagues included NWE, Jay, Neal and Andalusia.
For a photo gallery from sophomore games, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No. 1 UWF Rolls Past SW Baptist, 63-14
September 12, 2021
Anthony Johnson, Jr. scored three times and Rodney Coates caught a pair of touchdown passes as No. 1 UWF defeated Southwest Baptist, 63-14, in the first-ever game at Pen Air Field on Saturday night.
UWF (2-0) reached the end zone on its first nine possessions for 63 unanswered points after SBU scored on the opening drive of the game. The Argos amassed 30 first downs, the second-most in program history behind 31 against Shorter in 2016.
Austin Reed was 20-for-26 and 257 yards with a UWF single-game QB rating of 210.7 as he played into the opening drive of the second half with the Argonauts leading 54-7.
UWF played its first-ever game on campus Saturday, entertaining 5,463 fans to a school-record eighth-consecutive victory.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Coates’ day featured nine receptions for 126 yards – both career-highs – as UWF posted the second-highest scoring game in program history. David Durden caught four passes for 66 yards, including TD receptions of 23 and 36 yards.
Johnson tied his school-record of three rushing TDs on just four carries. Shomari Mason led the team on the ground with 74 yards.
UWF dressed 92 players and saw the majority of them participate, including backup quarterback Wyatt Eget, who led the team on two scoring drives and completed 6-of-9 passes for 64 yards.
Cooper Callis had 230 yards passing on 22-of-34 for the Bearcats (0-2). He was also sacked three times by UWF as De’Marco Artis, Jerquan Newton and Ricky Richardson got into the backfield.
UWF finished with nine quarterback hurries and forced its first turnover of the season on a kickoff.
UWF will play its next game on the road, traveling to Texas A&M Commerce (1-1) on Saturday night. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas is at 6:00 p.m.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos: Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Swimmers Beware: There’s A Lifeguard Shortage At Pensacola Beach
September 12, 2021
Escambia County says there is a shortage of lifeguards on Pensacola Beach. That’s because many of the lifeguards are students that have returned to the classroom, leaving Pensacola Beach with limited lifeguards between September and May.
“We plan to staff Casino Beach seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. through 6:30 p.m.,” said Pensacola Beach Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. “All sections of the beach are open, and I would not advise anyone to avoid any particular area. Just remember that the safest area to swim is with a lifeguard present.”
Lifeguard shortages during the school year are not uncommon at Pensacola Beach. Many of the Pensacola Beach lifeguards are either in high school, college or recently graduated. Once school is out of session, staffing on Pensacola Beach increases.
“Staffing will increase again in May, once the school session has completed,” said Greenwood.
As of Labor Day, Pensacola Beach lifeguards are no longer patrolling beaches owned by the Gulf Islands National Seashore, including Opal Beach in the Santa Rosa area, Langdon Beach in the Fort Pickens area and Johnson Beach in the Perdido Beach area. Swimmers are encouraged to swim only at their own risk in those areas.
Lindgren’s Career Night, Homers From Burdick And Bleday Power Wahoos To Win
September 12, 2021
Jeff Lindgren (W, 6-8) struck out a career high 10 Shuckers over seven one-hit shutout innings as the Wahoos picked up a 6-0 win Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Lindgren, who is the only Wahoos pitcher to turn in seven innings with two runs or fewer allowed this season, has now achieved the feat twice. On Saturday, he allowed just one hit and two total baserunners during his 20th appearance of the year. Biloxi’s only hit came in the second, when Chad Spanberger lined a single to center with two outs.
After a Gabe Holt reached via a Demetrius Sims throwing error in the third, Lindgren and the rest of the Blue Wahoos pitching staff retired the final 20 batters to end the game, striking out eight of the last nine batters. Lindgren struck out the side in the fifth and then struck out the side to end his night in the seventh.
Offensively, the Blue Wahoos looked sharp right from the very get-go. Pensacola took the lead in the bottom of the first after Lazaro Alonso knocked in JJ Bleday with a two-out RBI double off Justin Bullock (L, 2-4, 7.77).
Pensacola scored three more runs in the bottom of the third when the Wahoos hit for the cycle as a team. After a leadoff triple from Galli Cribbs Jr., Kameron Misner hit his first of two doubles on the night to give Pensacola a 2-0 lead. Peyton Burdick immediately followed with his 23rd home run of the season, which made it 4-0 Pensacola. After JJ Bleday flew out, Alonso singled to complete the team cycle.
The Wahoos added two more when Bleday hit a towering two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to give the Wahoos a 6-0 lead.
With the win, the Wahoos postseason chances remain alive. The 2021 Blue Wahoos home finale is Sunday afternoon.