Argos Valiant Comeback Falls Short in Double OT Loss to UWA
September 22, 2024
by Bill Vilona
The dramatic finish UWF’s football team waged late Saturday night ended in heartbreak.
But not without promise.
Trailing 20-10 in the fourth quarter, the 12th-ranked Argos tied the game on their final possession, then twice produced overtime touchdowns, only to fall on a missed two-point conversion attempt to extend the game, as No. 23-ranked West Alabama held on for a wild 35-33 win at Pen Air Field.
This season’s Gulf South Conference opener for both teams became memorable. Just for different reasons.
“Obviously it’s frustrating to lose like that, double overtime…physically exhausting,” said Argos head coach Kaleb Nobles. “But I am so proud of the team with how they played – four quarters. I love them to death. I tell them that every day, but they showed me today that they love each other. It hurts to lose. It should hurt to lose. But this team has heart. This team has fight.”
It was the Argos second double-overtime loss on this field. They sustained a 45-42 loss on Sept. 24, 2022 against GSC rival Delta State in a season where UWF quickly recovered and reached the NCAA Division II national semifinals.
No way to tell, of course, how this season might evolve, but Nobles gained some insight about his team’s makeup two games into the schedule.
After a 16-day gap from UWF’s season-opening win Sept. 5, the Argos’ offense battled through three sluggish quarters, then a display of grit at the end.
“We just came up one play short,” Nobles said. “That’s part of football, part of life. These guys are resilient, they will learn and I promise you we will be better, because of this game.”
The enthralling finish left West Alabama (4-0) unbeaten and with back-to-back season wins against UWF. The Tigers head coach Brett Gilliland is a Pensacola native and former Escambia High School quarterback star when playing for his father, Ronnie Gilliland.
Both men were star players in different eras for West Alabama. After his father passed away in February 2023, this was Brett’s first win against UWF in returning to his hometown.
As UWF (1-1) might have feared, the longest break between games in team history had its effects in the first half on the Argos offense and first-year starting quarterback Marcus Stokes.
The Argos had only two of their six offensive possessions result in first downs. They finished the half with less than 100 yards of total offense as the unit looked to find its rhythm.
But they only trailed 7-3 at halftime. West Alabama got a 9-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter, then UWF kicker Cade Lombardo – a Gulf Breeze High graduate – converted a 28-yard field goal with 2:23 left in the half.
The first five minutes of the second half became a different kind of game. And a preview of what would ensue later.
West Alabama scored on its first second-half possession to take a 14-3 lead and keep the crowd of 5,000-plus mostly quiet.
The Argos then hit the game’s longest play when Stokes threw a perfect deep ball to Corey Scott, who caught the pass in stride, then juked his way pass the defender for a 73-yard scoring play.
After a pair of field goals from West Alabama’s Elijah Guyton, the Tigers had a two-score lead (20-10) on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The Argos then finished a nine-play, 74 yard drive to get back in the game when Stokes connected with Jackson Blalock on a 12-yard scoring pass.
“(West Alabama) played some different stuff (on defense),” Nobles said. “They changed it up, we knew they would give us something different just because Marcus is a 19-year-old redshirt freshman (quarterback). They’re going to do everything to mess with him and we have to keep improving with everyone around him. But I thought we woke up in the second half and played very well and took what they gave us. I love this team. I can’t say it enough.”
The Argos got the ball back with 5:43 left in the game. They used 11 plays and erased most of the game clock to tie the game on Lombardo’s 28-yard field goal.
Overtime followed. The Argos scored first, needing just two plays from the 25 to take a lead after Jamontez Woods scored from 3-yards out. But the Tigers answered with a six-play drive and converted the PAT to tie.
The overtime rules for a second OT require teams to go for two points. West Alabama produced a 25-yard scoring pass from quarter Spencer Arceneaux, a Mobile native, Arceneaux then converted the two-point play in a uncertain way as he slid and reached the ball over the pylon.
Nobles challenged the call. The GSC officials spent considerable time in the replay tent before confirming the two-point play was good.
“It’s tough to win a challenge a lot of times in the GSC because of maybe they don’t have the right angle, things like that,” Nobles said. “But in my mind, a two point conversion is worth a challenge as opposed to keeping a timeout. We fell like his knee was down and maybe with a tough angle it’s hard to see.”
The Argos were down to their final play. They faced fourth down from the 12. Stokes bought some time and hit Da’Mani brought for the touchdown. But on the two point attempt, Stokes rolled to his right and his pass toward the end zone was batted down by the Tigers’ defensive front.
Nobles instantly consoled Stokes as the quarterback walked toward the sideline. Stokes finished completing 13 of 37 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns, two interceptions.
“I told him, ‘Hey man, I love you to death.’ And big picture is we took a chance on Marcus Stokes,” said Nobles, of the former Florida Gators recruit. “We didn’t have to take him, we didn’t have to recruit him, but I love the kid, I love how he’s growing up as a man with so much that people don’t see. I told him I love how you played. Because he didn’t quit. He didn’t play perfect, but he did what he had to do to give us a chance. And we came up one play short. He gave us a chance.”
Woods led UWF’s rushing game with 40 yards on 14 carries.
“Like coach said, we’re going to fight. I love my teammates to death. I’ll fight with them every day,” Woods said.
The Argos will now turn attention to next Saturday’s marquee matchup against Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CST at Lubbers Stadium.
Photo Emily Miller/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Fall Short In Close Battle With Holmes County
September 21, 2024
In a contest that went down to the wire, the Northview Chiefs narrowly fell to the Holmes County Blue Devils by a score of 34-27 Friday night.
The Blue Devils lit up the scoreboard with about eight minutes to go in the first quarter. With a failed two-point attempt, Holmes led the Chiefs 6-0.
But the first quarter would not end without an answer from the visiting Chiefs. With about a minute to go in the first, quarterback Dane King connected with Sam Reid for a 30-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. With a good kick, the tables turned with the Chiefs on top 7-6.
The teams traded blows throughout the game, with Northview’s Moses Delarosa adding a 10-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
In the final minutes of the game, Northview made a late push, with King scoring two rushing touchdowns to bring his team within striking distance but short on time with just 37 seconds on the game clock. The Holmes County Blue Devils were able to hold on and secure the victory.
The Northview Chiefs (2-3) will be back at home next in Bratt Friday night against the Blue Devils of Atmore’s Escambia County High School (1-4).
Pictured top: Northview’s Dane King. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Off To Best Start In Decades; Defeat WFHS 42-7 (With Gallery)
September 20, 2024
The Tate High School Aggies are off to their best start in over 20 years, winning their fifth straight game with a convincing 42-7 victory over the West Florida Jaguars on Thursday night.
Seniors Carson Secchiari and Demorion Clay, Jr. led the way for the Aggies with two touchdowns apiece. Laquarius Bradford and Elijah West also added touchdowns.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate dominated the first half, taking a 35-7 lead into the locker room.
The win improves Tate’s record to 5-0. The Aggies will look to keep their history-making winning streak going when they host the Navarre Raiders in a district game next Thursday night at 7:00 p.m.. The Raiders are currently 0-3 as they head into a Friday night game against 0-4 Milton on Friday night.
Look for a bonus photo gallery with the cheerleaders, Showband of the South and more in the coming days.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Volleyball Gets Senior Night Sweep; Tate Edges Choctaw
September 19, 2024
Northview 3, Blacksher 0
The Northview Chiefs volleyball team celebrated senior night with a resounding victory over the Blacksher Bulldogs of Uriah, Alabama.
The Chiefs dominated the home match, winning in straight sets by scores of 25-23, 25-18, and 25-18.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Prior to the match, the Chiefs honored their two graduating seniors, Madison Levins and Kamryn Langham.
The Northview Chiefs will travel to Laurel Hill on Thursday. Laurel hill is on a five-game losing streak, including a September 12 loss 3-0 to Northview.
In junior varsity action, Northview took Blacksher 2-0 by scores of 26-24, 25-19.
Tate 3, Choctaw 1
The Tate Aggies volleyball team picked up a hard-fought victory over the Choctaw Indians on Wednesday night,
Tate defeated Choctaw by scores of 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, and 25-11.
Tate will next Travel to Niceville Thursday before hosting Escambia on Monday.
Pictured: Northview defeats Blacksher. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
SEC Soccer Tournament Returning To Ashton Brosnaham Park; Tickets Now On Sale
September 18, 2024
Twelve nationally ranked Southeastern Conference soccer teams will be competing for the SEC Championship title from Sunday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 10, at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex off East 10 Mile Road.
Tickets are now one sale at pensacolasports.org. All-tournament passes are $45. Individual session tickets for the first round, quarterfinals and semifinals are $12 for adults and $7 for students/military. Tickets for the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 10, are $17 for adults and $12 for students/military. Taxes and service fees are included in the listed ticket prices. Kids 12 and under wearing a soccer jersey get in free with a paying adult on Sunday, Nov. 3 and on Tuesday, Nov. 5. A clear bag policy is in effect for this event. Admission is free for children 5 and under at all games.
This is the third year that Pensacola will host the tournament. Pensacola first hosted the tournament in 2022 and set SEC records for attendance.
“I’m so excited to host all of our friends from the SEC again this fall at the beautiful Ashton Brosnaham facility. I ask all sports fans in Escambia County to come to at least one game while the SEC tournament is here and see the elite play from these extremely talented student athletes,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said.
“The Pensacola community has embraced and welcomed our staff, the teams and the players over the last two years,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “The SEC Soccer Tournament is an outstanding experience for SEC soccer fans from across the region and will provide our student-athletes with lasting memories.”
On championship game day, Nov. 10, there will be a free Fan Fest from 11:30 a.m. until the start of championship game. There will be music, food trucks and interactive activities for all ages to enjoy.
Over the last seven years, the SEC has earned 52 NCAA Tournament bids – an average of more than seven per year – with all 14 member institutions making at least two appearances during that span. Eight different SEC teams have advanced to the Round of 16 since 2013 and the league has placed teams in the NCAA quarterfinals in nine of the last 10 seasons.
Pictured: The first record-setting SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex in October 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Fall Short In Five Sets To Escambia Gators
September 17, 2024
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs battled the Escambia High School Gators in a five-set volleyball match on Tuesday night at Northview High School in Bratt.
The Lady Chiefs ultimately fell short 3-2, losing the match by scores of 25-23, 25-18, 18-25, 22-25, and 15-6.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The match was a back-and-forth affair from start to finish. The Gators took the first two sets, but the Lady Chiefs roared back to win the third and fourth sets, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, the momentum shifted back in favor of Escambia, as they pulled away to secure the victory.
The Lady Chiefs will look to bounce back as they host Blacksher Bulldogs from Uriah, Alabama, Thursday at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Grad Jamarkus Jefferson Making Area College Football History
September 16, 2024
Northview graduate and Chiefs football standout Jamarkus Jefferson made area college football history Saturday.
Jefferson scored the first home touchdown in the history of the Lighthouse Private Christian Academy Makos on their way to a 31-12 defeat of South Carolina Central Christian College, their second win for of inaugural season.
He wears No. 6 for LCC, a number familiar to Northview fans as he racked up records for the Chiefs. During the 2022 season, he was No. 1 in Florida with 286 points. His 47 touchdowns that season ranked 13th nationally.
For Jefferson, the smaller college is great second chance.
“It’s a great opportunity; it’s giving us a second chance to do and play the sport that we love. A lot of us are overlooked because these major colleges want players out of the portal or that are 4 and 5 stars,” he said.
LCC head coach Ronnie Cottrell left Mobile Christian after nine seasons with a 2023 state championship. In 24 years as a head coach, he was 186-101 at schools that included Flomaton, W.S. Neal, and Mobile Christian. He was the Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting coordinator under Mike DuBose from 1998-2000.
“It’s local kids that are just as good or even better with Coach Cottrell starting this program,” Jefferson said. “It’s even giving us a chance to play local and stay home to be able to play in front of our families.”
Pictured: Jamarkus Jefferson gains yardage Saturday for the Lighthouse Christian College Makos. Photos courtesy Jenette Stuckey for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos End Season With Dramatic Walk-off Win In 10 Innings
September 16, 2024
by Bill Vilona
A rain delay had passed and the skies were still threatening Sunday when the Blue Wahoos hurriedly unfurled a pregame banner thanking their fans.
More than three hours later, after catching a break with weather, they treated the crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium to a 6-5, walk-off win in 10 innings against the Montgomery Biscuits, thus ending the season in a special way.
Josh Zamora blasted a fastball from fill-in pitcher Mason Auer, the Biscuits’ centerfielder, that hit the warning track in left-center and easily scored Andrew Pintar for the game-winner.
And the celebration was on. For the crowd of 3,839 who endured some intermittent rain, what a game and dramatic finish this one became.
While the game itself didn’t matter in the big picture of things – the Biscuits won both half-season division races — the teams played as if it were the postseason.
The Blue Wahoos had a 3-0 lead into the sixth. The Biscuits picked up a run that inning, then had a 4-run rally in the seventh against two new Blue Wahoos relievers.
Trailing 5-3, the Blue Wahoos answered in the eighth with a pair of runs. Graham Pauley led off with a walk. Pintar doubled to put runners on second and third. Kemp Alderman followed with a two-run double.
It stayed that way through the ninth. In the top of the 10th, Blue Wahoos reliever Tyler Eckberg had a clutch performance to earn the win. With the Biscuits’ placed runner Xavier Isaac on second, Eckberg struck out the first batter, Dru Baker. Auer then followed with a walk.
Eckberg got catcher Ricardo Genoves and third baseman Willy Vasquez to fly out to end the inning.
With many in the crowd standing with anticipation, the Wahoos got their turn. Pintar was the placed runner on second base. He moved to third when Auer’s first pitch to Alderman sailed wide and high past home plate.
With one-out and a 2-1 count, Zamora ended the game and the Blue Wahoos (71-65) finished the season with three consecutive wins against the Southern League South Division winners to split the series. The Biscuits (80-57) will now head to Biloxi to face the Biloxi Shuckers on Tuesday in the first game of their divisional playoff series.
Because of their playoff games ahead, the Biscuits went to Auer in the 10th. But he surprised, reaching the mid-90s with his fastball and locating a breaking pitch well.
The Wahoos got a big swing from Zamora to produce their first walkoff win since July 25, after staring the season 5-0 on home walkoffs.
The Blue Wahoos used seven pitchers in this game, beginning with Evan Fitterer, who worked five innings, allowing no runs on two hits and recording seven strikeouts for one of his best outings of the year.
Four Blue Wahoos hitters – Johnny Olmstead, Nathan Martorella, Graham Pauley and Andrew Pintar – finished with two hits apiece in a 12-hit attack.
Olmstead got things started for the Blue Wahoos when he led off the first inning with a single and later scored on a wild pitch. He then scored the game’s second run when leading off the third inning with a single, advancing on a double steal and scoring on Martorella’s RBI ground out.
The Blue Wahoos picked up their third run in the when Josh Zamora doubled and catcher Spencer Bramwell doubled. It was only the second game Bramwell has played this season as bullpen catcher.
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos players followed the game by cleaning out lockers and preparing to head out on Monday to their homes and either begin an off-season or await playing in the Arizona Fall League which begins in early October.
— More than a dozen people, including injured Blue Wahoos pitcher M.D. Johnson, participated in a post-game baptismal service performed by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, a long-time Blue Wahoos partner. Entitled, “Headed For Home,” each person was introduced by the assistant pastor handling the ceremony. They climbed into a baptismal pool that was located at home plate while the brief service was completed.
— Johnson, who played at Dallas Baptist University during his collegiate career, started 16 games for the Blue Wahoos before an injury curtailed his season. He and his wife attended Sunday services at Marcus Pointe Baptist and liked living in Pensacola.
WHAT’S NEXT?
OPENING NIGHT: 2025 Blue Wahoos Season Opener
WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: April 4, 2025
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Blue Wahoos’ Palacios Sets Franchise Win Record In Saturday Win
September 15, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
In both experience and performance, the Blue Wahoos made their final Saturday night of the season a memorable one.
With another capacity crowd riveted to the final out, closer Dale Stanavich delivered an emphatic save – stranding runners on first and third with none out – to preserve the Blue Wahoos’ 4-3 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits.
It was Pensacola’s first Saturday win at Blue Wahoos Stadium in three months, going all the way back to June 22.
That in itself made the post-game fireworks, a grand finale of displays this season, contain a bit more pop and sparkle.
But there is much more.
The crowd of 5,038 was the 26th sellout in 2024, the most since 2016. The win enabled the Blue Wahoos (70-65) to reach a coveted 70-win total as a consolation achievement despite missing the playoffs.
All of this in a game where Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios, aided by a two-run rally by teammates in the fifth inning, picked up his 10th win and set the franchise record for career wins (20).
Palacios, 24, a Venezuela native who earned his high school equivalency degree this year in Pensacola, passed former Major League pitcher Daniel Wright, who attained 19 wins as a Cincinnati Reds prospect when pitching three seasons (2015-16 and 2018) for the Blue Wahoos.
There was also another emotional “Home Run For Life” from sponsor Ascension Sacred Heart with a woman, who survived an auto accident in 2021 that claimed her daughter’s life, then had to overcome massive injuries, ran the bases with her smiling young granddaughter as the crowd roared.
Yes, it was this kind of night.
Stanavich reacted with emotion himself, pounding his glove and hugging catcher Joe Mack after getting a ground out to end the game, earn his fifth save and deliver a rare Saturday home win for this team.
The game began with a bang for the Blue Wahoos. Nathan Martorella homered for the second consecutive night, this time as the second batter in the bottom of the first, to provide the game’s first run.
It became 2-0 when Shane Sasaki homered in the third inning.
The Biscuits rallied for three runs in the fifth off Palacios, highlighted by a two-run triple from Jalen Battles. Palacios ended the inning without further damage and it proved pivotal.
The Blue Wahoos answered right back, something they had often been unable to do in the final portion of the season. Johnny Olmstead led off the bottom of the fifth with a single and went to third on Sasaki’s double. Olmstead scored on a ground out to tie the game.
With one out, Andrew Pintar singled to right field and Sasaki beat the throw home, which eluded catcher Dominic Keegan for the go-ahead run.
From that point, both teams’ bullpens took over. The Blue Wahoos trio of Matt Pushard, Justin King and Stanavich combined to throw four scoreless innings, allow just three hits and combine for nine strikeouts and no walks.
In the eventful ninth, Stanavich allowed a double and single to start the inning. He then struck out Dru Baker with a wicked breaking pitch. He struck out Mason Auer with a 97 mph fastball and got Willy Vasquez to ground out to third.
It became quite a way to end the final Saturday home game this season.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Final Game Of 2024 Season
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Northview Dominates Central on Senior Night
September 14, 2024
The Northview Chiefs cruised to a 40-0 victory over the Central Jaguars on Friday night in Bratt, capping their senior night celebration with a shutout performance.
For more photos, click here.
A strong start set the tone for the Chiefs. Junior quarterback Dane King led the way with a quarterback keeper on the opening drive, setting up Zikel Jones for an 8-yard touchdown run. Sam Reid’s impressive catch-and-run play followed, leading to Moses Delarosa’s touchdown run to give Northview a comfortable 14-0 lead over the fledgling first year Central program.
The Chiefs continued their dominance in the second half, with Delarosa adding a 56-yard touchdown run and Jamaris Durant finding the end zone from 2 yards out.
With the victory, Northview improved to 2-2 on the season. They will look to keep their momentum going as they travel to Bonifay next Friday night to face the Holmes County Blue Devils.
Photos by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
