No. 1 UWF Falls To No. 12 West Georgia
October 17, 2021
The high-wire acts to victory which have earmarked the University of West Florida’s historic football success ran out of late-game magic.
It spoiled Saturday what could have been the perfect UWF Homecoming Game in the Argos long-awaited return to Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After digging out of a 17-0 first-half deficit, the unbeaten, No. 1-ranked Argos took the lead, then lost it on a game-changing turnover, eventually leading into No. 12 ranked West Georgia’s 30-26 upset victory.
The loss before a school record crowd of 7,052 snapped an 11-game winning streak, which included UWF’s astonishing post-season run in 2019 to the NCAA Division II national championship.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
“Being in that place I feel like our guys have handled every situation really, really well. (Saturday) we didn’t,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “And I’ve got to do a better job of finding a way of getting them in a position to play great football every time we step out.
“We had our opportunities and didn’t take advantage of them. I’ve got to put our team in the best situation to do that. Right now it’s one game, it’s one moment. We have a lot of football in front of us.”
West Georgia (6-1) sealed its third win at Blue Wahoos Stadium by running out the final 6:27 of the game. It followed a near-miss go-ahead touchdown when UWF quarterback Austin Reed’s pass to Shomari Mason on a fourth-down play from the 7 couldn’t be corralled.
From that point, the Wolves methodically produced five first downs, then a kneel-down at the Argos 34 as time expired. Incredibly, in this rivalry, the road team has won each time.
“Unfortunately, they just did a great job of holding the ball those last seven minutes and we didn’t get the ball back,” Reed said. “But I appreciate Coach Shinnick having the trust in us on fourth down to let us go out there and make plays.”
“This team is not done. We’ve got a lot more left to do.”
Reed found rhythm after a tough start to complete 31 of 52 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns. All three of those were caught by Ka’Ron Ashley, matching a school record for most single-game TD receptions. He caught 12 passes for 160 yards.
Hours earlier, West Georgia wasted little time quieting the record crowd. After the opening kickoff sailed through the endzone, the Wolves drove 75 yards in eight plays for the game’s first touchdown.
The Argos had their first offensive chance end in frustration. Aided by two personal foul penalties on West Georgia that created first downs, the Argos had a first-and-goal situation from the 8.
But two running plays were thwarted. Reed was stopped inches short on a keeper.
That typified how little went right for UWF in the first half.
“Everything worked for them and not much for us,” Shinnick said.
Until the final 68 seconds of the first half.
Trailing 17-0, UWF got a spark when cornerback Sharod Oliver tackled West Georgia running back Jace Jordan in the end zone for a safety. That play with 1:08 left before halftime was set up when UWF punter Steve Dawson pinned the Wolves at the 1 with his terrific punt.
Two plays later, the Argos had their first points. Ironically, the last safety produced by UWF’s defense was also against West Georgia in 2019.
On the ensuing free kick, the ball went out of bounds at the Argos 2. By rule, the 30 yard advance from the kickoff spot at the 20 gave UWF desired field position at midfield.
Reed then delivered his sharpest sequence. He connected on a pair of downfield throws, then hit Ashley over the middle in the end zone for UWF’s first touchdown.
Reed then went 4-for-4 on passes on the first possession of the third quarter, leading to a 34-yard touchdown to Ashley, which cut the deficit to 17-16.
Seven minutes later, the duo hooked up on a 21-yard pass to take the lead.
But the game changed when West Georgia safety Mike Miller picked up a fumble that was stripped from UWF receiver David Durden. He went 34 yards through track to give the Wolves the lead.
“We were driving and really unstoppable at that point,” Shinnick said. “Just clicking, moving. That kind of added a little heaviness to us, because now we’re down.”
But not for long. Kicker Griffin Cerra booted a 42-yard field goal with 14:37 left to give the Argos the lead again.
On the ensuing possession, however, West Georgia drove 76 yards on 10 plays for a go-ahead touchdown pass that became the winning score.
“We couldn’t keep getting away with how we started,” Reed said. “We got away with it at Texas A&M Commerce and we got away with it at Delta State and this time a team didn’t let us get away with it.”
The Argos will get a chance to move forward at home next Saturday (Oct. 22) when facing Shorter at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“I really, really like our team,” Shinnick said. “I’m confident we can bounce back. This one really hurts. This stings, because you only get so many opportunities to win games and you only get so many opportunities to stay undefeated.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos Morgan Givens/University of West Florida for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crestview Gets Close 7-3 Win Over The Tate Aggies (With Gallery)
October 16, 2021
The Tate Aggies fought hard Friday night but came up short in a 7-3 loss to the Bulldogs in Crestview Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Crestview (5-3) took a 7-0 lead over the Aggies with a 13-yard run.
In the fourth quarter, Tate sophomore Ward O’Brien handed off to senior Warren Henke for a 24-yard run to the Crestview 8-yard line. On fourth down, Henke got control of a high snap but was stopped at about the 3-yard line.
On a fourth down Crestview punt, Kabron Purifoy blocked it, once again putting the Aggies within reach of the end zone. On third down, it was O’Brien to Diego Dukes, but he was stopped at about the 15-yard line.
O’Brien nailed a 26-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 8:12 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Tate Aggies (1-7) are off next Friday night before hosting Niceville on October 29.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Catholic Tops Northview 45-13
October 16, 2021
The 3A Catholic Crusaders defeated the 1A Northview Chiefs Friday night.
After Catholic took a 14-0 lead, Northview’ Jamarkus Jefferson was in from about 3-yards out to make it 14-7.
The Crusaders expanded their lead to 38-7 at the half and then 45-7 by the end of the third.
Jefferson was in the end zone with about four minutes to go in the fourth quarter, as Catholic went on to win it 45-13 in Pensacola.
The Marianna Bulldogs (4-4) will make the long haul to Bratt to face the Northview Chiefs (2-4) next Friday night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 16, 2021
FLORIDA
- Crestview 7, Tate 3 [Story, photos...]
- Pensacola Catholic 45, Northview 13 [Story...]
- Wakulla 20, West Florida 14
- Pine Forest 49, Milton 20
- Gulf Breeze 21, Washington 16
- Godby 29, Pensacola High 0
- Navarre 41, Pace 34
- Jay (bye week)
- Escambia (bye week)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 43, Lighthouse Christian 15
- Escambia County (Atmore) 36, W.S. Neal 24
- Hillcrest-Evergreen 21, Flomaton 9
- T.R. Miller (bye week)
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Tate Celebrates Senior Night With Win Over Northview (With Photo Gallery)
October 15, 2021
The Tate High School Lady Aggies celebrated their seniors Thursday night and defeated the Northview Chiefs 3-0.
The Aggies honored senior players Jayna Burdick, Sophia Jones, Danica Riddell, Allison Baer and Gina Cagle
For more Tate Senior Night and game action photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Crystal Tolbert, click to enlarge.
No. 1 UWF Defeats North Greenville
October 10, 2021
Top-ranked UWF compiled 443 yards of offense and scored on its first four possessions to squash North Greenville, 52-10, at Younts Stadium Saturday night.
The Argonaut defense made play after play, beginning on the first series when Shea Campbell intercepted Kaelan Riley. That led to a 8-yard Shomari Mason score a play later.
NGU marched down the field and scored eight plays later on a Dre’ Williams 7-yard run. But that excitement for the home team was short-lived as Austin Reed needed just two plays as he connected with Rodney Coates for a 69-yard strike down the middle of the field for a 14-7 lead.
The Crusaders got a 49-yard field goal to get within 14-10 but never scored again.
Reed connected with Coates and David Durden before halftime to extend the lead to 28-10 at halftime.
The second half was more of the same. After receiving the opening kickoff, UWF capped off the drive with a 30-yard Griffin Cerra field goal. Anthony Johnson, Jr. stepped in front of a Crusader receiver at the 46 and followed some blockers in front of the UWF sideline for a pick-6.
Ka’Ron Ashley hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth before Mason scampered through the Crusaders for a 57-yard score with 7:10 remaining.
Mason finished the day with a career-high 108 yards on 10 carries. It was the third 100-yard game of his career. The 57-yard rushing TD is tied for the second-longest rushing score in program history.
Reed threw for 294 yards on 21-of-33 with four touchdowns – the fourth time in five games this season he has thrown as many. Coates was his favorite target, finishing with 123 yards on six catches while being thrown to three other times.
The UWF defense finished with four sacks, three additional tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, three pass break-ups and two interceptions. Will Breland was credited with seven tackles to lead the Argos. D’Anthony Bell and Jerquan Newton had six tackles apiece.
UWF (5-0, 2-0 Gulf South) finished with 443 yards of total offense. The Argonauts had 149 yards rushing between five running backs ands Reed.
NGU (3-3, 0-2) compiled 291 yards of total offense, with Riley throwing for 166 yards on 16-of-35. Cale Swift led the team on the ground with 43 yards on five carries. Leading rusher Williams entered the game averaging 106 yards per game but was held to 39 on 10 carries in the first half. He left late in the opening half with an injury and did not return.
After playing four road games in six weeks, UWF will return to Pensacola for home games at Blue Wahoos Stadium the next two weeks. This Saturday they will play host to No. 13 West Georgia (5-1, 3-1) at 4 p.m.
Photos courtesy Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Washington Tops Tate 44-7 (With Photo Gallery)
October 9, 2021
The Washington Wildcats defeated Tate 44-7 Friday night, putting a bit of a damper on the Aggies’ homecoming festivities at Pete Gindl Stadium.
The Aggies gained about 50 yards during their opening drive to a touchdown. On a handoff from sophomore quarterback Ward O-Brien, senior Warren Henke was in to put the Aggies up early in the first quarter 7-0.
It would be Tate’s only score of the night. It was the first game for the Aggies under the leadership of interim head coach Frank “Tank” Williamson following the resignation of Jay Lindsey on Monday.
The Tate Aggies (1-6) will be on the road to take on Crestview (4-3) next Friday night.
For more action photos, click or tap here.
(Look for more bonus photo galleries by Monday with the Homecoming Parade, cheerleaders, alumni cheerleader, student life and more.)
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 9, 2021
Here are high school football finals from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
Washington 44, Tate 7 [Click here for game details.]
Baker 35, Jay 6
West Florida 14, Gulf Breeze 13
Pine Forest 34, Baker (Mobile, AL) 14
Mosley 30, Navarre 7
Milton 28, Pensacola High 7
Pace 44, Monroe 29
Pensacola Catholic 23, Gadsden County 18
Escambia 26, Fort Walton Beach 7 (Thursday)
Northview (bye week)
ALABAMA
Autauga Academy 31, Escambia Academy 17
Williamson 41, Escambia County (Atmore) 6
Flomaton 21, Excel 12
T.R. Miller 20, Hillcrest-Evergreen 0
Jackson at W.S. Neal
Pictured: Washington at Tate. NorthEscambia.com photo click to enlarge.
Tate Volleyball’s Dig Pink Game Beats Fundraising Goal To Support Breast Cancer Research
October 8, 2021
Tate Aggies Volleyball beat their fundraising goal in a Dig Pink match Thursday night for the Side-Out Foundation and breast cancer research.
A final total was not immediately available, but at last count over $2,400 was raised.
The Lady Aggies also beat Pensacola High 3-1 in four sets. Tate defeated PHS 26-28, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Crystal Tolbert, click to enlarge.
Tate Football Head Coach Jay Lindsey Resigns
October 5, 2021
Jay Lindsey has resigned as the head football coach for the Tate High School Aggies.
He submitted his letter of resignation from the coaching job on Monday, but he will remain in his physical education instructional position, the Escambia County School District said.
Lindsey was offensive coordinator for the Aggies when he was named head coach in 2015 after the resignation of Ronnie Douglas, who stepped down to spend more time on a business venture. In 2015, he led the Aggies into the 6A state semifinals. In his first two seasons, Tate was 26-10. Since moving to 7A in 2018, the Aggies have a 6-28 record.
This year, the Aggies are 1-5, having been outscored by opponents 165-23 points as of last week. Friday night, the Aggies will host Washington (3-2) for homecoming.
Pictured: Jay Lindsey leads the Tate Aggies from the sidelines during a 44-0 loss to West Florida (above) and a 14-0 loss to Gulf Breeze (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.