NWE Chiefs Play Redzone Games On Falcons Field In Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
December 17, 2019
The freshmen and junior Northwest Escambia football teams had a chance to play Sunday on the Atlanta Falcons Field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and NWE cheerleaders were able to perform midfield.
The freshmen Chiefs were (3-1) in the 2-minutes Redzone games, and the junior Chiefs were (2-1-1).
The freshmen and junor NWE teams both won league championships this year, and the freshmen won a Turkey Bowl Championship.
Pictured top: NWE freshmen football at the Atlanta Falcons field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Pictured below in descending order: NWE juniors, junior cheerleaders, freshmen cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF’s NCAA Football Championship Tickets Now On Sale
December 17, 2019
In just four years of the program’s existence, the University of West Florida Argonauts will head to the national title game for the second time.
Tickets for the 2019 Division II Football Championship National Championship game featuring UWF against Minnesota State this Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas are currently on sale.
Tickets are available for purchase now! UWF has access to 2,000 reserved and general admission tickets, with all tickets being located in prime locations directly behind their bench on the visitors side. Reserved seats are chairback and $25 each. General Admission seats are bench seating and $20. Children 2 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Click here and look for UWF sections to purchase your tickets online. If you wish to select specific seats directly behind the UWF bench, click the ‘Buy on Map’ link and use the promo code ‘VISITOR’ to access those seats. When purchasing tickets, note that the Argonauts will be on the visitor’s side of the field.
For seating questions, contact Shannon Frazier with McKinney ISD at 469-302-4186
Gates will open at 12:30 Central Time. McKinney ISD Stadium ticket offices are located on both the east and west sides of the stadium. Both ticket offices will open at 12:30 CT. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 CT.
There is a $10 parking fee at McKinney ISD Stadium.
MISD STADIUM REGULATIONS
- West side of the stadium is home seating and the east side is visitor seating. Tickets must be purchased for your team’s side only.
- No re-entry to stadium without the purchase of a new ticket.
- No outside food or drink is allowed.
- Only vendors with prior approval may distribute information/merchandise at MISD stadium.
- No pets and/or live mascots will be allowed.
- All MISD policies regarding banned substances such as tobacco, alcohol and e-cigs will be strictly enforced.
- All spectators must be appropriately clothed. Administrators reserve the right to eject anyone wearing offensive items.
MISD stadium has a no-bag policy beginning fall of 2018.
EVENT COVERAGE: The championship game will be televised on ESPNU. Radio coverage can also be heard live on the UWF Sports Network, ESPN Pensacola 1330 AM/99.1 FM Live stats will be available at GoArgos.com.
Photo Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Da’Quan Johnson Decommits From Troy Days After Official Visit To Duke
December 16, 2019
Flomaton High School senior football star Da’Quan Johnson decommitted from Troy State Sunday night, just days after a trip to Duke University.
Johnson committed to Troy on August 2. He received a scholarship offer from Duke on December 3 and took and official visit to Durham on December 6.
“After talking with my family. I would like to announce my de-commitment from the Troy University,” Johnson posted on Twitter Sunday night. “I sincerely thank all of the coaches at Troy for recruiting me, especially Coach (Brandon) Hall. This is my decision!”
Johnson led the Flomaton Hurricanes to the 3A station championship last season, playing mostly quarterback. He was named Alabama’s 3A Back of the Year. In the championship game against Piedmont, Johnson carried the ball 43 times — a Super 7 record — and was named MVP. He also made 37 tackles on defense last season and had four interceptions.
Flomaton Coach Doug Vickery said in August Johnson picked Troy over South Alabama, Southern Miss, UAB, Tulane, Army, Florida Atlantic and others.
Pictured top: Flomaton’s Da’Quane “Money” Johnson gains yardage for the Hurricanes against Escambia County High School. Pictured below: Johnson has shifted to quarterback to the Canes after a knee injury for starter Zeb Vickery. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Headed To National Championship Game
December 15, 2019
The UWF football team scored 21 unanswered points in the second half and forced six turnovers in a 28-14 win over previously unbeaten Ferris State at Top Taggart Field in the 2019 NCAA Division 2 National Semifinals Saturday.
UWF (12-2) finished beating an undefeated opponent with a long home winning streak for the third-consecutive week. Saturday’s win in 33-degree temperatures ended FSU’s 14-game home winning streak and was just the second loss by the Bulldogs in the last two seasons.
The six turnovers – including fumble recoveries on three-consecutive Bulldog drives in the second half – tied the school record set earlier this season at West Georgia. UWF scored 18 points off those miscues as they turned a 14-7 deficit into a 28-14 lead.
UWF finished with 366 yards of total offense as Austin Reed threw for 299 yards with three touchdowns. He completed passes to six players, led by seven to Tate Lehtio as the program’s all-time leading receiver had 118 yards, two touchdowns and caught a 2-point conversion.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Lehtio got the scoring started for UWF, hauling in a 34-yard reception by catching a ball over the helmet of a FSU defender on he game’s opening possession.
The Bulldogs tied it at 7-7 late in the first quarter on a Tyler Minor 6-yard run. But that was how it stayed at the half as the teams played field position football.
FSU came out to start the second half with seven-straight rushes that ended with a Dion Earls score from the 11.
After a 3-and-out by the Argos, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs near midfield. Austin Williams made the first of his two field goals eight plays later to pull UWF within 14-10.
Then the turnovers started. Ferris drove the ball 71 yards before Sharod Oliver punched the ball away from Xavier Wade at the one and watched it go through the end zone for a touchback. 72 yards later Williams made a 25-yarder to get within 14-13 early in the fourth.
After Ty Cox forced an Earls fumble on the next FSU play, Reed needed just two plays to find Lehtio for an 18-yard strike to put the Argonauts up 21-14 after the conversion.
Ferris rans three plays on its next possession before a bad snap hit the motion man and Trent Archie recovered it for UWF. With another short field the Argos used just three plays as Reed and Quentin Randolph connected from the six with 6:59 to play as UWF grabbed a 28-14 lead.
Ferris fumbled one more time in UWF territory as the Argos pounced on it for their sixth turnover.
FSU (12-1) totaled 378 yards with 255 on the ground. Marvin Campbell led the rushing attack with 104 yards on 23 carries.
UWF will now meet No. 4 Minnesota State (14-0) in the D2 National Championship Game next Saturday, Dec. 21 at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas.
UWF is making its second appearance in the national championship game after taking a similar path two years ago, winning four-consecutive road games over higher seeded teams. The program is 34-17 all-time after starting in 2016. The Argonauts are 8-1 in NCAA postseason games and regardless of the outcome next week, will have the highest winning percentage in D2 history among teams who have played a minimum of 10 playoff games.
UWF roads to McKinney has featured wins over No. 16 Wingate (38-17), No. 1 and defending national champion Valdosta State (38-35), No. 6 Lenoir-Rhyne (43-38) and No. 2 Ferris State. The wins over the Blazers, Bears and Bulldogs have ended the three longest home field winning streaks in Division 2.
Minnesota State advanced with a 58-15 win at No. 8 Slippery Rock (13-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Soccer Earns Saturday Win Over East Hill Christian
December 15, 2019
Tate Aggies Boys Soccer earned another win Saturday night 3-1 over East Hill Christian.
Scores were by senior Matt Johnson, junior Calen Arnevik and sophomore Chase Mills. Junior Nathan Bailey had two assists.
Tate (10-1) will host Navarre on Monday.
Pictured top: Senior Matt Johnson charging into the goal. Pictured below: Senior captain Josh Cagle pushing his team up the field. Pictured below> Junior Calen rnevik taking a shot on goal. NorthEscambia.com photos by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
West Defeats The East 26-16 In Subway All-Star Football
December 14, 2019
Test West beat Team East 26-16 Friday night in the 2019 Subway High School All Star Football game Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
JaKobi Jackson of Catholic High School started the scoring for the night off early in the first quarter. After a couple of powerful run, Northview High’s Trent Peebles was in, giving Team West an early 14-0 lead. Team East battled back for a TD in the second quarter by Trace Sears of Crestview High School, only to be matched by another touchdown by Team West’s Jackson. Curtis Jefferson of Pine Forest scored in the third to bring the score to 26-14. A two-point conversion rounded out the night, bringing the final score to 26-16, Team West.
Test West was the best high school senior football players from Escambia County, while Team East was the best from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in the 16th annual matchup.
Ballgame MVPs were:
East Offensive MVP: Trace Sears, Crestview High School
West Offensive MVP: JaKobi Jackson, Catholic High School
East Defensive MVP: Andrew White, Pace High School
West Defensive MVP: Eric Thomas, Jr., Washington High School
Pictured top: Northview Subway All Star seniors (L-R) Trent Peebles, who scored a touchdown for Team West, Wyatt Windham, Cameron Findley and Garrack Davis. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Aggie Soccer Beats Crestview 2-0
December 14, 2019
The Tate Aggies picked up the win 2-0 over Crestview at home Friday night.
Tate’s Player of the Game Matt Johnson scored both goals for the Aggies.
Tate, now 9-1 on the season, will host East Hill Christian on Saturday and host Navarre on Monday.
Pictured: Matt Johnson heading the ball as the Tate Aggies defeated the Crestview Bulldogs. Pictured below: Johnson celebrating a goal with teammates. NorthEscambia.com photos by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
UWF Will Travel To Ferris State In National Semifinal on Saturday
December 13, 2019
The 20th-ranked UWF football team will travel to Ferris State in the 2019 NCAA Division II National Semifinals as announced by the NCAA.
The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids, Michigan. It will be televised on ESPN3 and the ESPN app, and carried by the UWF Sports Network, ESPN Pensacola 1330 AM/99.1 FM.
For photos and game action recap from Saturday’s win over Ferris State, click here.
UWF (11-2) is making its second appearance in the NCAA Playoffs after reaching the national championship game in 2017. The program is 33-17 all-time after starting in 2016. The Argonauts are 7-1 in postseason games and with all seven victories coming on the road.
UWF claimed the Super Region 2 title with road wins over No. 16 Wingate (38-17), No. 1 and defending national champion Valdosta State (38-35) and No. 6 Lenoir-Rhyne (43-38) this past Saturday. The wins over the Blazers and Bears ended the two longest home field winning streaks in Division 2.
Ferris State (12-0) is ranked second in the country and has won 12-consecutive games after falling to VSU in last year’s national title game. The Bulldogs are one of three teams at any level of college football to have won at least 11 games each of the last six seasons (Ohio State & North Dakota State) and have also won 14-straight at home.
The other semifinal game has No. 4 Minnesota State (13-0) at No. 8 Slippery Rock (13-0).
Former Tate Coach Ronnie Douglas Named New Pine Forest Football Head Coach
December 13, 2019
Former Tate High School coach Ronnie Douglas has been hired as the new head football coach at Pine Forest High School.
Douglas takes over at Pine Forest from Jason McDonald, who earned consecutive district titles the past two years and amassed a 21-13 record in his three years with the Eagles.
Douglas was head coach at Tate in 2013 and 2014, going 17-6. He took over the helm of an Aggie team that was a disappointing 4-26 in the three seasons prior to his arrival.
He led the Aggies on two trips to the playoffs in his two seasons with a 8-3 record in his first season and a 9-3 record in his second season. The back-to-back playoff appearances were the first for the Tate Aggies since the 1976 and 1977 seasons. FloridaHighSchoolFootball.com also named Douglas as the All-Panhandle Coach of the Year.
When Douglas announced his departure from Tate in March 2015, he said needed to spend more time on his outside car wash business. He returned to Tate since, serving as defensive coordinator.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Soccer: Win Over Escambia, Loss To Washington
December 12, 2019
Tate High School’s boys soccer defeated Escambia High School on the road 3 to 1 Wednesday night. The Aggies had two goals from Owen Jacobs with on a penalty kick goal by Logan Tyree and an assist by Calen Arnevik.
The Aggies were coming off a one point loss Tuesday night to Washington. An Aggie penalty allowed Washington to win with a single penalty kick goal.
Tate is 8-1 on the season, 2-0 in the district. The Aggies will host Crestview Frida night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.