JV Football: Baker Tops Northview (With Photo Gallery)
September 27, 2019
The Baker Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs 52-12 in Thursday night junior varsity play.
The JV Chiefs will head north to Escambia County High School in Atmore Monday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NY Mets Honor Former Tate Baseball Standout Jet Butler
September 26, 2019
The New York Mets have named a former Tate High School baseball standout as the winner of one of the organization’s Sterling Awards.
The Mets honored Area Scouting Supervisor Jet Butler as recipient of the 2019 Scout of the Year Award. The presentation was made at home plate of Citi Field prior to the Mets vs. Marlins game earlier this week. He has been a member of the Mets amateur scouting staff since 2014 and supervises Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Butler was selected by the Mets in the 2010 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State University. He helped lead the Tate Aggies to the 2005 Florida High School Class 4A State Championship and a ranking of 13th in the nation by Baseball America, and was the starting shortstop on the 2007 Mississippi State College World Series team.
After a four-year professional playing career, he spent one season as an assistant coach for the Florida State Seminoles before returning to the Mets.
Butler had a huge impact on the Mets’ successful 2019 Draft, signing the All Time SEC hits leader Jake Mangum, pitcher Nathan Jones, LSU All Time hits leader Antoine Duplantis, and 32nd round pick Cole Gordon, who last month received the BC Powder Outstanding Relief Pitcher Award. The Escambia County native currently resides in Brandon, Mississippi with his wife Kristen, and their two children, Jetta Marie and Knox.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Golf Team Wins Sixth Match Of Season
September 26, 2019
The Tate High School boys golf team won its sixth match of the season beating Escambia and Pine Forest in the nine hole match. The team posted a score of 173. The team plays again Thursday at Perdido Bay.
Ethan Beaver led all scorers with a 39. Jackson Penton finished second with a 41.
Youth Football: NWE 2-2 Against Andalusia; Century Splits With Georgiana
September 23, 2019
NWE finished 2-2 against the Andalusia Bulldogs Saturday in youth football action, and Century split with Georgiana, Alabama.
NWE Football
Freshman
NWE 31, Andalusia 0
Sophomore
Andalusia 31, NWE 12
Juniors
NWE 32, Andalusia 13
Seniors
Andalusia 42, NWE 8
Century Sports Association
Georgiana def. Century
Century 18, Georgiania 6
Tate Holds Lil Aggie Cheerleader Camp; They Will Perform On Oct. 4
September 23, 2019
The Tate High School Cheerleaders held their annual Lil Aggie cheerleader camp Saturday.
On Friday, October 4, the Lil Aggies will cheer with the Aggie cheerleaders during the first quarter as Tate hosts Navarre. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Storms Past VUL In Record Fashion, 69-0
September 22, 2019
The celebratory chants Saturday night from the UWF football locker room underneath Blue Wahoos Stadium reverberated through the walls.
The Argos longest wait for a season’s first home game turned into the largest win with a 69-0 rout against Virginia-Lynchburg that may remain a UWF team points record for quite awhile.
So why not have some fun?
The Argos did, much to the delight of 4,847 fans who created a welcoming home atmosphere.
“I’m excited for that for our guys. I think they worked hard to play that type of game,” said Argos coach Pete Shinnick, after his team rang up touchdowns from offense, defense and special teams – a trifecta that only happened once before in team history – and set three UWF scoring records.
The Argos (2-1) produced 573 yards total offense. They held Virginia-Lynchburg (1-4) to minus-12 yards rushing, a team defensive record. They forced four turnovers, blocked a punt for a score and allowed the outmanned visitors to only cross midfield once the entire game.
It was that kind of game. That kind of performance. Opponent aside, the Argos got what they sought. Eight different players scored touchdowns. Ten players factored into scoring.
“We have a saying, ‘It’s how we play not who we play.’ And we really harp on that. Look if we don’t make mistakes, we feel we can play with anybody in the country. We obviously had an advantage (Saturday).
“And we knew that. So, what we were looking for was that type of execution. We really just wanted to go in with a shutout mentality. And just swarm and get after it as much as we could.”
The Argos’ defense has now gone six consecutive quarters, beginning with the second half last week against Shorter, without allowing a point.
“Everything didn’t go our way. We didn’t make every tackle, but we kept hustling, kept going at it,” said linebacker Andre Duncombe, who has been on the field for all four shutout wins in UWF’s history. “We know playing defense anything can happen.”
This game, believe or not, didn’t start the way UWF hoped.
After forcing a quick punt on the game’s first possession, UWF quarterback Austin Reed, making his home debut, threw an interception on his first snap. He then took the Argos’ offense into the end zone on six of the next seven possessions.
He got a boost from backup quarterback Sam Vaughn, the starter most of last season, who reminded Reed that he once began a home game with an interception.
“That wasn’t how I planned it,” said Reed, a redshirt freshman from St. Augustine, who transferred from Southern Illinois. “But it happens. Sam came up to me after that and said, ‘Hey my first play against North Al (Alabama), I threw a pick.
“Having a guy like him there is awesome. We then came out there and made it happen.”
The Argos scored 35 points in the second quarter, setting a record for most points in any quarter. They led 42-0 at halftime, the most points scored in a half in UWF history.
“We wandered a little bit offensively in the second half,” Shinnick said.
But a pair of missed field goals were supplanted by a blocked punt for a score, then backup quarterback J.C. Robles throwing a TD pass and Vaughn finishing the scoring on a two-yard run late in the game.
“We block a punt (in fourth quarter)… it was a hold up. We weren’t trying to block a punt at that point in time,” said Shinnick referring to a special team’ gem that Marcus Clayton returned three yards for a score. “And that kinda kick-started a little more momentum for us and here we are, 69 to nothing.”
Included in the scorefest was plenty of local flavor. Anthony Johnson, a Pace High grad, who missed most of preseason trying to heal an injury, rushed for 85 yards on 11 carries and scored the game’s first touchdown on a 2-yard run.
“We feel like when he’s fresh and he’s ready to go, he can be a dynamic running back,” Shinnick said. “And we have seen that the last two weeks.”
Receiver Evan Mitchell, a Fort Walton Beach High grad, caught touchdown passes of 22 and 30 yards. He was the only UWF player with multiple touchdowns. The first was via a circus-type catch that will be saved in season video highlights.
“That catch was spectacular,” Shinnick said.
Though he didn’t score, receiver Quentin Randolph, led all receivers with 100 yards on three catches. Tailback Jayden Gardner followed Johnson’s score with a 7-yard TD run, giving the Pensacola area back-to-back players in the game stats summary.
Center Devin Gibson, a West Florida High grad, was part of an offensive line group that opened up lanes for 222 yards rushing.
“We continue to try to find the right guys to fit our program,” Shinnick said. ”We are always looking for the right guy from the area to be part of our program. I think when they have success it makes it better for what you are trying to do.”
In the second half, the only intrigue was if UWF could pitch the shutout. It was the fourth in team history, after getting two in the inaugural 2016 season (Ave Maria, Shorter), another in 2017 (Wingate).
“It’s huge,” Shinnick said. “I don’t care who you play, it’s hard. To do that down after down, play after play and just limit them and keep them off the 50 yard line and a lot of three-and-outs, that was huge. I am just happy for (defensive players).”
But the Argos are also not naïve. Virginia-Lynchburg is a small school and member of the National Christian Conference Athletic Association. The Dragons, who restarted football in 2011, were an opponent that UWF scrambled to get after so many other, potential, non-conference opponents shied from playing the Argos.
The Dragons have been outscored 219-42 in their four losses.
Biggest tests await for UWF, beginning next Saturday (Sept. 28) against Mississippi College, then Delta State to finish three consecutive home weekends.
“If we want to be the team we think we’re capable of being, then we’ve got to take care of business at home,” Shinnick said. “I got a team that is receptive. We think we can get better and we look forward to getting after it this week (in practices).”
GAME HONORS – The Argos had three major on-field presentations during the game.
* Dick Appleyard, CEO of the Appleyard Agency, was honored in the first quarter for his upcoming induction into the UWF Athletics Hall of Fame. He was joined by family, including grandchildren.
* The UWF women’s basketball team was honored at halftime.
* Peggy Butler presented UWF a check for $132,768 to support the UWF College of Arts, Social Science and Humanities in the Larry Butler Memorial Music Fund.
Northview Beats Holmes County (With Photo Gallery)
September 21, 2019
The Northview Chiefs hit the road Friday night and knocked off the Holmes County Blue Devils 34-22.
The Chiefs were up 14-7 by halftime in Bonifay.
Northview expanded their lead to 22-7 on a 2-yard touchdown and a good two point conversion by Jayden Jackson with about nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Holmes County answered with a TD and a two point conversion late in the third; Northview was on top 22-15.
Jackson was in the endzone from midfield. A missed try at two, and Northview led 28-15.
Trent Peebles powered into the endzone from 3 yards out, giving Northview a 34-15 advantage as the third quarter came to a close. The Blue Devils managed on more TD in the fourth on a 55-yard pass.
Northview (2-2, 1-1) is on the road again next Friday night to Panama City to take on North Bay Haven Academy (2-2, 0-2). The game will not be played at the school; it will be at Tommy Oliver Stadium, 351 East 13th Street in Panama City.
Photos by Lexi Kittrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crestview Stops Tate 47-7 (With Photo Gallery)
September 21, 2019
The Crestview Bulldogs defeated the Tate Aggies 47-7 Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
Crestview dominated the scoring during the first two quarters with a 40-0 lead at halftime. The Aggies’ only touchdown of the night came with 10:45 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run from Gavin Grace.
Tate (1-4, 0-3) is off next Friday night. The Aggies will return to action October 4 as they host Navarre (currently 3-2, 0-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Finals
September 21, 2019
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area high school football schedule:
FLORIDA
- Northview 34, Holmes County 22 [Photos, details...]
- Crestview 47, Tate 7 [Photos, details...]
- Escambia Academy 38, Jay 20
- Pine Forest 24, Navarre 6
- Catholic 35, Pensacola High 12
- Washington 34, Mosley 27
- Escambia 42, Gulf Breeze 0
- Pace 17, Fort Walton Beach 3
- Milton, 37 Choctawhatchee 21
- West Florida – OPEN
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 38 Jay 20
- W.S. Neal 27, Escambia Co. 7
- Bayside Academy 30, T.R. Miller 29
- Flomaton 53, St. Michael 21 (Thursday – click for details)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate Boys Golf ‘B’ Team Defeats West Florida, Pine Forest
September 20, 2019
The Tate High School Boys Golf “B” team defeated West Florida and Pine Forest at Scenic Hills scoring 207 over nine holes. Caleb Banks posted the lowest score of the match 46.
This was this squads first match of the season.
Tate Scores (top four used for team total):
Caleb Banks 46
Peyton Caslow 51
Kyle Clifton 54
Jacob Greeson 56
Trip McMann 59