Behind The Scenes: Painting The Field For The Tate Aggies
August 23, 2019
Volunteers were under the lights Thursday night in Tate High School’s Pete Gindl Stadium painting the field in preparation for the Aggie’s season opener Friday night.
To see the process step by step, click here for a photo gallery.
The Aggies will host the Pensacola High Tigers at 7 p.m. The Aggies will have fie more home games during the regular season, including homecoming on October 18.
Photos by Billy Howard, Jr. for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Throwback Thursday: Northview Chiefs Last Escambia County Football Team To Win State
August 22, 2019
For a Throwback Thursday, we are turning the clock back nearly seven years ago to December 7, 2012, when the Northview Chiefs won the Florida Class 1A football championship in Orlando. The Chiefs were the last team from Escambia or Santa Rosa counties to win a state title, beating the Trenton Tigers 42-21 for the trophy.
The 2012 road to Orlando had been oh so long for the Chiefs — losing out the previous two years a the state semi-final level — making the victory oh so much sweeter. The state title was the first and only for Northview. There were 3,609 fans on hand for the game — over 1,500 of them making the road trip from North Escambia.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
After a scoreless first quarter, La’Mikal Kyles scored for the Chiefs on a 58 yard run with 11:07 on the click. And the Chiefs were just getting warmed up. Chad Smith was in with 8:25 in the half on a 20 yard blocked punt return. And LaDarius Thomas scored on a two-yard run with just 34 seconds in the half. With good kicks from Kevin Vaughan on all three touchdowns, the Chiefs held a 21-0 dominating lead at the half.
Trenton scored on a three yard run in the third, while Northview scored twice in the quarter. Neino Robinson had a 79 yard kickoff return, and Brannon Freeman added a touchdown with a 28 yard run. Northview had one touchdown, a six-yard run from Kevin Vaughan, in the fourth, while Trenton scored twice.
As the clock wound down, the Chiefs won the 1A championship 42-21.
Kyles finished the night with 113 yards and one touchdown on 12 attempts. Freeman had a touchdown and 61 yards on 11 attempts, and Thomas also added a TD and 39 yards on 10 attempts.
The 2019 regular season gets underway Friday night for Northview. The Chiefs will host Lighthouse Christian at 7 p.m.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Miracle League In Desperate Need Of Volunteers To Help Repair Field For Fall Season
August 19, 2019
The Miracle League of Pensacola is in need of numerous volunteers to help them prepare a damaged field in time for their fall season.
The field is covered with hundreds of tiles to create a safe playing surface. All of the tiles must be removed, pressure washed and replace. This will require a “massive” number of volunteers and hours of service, according to league officials.
They will be working each evening this week, weather permitting at 5:30 p.m. Volunteers may need gloves, but no other tools are required.
The park is located at 555 East Nine Mile Road, at the corner of Nine Mile and Airway Drive.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ESPN Pensacola Radio Expands Coverage Area Today
August 19, 2019
ESPN Pensacola, the local sports radio station currently heard on 94.5 FM, is expanding its listening area.
Beginning Monday, August 19, ESPN Pensacola will be heard on AM 1330 and FM 99.1.
According to station owner Dave Hoxeng, “adding AM 1330 will greatly increase ESPN’s daytime coverage area. At 25,000 watts, AM 1330 is the strongest AM radio signal between Jacksonville and New Orleans.”
On the FM dial, FM 99.1 will broadcast the same programming as the current ESPN Pensacola FM 94.5.
The station will continue to broadcast on FM 94.5 through September. ESPN Pensacola is also broadcast on WYCT-98.7-HD2 and is now being added on WYCT-98.7-HD4.
ESPN Pensacola will continue to air the same popular weekday ESPN programs as are currently broadcasting on FM 94.5, including Golic & Wingo, from 5-9 a.m. 5-; Dan LeBatarad and Stugotz, from 9 a.m. until noon ; and Paul Finebaum, from 2-5 p.m..
Locally, Chad Brillante will continue to host ‘The Sports Drive’” from 5-7 p.m along with ‘Talk Football” with Coach Kay Stevenson’ from noon until 1 p.m. weekdays. Both are live local shows.
“SportsCall” with ESPN Pensacola’s Davis Allen broadcasts live every Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The station will again broadcast the UWF Argo football games every Saturday, and the high school football game of the week on Friday nights at 7 p.m. And, the station is also the broadcast home of Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos.
ESPN Pensacola is locally owned and operated by Pensacola residents Dave and Mary Hoxeng. The Hoxengs also operate sister stations CatCountry 98.7 and NewsRadio 92.3 ▪ AM1620.
Wahoos Recognize PE Teachers, Including North Escambia Adapted PE Teacher
August 18, 2019
Recently, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos recognized all Escambia County School District physical education teachers for what they do day in and day out to keep youth healthy and for their implementation of the USA Baseball Fun at Bat program in the elementary schools.
Additionally, ECSD state award recipients from SHAPE Florida (Society of Health & Physical Education) got to throw out the first pitch .
State program award winners include Lisa Moss and Ian Waldron from Ferry Pass Elementary School for 19-20 SHAPE Florida Elementary PE Program of the Year and Jessica Wolford for being the 19-20 SHAPE Florida Adapted PE Teacher of the Year. Wolford serves Bratt Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle School, Northview High School and Kingsfield Elementary.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kickoff Classic Wins For Tate, Northview (With Scoreboard, Photo Gallery)
August 17, 2019
Area high school football teams were back under the Friday night lights for kickoff classics. Here are scores from the North Escambia area:
Tate 13, Pace 7
The Tate Aggies beat the Pace Patriots 13-7 in a kickoff classic at Pace.
Kesean Williams had honor of the the first score of the season for the Aggies for a 7-0 lead. With the game tied 7-7, sophomore quarterback Dalton Biggs found Cody Brown on a Hail Mary pass for the game winning touchdown.
The Aggies will swing into the regular season Friday night at 7:00 as they host Pensacola High School in Pete Gindl Stadium.
FOR A TATE AT PACE PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
Pace 14, Tate 0 (JV)
Pace 8, Tate 0 (Freshmen)
Northview 7, Baker 0
The Northview Chiefs beat Baker 7-6 Friday night in Baker. The Chiefs will open the regular season Friday night at home against Lighthouse Christian. It’s also senior night for Northview; the Chiefs only have three home games this season.
Baker 16, Northview (JV)
Baker 8, Ernest Ward Eagles 0
West Florida 7, Navarre 7
Escambia 27, Pensacola High 0
Gulf Breeze 14, Choctaw 0
Catholic 19, Washington 14 (Thursday)
Pictured: The Tate Aggies defeated the Pace Patriots Friday night in Pace. NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Tate Helmets Sporting New Logo Decals For Friday Night’s Kickoff Classic
August 15, 2019
The Tate Aggies will be sporting helmets with fresh new logo decals under the Friday night lights this season.
Robin Foster, Kevin Wilson and Shannon Wilson worked to place the new decals on the helmets before the start of the season.
The Aggies head to Pace Friday night for a kickoff classic game against the Pace Patriots.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fans Meet The Northview Chiefs (With Photo Gallery)
August 14, 2019
Fans had a chance to meet the Northview Chiefs Thursday evening.
They were introduced to this year’s junior varsity football team and cheerleaders, varsity football team and cheerleaders, the Tribal Beat Band, the volleyball team, the Ernest Ward Middle School football team and local youth teams and cheerleaders.
The Chiefs travel to Baker Friday for a preseason Kickoff Classic at 7 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties
August 13, 2019
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in August. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times are:
Escambia County
Aug. 22 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m)
Langley Bell 4-H Center
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
Aug. 15 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Avalon Middle School
5445 King Arthur’s Way in Milton
Aug. 21 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Aug. 28 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Santa Rosa County Extension Services
6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton
Blue Wahoos Renovate Field At Bradberry Park In Walnut Hill
August 12, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos renovated a youth baseball field at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill
“I would say we have done pretty well, considering everything,” said Dustin Hannah, the Blue Wahoos head groundskeeper, who led an effort of a dozen co-workers of men and women, all of whom novices in baseball field repair.
Hannah’s direction, his patience, helped make the group effort so much easier.
Since the Blue Wahoos’ inaugural 2012 season, the team has made it a community service priority to each year help renovate a youth baseball field within the Escambia or Santa Rosa County area.
The day is chosen during a break in the home schedule. The field is chosen through nomination of youth baseball organizations providing a video, or photos of why a particular field needs help. The process is vetted through an on-site visit before a venue is chosen.
“It’s all part of us giving back to our community,” said Donna Kirby, the Blue Wahoos vice president of operations. “The first year (2012) we did a field in Pensacola near downtown and we’ve then gone throughout the area. Last year, we did a field in Century.
“In a way, it’s kind of our payback to the sport. These are little kids now who are playing baseball on these fields. And who knows if they will grow up continuing to play baseball, and there’s always that chance one of them can become a professional player and maybe play in Blue Wahoos Stadium.”
The field upgraded is used by the Cal Ripken-Babe Youth Baseball league, which has kids from Walnut Hill and nearby Bratt playing in various age groups.
“Any type of help for non-profits like ours is welcomed, especially with ballfields,” said Bonnie Maughon, board member with the league, whose son, Walker is a Tee-Ball player. “The income you get to run the games is all that you have. Any extra help you receive is a real blessing.”
The Blue Wahoos staff, which included Kirby and team president Jonathan Griffith all pitched in to help during two different work shifts.
“It’s just a big group effort to at least get it to where we’re at right now,” said Anna Striano, the Blue Wahoos merchandise manager who coordinated the community service project, during a lunch break. “And you want to leave it better than you found it.”
Hannah transported a small trailer with hand tools and power tools he uses on Admiral Fetterman Field at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“We had a lot of grass to take out in the infield area, but I think we’re good,” he said. “These (youth league) fields, it’s not as in-depth work than it would be on a professional field.”
Maughon said she was scrolling Facebook when she saw the Blue Wahoos notice reaching out to youth leagues for nominations on field renovation. Striano started the process in June, then chose Bradberry Park in late July.
“I was really looking for ways to get help,” Maughon said. “We’re very thankful to be chosen. It’s very special. The fields are maintained by volunteers and it’s not easy.
“This year our president said we have enough kids for three T-Ball teams, but we needed one more volunteer coach to do it. And my husband stepped up.”
Hannah will follow up with the league’s director with tips on how to maintain the fields. It’s been done each year with various other fields the Blue Wahoos have helped to renovate.
It’s part of the team’s mission statement to improve the quality of life in Pensacola and the surrounding area. The field renovation was another way to help make that happen.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
