Florida Hunting And Fishing Licenses, Park Passes 50% Off Until January
October 15, 2023
Florida is offering a 50% discount on annual state park passes and FWC Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses under the “Great Outdoors Initiative” under an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Through January 13, 2024, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will discount the annual resident Gold Sportsman license, five-year Gold Sportsman license and Lifetime Sportsman license by 50%. Also, the Department of Environmental Protection will offer a 50% discount on annual state park passes.
The following FWC Gold Sportsman licenses, which include the saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and hunting privileges and all associated permits, are discounted by 50% and will be available at the following rates, plus applicable fees:
- Annual Gold Sportsman – $50.75.
- 5-year Gold Sportsman – $247.75.
- Lifetime Sportsman’s License
- Age 4 or younger – $201.50.
- Ages 5-12 – $351.50.
- Ages 13 and older – $501.50.
Florida State Parks Annual Passes will have a 50% discount and are available tat the following rates:
- Family Annual Pass – $60, plus tax.
- Individual Annual Pass – $30, plus tax.
To buy a pass or to find a park near you, visit: www.floridastateparks.org/.
To find more information on fishing and hunting licenses in Florida, visit: myfwc.com/license/recreational/ and to purchase a license, visit: License.GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
UWF Falls 10-6 At West Alabama In Defensive Battle
October 15, 2023
Three years of conference road success and lofty scores produced by the UWF football team came to a crashing halt.
It happened Saturday when least expected.
Unable to sustain drives, summon big plays, or even find the end zone, the sixth-ranked Argos sustained a stunning 10-6 loss against West Alabama and now face an uncommon scenario to reach season goals.
It was the first time UWF has not scored a touchdown in any game since Nov. 12, 2016 in the final game of their inaugural football season.
“That’s on me. This loss is on me and I take full responsibility,” said a crestfallen UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles following the game.
The Argos (5-2, 3-1) had won nine consecutive Gulf South Conference road games and were 18-3 in the past five years in league road games.
But their prolific offense, which was averaging 36.5 points and 464.5 yards total offense this season, suddenly went silent for an entire game.
It led to West Alabama (3-4, 2-3) celebrating a homecoming win amid a crowd of 7,020 at Tiger Stadium unlike any other in program’s past years.
West Alabama put together a game plan that relied on the Tigers’ stout defense, playing ball-control, and taking advantage of UWF mistakes.
All of it came together in this monumental upset.
“In trying to get our guys prepared, I told them this team was a good team and Coach Gilliland does a great job,” Nobles said. “I didn’t get the offense going (Saturday) This loss is on me, solely, nobody else in the program, but myself.”
The Argos have a tall order next week, taking a road trip to unbeaten, No. 8-ranked Delta State (7-0), which was ranked behind UWF in the current D-2 coaches poll. Their next home game on Oct. 28 is against Valdosta State (6-1).
“It won’t get any easier and that’s the schedule,” Nobles said. “We knew this was going to be the tough part of the schedule going into the season and our guys have to keep buying into the work, be able to flush this (loss away), and be able to move on and don’t let one loss in the conference change how we play next week.”
The Argos were held to just 214 yards total offense. That was four more yards, however, than West Alabama amassed against UWF’s defense, which stood up the entire game.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett endured his most difficult game at UWF. He completed just 13 of 32 passes for 158 yards. He was sacked three times and under duress at times as West Alabama’s defense broke through to get into UWF’s backfield.
After having an upgraded rushing attack this season, the Argos were held to 56 net yards rushing due to the sack yardage against Jarrett. CJ Wilson led UWF with 16 carries for 65 yards. Jamontez Woods was held to 12 yards on six carries.
The bright spot on offense was standout receiver John Jiles, who caught seven passes for 147 yards. In one of Saturday’s defining plays, Jiles was open on a 3rd-and-14 play late in the fourth quarter from the UWF 29, but Jarrett overthrew the pass that could have gone for a touchdown.
On the next play, Jarrett connected with KJ Franklin, but the ball was jarred loose as he hit the ground, nullifying a first down and giving West Alabama the ball with 2:47 left.
But once again UWF’s defense held and the Tigers’ missed a 42-yard field goal with 1:49 remaining.
With one last chance, Jarrett’s second-down pass was intercepted and the Tigers ran out the clock.
Earlier in the fourth quarter. Jarrett and Jiles hooked up for a 57-yard completion to the West Alabama 3.
But the Tigers overpowered UWF’s offensive line to tackle Wilson for a 3-yard loss on the next play. On 3rd-and-goal from the 6, the Tigers defense again pressured Jarrett and forced him into a minus-8 yard completion.
Griffin Cerra kicked a 31-yard field goal to keep the Argos within striking distance. But with two more possessions, UWF was thwarted.
Both teams punted nine times in the game.
The Argos best sustained drive occurred in the first quarter when they drove 70 yards on 10 plays to the UWA 19 for Cerra’s first field goal.
The Tigers answered on the ensuing possession, aided by two 15-yard penalties against the Argos, including a pass interference that put the ball at the UWF 7. On the play, the Tigers’ Bry Webb rushed in for the game’s only touchdown with 14:48 before half.
The Argos had scored 40 or more points in each of their last three games. The school record is four, set last season.
But Saturday, UWF looked out of sorts from the opening possession when Jarrett’s first pass resulted in a 3-yard loss and the next two attempts were incomplete. It was one of four possessions where the Argos failed to get a first down.
Linebacker Walker Robinson, a Fort Walton Beach High grad, again led UWF’s strong defensive effort with seven solo stops. John McMullen had five solo stops. Elijah Williams made a terrific interception that briefly gave back emotion to the UWF sideline.
On this day, however, any surge stayed brief and the quick-scoring, high-flying team that was so often prevalent these past several seasons, was unable to generate any kind of similar performance.
written by Bill Vilona / photo Emily Mller
‘I Don’t Think We’ve Seen Our Best Yet’ – Northview Beats Jay 41-19 (With Gallery)
October 14, 2023
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 41-19 Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
It was a big homecoming win, and awin that head coach Wes Summerford believes will put the Chiefs on the right track for the rest of the season.
For a game action photo gallery, click here. (Look for additional galleries with the homecoming court, cheerleaders, mini-cheerleaders, band and more coming soon.)
“It gets us on the track that we have been trying to get on for weeks now after a couple of games we dropped early that I thought we had a chance in,” Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “I think this was that win we really needed to prove to our guys that we haven’t seen our best yet. That’s what I told them after the game. ‘I don’t think we’ve seen our best yet.’. But the kids have got to believe it first.”
The Chiefs headed into Friday night’s game ranked at No. 5 in Region 1-1R — right behind the Royals at No. 4. The will likely put the Chiefs in a better postseason playoff position.
Devin Kelly had three touchdowns on the night for the Chiefs. Joe Wright added a Northview TD, and quarterback Wyatt Scruggs had a quarterback keeper into the endzone.
Friday night marked Northview’s seventh consecutive win over the Royals.
Northview (3-4) will host Blountstown (4-2) Friday night in Bratt. The Jay Royals (4-3) will celebrate homecoming while hosting Lighthouse Private Christian Academy.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
October 14, 2023
Here are Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 41, Jay 19 [Game story, photos...]
- Pace 41, Tate 13
- IMG Academy 55, Pine Forest 14
- West Florida 41, Pensacola 0
- Fort Walton Beach 44, Washington 14
- Choctaw 24, Escambia 20
- Walton 23, Pensacola Catholic 21
- Lighthouse Private Christian Academy at Sneads
- Navarre 45, Milton 14
- Baker 14, FAMU 0
- Tohopekaliga 18, Gulf Breeze 14 (Thursday p.m.)
ALABAMA
- W.S. Neal 44, Flomaton 21
- Patrician Academy 42, Escambia Academy 14
- T.R. Miller 42. Escambia County (Atmore) 7
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Pitcher Plants, Undersized Fish
October 12, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Waters and Hahr responded to a complaint from the staff at Tarkiln Bayou State Park after a patron observed a subject picking protected pitcher plants. The patron advised the subject that picking the threatened plants was prohibited, but the subject responded she had permission and continued to pick them. The subject was found at her vehicle with the plants and issued a notice to appear for harvesting a threatened plant from public property without permission.
Officer Waters and Hahr were checking boats returning to the Navy Point boat ramp and located two boats in possession of undersized gray triggerfish. Both subjects responsible were charged with possession of undersized gray triggerfish. Later in the weekend, they located another boat with a four-person limit of gray triggerfish. All four of the fish were undersized, and the owner of the vessel was charged with possession of undersized gray triggerfish.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Bower and Phillips were conducting resource inspections and located two subjects fishing from a local pier without valid saltwater fishing licenses. The officers conducted an inspection and located two flounder not in whole condition and additional undersized flounder. The flounder measured 10 inches in length. The legal size for flounder is 14 inches. A resource inspection was conducted on the second subject and two mangrove snapper filets were located at the bottom of the cooler, not in whole condition. Flounder and mangrove snapper are required to be landed in whole condition and possessing such fish not in whole condition in or on state waters or a public or private fishing pier is prohibited. Both subjects were cited appropriately for the violations.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Great Tate Comeback Continues With 58-41 Hoco Win Over West Florida (With Photo Gallery)
October 7, 2023
The great Tate comeback continues.
The Tate Aggies got a big 58-41 homecoming night win over the West Florida Jaguars Friday night in Cantonment. The Aggies are at 4-2 — their best season since 2017.
- For a game action photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming court photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming parade gallery, click here.
- For a gallery with alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, fans and more, click here.
Tate was first on the board when quarterback Taite Davis hit C.J. Autrey for a 75-yard touchdown. With a missed extra point, the Aggies were up 6-0. The Jags answered with a TD and a good kick to give WFHS a 7-6 lead.
Tate regained the lead on a Carson Secchiari touchdown from five yards out, 13-7. Then Davis found Autrey again, this time from 28-yards, to give the Aggies a 20-7 advantage in the first.
In the second quarter, Davis hit Christian Neptune for a 27-7 Aggie game. The lead was cut to 27-13 as the Jaguars scored from 75 yards out.
On a Tate punt, a high snap over Jackson Clarke’s head was recovered by West Florida in the endzone, 27-20.
Tate (4-2) will host Pace (5-1) next Friday night, while West Florida (2-4) will head over to Pensacola High (0–7)
- For a game action photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming court photo gallery, click here.
- For a homecoming parade gallery, click here.
- For a gallery with alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, fans and more, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
October 7, 2023
Here are Friday night’s North Escambia area high school football scores:
FLORIDA
- Tate 58, West Florida 41 [Story, action photos...]
- Northview 28, Baker 0
- Holmes County 55, Jay 7
- Niceville 31, Pine Forest 28
- Godby 43, Washington 6
- Pensacola Catholic 38, Gulf Breeze 17
- Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 19, Pike Liberal Arts 14
- Navarre 35, Mosley 31
- Pace 49, Pensacola High 0 (Thursday pm)
ALABAMA
- Thomasville 21, Flomaton 7
- Escambia Academy 46, Pickens Academy 14
- Jackson 50, Escambia County (Atmore) 7
- T.R. Miller 31, Bayside 17
- W.S. Neal 42,Cottage Hill 13
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat West Florida Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
October 6, 2023
Here is tonight’s North Escambia area high school football schedule:
FLORIDA
- West Florida at Tate
- Northview at Baker
- Holmes County at Jay
- Pine Forest at Niceville
- Godby at Washington
- Pensacola Catholic at Gulf Breeze
- Pike Liberal Arts (Ala.) at Lighthouse Private Christian Academy
- Mosley at Navarre
- Pace 49, Pensacola High 0 (Thursday pm)
ALABAMA
- Thomasville at Flomaton
- Pickens Academy at Escambia Academy
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Jackson
- T.R. Miller at Bayside (Daphne)
- W.S. Neal at Cottage Hill (Mobile)
Pictured:: The Tate Aggies beat the Milton Panthers 45-7 last Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Good Sports: Tate, Northview Volleyball Honor Their Opponents On Senior Night
October 5, 2023
Call it good sportsmanship. Call it Southern hospitality. Call it class.
Call it what you like, but it’s just the way things are done in the Aggie Nation and Northview Chiefs land.
Like tens of thousands of high school volleyball teams across the nation, the Lady Aggies and the Lady Chiefs celebrated their senior nights this week.
It’s a happy moment. And a few tears are shed as players, and a lot of times moms and dads, realize their time on the court is coming to a close.
At both Tate and Northview, seniors were announced one by one, escorted onto the court by family. There are those tears, smiles, hugs and lots of flowers. Many of the seniors’ favorite moments were shared (so what was up with the Tate bus breaking down by the road a few years ago?).
But before the hometown seniors were recognized, there was a moment at both schools we think you should know about.
Tate and Northview recognized the visiting seniors from their opponents — flowers and all.
It was a small gesture that says big things about the Lady Aggies, the Lady Chiefs and good sportsmanship.
Pictured top: On their senior night, the Northview Lady Chiefs recognized the seniors from opponent Laurel Hill. Pictured below: The Tate Lady Aggies recognized the seniors from opponent Fort Walton Beach. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Sweep The Hoboes On Senior Night (With Photo Gallery)
October 4, 2023
Northview High School volleyball honored their seniors Tuesday night and swept three straight from the visiting Laurel Hill Hoboes.
The Chiefs defeated Laurel Hill 25-16, 25-16, 25-23.
Before the match, the Lady Chiefs recognized seniors Bailee Wiley, Kendal Beasley and Kayleigh Jay, along with manager Ja`Niya Hooks.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for extra senior night photos at the end of the gallery.)
The Northview Chiefs (11-4, 2-3) will finish the regular season on the road in a district game at Central (6-11, 4-1) next Thursday at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
