Northview Girls Golf Takes Second At Districts, Headed To Regionals
October 23, 2023
The Northview High School Girls Golf Team placed second at districts Monday. Anna Kunkel placed second place overall.
The team will travel to regionals in Jacksonville on Friday, and they are in need of sponsors to help cover costs. For more information, contact coach Amy Holland at the school
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge,
No. 16 UWF Stuns No. 5 Delta State
October 22, 2023
Since the start of summer, UWF knew Saturday’s game at Delta State would be a defining one for the entire football season.
After another remarkable, second-half comeback at DSU’s McCool Stadium, the Argos now have a signature win they needed.
Trailing 21-10 at halftime and struggling from their own mistakes, the 18th ranked Argos rallied with a pair of touchdowns and had their defense play lights out in the second half to pull off a stunning 24-21 upset of the No. 5 ranked, previously unbeaten Statesmen.
Another magic act at this stadium, another big-time comeback in UWF’s impressive road history, and a win that first-year coach Kaleb Nobles can cherish in his new role.
“I challenged them at halftime and told them, ‘Hey it’s a 60-minute game, okay? We have every reason to believe in ourselves and play at a high level.’ And I am proud of these guys because they answered the call. I am really proud of them,” said Nobles, who was part of some of UWF’s big upsets as a player, then assistant coach.
Think about this: In their last three games at Delta State, the Argos trailed 30-10 in 2021, 24-10 in last year’s NCAA Division II playoffs, then Saturday’s 11-point deficit.
And UWF won them all.
“That is testament to our players and how well they have played in these games and how well they played (Saturday),” Nobles said.
The comeback, pressure-packed win Saturday put the Argos (6-2, 4-1 in Gulf South Conference) in a position to control their destiny in the conference championship race. They can win the league by winning out in the final three games, beginning with next Saturday’s showdown with rival Valdosta State (7-1, 4-1) in Pensacola at Pen Air Field.
UWF would own the tiebreaker against Delta State (7-1, 5-1) if both win out. The same holds true against West Georgia (5-2, 4-1). That could also bring a home-field playoff game in mid-November.
UWF’s defense, which entered ranked No. 8 nationally in D-2 in scoring defense, 18th in total defense, held a Delta State team averaging 46.6 points to less than half of that output.
That is what essentially won the game, after the Argos followed a late third quarter touchdown with the go-ahead score on their next possession early in the fourth quarter.
Five of Delta State’s six offensive possessions in the second half either resulted in a punt or stop on downs.
“Our defense played well in the first half,” Nobles said. “I don’t know how many plays we played on offense, but a lot of this was testament to our defense and how well they played.”
The Argos overcame 15 penalties for153 yards, along with a fumbled punt in the first half that contributed to Delta State’s lead.
UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett, who was sacked four times and under duress on other plays, completed 13 of 21 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed an astonishing 27 times for a net 63 yards.
C.J. Wilson led UWF with 70 yards on 19 carries as Nobles crafted a gameplan that was heavy on ball-control and knowing Delta State’s defense was set on trying to prevent big plays from UWF star receiver John Jiles.
But in the second half, Jiles made a terrific catch on a 19-yard TD pass from Jarett with 1:18 left in the third quarter that completed a 56-yard drive and trimmed the Statesmen lead to 21-17.
“We knew we had to come out and execute and that’s what we had to do in the second half,” Jiles said. “The offense did give an internal (halftime) speech, because we knew our backs were against the wall.”
When UWF got its next chance, the Argos drove 65 yards on 10 plays, capped by another 19-yard pass from Jarrett to Jiles into the corner of the end zone.
“I really just wanted the ball,” Jiles said. “I saw (Delta State) was in a cover two (defensive formation) and Peewee and I just did what we have done all season – make plays.”
The game-sealing sequence came when UWF got the ball at its own 33 with 3:49 left. The Argos had a pivotal third-down conversion pass from Jarett to Caden Leggett near midfield and were able to run out all but the final six seconds of the clock following a punt.
The Argos trailed 21-10 at halftime, after a first half where penalties and a fumbled punt led to 14 of Delta State’s points.
This first quarter began well for the Argos.
After going three plays and punt on their first possession, the Argos’ offense had its best sequence and finish the next time the group got the ball.
An 80-yard, 8-play drive ended with Leggett catching a short throw from Peewee Jarrett, breaking a tackle and diving into the end zone on a 26-yard scoring pass. It gave UWF a 7-0 lead midway through the quarter.
But from that point, the Argos had self-inflicted mistakes that proved costly.
On a Delta State punt that Virgil Lemons chose to try and catch inside his 10, the ball bounced off his shoulder pads and right into a diving Delta State defender at the Argos 8.
Two plays later, Statesmen quarterback Patrick Shegog connected with Jaylen Green on a 7-yard score with 1:06 left in the quarter.
That emotion turning moment led into another. On a third-down Delta State play that would have been an incompletion, the Argos were flagged for rouging Shegog on the pass.
With new life, Shegog then hit Jaylen May in stride on a deep route and with a UWF defender trailing, May finished a 56-yard touchdown play.
The Argos missed a chance to tie the game late in the quarter. Jarrett connected with Jiles for a 29-yard gain to the Statesmen 10. But on a second down play, the Argos committed a holding penalty. That led to Griffin Cerra’s 34-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 14-10 with 3:43 left.
Both teams exchanged possessions. After failing to convert, UWF punted. Delta State took over at its 20 with 1:14 left.
In less than 60 seconds, Delta State was in the end zone. A 44-yard completion from Shegog to Green set up a play where tight end Tycen Gray was left wide open in the end zone for 4-yard touchdown pass with 22 seconds left.
At that point, all of the emotion, all the game’s future seemed in Delta State’s favor. The Statesmen got the ball to start the second half, but UWF’s defense produced one of its many stops.
That was a moment that helped changed the game’s direction.
“A lot of self-inflicted wounds and that’s a really good team we just played,” Nobles said. “There was a reason they were undefeated.
“We know we have a lot of work left to do…a lot of football left… and we still haven’t’ played our best. But I know if it’s in our heart we can do it.”
Blountstown Tops Northview 18-7
October 21, 2023
The Northview Chiefs fell to the Blountstown Tigers 18-7 Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
While it was a loss. Northview head coach Wes Summerford said he was proud of his team’s effort.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
” I thought we had numerous opportunities, gave them some short fields, The defense played a great game tonight,” Summerford said. We had some injuries that got in the way, and I think it sputtered our offense.. I think it sputtered our team at a bad time in the game.
The Chiefs forr the Chies was a a 25-yard touchdown run from Devin Kelley for a 7-6 lead with 6:21 to to in the first quarter
“Extremely proud ofof the guys, I felt like they fought hard, it ain’t on the kids, you know, they fought their tails off and played good, played good,” He said, “I thought we played well enough to win. I’m just proud of them and for four quarter they gave me effort, so I”m really proud of hat.
The Northview Chiefs will sit out next week with a bye before traveling to Walton on November 3.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
October 19, 2023
Here are Friday night’s football scrores from around the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
- Blountstown 18, Northview7 [story..Photos]
- Tate at Gulf Breeze,
- Choctaw at Booker T. Washington
- Escambia at Pine Forest 14. Escambia 7
- Jay 42, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 8
- Crestview at Milton
- Catholic 42, Muroe 7
- Navarre 25, Pace 24
- Gulf Breeze 27, Tate 20
-
-
ALABAMA
- South Choctaw Academy 36, Escambia Academy 34
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Bayside Academy 38, Atmore 14
- T.R. Miller 42, Satsuma 0
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
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.
