Seventh Ranked Argos Roll Into Postseason After Blowout Win At Mississippi College
November 13, 2022
On the team’s coldest football game of this season, UWF’s offense could not have been any hotter.
The seventh-ranked Argos (9-1) scored touchdowns with their first eight possessions in a 56-21 blowout win against Mississippi College that sends road-thriving UWF into the NCAA Division II playoffs with another full steam of momentum.
With a 42-degree temperature at kickoff at Robinson-Hale Stadium, the Argos quickly served notice of their proficiency by scoring in just four plays on the game’s opening series.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett threw the first of his four touchdown passes on a perfect play call and 54-yard delivery to David Durden, who finished with 173 yards in receptions and two scores. Jarrett’s four touchdown passes on a 9-for-11 day with for 246 yards, were complimented by his two rushing touchdowns. Of the 16 times he either threw the ball or ran it, he accounted for six touchdowns.
“Just everything clicked,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “(Mississippi College) tried to do some different things than they did the first game (a 45-17 Argos’ win on Oct. 22), so it really opened a lot of our passing lanes and Peewee just picked up right where he left off last week… on fire.
“So it was very exciting to see us firing on all cylinders.”
In fact, UWF did not punt until the final minute of the game with their backup players on the field.
This 15th consecutive road win assured UWF of a home playoff game next Saturday (Nov. 19) – the first-ever, on-campus postseason game at Pen Air Field. The Argos were a No. 3 seed in this week’s NCAA Super Region 2 rankings and will learn their playoff matchup during the Division II selection show at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
UWF traveled back Saturday night knowing this might have been the team’s most complete game of the season.
The Argos churned out a school-record 12.4 yards per play with 483 yards of total offense on just 39 plays – the fewest in UWF’s 73 all-time games.
The Argos led 35-14 at halftime, after scoring in just nine seconds, another Jarrett long pass, after a kickoff followed a Mississippi College touchdown.
Mississippi College starting quarterback John Henry White sustained a shoulder injury after leading the Choctaws to a tying touchdown in the first quarter. From that point, UWF took advantage and was able to contain the Choctaws’ triple-option, run-oriented attack.
“(Defense) was fantastic across the board. We challenged them to show up and play great football, challenged them to get-after it and they did,” Shinnick said. “It was very exciting to see them play that way. Now, going into the playoffs I feel good about the way we have prepared and now we just have to keep this thing rolling.”
Remarkably, UWF has not lost a road game since November 9, 2019 at Valdosta State in a game that decided the GSC Champion that year. The Argos started the streak two weeks later with a win at Wingate.
And what happened after that? Well, the Argos finished 13-2 by winning the NCAA Division II national championship in only their fourth season, including five post-season wins away from Pensacola.
They enter the playoffs having attained their fourth season of nine or more wins, all of which have resulted in playoff trips for a football program only six years in existence.
Like so many of UWF’s football feats, it’s something unheard of in collegiate football history.
“Well, looking back, we wanted to be competitive, we wanted to find a way to get into the playoffs, but what we really wanted to do is just become one of the best teams in this area,” said Shinnick, who has been UWF’s head coach since being announced in January 2014, two years before the team began playing.
“We don’t take anything for granted. We didn’t assume any of this would happen, but we are really blessed how our guys have worked and to be in the position we are in.”
Saturday’s game at Mississippi College did not count in the Gulf South Conference standings, but it was vital for UWF’s overall record in keeping its region seeding and playoff aspirations. The GSC opted to have the final Saturday of the 2022 regular season be rematch games within the conference, because of the difficulty in scheduling.
UWF only played 10 games after one opponent opted against playing UWF this year.
“We are a league that not a lot of people want to play,” Shinnick said. “We only have eight D-2 games, because we had to play an NAIA opponent (Warner University in the season opener). So, this really gives everyone that ninth D-2 game that we are all fighting and scratching to do.
“Next year, we are discussing when this game should take place, but it is really so we can all have quality D-2 games. I know we have this set up the next couple years, because there are really not a lot of options.”
The Choctaws (4-7) came out early in Saturday’s game answering UWF’s fast start. After the first TD pass to Durden, the Choctaws tied the game on a 14-play, 86-yard drive that ate up eight minutes of the first quarter clock.
Jarrett, however, quickly got UWF back in front with a five-play, 76-yard series that was finished with a 38-yard pass to Jared Smith. After the Argos defense got a fourth-down stop at their 35, the Jarrett-Durden connection went for 30 yards and eventually set up Jarrett’s 1-yard rushing score.
Another defensive stop ensued and Durden returned a punt to the Choctaws’ 43. The next snap, Jarrett connected with Caden Leggett on a 43-yard TD with 5:38 in the half.
Jarrett ended his day before the third quarter ended. Backup Michael Rich Jr. completed his first two passes on a 4-for-5 day and led UWF to its final two scores.
By Bill Vilona, UWF. Photo: Morgan Givens/UWF.
High School Football Playoff Scoreboard
November 12, 2022
Here are the Friday night football playoff scores from across the North Escambia area.
Class 1R
- Holmes County 49, Freeport 20
- Northview will host Holmes County on 11/18
- Baker 33, Bozeman 14
- Chipley will host Baker on 11/18
Class 2S
- Pensacola Catholic 45, Wakulla 21
- Catholic will be at Florida State University High on 11/18
- West Florida 35, Bay 0
- West Florida will be at Suwannee on 11/18
Class 3S
- Pine Forest 35, Rickards 15
- Pine Forest will host winner of Saturday game: St. Augustine vs. Choctawhatchee
- Escambia 42, Middleburg 18
- Escambia will host Columbia on 11/18
Class 4S
- Crestview 26, Niceville 21
- Buchholz 35, Pace 34
- Crestview will host Buchholz on 11/18
- Creekside 47, Navarre 20
ALABAMA
- Handley 27, T.R. Miller 14
- Saint James 42, W.S. Neal 21
SEC Soccer Tournament Sets Attendance Records, Provides Local Economic Boost
November 8, 2022
The SEC Soccer Tournament held at Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Park had far exceeded expectations by the time South Carolina upset the No. 1 seed Alabama Crimson Tide Sunday afternoon.
The bleachers were full of fans, aisles in the bleachers were full of fans and the areas around fences were standing room only. It was absolutely packed inside the stadium off 10 Mile Road, as were the parking lots.
According to the SEC, there were 3,025 in attendance — the largest crowd for a game in the 37 years of SEC women’s soccer. The overall tournament also set a SEC record with 10,450 total fans.
By Monday, Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes was meeting with his staff to determine how to handle larger crowds next year; Escambia County will host the SEC Soccer Tournament through 2024,
And officials were taking stocking of what are expected to be long-range economic benefits for Escambia County and Pensacola for the tournament that aired live on the SEC Network.
“The heads and beads is absolutely invaluable; we’ll be able to put a price tag on what kind of economic impact that brings,” Rhodes said. “But sometimes what you can’t put a price tag on is the nine games of live coverage on the SEC Network…showcasing Pensacola and Escambia County.”
“I think the opportunity for Pensacola and Northwest Florida to be showcased on the SEC Network as a partner with ESPN is huge for our community,” Pensacola Sports CEO Ray Palmer said. “We hope this gives us the opportunity to show people Pensacola and give them a reason to come back for something else, like world class beaches, history and downtown.”
And there’s another benefit from the tournament, the parks director said. Now that the tournament is packed up and gone for a year, upgrades to the facilities at Ashton Brosnaham remain to benefit local residents. There’s new turf on the stadium field, enhancements on the practice field, new fencing around the perimeter of the field along with other improvements.
“We made a lot of enhancements to brighten the facility. The SEC is here one week out of the year, but for 365 days a year our job is to serve the residents and the soccer community, Rhodes said. “We know they (local players) are going to be proud, and they’ll always be able to say that they’re playing at the venue that the SEC Soccer Tournament was held at.”
RELATED:
- South Carolina Upsets No. 1 Seed Alabama For SEC Tournament Title (With Photo Gallery)
- Ole Miss Shuts Out LSU; Mississippi State Tops Texas A&M. And Escambia County Wins In SEC Tourney Day One
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview To Host Playoff Games On Drive To State Championship Game
November 7, 2022
The Northview Chiefs are headed down the Drive to December in their quest for a 1R state championship. And Northview will have the home field advantage. As long as the Chiefs are contenders, they will host all playoff through the state semifinals.
No. 1 Northview and No 2. Chipley will sit out this Friday night with byes.
On Friday night, Nov. 18, Northview will host the winner of the Nov. 11 game between No. 4 Freeport and No. 5 Holmes County. Chipley will host either No. 3 Baker and No. 6 Bozeman.
The regional final is Nov. 25, and the State Semifinals are Dec. 2.
The 1R 1M, 1S & 2S state championships will be December 8-10 at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee. The Florida High School Athletic Association has not announced the exact date for 1R.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
UWF Wins Gulf South Conference Championship
November 7, 2022
Of all the heart-thumping, final play wins in UWF’s six-year football history, the Argos 32-31 overtime thriller Saturday night at Valdosta State may now stand alone.
This one brought a Gulf South Conference championship and opportunity for the eighth-ranked Argos to have a home field edge when the NCAA Division II playoffs begin in two weeks.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett willed UWF to victory, after answering Valdosta State’s overtime touchdown with a fourth-down conversion from the 18, then his 12-yard touchdown pass to Caden Leggett, followed by Jarrett’s power plow into the end zone from the 1-and-a-half yard-line for game-winning, two-point conversion.
It was wow all the way around.
“He called it (2-point play), he wanted it,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick, who opted to go for the do-or-die 2-point play after a late hit on Jarrett’s overtime touchdown pass moved the ball from the 3 to the 1.5 yard-line.
“It was working for us all night,” said Jarrett, a first-team national junior college All-American a year ago, who transferred in the early summer to win UWF’s starting quarterback role. “I told coach, you brought me here for a reason. I can get you one yard. That was the biggest thing. I told him put it in my hands and we got it done.”
The Argos missed a chance to win the game with 22 seconds left in regulation play when Jarrett dropped a perfect 48-yard pass into Jared Smith’s hands, but the ball was knocked loose a split-second late by a VSU defender in the end zone for an incompletion. On the next play, another Jarrett long ball was intercepted with 13 seconds left to force overtime.
The dramatic win for the Argos (8-1, 5-1 in GSC) was their 14th consecutive road victory, the second-longest streak in Division II. It was a third consecutive win against rival Valdosta State (4-6, 2-5) in a series that has featured three of the past four games decided by five points or less between these teams.
UWF will now close out its regular-season on Nov. 12 with a rematch at Mississippi College, which does not count in the conference standings, but will be vital for UWF to win in order to guarantee a home game when the D-2 playoffs begin. UWF beat Mississippi College 45-17 on Oct. 22 in a GSC game in Pensacola.
Earlier Saturday, the Argos learned that previously unbeaten Delta State, which defeated UWF 45-42 in an epic double overtime game in Pensacola on Sept. 24, had lost at home (52-42) against West Georgia.
Since the GSC does not use a head-to-head matchups to determine a football league champion, the Argos knew they could share the GSC championship, plus enhance their positioning in region rankings for the Division II playoffs.
But UWF trailed 14-7 after a mistake-filled first half. The Argos tied the game three times in the second half but could never gain a lead until the game-deciding play in overtime.
“We found a way, found a way,” said Shinnick, the excitement in his voice easily detectable. “Way to overcome a lot of uncharacteristic plays on our part. I thought Peewee was on fire. He was dialing it up. He was hitting our guys, it was fun to watch.”
It became UWF’s 113th conference championship in school history, an amazing feat for the athletic program, and the second consecutive conference trophy for a football team that started from scratch in 2016.
“That is great,” Shinnick said. “Congratulations to our players. What a great job, staying true to this thing.”
UWF won the coin toss for overtime possession and elected to play defense. On the first play, Valdosta State’s senior quarterback Ivory Durham took a shotgun snap from the 25 and ran left, then down the sideline for a go-ahead touchdown.
Durham compiled 316 yards total offense Saturday by passing for 196 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 120 yards and one score.
When UWF got the ball from the 25, Jarrett’s second-down pass was nearly intercepted. He then was called for a delay-of-game penalty to push the ball to the 23. He rushed five yards to 18. On fourth down, he went up to middle to convert a first down and set the stage for his pass to Leggett in the back corner of the end zone.
Now, it was decision time. Go for two to win? Or kick the PAT to force a second overtime.
“Once we got the penalty, it was a no-brainer,” Shinnick said. “I was thinking about doing it even if we didn’t have the penalty. But we got the penalty, the ball at the yard and a half, there was no stopping us.”
There was no debate, either, on what to do.
“When it came down to the play, there was no discussion,” Jarrett said. “I told coach Shinnick, put the ball in my hands and let’s go right up the middle with it.”
As he lined up his team Jarrett saw VSU’s defense was not stacked at the line of scrimmage.
“I was expecting a way different look, a tighter box… and it was kind of loose,” he said. “I don’t know if they expected us to pass or what… I went out there and my eyes were wide, they probably saw that. But I just went right up the gut with it.”
The blocking from UWF’s veteran offensive line provided the initial push and Jarrett easily bulled in for the winner. He finished the game 15-for-34 passing for 309 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 121 yards. Many of his passes, however, were dropped, which skews the passing stats.
The Argos, who won for the first-time at Valdosta State during the regular season (they won a D-2 playoff game there in 2019 to advance to the national semifinals), struggled by their own self-inflicted issues the entire first half.
A holding penalty nullified a touchdown pass by Jarrett on the first possession. A missed field goal followed from 29 yards. An offensive pass interference and holding penalty on separate plays thwarted another drive.
Finally, Jarrett’s 43-yard pass to Nate Howard tied the game midway through the second quarter. But Valdosta State, which honored its first football team from 40 years ago, answered on the ensuing possession with an 11-play, 72-yard drive.
UWF tied the game on the third play of the second half when Jarrett connected with David Durden across the middle and he went 46-yards for a score. But again VSU answered, this time on a 78-yard scoring drive to regain the lead.
The Blazers took the lead on a 44-yard field goal with 9:41 left, but UWF’s Griffin Cerra atoned from the previous miss to convert a 36-yarder with 2:51 left in the game to tie the score.
The game was the first time all season UWF failed to score at least 34 points with an offense that is ranked No. 5 among all D-2 teams. The Argos will now turn focus to the season finale against Mississippi College.
by Bill Vilona, UWF Senior Writer
Photo: Morgan Givens
A Perfect 10: The Northview Chiefs Finish Undefeated Season With Win Over Bay (With Gallery)
November 5, 2022
A perfect 10.
The Northview Chiefs finished their regular season at 10-0 with a 41-6 rout of the Bay Tornadoes Friday night in Bratt.
It’s the first perfect regular season for the Chiefs since they won nine straight in 2006 before losing at home 20-14 to Chipley in round one of the playoffs for a 9-1 record that year.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, student life and more coming by Tuesday.)
“Just look at these players that have been driving for three years, and they accomplished it,” third year Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “I think I imagined this three years ago, but you don’t think it’s going to happen. It takes a special group of kids first and foremost, and then coaches support it. And we’ve got both.”
The Chiefs headed into Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium Friday night in Bratt at 9-0, hosting one-loss Panama City Bay, a school twice the size of NHS.
“We knew that they had speed,” Summerford said. “Their game is a quick game, get it to their athletes, and they’ve got a bunch of them. They’ve got some good players that can really play.”
The first quarter was scoreless, but the Chiefs outscored Bay 21-6 in the second quarter on the way to a win behind an unstoppable offense and a defense that proved to be unwavering.
“
Coach (Jace) Gandy really put a game plan together this week,” he said. “Unbelievable. That’s the thing about a great defense; it’s characteristic of them. It’s been building all year. It doesn’t happen overnight,” Summerford said. “I’ve challenged them all year. They stepped up in a big way. I don’t know if I’ve got words to express how well we played defensively.”
Northview and Chipley will sit out the first round of the playoffs next Friday. Beyond that, the games and second round home field advantage remain to be seen until the FHSAA computers crunch the numbers.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Summerford said.
Jamarkus Jefferson had three touchdowns on the night of 4, 2, and 14 yards. Quarterback Kaden Odom tossed to Luke Bridges for passing touchdowns of 24 and 76 yards, and found Malaki Hayes from 22 yards. And kicker Brandon Ferguson was 5 of 6 on point after attempts.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, student life and more coming by Tuesday.)
Pictured top: Maliki Haynes catches a Kaden Odom pass for a Northview touchdown Friday night in Bratt. Pictured top inset above: Luke Bridges with one of two touchdowns. Pictured bottom inset: QB Odom dumps a color of ice and water on NHS head coach Wes Summerford seconds before time expired on a perfect 10-0 season for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Season Ends With 36-20 Loss To Washington
November 5, 2022
The Washington Wildcats defeated the Tate Aggies 36-20 Friday night on Tate’s Carl Madison Field.
Sophomore quarterback Taite Davis found Carmelo Campbell to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead with 8:46 on the clock in the first.
Washington added a couple of touchdowns to hold a 14-7 lead by the first minute of the second quarter. The Wildcats snapped out of the endzone for a safety to give the Aggies a couple and cut their lead to 14-9.
Caleb Westergreen put the pigskin through the uprights for a Tate field goal, making it a 14-12 ballgame.
Davis hit Campbell in the endzone and 13 Edward O’Brien made the 2-point conversion to put the Aggies on top 20-14 in the third.
The Tate Aggies finished their season at 1-9.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
November 5, 2022
Here are Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 41, Bay 6 [Story, photos...]
- Washington 36, Tate 20 [Story, photos...]
- West Florida 14, Gulf Breeze 7
- Wewahitchka 16, Jay 10
- Escambia 35, Pensacola High 6
- Milton 56, Godby 32
- Niceville 35, Navarre 14
- Pace 48, Hollis Christian Academy 0
- Byes: Pensacola Catholic, Pine Forest
ALABAMA – Playoffs
- Chambers Academy 56, Escambia Academy 12
- T.R. Miller 41, Montgomery Academy 7
- W.S. Neal 27, Opp 13
Pictured: Northview Chiefs quarterback Kaden Odom hands off to Jamarkus Jefferson Friday night as the Chiefs routed Bay, 41-6. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Jay High Inducts Four Into Athletic Hall Of Fame
November 4, 2022
The second class was inducted into the Jay High School Athletic Hall of Fame Friday night.
The new members are:
- Truss Shell – Class of 1949
- Terry Diamond – Class of 1966
- Rick Weekes – Class of 1970
- Matthew Dobson – Class of 1987
The induction ceremony took place during halftime as Jay hosted Wewahitchka at 7 p.m.
Truss Shell was an educator for over 35 years. He coached baseball, football and basketball at Jay, including as head baseball coach from 1960-1965. He was Jay Elementary principal from 1965-1987. As a coach, parent and grandparent, he has attended over 1,500 Jay High School sporting events.
Terry Diamond taught and coached at Jay High School for 35 years and continued to support the school following his retirement. He coached baseball for 22 years, winning 11 district championships, five regional championships and made the Final Four five times. He was named the Class 2A Coach of the Year in 2007. He also coached softball for one year. In high school, he placed on six different district championship teams, and was all-area in football, basketball and baseball his senior year.
Rick Weekes retired and coached for 30 years, with 26 of those in Santa Rosa County. He was a member of the 1970 state championship baseball team and was all-conference in football, basketball and baseball. He played baseball from 1971 to 1973 for the University of South Alabama and in 1974 for the University of West Florida.
Matthew Dobson was on the cross country team for four years, basketball for a year and track for six years. Dobson has a long list of running accomplishments and accolades. He was the overall winner in more than 250 road, cross country, and/or track races with course records in over 35 of these races. He holds several records. He was the first American to win the Walt Disney World Marathon in 2004. In 2004, he was the 49th overall out of 20,000 runners, the 16th American, in the Boston Marathon. He was 38th overall in the 2004 Chicago Marathon out of 40.000 and the 18th American. His personal records are marathon: 2:27, 10K: 29:31, 5K: 14:24, and mile: 4:13.
All information provided by Jay High School.
Ole Miss Shuts Out LSU; Mississippi State Tops Texas A&M. And Escambia County Wins In SEC Tourney Day One
October 31, 2022
Ole Miss shut out LSU and Mississippi State beat Texas A&M in day one of the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Ashton Brosnaham Park. And the day was a big win for Escambia County.
Ole Miss 3, LSU 0
The three-time SEC Goalkeeper of the Year showed why she is the best to ever do it Sunday afternoon as Ole Miss (9-6-4) shut out LSU (9-3-7) in a match that was decided on penalty kicks. Ashley Orkus and the Rebel defense kept the Tigers off the board through regulation, two overtime periods, and three rounds of penalty kicks to advance to the quarterfinals.
For a Ole Miss, LSU photo gallery, click or tap here.
Both teams showed out defensively as there was just one shot on goal in the first half of the match. The Rebels turned up the heat in the second half, outshooting the Tigers 9-4.
Neither team could gain an advantage in the two overtime periods, taking just three shots apiece.
The Rebels now advance to the quarterfinals where they will face the SEC East Division Champion South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday at noon.
Mississippi State 2, Texas A&M 1 (OT)
In the first overtime match of the season for the Mississippi State soccer program (11-4-4), the Bulldogs outlasted the Texas A&M Aggies (9-6-5) to advance to the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals. Graduate transfer Jojo Ngongo’s 99th-minute header helped secure State its first conference tournament appearance past the first round.
For a Mississippi State, Texas A&M photo gallery, click or tap here.
“The fight in this group is unbelievable – they never gave up tonight,” head coach James Armstrong said. “This is a special group who continues to fight through adversity. Beyond proud of these players and staff.”
The No. 8 seeded Bulldogs will return to the pitch Tuesday, Nov. 1, for a quarterfinal match against the No. 1 seeded Alabama Crimson Tide (17-1-1, 10-0 SEC). The match will kick off at 5 p.m.
Big Win For Escambia County
Day one of the SEC Tournament opened with big crowds at Ashton Brosnaham Park off 10 Mile Road.
“We far exceeded our expectations, along with SEC expectations on the size of the crowd,” Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes told NorthEscambia.com on the field between Sunday’s games. “This is the largest highest profile event we’ve ever had at Ashton Brosnaham Park….We thank the community for showing in a large way.”
“All nine games are being televised live on the SEC Network and that kind of coverage for Escambia County and Pensacola is absolutely invaluable.”
Tuesday’s Games
The tournament continues with quarterfinals on Tuesday.
South Carolina will face Ole Miss at noon; Tennessee and Georgia are at 2:30 p.m.; No. 1 Alabama plays Mississippi State at 5 p.m., and Arkansas will take on Vanderbilt at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at secticketoffice.com. All-tournament passes are $25. Individual game tickets for first round, quarterfinals and semifinals are $7 for adults and $5 for students/military. Tickets for the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 6 are $10 for adults and $7 for students/military. Kids 12 and under wearing a soccer jersey get in free with a paying adult. A service fee is applied to all ticket purchases. A clear bag policy is in effect for the event.
All games will be televised on the SEC Network.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
