Tate Baseball Holds Fall Halloween Costume Game
October 25, 2022
Tate Baseball held their annual Fall Baseball Halloween Game Monday evening.
Kids were able to trick or treat with the players before watching them compete in costumes. Kids also had a chance to compete in games for prizes between innings.
There was also plenty of food and sweet treats.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
McElhaney Wins Century Lions Club Cross Country 5K (With Results)
October 24, 2022
James McElhaney won the Century Lions Club Cross Country 5K recently with a time of 17:23.
Top finishers were:
- James McElhaney — male runner — 17:23.0
- Jeff Word — male runner — 28:44.7
- Alan Ash — male runner — 30:45.6
- Audrey Hammac — female runner — 33:39.6
- Miles Hammac — male runner — 33:40.0
- Steve Campbell — male runner — 38:37.0
- Michelle Criswell — female walker — 39:32.1
- Susan Campbell — female runner — 41:19.8
- Dale Ash — female walker — 41:30.0
The 5K was held at Anthony Pleasant Park as a fundraiser for the Century Lions Club
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No. 9 UWF Runs Over Mississippi College, 45-17, On Homecoming
October 23, 2022
The first half of the season has steadily molded UWF’s football team.
What has now emerged is resembling the Argos’ sought-after definition.
The ninth-ranked Argos (6-1) celebrated their first on-campus, Homecoming game amid spectacular weather and a matching performance in a 45-17 rout of Mississippi College, before the largest crowd (5,505) of the season at Pen Air Field.
“We are playing really good football,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “We are getting close to where we need to be. We gave up some plays we shouldn’t give up and I think we can clean up some things in the kicking game, but our guys are starting to see it.
“Our seniors, our players are getting it. Everybody understands the significance of us playing great football at this time.”
The superlatives begin with UWF’s defense. They held the nation’s most prolific rushing attack in NCAA Division II to 211 yards, which was 145 yards under Mississippi College’s average. A week ago, the Choctaws exploded for a school-record 598 yards rushing in a 49-40 win against Valdosta State.
The Argos defense also forced three fumbles, recovering one of those, and snared the first interception this season thrown by Choctaws quarterback John Henry White.
On offense, the Argos scored points on seven of their first nine possessions until late in the fourth quarter. They amassed 334 yards rushing, led by dynamic tailbacks Ra’veion Hargrove (139 yards) and Shomari Mason (137 yards).
It’s the first time in Argos’ team history to have a pair of running games gain 100 or more yards in the same game. Hargrove got his game-leading yardage of just 10 carries for a 13.9 average.
“I haven’t done anything like that since high school,” said Hargrove, who grew up in Ohio. “It all starts with the offensive line. They were doing a great job creating lanes and we took what the defense gave us.
“Right now I feel like we are hitting that stride. We are at a good point right now.”
The third member of this backfield trio, C.J. Wilson, had seven carries for 33 yards, but three of those carries resulted in touchdowns.
“This was an amazing team effort and just a fantastic job by all our guys of what needed to take place,” Shinnick said. “We got the ball on the ground, had sacks, an interception. Just a tremendous job by our defense to put us the situation we were in.
“Then, offensively, any time you can outrush a rushing team, you really have a great thing going.”
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett started slow in passing, but finished with 133 yards and three touchdown throws. The Argos did not commit a turnover in the game.
“Peewee just did a fantastic job,” Shinnick said. “Almost every run we called had a pass option for him. And he just did a fantastic job of putting the ball in the right guys hands and not really forcing anything.”
The cumulative effort has the Argos in sole possession of second place in the Gulf South Conference with a 4-1 record. The Argos play their final home game next Saturday (Oct. 29) against West Alabama, then have the final two games on the road against Valdosta State, following by a schedule-ending rematch (Nov. 12) against Mississippi College.
“I think we are starting to see what our best can look like,” Shinnick said. “One of the things we talked about around here is when we play our best we are very, very difficult to beat. This is the time to play great.”
In addition to the team’s play was the game atmosphere. The crowd began forming early for a variety of tailgating areas. The players were able to celebrate with the band and fans afterward.
“You could hear it, you can see it,” Shinnick said. “There is just a different vibe when you are not going downtown (at former home Blue Wahoos Stadium) to play your games. We have our team meeting four hours before the game, then go eat our pregame meal and you come out and you’ve got people everywhere.
“It’s like this is a whole different experience. What (UWF president) Doctor (Martha) Saunders has done to create this atmosphere and what (athletic director) Dave Scott has done to put this together, really makes our place a very unique place to play and one that is only going to get better and better.”
The Argos started the day fast. They came out in a no-huddle offense and scored on their first possession, after Wilson completed an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run. All seven of the positive yardage plays were running plays.
They took a 14-3 lead in the second quarter on Jarrett’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Jared Smith.
A pivotal sequence in the game followed. Mississippi College got a big-play through the air – a 41-yard completion – that set up a 10-yard rushing score with 2:35 left.
The ensuing kickoff was a touchback. After Jarrett threw a 26-yard strike to David Durden, a holding penalty set UWF back. But the Argos used four rushing plays from Hargrove and Mason to get a first down at the Choctaws’ 25. On the next play, Jarrett found Larry Rembert with a laser throw in the middle of the end zone with 25 seconds left in the half.
From that point, UWF kept a double-digit lead.
“We were in a two-minute (offense) mode, but at same time we had been running the ball so well,” Shinnick said. “So, (Choctaws) kind of gave us some looks we haven’t seen. We had two or three runs that were pretty good. But that was huge. A 10-point swing and our defense took care of it from there.”
The Argos defense did not allow a running play longer than 16 yards from the Choctaws backfield until their backup quarterback rushed late in the fourth quarter for 18 yards.
Defensive coordinator Darian Dulin had the Argos lineman and linebackers staying on assignments and holes never opened.
“Darian did a fantastic job. I thought his gameplan was awesome,” Shinnick said. “You really have to have your D-line dialed in. They have to be 100 percent committed to what their job is. This was a full week commitment. When you do what we were able to do, that is every guy being dialed and every guy being committed.”
By Bill Vilona, GoArgos.com Senior Writer. Photo: Morgan Givens.
Tate Aggies Fall To Gulf Breeze (With Photo Gallery)
October 22, 2022
The Gulf Breeze Dolphins defeated the Tate Aggies Friday night, 49-21.
The Aggies started strong on their homecoming night. Aldrew Colston was in for an 11-yard touchdown run to give Tate an early 7-0 lead.
Tate recovered an onside kick, setting up their second score of the night.
Quarterback Taite Davis found Jackson Perreyclear to put the Aggies down inside the five. Colston then added another Aggie touchdown, 14-0 with 5:05 on the big clock in the first quarter.
But Gulf Breeze came back to lead 35-14 at the half on their way to a win.
The Tate Aggies (1-7) will host Escambia (5-3) next Friday night before rounding out their regular season at home against Washington on November 4.
For a game action photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for a gallery with cheerleaders, fans and more by Monday.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Scores
October 22, 2022
Here are football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 43, Marianna 14
- Gulf Breeze 49, Tate 21 [Story, photos...]
- Pine Forest 36, Escambia 3
- Pensacola High 38, Lighthouse Christian 6
- Choctaw 44, Washington 7
- Pensacola Catholic 49, Munroe 33
- Crestview 49, Milton 28
- Navarre 23, Pace 21
- Baker 52, Freeport 35
- Graceville at Jay (Thursday, canceled)
- Bye: West Florida
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 40, South Choctaw Academy 14
- Orange Beach 55, Escambia County (Atmore) 19
- Flomaton 46, Monroe County 14
- T.R. Miller 35, St. Michael Catholic 6
- Excel 27, W.S. Neal 14
Pictured: Gulf Breeze defeated Tate Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Blackcats Look To Change Playbook From Football To STEM Education
October 20, 2022
As their season comes to an end, the Century Blackcats youth football program is looking to change their playbook from football to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. It’s a super idea, according to two-time Super Bowl champion and Century native Anthony Pleasant.
“We believe that if we want to transform the lives of young people and our community, we have to bring about tangible changes. So, we seek to ensure that our young people acquire these skills,” coach Tony Robinson of the Century Blackcats said.
Wednesday night, members of the Blackcats football team and their parents got a look at computer programming from two University of West Florida students, including a quick introduction to the Python programming language that the players will have a chance to learn.
They are hoping that computer programming will be just one of the things that will keep the Blackcats engaged when the football season ends.
“This will allow them to successfully compete in the world. That’s becoming more and more technologically connected and more competitive,” Robinson said.
“You have a choice to take what you have, your abilities, and you can either put them in a hole or you can use them,” local pastor and coach Kris Chancery said during a Biblical lesson. “That’s what your reward is going to be.”
“You guys have Coach Robinson and Coach Kris. Those men are trying to pour something in you,” Pleasant told the players. “They want to see you be successful; they want to see you be productive young men.”
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured top: Two-time Super Bowl champion and Century native Anthony Pleasant addresses the Century Blackcats Wednesday night. Pictured below: The team learned about STEM activities. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
VFW Essay Contest Winners Named
October 19, 2022
Savanna Hudson has been named Northview High School’s winner of the Atmore VFW Post 7016 essay contest.
Second and third place winners of the “Why The Veteran Is Important” themed contest were Tyler Carach and Samantha Minchew. English teacher Vicki Baggett organizes the event for Northview, and selected teachers grade the essays.
They will now compete with other students from the area for scholarship opportunities.
Pictured: (L-R) Samantha Mitchell, Tyler Carach and Savanna Hudson. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview And Tate Fall In District Volleyball Tournament Play
October 19, 2022
Both Northview and Tate fell in district volleyball tournament play Tuesday.
In 6A District 1, Gulf Breeze defeated Tate in three straight, 25-17, 25-11, 25-9. Navarre will be at Gulf Breeze Thursday night for the district championship
The Aggies finished their season at 13-14 overall.
In 1A District 1, Baker beat Northview in three straight, 25-6, 25-17, 25-11.
Jay defeated Central 3-2 to advance to the district championship Thursday night against Baker.
Northview’s season ended at 6-11.
Pictured: Gulf Breeze at Tate earlier this season. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Blackcats Celebrate Homecoming (With Photo Gallery)
October 16, 2022
The Century Blackcats youth football team celebrated homecoming Saturday.
For a game action photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No. 9 UWF Flies Past Shorter, 50-26, For 13th Consecutive Road Win
October 16, 2022
Peewee Jarrett had 287 yards of total offense and David Durden finished with 111 receiving yards as ninth-ranked UWF defeated Shorter, 50-26, at Historic Barron Stadium on Saturday.
Jarrett did a little bit of everything for UWF (5-1, 3-1 Gulf South) as he completed 18-of-29 for 189 yards with a touchdown and rushed for 98 yards on six carries and another score. His rushing total was a UWF record for a quarterback.
The Argonauts scored on eight of their 11 possessions, with one of the two punts directly leading to a safety.
Durden had his third 100-yard game in the last four and opened the scoring, returning a punt 58 yards following a 3-and-out by Shorter. He also caught a career-high-tying nine passes.
Following a Hawks punt on the next possession, Jarrett led an 80-yard drive that saw him complete four-consecutive passes after a Shomari Mason run to put UWF at the 12. Two plays later he finished off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 lead.
Shorter got on the scoreboard early in the second with a 24-yard Nicholas Pope field goal, before UWF’s Griffin Cerra made a 24-yarder to send the teams into the locker room with a 17-3 Argo lead.
Cerra added a 27-yarder on the opening possession of the third quarter to extend the lead to 20-3. Another 3-and-out gave UWF the ball 55 yards from paydirt. Jarrett ended the 8-play march with consecutive completions to Durden, including a 13-yard slant into the end zone for a 27-3 advantage.
Shorter got a score back near the end of the third when Aeneas Dennis completed a 10-yard pass to Trevon Dirden.
Then the teams started lighting up the scoreboard in the final 15 minutes.
Tra’quan McNair got to Dennis in the end zone and forced the Hawk to intentionally ground the ball for a safety. UWF took the next possession on the free kick and had excellent field position when Da’quan Bailey-Brown returned it 45 yards to the Shorter 30. From there, Jarrett broke off a 25-yard scamper and Shomari Mason went in untouched from the 10 for a 36-10 lead.
The Argos added a pair of touchdowns from C.J. Wilson, including a 40-yarder that pushed the margin to 50-18.
UWF outgained Shorter 441-335 and continued its balanced attack, running for 222 and passing for 219.
The Argos will return to Pen Air Field for the next two weeks, starting next Saturday, Oct. 22 against Mississippi College (4-3, 3-1) at 4 p.m.
Photo: Morgan Givens