No. 3 UWF Claims First Conference Title With 61-42 Win Over No. 2 Valdosta State
November 14, 2021
Another grand mountain was scaled Saturday by the University of West Florida football team.
Before a record crowd of 7,193 at Blue Wahoos Stadium — in a game they long-awaited — the No. 3-ranked Argos overpowered and outwilled their way into a signature 61-42 victory against No. 2-ranked, previously unbeaten Valdosta State in a pair of NCAA Division II football elites.
The win provided UWF (9-1) with their first Gulf South Conference football championship trophy and assured a first-ever home playoff game when the NCAA D-2 playoffs begin Nov. 20.
“I feel we matched that moment and played really well,” said quarterback Austin Reed, who passed 311 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns. “We scored 61 points against the No. 2 team in the country who has been stopping everyone.
“It was an awesome game to be part of, and obviously for conference championship implications, it was special.”
Yes, a lot to unpack for a team which has already delivered so many feats in its five-year history.
“What a great night for Pensacola, what a great night for Blue Wahoos Stadium, UWF athletics and UWF football,” said Argos coach Pete Shinnick. “Amazing crowd, tremendous energy.
“And we needed every bit of it. We had a lot of support building this thing in a way where we could be this type of team. So extremely proud of our team and really honored to be part of this community and play for a conference championship.”
Now, of course, the sights turn on repeating as national champions. This time, the Argos for certain won’t have to sweat the details when the NCAA announces Sunday the 28-team field for the regional playoffs.
After winning nine road playoff games, including the 2019 championship game, UWF will start their next quest at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“It means a lot to have some playoff games for our fans,” said offensive guard Mike Dilla, who was one of 26 seniors honored before their final regular-season home game. “Our fans are awesome.
“We like playing on the road in the playoffs, but much rather play at home instead. Really looking forward to playoffs coming through Pensacola.”
They made it happen in record setting ways. Here are Saturday’s feats.
- The Argos set a single-game rushing record 347 yards. It was part of a whopping 658 yards total offense.
- Six rushing touchdowns were scored, another team record. Three of those by senior Anthony Johnson Jr., a Pace High grad, who is that school’s all-time rushing leader. In addition to Reed’s two rushing scores, team-leading rusher Shomari Mason added another and finished with 195 yards.
- Reed produced the longest rushing touchdown by a quarterback in team history with his 44-yard run early on the opening possession of the second half.
- The crowd surpassed the Oct. 16 crowd against West Georgia – the Argos first game in Blue Wahoos Stadium since 2019 – as the largest home attendance in team history.
- Against a Valdosta State defense which ranked No. 6 nationally in D-2 for fewest points (12.9) allowed per-game, the Argos hung 60-plus on the Blazers (9-1) and ended their nine-game win streak – tied for best nationally. It also snapped VSU’s 23-game win streak against GSC opponents in the regular season.
“This ranks up there,” said Shinnick in assessing the meaningful rating of the win. “And to be able to get what we did against one of the top scoring defenses in the country… I could not be happier for our guys. We felt if they gave us the right combination we would be able to run the ball.”
It happened and it was essential.
Five times in Saturday’s game UWF opened a double-digit lead, only to have Valdosta State answer with a touchdown to close the margin in a one-score game.
One of those happened right before halftime. UWF followed a touchdown to go up 24-14 by thinking it recovered the ensuing kickoff that bounced out of a VSU returners’ hands.
But a GSC official had inadvertently blown his whistle before the catch and fumble. That nullified the recovery and forced the kickoff to happen again. This time, VSU got the ball and drove 75 yards, aided by a pass interference call that incensed UWF’s sideline, to get a touchdown on the final play of the half.
“We just talked and said, we can’t worry about anything that has already taken place and we can’t worry about what the officials do or don’t do,” Shinnick said. “So let’s just go out and find our way in the second half.
“Offensively, we were just trying to make sure we were staying ahead of the curve a little bit,” Shinnick said.
It was followed by more back-and-forth between the teams until UWF pulled away for good with 17 points in the fourth quarter.
“Coach Shinnick instills in our team to keep having faith,” Mason said. “We knew we just had to make plays and everyone made plays.”
Ka’Ron Ashley, one of the members of UWF’s inaugural 2016 team, caught a pair of touchdown passes and finished with 82 yards. Though he didn’t catch a TD pass, David Durden had five receptions for 120 yards.
Johnson, who came into the game with five touchdowns this season, produced two in the second half Saturday. The best of his three scores was a 66-yard burst for the game’s final points with 7:13 left in the game. He finished with 96 yards in the game.
“Honestly, I came out of the hole stumbling,” Johnson said, breaking into a big smile. “My main thing was, I need to get first down for my team.
“I picked my knees up and that was the fastest I’ve ran in years — I’m not going to lie. My legs got a little heavy but we got there.”
Said Shinnick jokingly: “I was hoping no one would catch him. I was thinking where is the guy from Pace, who was running all over the place (in high school).”
While Valdosta State amassed 599 yards on 83 plays, UWF’s defense did help put the game away with stops in the fourth quarter, including Shannon Showers’ interception at the Argos’ 12 to thwart a drive.
“It was a perfect scenario,” Dilla said. “You couldn’t really ask for a better game on a better night on our last regular season game.”
By Bill Vilona. Photos:Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com.
QB Odom Gets Four Defensive Interceptions As Northview Beats Bozeman 27-21 In Regional Quarterfinal
November 13, 2021
Number four, four interceptions including a pick six. It was a pretty incredible Friday night, especially for a junior quarterback that also had an offensive touchdown as the Northview Chiefs beat the Bozeman Bucks 27-21 in Bratt.
Northview quarterback Kaden Odom slipped onto defense Friday night — something he’s done only a few times this year.
With just seconds to go in the game and Bozeman in the red zone, Odom intercepted a Bozeman pass to seal the win as Northview’s Jon Michael Ward held the pressure on the Bucks.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“I knew I had to make a play one way or another, but I seen the ball tipped,” Odom said. “I knew if I if I picked it right, it was over with. So I tried to make a big time play, and we come out on top.”
“Our defense stepped up made some huge plays tonight, thanks to this guy (Odom),” Summerford said. “You know, quarterback, cornerback, it doesn’t matter. He’s gonna make plays, and he’s a good great playmaker for us. Came up big four times tonight. I mean, huge because I think if we don’t have one of those picks maybe this game goes different way.”
Odom was quick to give credit to the support of the community, the crowd and his teammates.
“I can’t do without these boys though, these boys,” he said. “We come to work every single week, and we lay it all on the line. We’ve got a great coaching staff and we’re ready for next week.”
Northview’s Jamarkus Jefferson, also a junior, finished the night with somewhere north of 150 yards, Summerford estimated, and two touchdowns.
“You’ve got to either run the football, or you’ve got to pass the football,” Summerford said. “With him (Jefferson) in the backfield, it’s a no brainer for us. We’re going to try to run it all that we can.”
The Northview Chiefs (6-4) will travel next Friday night in the regional semifinals to take on the top ranked Baker Gators (6-2).
“Oh, I’m ready. That’s the one we wanted. That’s the one we want,” Odom said about Baker. “We can have fun over weekend, celebrate. But come Monday, we’ve got to work. We’ve got to work. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
In September, Baker defeated Northview 43-42 in overtime.
Summerford said that will be a learning experience for the Chiefs as they look for the little ways they could have played better in that close loss.
“It’s all those things we learned the first time about them,” he said. “Then we’ll throw in some new wrinkles.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Advances To State Championship Game – For The Sixth Straight Time
November 13, 2021
The Escambia Academy Cougars are headed to the AISA-AA state championship game — for the sixth straight time.
The Cougars beat defending state champion Chambers Academy 37-13 Friday night in the state semifinals on the road in Lafayette, Alabama.
The No. 2 ranked EA Cougars will take on No.1 Autauga Academy at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.
Escambia Academy beat Autauga for the state title in 2017, but lost to Autauga in 2018 and 2019.
Photos: Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Playoff Finals
November 13, 2021
Here are Friday night high school football playoff scores from around the North Escambia are:
FLORIDA
Class 1A, Region 1
(4) Northview 27, Bozeman 21 [Story, photo gallery...]
(3) Holmes County 19, (6) Freeport 17
Class 6A, Region 1
(1) Pine Forest 26, (8) Rickards 7
(2) Mosley 52, (7) Gulf Breeze 35
Class 5A, Region 1
(5) West Florida 35, (4) North Marion 14
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 37. Chambers Academy 13 [Story, photos..]
- T.R. Miller 35, Opp 14
West Florida’s Bentley Van Pelt Competing In 2A State Golf Tourney
November 12, 2021
West Florida High School’s Bentley Van Pelt of Walnut Hill is competing in the state golf tournament this weekend.
Van Pelt qualified as an individual by finishing second in the Region 1-2A meet at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. The West Florida sophomore shot a 75, three shots behind Bishop Kenny’s Cody Tucker.
Pictured: Bentley Van Pelt and (below) Coach Justin Richardson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Lanie Brown Signs With Limestone University’s Acrobatics And Tumbling Team
November 11, 2021
Tate High School senior Lanie Brown signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday afternoon to attend Limestone University.
Brown will be a member of the Limestone University Acrobatics and Tumbling Team. Acrobatics and tumbling is an emerging NCAA Division 1, 2, and 3 sport. It incorporates gymnastics, competitive cheerleading, and weightlifting into a sport of strength and precision.
She has been offered both athletic and academic scholarships at the Gaffney, South Caroline, university.
At Tate, Brown is a member of the varsity cheerleading team, varsity weightlifting team. She holds a 3.91 GPA, is senior class president and founded the Tate High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Jalia Lassiter Signs With Ole Miss Softball
November 11, 2021
Flomaton High School three-sport athlete Jalia Lassiter signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday to play softball at the University of Mississippi.
“If she wanted to she could have just as easily signed to play basketball or volleyball, but she has chosen softball and is signing with an SEC school,” Flomaton Principal George Brown said.
FHS volleyball coach and former softball coach Jacqi Hammond, said, “I was there when you were born, I knew this would happen one day.”
Jalia’s mother Cassie was also a three-sport star for the Hurricanes and a member of the 2005 state championship softball team coached by Scott and Jacqi Hammond.
Pictured: : Flomaton High School’s Jalia Lassiter signs National Letter of Intent Wednesday to play soft ball at Old Miss. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Chiefs Band, Cheerleaders
November 8, 2021
The Northview Chiefs defeated Arnold Friday night in Bratt.
For a bonus photo gallery with the band and cheerleaders, click or tap here.
For an action photo gallery, click or tap here.
And click here for a game summary.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs To Open Playoffs At Home Against The Bozeman Bucks
November 8, 2021
The Northview Chiefs will host the first round of the 1A playoffs at home.
The Bozeman Bucks (6-4) will be at the Northview Chiefs (5-4) in the regional quarterfinal Friday night in Bratt. The winner will face Baker (6-2) on November 19.
In Region 1-1A, end of season rankings were as follows:
The top six teams earned a playoff berth, with the top two getting a first week bye.
In Class 1A, playoff spots are not determined by district wins; it’s the Rating Percentage Index (RPI). RPI rankings are based upon a mathematical formula based upon a team’s current record, current Winning Percentage (WP), Opponents Winning Percentage (OWP), and their Opponent’s Winning Percentage (OOWP).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
No. 4 UWF Crushes No. 21 West Alabama, 47-7
November 7, 2021
The fourth-ranked UWF football team scored on five of its first six possessions and the defense didn’t allow any points in a 47-7 throttling of 21st-ranked West Alabama at Tiger Stadium Saturday.
UWF (8-1, 5-1 Gulf South) won its tenth-consecutive road game and completed regular-season road play at 6-0, joining Shepherd as the only teams in Division II to go 6-0 on the road thus far.
Austin Reed threw for 403 yards, eclipsing the 300-yard mark for the fourth-consecutive game, and hit David Durden and Ka’Ron Ashley for two touchdowns each.
Ashley had 125 yards and Durden had 105 yards receiving, making them the fifth set of UWF teammates to go for 100 yards in the same game in program history.
Shomari Mason continued to churn out yards in big chunks averaging 13.2 yards per carry on his way to 66 yards on five rushes. Anthony Johnson, Jr. also had a strong game with 59 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.
Griffin Cerra made two field goals and five point after touchdowns for 11 points.
But for all of the offense, the UWF defense built off last week’s second-half shutout at Mississippi College, not giving up an offensive score to the Tigers while forcing them into eight punts, two turnovers and a turnover on downs. The Tigers’ lone score came on a 71-yard fumble return midway through the fourth quarter.
D’Anthony Bell had a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown, six tackles and one for a loss. Shea Campbell was credited with a team-high seven stops, while De’Marco Artis spent a lot of time in the Tiger backfield with a sack and a forced fumble. The Argonauts sacked Jack McDaniels five times.
UWF had 562 yards of total offense, a week after putting up 641. The 403 passing yards on Saturday are a season high and the seventh-most in UWF history.
McDaniels completed 32 passes for 238 yards. The Tigers managed just 35 yards rushing.
UWF held UWA without an offensive touchdown for the first time since 2012.
The victory sets up one of the most anticipated games of the season next week when No. 2 Valdosta State (9-0, 6-0) comes to Pensacola and Blue Wahoos Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by going online to GoArgos.com/footballtickets.
Photos: Morgan Givens/UWF on NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
