Bonus Photo Gallery: Northview Chiefs Band, Cheerleaders And Fans
October 25, 2021
The Northview Chiefs beat the Marianna Bulldogs 21-14 Friday night in Bratt.
For a bonus photo gallery with the band, cheerleaders and fans, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Get Bounce-Back Win Over Shorter 45-23
October 24, 2021
by Bill Vilona
The stadium had quieted, the game reached a first-half lull and a spark was needed.
That’s when University of West Florida quarterback Austin Reed lit a fuse and dropped a bomb on a 3rd-and-20 play with 31 seconds left.
For a photo gallery, click here.
He threw a textbook pass to fast-emerging, freshman receiver Jared Smith for a 78-yard touchdown that padded the lead and pronounced the Argos eventual 45-23 victory Saturday against the Shorter Hawks at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
One week after an emotion-deflating loss on this field against West Georgia, the No.6-ranked Argos (6-1) felt good again with a bounce-back win. They expanded a 28-9 halftime lead into 38-9 after three quarters to seal the easy win.
“That sequence right there is probably every emotion you can have as a football coach,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “We’re sitting there thinking, ‘Oh my gosh we’re at third-and-20, this is unbelievable.’
“You go from, oh my goodness, we’re going to punt the ball back and we had everything going… to, okay, touchdown this is great. That is the ups and downs you go through.”
It may have been the lone peak-and-valley moment in the game.
Saturday’s win followed a loss that snapped UWF’s 11-game, two season, winning streak. The streak matched the longest in NCAA Division II.
In five of UWF’s first six games, the Argos have allowed the opponent an opening possession touchdown. In all six previous games, opponents scored in the first quarter.
Both those trends ended Saturday.
In just 53 plays, the Argos amassed 495 yards total offense. They averaged an eye-opening 9.3 yards per-play, which set a school record.
“Obviously Shorter is not in the top end of the conference, but then our offense handled it the way we should handle a team that is at the lower end of the conference,” said Reed, who completed 18-of-30 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for a 29-yard touchdown for the Argos final score.
“I’m really proud of our guys… how hard they worked and how they really bounced back after a tough loss and the way they went into practice and stayed focused.”
The Argos obviously have bigger sights, but Saturday’s win clinched another winning season, the fourth in UWF’s five-season history. It’s a feat that few start-up college football teams have attained.
“This is a process. Things aren’t always going to look phenomenal,” Reed said. “And part of that process is getting to where you are playing your best football around week 10 or 11.
“I love the progression of this team. I don’t want to be the best team in the country after six weeks, I want to be the best in the country after Dec. 18 (Division II championship game).”
The Argos also love how quickly Jared Smith has emerged. With leading receiver David Durden out Saturday with a groin injury (he is expected back next Saturday), it was Smith’s chance to shine.
The Enterprise, Alabama native delivered with four catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. He followed the 78-yard splash play with a 9-yard scoring catch on UWF’s first possession of the third quarter.
“Just super proud of this kid just getting open,” Reed said. “He’s been solid since he got here on campus and is just getting more and more comfortable with the offense. He has added an extra dimension to our offense that we didn’t know we had.”
The Argos began the game with the ball and set a tone. Shomari Mason finished a five-play drive, following a 63-yard kick return by Marcus Clayton, with his 2-yard touchdown plunge. Mason rushed for 85 yards on just six carries.
Rodney Coates made it 14-0 with his 11-yard pass from Reed on the team’s third possession. UWF scored touchdowns on four of its five offensive tries in the first half. The exception was a Reed interception.
But the play Smith made, after UWF was pinned deep, following a holding penalty late in the first half, helped put the game away.
“It’s a great feeling,” Smith said. “But this man (pointing to Reed) had a lot of trust in me just to go run and catch the ball. We do it in practice, so it just comes natural in the game.”
Said Reed: “We feel like with any amount of time left on the board with a timeout we can go score. Thankful that Coach Shinnick had the trust in us to go out there and let us just roll. Third down, just called a deep shot and thought maybe they wouldn’t be expecting us to throw it that far.”
The final three games on UWF’s schedule will level up in challenges. The Argos travel to Clinton, Miss. next Saturday to play Mississippi College.
The Choctaws were thumped 41-14 Saturday by unbeaten Valdosta State, but it’s a lengthy road trip, an evening game (6 p.m.) and Mississippi College’s homecoming game.
The focus will then turn to West Alabama (on road) and the finale against Valdosta State which will shape UWF’s post-season fate.
Before all that, however, UWF knows it will need to shore up some issues on defense. All four of Shorter’s scoring drives Saturday were longer than 70 yards, albeit two against the Argos’ reserves on defense.
“Defensively, there is some frustration there, just getting off the field,” Shinnick said. “I think we are very close. But we just allowed some drives to go. And we need to do a better job closing out. At some point in time we need to get off the field and we really didn’t do that.
“I’ll take 45-23 after a loss. Now we have to go on the road for two weeks and keep playing well.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos: Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Marianna 21-14 (With Photo Gallery)
October 23, 2021
The Northview Chiefs beat the Marianna Bulldogs 21-14 Friday night in Bratt.
Northview was coming off a tough 45-13 loss on the road last week at Catholic, and head football coach Wes Summerford told the Chiefs they would turn it around against the Bulldogs.
“I told them before the game, I said we just got to get back on the winning track. It’s a good time, not better time than the present, to get back to winning football,” he said. And it wasn’t just about the win, it was about the RPI.
With playoff determinations a few weeks away, the 1A Chiefs needed the win over 4A Marianna to earn the points needed for a postseason berth. 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). Basically, beat better teams and rank higher.
“I think our back was kind of against gets the wall as far as the RPI. You know we started slipping a little bit and I think our kids just fought their butt off, they knew it,” Summerford said Friday night.
For an action photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for a photo gallery by Monday with cheerleaders, band and fans!)
The Chiefs opened the scoring with a Luke Bridges touchdown from fourth and long from about the 25. With a good kick from sophomore Brandon Ferguson, the Chiefs were on top 7-0.
The ensuing kickoff was recovered by Northview’s Aron Chavira at about the 40-yard line.
Jamarkus Jefferson was in for a touchdown, but it was called back due a Northview block in the backfield flag. Jefferson made another trip into the end zone with 4:50 remaining in the half. With another good Ferguson kick, the Chiefs were in the lead at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Jefferson added another TD with 47 seconds in the half. Ferguson nailed the kick through the uprights for a 21-0 Northview lead. But the Bulldogs were determined not to head the locker room scoreless and added a TD at 36.9 seconds to make it 21-6 at the halftime buzzer.
The Bulldogs added the only touchdown of the second half in the third for the 21-14 final.
Next week, it’s a 150 mile road trip for the Chiefs as they travel to Panama City to face the Bay High Tornadoes.
The road hasn’t been kind to the Chiefs this year. Northview, 3-4 overall, is 3-0 at home and 0-4 away. Bay is 2-6 this season, with their only two wins coming at home.
“I know the road (is tough),” Summerford said. “This is thing we’ve got to know is where we’re at. Seed-wise, we’re probably going to be on the road for the playoffs, so no better time like the present to get ready.”
For an action photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for a photo gallery by Monday with cheerleaders, band and fans!)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night High School Football Scoreboard
October 23, 2021
FLORIDA
- Northview 21, Marianna 14 [Story, photo gallery]
- Port St. Joe 50, Jay 13
- West Florida 50, Pensacola High 6
- Pine Forest 44, Gulf Breeze 14
- Washington at Pensacola Catholic
- Escambia 35, Milton 34
- Niceville 31, Navarre 9
- Crestview 27, Pace 26
- Blountstown 30, Baker 14
- Tate (bye week)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 41, Southern Academy 15
- Jackson 57, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
- T.R. Miller 30, Flomaton 29
- Opp 34, W.S. Neal 8
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs defeated Marianna at home Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate, Northview Both Fall In District Volleyball Semifinals
October 20, 2021
Both Tate and Northview were defeated in district volleyball play Tuesday night.
Tate Lady Aggies
Washington defeated the Tate Lady Aggies 3-0 Tuesday night in the District 1-6A semifinals.
Washington earned the win 25-22, 25-20, 25-18.
Tate finished at 14-8, 3-2 in the district.
Washington will face Gulf Breeze Thursday for the district championship.
Northview Lady Chiefs
Baker defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs Tuesday night in the District 1-1A semifinals.
The Lady Gators took the sweep 25-16, 25-8, 25-19.
Northview finished at 10-11 overall, 1-3 in the district.
Central and Baker will meet Thursday for the district championship.
Pictured top: Tate High seniors, NorthEscambia.com photo by Crystal Tolbert. Pictured below: Northview High seniors, NorthEscambia.com photo by William Reynolds. Click to enlarge.
No. 1 UWF Falls To No. 12 West Georgia
October 17, 2021
The high-wire acts to victory which have earmarked the University of West Florida’s historic football success ran out of late-game magic.
It spoiled Saturday what could have been the perfect UWF Homecoming Game in the Argos long-awaited return to Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After digging out of a 17-0 first-half deficit, the unbeaten, No. 1-ranked Argos took the lead, then lost it on a game-changing turnover, eventually leading into No. 12 ranked West Georgia’s 30-26 upset victory.
The loss before a school record crowd of 7,052 snapped an 11-game winning streak, which included UWF’s astonishing post-season run in 2019 to the NCAA Division II national championship.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
“Being in that place I feel like our guys have handled every situation really, really well. (Saturday) we didn’t,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “And I’ve got to do a better job of finding a way of getting them in a position to play great football every time we step out.
“We had our opportunities and didn’t take advantage of them. I’ve got to put our team in the best situation to do that. Right now it’s one game, it’s one moment. We have a lot of football in front of us.”
West Georgia (6-1) sealed its third win at Blue Wahoos Stadium by running out the final 6:27 of the game. It followed a near-miss go-ahead touchdown when UWF quarterback Austin Reed’s pass to Shomari Mason on a fourth-down play from the 7 couldn’t be corralled.
From that point, the Wolves methodically produced five first downs, then a kneel-down at the Argos 34 as time expired. Incredibly, in this rivalry, the road team has won each time.
“Unfortunately, they just did a great job of holding the ball those last seven minutes and we didn’t get the ball back,” Reed said. “But I appreciate Coach Shinnick having the trust in us on fourth down to let us go out there and make plays.”
“This team is not done. We’ve got a lot more left to do.”
Reed found rhythm after a tough start to complete 31 of 52 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns. All three of those were caught by Ka’Ron Ashley, matching a school record for most single-game TD receptions. He caught 12 passes for 160 yards.
Hours earlier, West Georgia wasted little time quieting the record crowd. After the opening kickoff sailed through the endzone, the Wolves drove 75 yards in eight plays for the game’s first touchdown.
The Argos had their first offensive chance end in frustration. Aided by two personal foul penalties on West Georgia that created first downs, the Argos had a first-and-goal situation from the 8.
But two running plays were thwarted. Reed was stopped inches short on a keeper.
That typified how little went right for UWF in the first half.
“Everything worked for them and not much for us,” Shinnick said.
Until the final 68 seconds of the first half.
Trailing 17-0, UWF got a spark when cornerback Sharod Oliver tackled West Georgia running back Jace Jordan in the end zone for a safety. That play with 1:08 left before halftime was set up when UWF punter Steve Dawson pinned the Wolves at the 1 with his terrific punt.
Two plays later, the Argos had their first points. Ironically, the last safety produced by UWF’s defense was also against West Georgia in 2019.
On the ensuing free kick, the ball went out of bounds at the Argos 2. By rule, the 30 yard advance from the kickoff spot at the 20 gave UWF desired field position at midfield.
Reed then delivered his sharpest sequence. He connected on a pair of downfield throws, then hit Ashley over the middle in the end zone for UWF’s first touchdown.
Reed then went 4-for-4 on passes on the first possession of the third quarter, leading to a 34-yard touchdown to Ashley, which cut the deficit to 17-16.
Seven minutes later, the duo hooked up on a 21-yard pass to take the lead.
But the game changed when West Georgia safety Mike Miller picked up a fumble that was stripped from UWF receiver David Durden. He went 34 yards through track to give the Wolves the lead.
“We were driving and really unstoppable at that point,” Shinnick said. “Just clicking, moving. That kind of added a little heaviness to us, because now we’re down.”
But not for long. Kicker Griffin Cerra booted a 42-yard field goal with 14:37 left to give the Argos the lead again.
On the ensuing possession, however, West Georgia drove 76 yards on 10 plays for a go-ahead touchdown pass that became the winning score.
“We couldn’t keep getting away with how we started,” Reed said. “We got away with it at Texas A&M Commerce and we got away with it at Delta State and this time a team didn’t let us get away with it.”
The Argos will get a chance to move forward at home next Saturday (Oct. 22) when facing Shorter at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“I really, really like our team,” Shinnick said. “I’m confident we can bounce back. This one really hurts. This stings, because you only get so many opportunities to win games and you only get so many opportunities to stay undefeated.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos Morgan Givens/University of West Florida for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crestview Gets Close 7-3 Win Over The Tate Aggies (With Gallery)
October 16, 2021
The Tate Aggies fought hard Friday night but came up short in a 7-3 loss to the Bulldogs in Crestview Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Crestview (5-3) took a 7-0 lead over the Aggies with a 13-yard run.
In the fourth quarter, Tate sophomore Ward O’Brien handed off to senior Warren Henke for a 24-yard run to the Crestview 8-yard line. On fourth down, Henke got control of a high snap but was stopped at about the 3-yard line.
On a fourth down Crestview punt, Kabron Purifoy blocked it, once again putting the Aggies within reach of the end zone. On third down, it was O’Brien to Diego Dukes, but he was stopped at about the 15-yard line.
O’Brien nailed a 26-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 8:12 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Tate Aggies (1-7) are off next Friday night before hosting Niceville on October 29.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Catholic Tops Northview 45-13
October 16, 2021
The 3A Catholic Crusaders defeated the 1A Northview Chiefs Friday night.
After Catholic took a 14-0 lead, Northview’ Jamarkus Jefferson was in from about 3-yards out to make it 14-7.
The Crusaders expanded their lead to 38-7 at the half and then 45-7 by the end of the third.
Jefferson was in the end zone with about four minutes to go in the fourth quarter, as Catholic went on to win it 45-13 in Pensacola.
The Marianna Bulldogs (4-4) will make the long haul to Bratt to face the Northview Chiefs (2-4) next Friday night.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 16, 2021
FLORIDA
- Crestview 7, Tate 3 [Story, photos...]
- Pensacola Catholic 45, Northview 13 [Story...]
- Wakulla 20, West Florida 14
- Pine Forest 49, Milton 20
- Gulf Breeze 21, Washington 16
- Godby 29, Pensacola High 0
- Navarre 41, Pace 34
- Jay (bye week)
- Escambia (bye week)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 43, Lighthouse Christian 15
- Escambia County (Atmore) 36, W.S. Neal 24
- Hillcrest-Evergreen 21, Flomaton 9
- T.R. Miller (bye week)
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Tate Celebrates Senior Night With Win Over Northview (With Photo Gallery)
October 15, 2021
The Tate High School Lady Aggies celebrated their seniors Thursday night and defeated the Northview Chiefs 3-0.
The Aggies honored senior players Jayna Burdick, Sophia Jones, Danica Riddell, Allison Baer and Gina Cagle
For more Tate Senior Night and game action photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Crystal Tolbert, click to enlarge.
