Pete Shinnick NameD D2Football.com National Coach Of The Year
January 1, 2020
For the second time in the last three years, UWF head coach Pete Shinnick was named the National Coach of the Year by D2Football.com as announced by the outlet on Tuesday afternoon.
Additionally, redshirt freshman Austin Reed and senior Samuel Antoine were named honorable mention All-Americans.
UWF finished 13-2 overall in 2019 after winning the program’s first national championship, 48-40 over Minnesota State, on Dec. 21. The Argonauts completed one of the most remarkable postseason runs in NCAA history, defeating three number one seeds and four-consecutive undefeated teams for the first time ever en route to the University’s 10th team national championship.
Shinnick, who earned the award in 2017, is 35-17 in four seasons at UWF, which includes a 9-1 record in postseason play. He is 138-63 all-time as a college head coach spanning 18 seasons with stops at Azusa Pacific and UNC Pembroke.
Reed threw for 4,089 yards and 272.6 yards per game – 13th nationally – while going 13-1 as a starter after taking over the role after week one. He completed 57 percent of his passes and tossed 40 touchdowns while rushing for six more. The St. Augustine, Fla. product was responsible for 278 points and ranked 12th in the country with 18.5 points responsible per game.
Antoine completed a standout career with 13 starts in 2019 while appearing in all 41 contests during his three seasons at UWF. In 2019, the left tackles from Weston, Fla. native helped UWF average 412.3 yards of total offense, with 281.2 through the air and 131.1 on the ground. The offensive line allowed just 1.4 sacks per game.
Reed and Antoine are the ninth and tenth All-America selections in program history.
The D2Football.com All-America Team was selected by the staff of D2Football.com with input from coaches, staff, scouts, and sports information directors from around the country. D2Football.com has named an All-America Team since its inception in 2000.
Photo Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Soccer Players Attend Disney College Showcase
December 31, 2019
Five Tate High School Aggie soccer players competed in the Disney College Showcase in Orlando. The event gives college coaches a chance to see prospective student athletes. Tate players attending (pictured above) were: #9 Nathan Bailey, #6 Chase Mills, #4 Logan Tyree, #00 Caleb Thompson and #23 Owen Jacobs. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
College Football Bowl Games, And Where To Watch Them On TV
December 27, 2019
The 2019-20 college football bowl schedule with kickoff times and TV information is below:
Dec. 28
Camping World Bowl — Dec. 28
No. 15 Notre Dame vs. Iowa State
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, FL
11 a.m. | ABC
Cotton Bowl Classic — Dec. 28
No. 10 Penn State vs. No. 17 Memphis
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, TX
11 a.m. | ESPN
Peach Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal) — Dec. 28
No. 1 LSU vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, GA
3 p.m. | ESPN
Fiesta Bowl (College Football Playoff semifinal) — Dec. 28
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson
State Farm Stadium
Glendale, AZ
7 p.m. | ESPN
Dec. 30
First Responder Bowl — Dec. 30
Western Kentucky vs. Western Michigan
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Dallas, TX
11:30 a.m. | ESPN
Music City Bowl — Dec. 30
Louisville vs. Mississippi State
Nissan Stadium
Nashville, TN
3p.m. | ESPN
Redbox Bowl — Dec. 30
California vs. Illinois
Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara, CA
3 p.m. | FOX
Orange Bowl — Dec. 30
No. 9 Florida vs. No. 24 Virginia
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, FL
7 p.m. | ESPN
Dec. 31
Belk Bowl — Dec. 31
Kentucky vs. Virginia Tech
Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, NC
111 a.m. | ESPN
Sun Bowl — Dec. 31
Arizona State vs. Florida State
Sun Bowl
El Paso, TX
1 p.m. | CBS
Liberty Bowl — Dec. 31
Kansas State vs. Navy
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Memphis, TN
2:45 p.m. | ESPN
Arizona Bowl — Dec. 31
Georgia State vs. Wyoming
Arizona Stadium
Tucson, AZ
3:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Alamo Bowl — Dec. 31
No. 11 Utah vs. Texas
Alamodome
San Antonio, TX
6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Jan. 1, 2020
Citrus Bowl — Jan. 1
No. 13 Alabama vs. No. 14 Michigan
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, FL
Noon | ABC
Outback Bowl — Jan. 1
No. 12 Auburn vs. No. 18 Minnesota
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, FL
Noon. | ESPN
Rose Bowl Game — Jan. 1
No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 8 Wisconsin
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, CA
4 p.m. | ESPN
Sugar Bowl — Jan. 1
No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 7 Baylor
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans, LA
7:45 p.m. | ESPN
Jan. 2
Birmingham Bowl — Jan. 2
No. 21 Cincinnati vs. Boston College
Legion Field
Birmingham, AL
2 p.m. | ESPN
Gator Bowl — Jan. 2
Indiana vs. Tennessee
TIAA Bank Stadium
Jacksonville, FL
6 p.m. | ESPN
Jan. 3
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl — Jan. 3
Nevada vs. Ohio
Albertsons Stadium
Boise, ID
2:30 p.m. | ESPN
Jan. 4
Armed Forces Bowl — Jan. 4
Southern Miss vs. Tulane
Amon G. Carter Stadium
Fort Worth, TX
10:30 a.m. | ESPN
Jan. 6
LendingTree Bowl — Jan. 6
Louisiana vs. Miami (Ohio)
Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Mobile, AL
6:30 p.m. | ESPN
Jan. 13
College Football Playoff National Championship Game — Jan. 13
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans, LA
4 p.m. | ESPN
UWF Ends Season At No. 1 In Final AFCA Coaches Poll
December 26, 2019
The University of West Florida’s football national championship was confirmed in the latest coaches poll.
The UWF football team was voted number one in the final coaches poll as announced by the American Football Coaches Association this week.
UWF finished the season 13-2 after winning the program’s first national championship, 48-40 over Minnesota State, on Saturday night. The Argonauts rose 19 spots from 20 at the end of the regular season as they completed one of the most remarkable postseason runs in NCAA history, defeating three number one seeds and four-consecutive undefeated teams for the first time ever en route to the University’s 10th team national championship.
UWF received all 31 first place votes and is ranked number one in the coaches poll for the first time in history. The previous best was number two at the end of 2017 following the run to the title game that season, and during the first two rankings of 2018.
The Argos beat each of the other four teams in the top five during their 2019 run. MSU finished second, followed by Ferris State at No. 3, Lenoir-Rhyne at No. 4 and Valdosta State at No. 5. Wingate, UWF’s opening round opponent, ended the year at No. 19.
UWF was playing in it’s second NCAA Championship Game in four seasons of football. The team improved to 35-17 all-time after starting in 2016. The Argonauts are 9-1 in NCAA postseason games and own the highest winning percentage in D2 history among teams who have played a minimum of 10 playoff games.
UWF Argos Win National Championship (With Photo Gallery)
December 22, 2019
Redshirt freshman Austin Reed had a record-setting performance and senior Quentin Randolph saved his best for last as 20th-ranked UWF defeated fourth-ranked Minnesota State, 48-40, for the program’s first Division II National Championship at McKinney ISD Stadium Saturday.
UWF (13-2) completed one of the most remarkable postseason runs in NCAA history, defeating three number one seeds and four-consecutive undefeated teams for the first time ever en route to the University’s 10th team national championship.
Reed finished with a school and NCAA Championship single-game record 523 passing yards and tied both organization marks with six passing touchdowns. He was 33-of-54 on the day with his completions tying the finals mark and his attempts setting a new top effort. He had 399 yards by halftime to break the previous yardage mark of 361 which had stood since 2002.
With all that passing, Randolph and Lehtio were the beneficiaries. Randolph had 10 receptions for a school-record 254 yards and tied the championship game mark with three touchdowns. Lehtio set the title game record with 13 catches for 139 yards and a score.
But for all the fireworks the Argonauts were putting up, MSU was keeping pace. UWF scored first and the teams traded touchdowns for the first five possessions of the game. That’s when the Argos forced the first of their three turnovers.
UWF converted a Nate Gunn fumble into an Austin Williams 31-yard field goal to go up 24-14. The teams again traded touchdowns before the Argos got a fourth down stop at the 1-yard line with 56 seconds left. Rather than run the ball and accept a 10-point lead, head coach Pete Shinnick dialed up a 37-yard strike to Ka’Ron Ashley, a 14-yard route to Lehtio before Randolph ran down a 48-yarder in the end zone to go up 38-21 at the break.
The Mavericks came out and drove inside the UWF five before Myles Meyer forced another Gunn fumble that the Argos recovered. But after a 3-and-out, they were forced to punt. Dawson Hamlin boomed a 55-yarder as he stood back deep in his own end zone and the third MSU fumble followed as Justin Arnold muffed the punt, giving the Argos possession at the MSU 40.
Seven plays later, Reed hit Lehtio on a slant from the eight to put UWF up 45-21 midway through the third.
MSU scored on a special teams miscue by the Argos a few minutes later and got within 45-29 after a 2-point conversion. UWF got three points back on a 30-yard Williams field goal at the start of the fourth for a 48-29 lead.
The Mavericks got a field goal of their own with 9:52 left and then pulled to within 48-40 on a Shane Zylstra touchdown with 4:03 to play.
UWf ran 1:51 off the clock on its next possession before MSU got the ball at he 20 following a Hamlin 59-yard touchback. The Mavericks drove down to the UWF red zone in less than a minute before the Argos defense made the key stop. After a 2-yard run, Andre Duncombe, Jr. hurried Ryan Schlichte into an incompletion and followed it with a sack to set up fourth down. Schlichte went to the All-American Zylstra but Marcus Clayton was there for the break-up to clinch the title for the Argos. It was his fourth break-up of the game to go along with six tackles. UWF ended the game with five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
MSU (14-1) finished with 562 yards of total offense – one more than UWF.
UWF was playing in it’s second NCAA Championship Game in four seasons of football. The team improved to 35-17 all-time after starting in 2016. The Argonauts are 9-1 in NCAA postseason games and now own the highest winning percentage in D2 history among teams who have played a minimum of 10 playoff games.
The road to the title featured wins over No. 16 Wingate (38-17), No. 1 and defending national champion Valdosta State (38-35), No. 6 Lenoir-Rhyne (43-38) and No. 2 Ferris State (28-14). The wins over the Blazers, Bears and Bulldogs ended the three longest home field winning streaks in Division 2 and those victories, along with Saturday’s were all over teams that entered the game undefeated..
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
1979 Ernest Ward High School State Championship Football Team Holds Reunion
December 20, 2019
The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team recently held their 40 year reunion. The reunion was held in the gymnasium of what is now Ernest Ward Middle School.
Under the leadership of head coach Steve McCord, the Ernest Ward Golden Eagles won the 1979 Class A state title with a 13-6 upset of the No. 1 ranked Benjamin High School Bucs of Palm Beach Gardens at Booster Stadium in Ocala.
The 1979 Ernest Ward-Benjamin game still holds the state record for the fewest two-team turnovers during a state final. Both teams were turnover free. The 1979 Golden Eagles were the only team in state football history to knock off three No. 1 ranked teams in the same season.
Ernest Ward High School and Century High School were combined to create Northview High School, which won the Class 1A state crown in 2012. The Century Blackcats with head coach Joe Cardwell fell short of a title by just one point back in 1986 with a 8-7 loss at home to Glades Day High of Belle Glade.
Pictured top: The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team (front, L-R) Tommy Van Pelt, Marion Cooper, Eric Sanders, Mike Dignam, David Bell, Byron Vaughn, Todd Wiggins, Bill Smith and Perry Byars; (back) Coach Steve McCord, Kevin Beck, Scott Ward, David Beck, Mike Solomon, Mark Hanks, Kenny Bryan, Todd Linam, Phillip Robbins, Glen Sharpless and Kevin Morgan. Pictured below: The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Aggie Soccer Defeats Pine Forest 9-0
December 19, 2019
Tate High soccer beat Pine Forest Wednesday night and fell to Navarre Monday night.
Tate 9, Pine Forest 0
Wednesday night, the Tate Aggies defeated Pine Forest 9-0.
For Tate: Junior Owen Jacobs 2 goals, 1 assist; junior Logan Tyree 1 goal, 1 assist; senior Gustavo Pineda 2 goals, 2 assists; sophomore Sam Megginson 1 goal; junior Nathan Bailey 1 goal and 1 assist; senior Braedon Ladd 2 goals; and junior Calenj Arnevik 1 assist.
Up next, Tate Senior Night is this Friday versus Milton High at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium.
Navarre 4, Tate 1
Monday night, Tate lost to Navarre 4-1.
The lone goal was shot by Junior Nathan Bailey with the assist from Junior Logan Tyree.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Da’Quan Johnson Signs With The Duke Blue Devils
December 18, 2019
Flomaton High School senior football star Da’Quan “Money” Johnson signed with the Duke Blue Devils Wednesday morning on National Signing Day.
Johnson decommitted from Troy State Sunday night. He received a scholarship offer and took an official visit to Duke earlier this month.
Johnson led the Flomaton Hurricanes to the 3A station championship last season, playing mostly quarterback. He was named Alabama’s 3A Back of the Year. In the championship game against Piedmont, Johnson carried the ball 43 times — a Super 7 record — and was named MVP. He also made 37 tackles on defense last season and had four interceptions.
Flomaton Coach Doug Vickery said in August Johnson picked Troy over South Alabama, Southern Miss, UAB, Tulane, Army, Florida Atlantic and others.
Pictured: Flomaton’s Da”quan “Money” Johnson signs with Duke, surrounded by his mom Tiffany Johnson, brother Devonta Johnson and Flomaton coaches. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Chiefs Play Redzone Games On Falcons Field In Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
December 17, 2019
The freshmen and junior Northwest Escambia football teams had a chance to play Sunday on the Atlanta Falcons Field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and NWE cheerleaders were able to perform midfield.
The freshmen Chiefs were (3-1) in the 2-minutes Redzone games, and the junior Chiefs were (2-1-1).
The freshmen and junor NWE teams both won league championships this year, and the freshmen won a Turkey Bowl Championship.
Pictured top: NWE freshmen football at the Atlanta Falcons field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Pictured below in descending order: NWE juniors, junior cheerleaders, freshmen cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF’s NCAA Football Championship Tickets Now On Sale
December 17, 2019
In just four years of the program’s existence, the University of West Florida Argonauts will head to the national title game for the second time.
Tickets for the 2019 Division II Football Championship National Championship game featuring UWF against Minnesota State this Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas are currently on sale.
Tickets are available for purchase now! UWF has access to 2,000 reserved and general admission tickets, with all tickets being located in prime locations directly behind their bench on the visitors side. Reserved seats are chairback and $25 each. General Admission seats are bench seating and $20. Children 2 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Click here and look for UWF sections to purchase your tickets online. If you wish to select specific seats directly behind the UWF bench, click the ‘Buy on Map’ link and use the promo code ‘VISITOR’ to access those seats. When purchasing tickets, note that the Argonauts will be on the visitor’s side of the field.
For seating questions, contact Shannon Frazier with McKinney ISD at 469-302-4186
Gates will open at 12:30 Central Time. McKinney ISD Stadium ticket offices are located on both the east and west sides of the stadium. Both ticket offices will open at 12:30 CT. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 CT.
There is a $10 parking fee at McKinney ISD Stadium.
MISD STADIUM REGULATIONS
- West side of the stadium is home seating and the east side is visitor seating. Tickets must be purchased for your team’s side only.
- No re-entry to stadium without the purchase of a new ticket.
- No outside food or drink is allowed.
- Only vendors with prior approval may distribute information/merchandise at MISD stadium.
- No pets and/or live mascots will be allowed.
- All MISD policies regarding banned substances such as tobacco, alcohol and e-cigs will be strictly enforced.
- All spectators must be appropriately clothed. Administrators reserve the right to eject anyone wearing offensive items.
MISD stadium has a no-bag policy beginning fall of 2018.
EVENT COVERAGE: The championship game will be televised on ESPNU. Radio coverage can also be heard live on the UWF Sports Network, ESPN Pensacola 1330 AM/99.1 FM Live stats will be available at GoArgos.com.
Photo Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.