Tate’s Jesse Sherrill Signs With Gordon State College
November 29, 2017
Tate High School senior Jesse Sherrill signed a baseball scholarship Tuesday to play next year at Gordon State College in Barnsville, GA. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Argos Head To Regional Final With 17-14 Win At West Georgia
November 26, 2017
The UWF defense has been getting better and better over the last three weeks but turned in one of the gutsiest performances in program history Saturday as the sixth-seeded Argonauts defeated seventh-seeded West Georgia, 17-14, at University Stadium to advance to the NCAA Division II Championship Super Regional 2 finals.
UWF (9-3) held West Georgia to a season-low 244 yards of total offense, including just 117 on the ground in defeating the Wolves at home for the second time in 14 days. The Argos had four sacks, forced three fumbles and Marvin Conley picked off Willie Candler to ice the game with one second remaining.
The Argos finished with 337 yards as Mike Beaudry threw for 194 yards on 19-of-33 with a touchdown. He also had four interceptions, including three in the first quarter. Fortunately, the defense held the Wolves to just 17 combined yards on their three ensuing possessions.
Johnathan Coleman had three sacks and eight tackles up front for the Argonauts. Asante Griffin led the team with nine stops. Andre Duncombe forced a fumble and made five tackles as well.
The Argonauts went ahead 7-0 before the half, marching 72 yards on eight plays when Beaudry completed 6-of-6 passes for 66 yards. He capped the drive on a 3-yard pitch-and-catch to a wide open Tate Lehtio with 13 seconds left.
UWG came out of the locker room with back-to-back scores, opening the third quarter with a 73-yard kickoff return to set up a Candler scoring run from a yard out. Following a Beaudry interception, the Wolves needed just four plays to grab a 14-7 lead on a Travis Custis 3-yard scamper.
UWF produced its second long scoring drive at the beginning of the fourth, going 86 yards for game-tying 5-yard run by Leroy Wilson. The drive started with a 46-yard double pass from Antoine Griffin to Carlos Duclos that put the Argonauts in UWG territory. From there, Beaudry connected with Ka’Ron Ashley and Lehtio for 33 yards to setup the team’s first rushing touchdown in five games.
Following a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, UWF got a solid punt return from Griffin that gave the Argos the ball at their own 31. The drive stalled at the West Georgia 24 but Austin Williams connected on a 41-yard field goal to put the visitors back ahead 17-14. The kick – Williams’ 23rd of the year – tied the Gulf South Conference single-season record for field goals made.
From there, the defense locked in, holding the Wolves to a 3-and-out after a penalty, and getting the INT on UWG’s last offensive play. The Argos limited the Wolves to seven yards and Candler to 1-of-5 for 10 yards on the final two drives.
Candler ended the day 15-of-30 for 127 yards, while Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year Devontae Jackson rushed for just 62 yards. This, along with his 80-yard effort two weeks ago, were his two of his six lowest games of the season.
UWF will be on the road once again – a place it is 6-1 on the season – and face top seed and 17th-ranked West Alabama (10-2) next Saturday, Dec. 2. Kickoff at Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Alabama is set for Noon.
West Florida Wins 5A Regional; Blountstown Beats Baker In 1A Semi Final
November 25, 2017
West Florida 24, Trinity Christian 14 (5A)
The West Florida Jaguars won the Regional 1-5A championship Friday night be defeating Trinity Christian 24-14 at Woodham Middle School.
The game remained scoreless headed into halftime, with Trinity first on the board with 7:44 to go in the third quarter. The Jaguars answered with a 6-yard touchdown run drom Devin Abrams with 5:54 in the third quarter. Both teams took it home again the third, including an 13-yard West Florida rushing touchdown from senior Bryant Johnecheck.
The fourth quarter began with the teams tied 14-14. West Florida dominated the fourth, with a 19-yard field goal from Dylan Bredesen and 35-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Jordan to Keyshawn Helton with 1:25 left to play.
Up next, West Florida (12-1) will host Baker County (12-1) at 7:30 at Woodham Middle in the 5A state semifinals.
Blountstown 41, Baker 21 (1A)
Blountstown beat the Baker Gators 41-21 Friday night to advance to the 1A state title game. Blountstown was leading 21-13 at the half before outscoring the Gators 20-8 in the second half for the win in Baker.
Blountstown will face Madison for the 1A state championship in Orlando on Thursday, December 7.
License-Free Saltwater Fishing Saturday In Florida
November 24, 2017
Governor Rick Scott has announced that Saturday, November 25th will be a license-free saltwater fishing day. This Saturday is part of eight total days offered each year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) that allows residents and visitors to enjoy Florida’s many fishing opportunities without requiring a license.
Governor Scott said, “As Floridians gather with their loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving, this license-free fishing day is a great opportunity for families and visitors to enjoy our state’s great outdoors together. We are grateful to live in such a beautiful state with unique natural treasures that help attract record numbers of visitors, and I encourage all families to take advantage of the license-free saltwater fishing day this weekend.”
FWC Chairman Brian Yablonski said, “Whether at the table or on the water, Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect time to gather with friends and family. I am thankful for the opportunity to incentivize fishing in Florida and allow anglers to show friends and family, especially youth, the joys it offers.”
Saltwater license-free fishing days allow anglers to fish for saltwater species without being required to have a saltwater recreational fishing license. All bag limits, seasons and size restrictions apply on license-free fishing days. To learn more about license-free fishing days, visit MyFWC.com/License. For fishing tips, locations and other information visit MyFWC.com/Fishing.
UWF Dominates Wingate, 31-0, In NCAA First Round Victory
November 19, 2017
WINGATE, N.C. – Coming into Saturday’s NCAA Division II Football First Round game at No. 3 seed Wingate, No. 6 seed UWF became the fastest startup program to reach the postseason. After the 31-0 dismantling of the Bulldogs, they can now lay claim to being the fastest program to win a playoff game.
From the third play of the game when Jalen Spencer intercepted Wingate quarterback Dylan Williams and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown, the UWF defense announced it was going to be the focal point of the day. Spencer got his second interception on the Bulldogs’ next drive returning it 15 yards to the UWF 30, eventually leading to an Austin Williams 51-yard field goal – tying his own career-long.
By the end of the 60-minutes at Irwin Belk Stadium, the Argonauts held 16th-ranked Wingate to a season-low 205 yards of total offense, sacked Williams a school-record nine times, picked him off three times and did its part to put all four Gulf South Conference teams into the Super Region 2 semifinals.
Marvin Conley, Reggie Barnes and Johnathan Coleman each posted double-digit tackles. The Argos have combined for 21 sacks and 38 tackles for loss over the last three contests.
UWF (8-3) ended with 289 yards of total offense –129 on the ground and 160 through the air. Mike Beaudry was 18-for-31 with three passing touchdowns and an interception.
Beaudry’s first scoring play came at the end of the half on a drive setup by a 35-yard Antoine Griffin punt return to just about midfield. With the Argos leading 10-0, he capped a 12-play, 53-yard drive with a 10-yard pass to Tate Lehtio, where the sophomore lept over a Wingate defender from the 2-yard line to reach the end zone.
UWF left no doubt about the outcome at the start of the second half, taking the opening possession 82 yards over 13 plays that saw Griffin haul in a 17-yard pass for the score. The drive took 6:43 off the clock and was the longest scoring drive of the season while putting UWF up 24-0.
They added a final score following a fumble forced by Trent Archie that Daryl Wilson recovered at the Wingate 31. Beaudry and company needed just three plays before he tossed a ball to tight end Austin Blake-Smith for a 13-yard touchdown. It was Blake-Smith’s fourth TD in the last four games.
The UWF kicking game was also strong on Saturday as punter Colton Norris and placekicker Austin Williams battled strong winds all game. Norris punted seven times and placed five inside the 20-yard line, while Williams made all three point after touchdown attempts, drew to within one made field goal of the GSC single-season record of 23 and put four of his six kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.
UWF advances to the NCAA Second Round where it will travel to West Georgia (9-3) and face the Wolves for the second time in three weeks. UWG defeated Virginia State, 35-9, in its first round game. Kickoff time and ticket prices for the game at University Stadium in Carrollton, Ga. will be announced in the coming days.
Photo by Jim Wright for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Wins AISA State Championship
November 18, 2017
The Escambia Academy Cougars are the AISA 2A state champions after a 30-20 win Friday afternoon over top-ranked Autauga Academy at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy.
The Cougars were first on the board with a 1-yard keeper from quarterback Jabe Dawe, capping a 7-run drive that included a 52-yard run from Patrick McGhee to the three. With a missed point after, the EA Cougars were up 6-0. Dawe found senior Neikel Robinson with a 50-yard pass to expand the Cougars’ lead to 12-0.
Escambia Academy’s MJ Jones sacked an Autauga General forcing a fumble that was recovered by EA’s Jason Davis who returned 27-yards for a touchdown and an 18-0 lead. Late in the first quarter, Autauga cut their deficit to 18-7, a score that held headed into halftime.
Late in the third quarter, Dawe found Fred Flavors with a 66-yard pass and Escambia Academy was up 24-7.
Friday’s championship is the second ever for Escambia Academy; the Cougars brought home the state championship in 2014. The Cougars lost to Autauga 28-21 in the state game last year.
Escambia Academy is located in Canoe, AL, about two miles north of the Alabama/Florida line. Students from both states attend the school.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com by Jason Robbins/WEAR 3 and Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Nickerson And Lundquist Sign With Coastal Alabama
November 18, 2017
Two Tate High School softball standouts signed Friday to play at the college level. Deazia Nickerson (pictured left) and Ashley Lundquist signed to Coastal Alabama North at Monroeville.
Nickerson and Lundquist played travel softball together at Panhandle Xtreme, played together for the Tate Aggies and will now room together at Coastal Alabama.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Brown Signs With Jacksonville State, Wolfenden With Gulf Coast
November 17, 2017
Two Tate High School softball standouts have signed to play at the college level.
Hanna Brown has signed to play softball with the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks in Jacksonville, AL.
Belle Wolfenden has signed to play softball with the Gulf Coast State College in Panama City.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Splits Basketball Games With Perdido
November 17, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School split basketball game with Perdido Thursday evening.
Boys
Perdido 33, Ernest Ward 27 (OT)
Girls
Ernest Ward 29, Perdido 20
After Fall Break, the Ernest Ward Eagles will travel to T.R. Miller on November 27 before hosting Escambia County Middle School from Atmore on November 30 beginning at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
All-Star Volleyball: East Tops West
November 17, 2017
The West lost to the East Thursday night 4-2 in a best of seven series at the 11th Annual Subway High School All-Star Volleyball game at the University of West Florida Field House.
The West team, representing the best seniors of Escambia County, included North Escambia players Kayla Galvan from Northview High and Brynna Magruder, Logan Hamlin and Casey Wright from Tate High School. The East team represented the best from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
The full roster was as follows:
WEST TEAM
- Catholic – Kayla Carrell, Ellen Floyd
- Escambia – Kelsey Beasley, Eve Pesta, Angela Harvey
- Northview – Kayla Galvan
- Pensacola – Dina Razek, Malainna White, JT Barnes
- PCA – Allaena Fulfer
- Pine Forest – Brianna Sasser
- Tate – Brynna Magruder, Logan Hamlin, Casey Wright
- Washington – Madison Douglas, Elle Bardsley, Victoria Day, Jessica Butler
EAST TEAM:
- Baker – Ayajah Coleman
- Central – Ali Hawthorne
- Choctaw – Lindsey Legg (Honorary), Kassandra Fairly (Honorary
- Crestview – Dominique Thompson
- FWB – Zoey Quitugua
- Gulf Breeze – Sam Karcher, Olivia Hepworth, Gracie Snider
- Jay – Haylee Watson
- Milton – McKenzie Stevenson
- Navarre – Caitlin Bethell
- Niceville – Bayley McMenimen, Claressa Kohler
- Pace – Tori Butcher, Alexis Van Norman
- Rocky Bayou – Kaylee Orr, Melanie Marchena
The coaching staff for the West Team:
- Head Coach, Dave Bryant of West Florida Tech High School
- Assistant Coach, Kathryn Clarke of Pensacola High School
The coaching staff for the East Team:
- Head Coach, Mark Gough of Pace High School
- Assistant Coach, Karson Hinds of Niceville High School
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.