Landon’s Big Play: Teams Help Boy With Cerebral Palsy Score Touchdown
October 16, 2016
Landon Hawthorne is like many 10-year old boys — he has love of football and a determination to play.
The Bratt Elementary student was born with ataxic cerebral palsy, but that does not stop his love for the game. Landon plays for the Flomaton Hurricanes, and he recently ran the ball against Jay and Brewton as they faced off with Flomaton. Saturday, Flomaton visited the Cantonment Cowboys, who allowed Landon his biggest play ever.
After his teammates helped him onto the field, Landon ran the ball down field and across the goal line for a touchdown…both teams cheering as he celebrated in the end zone.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
UWF Drops Back And Forth Shootout At Delta State, 55-51
October 16, 2016
The UWF football team compiled a school-record 557 yards of total offense and was in position to ice the game with a 2-point lead, but saw a miscommunication on offense result in a turnover that Delta State turned into the game-winning score and a 55-51 decision at Parker Field-McCool Stadium Saturday evening.
UWF (4-3, 2-2 Gulf South) showed its offensive muscle early and often by scoring a touchdown on each of its first four drives. In just 4:01 of possession, Nobles rattled off four touchdown passes and led the Argonauts to 267 yards of offense.
The Argos started the scoring with an Antoine Griffin 39-yard touchdown catch just over two minutes into the first quarter. DSU (4-3, 2-2) responded with a 13-play, 73-yard drive that ended on a three-yard rush to tie the game at 7-7 early.
West Florida responded with 20 unanswered points, including Ishmel Morrow recording his sixth and seventh touchdowns of the year with 27- and 69-yard scores. UWF would cap first quarter scoring with Anas Hasic’s GSC-leading eighth touchdown of the year coming from 31-yards out.
With the Argos leading 27-14 at the end of the first quarter, Delta State would post three unanswered, second quarter touchdowns to take a 35-27 lead. The Argonauts momentarily halted DSU’s momentum by utilizing a nine-play, 67-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard Nobles-to- Kevin Grant touchdown connection. Nobles concluded the half with a staggering five touchdowns and 355 passing yards.
Delta State held a slim 35-34 advantage heading into the locker room after a first half that featured a combined 753 yards of total offense.
To start the second half, the Statesmen extended their lead with a 12-yard scoring run from Chris Robinson to make the score 42-34 after a quick, five-play, 46-yard drive over the course of 1:42.
The Argonauts ate up 3:22 of clock en route to an eight-play, 72-yard drive that concluded with Jemari Ford’s first rushing score of the year on a 15-yard scamper on second down leaving Delta State with just a one-point lead, at 42-41.
Just 2:02 later with Delta State set to punt, Marcus Clayton blocked, picked up the loose ball and returned it 21 yards to give UWF a 48-42 lead with 7:37 remaining in the third quarter. Clayton’s block is both the first-ever blocked kick and the first special teams touchdown in program history.
After a 45-yard, highlight-reel-worthy catch by Hasic put the Argos in field-goal range at the Delta State 12-yard-line, Andrew Bogaenko converted on a 26-yard attempt to push UWF’s lead to 51-42.
UWF would take that lead into the fourth quarter, but Delta State responded with Robinson’s fifth touchdown of the game to cut UWF’s lead to a slim 51-49 margin.
One of three turnovers, and West Florida’s most costly turnover of the game, came on a Nobles’ fumble with 2:50 remaining allowing DSU to start the eventual game-winning drive at the UWF 17-yard-line.
Robinson continued to give the Argonaut defense headaches late in the contest, as the running back scored his sixth touchdown of the day on a six-yard rush.
The Argonauts had 90 seconds remaining to attempt a comeback, but four incomplete passes secured Delta State’s 55-51 victory.
With Delta State holding the Argonauts scoreless in the fourth quarter, it snaps a streak of 11 consecutive quarters where the Argonauts posted at least one score.
Chris Schwarz led the ground game for UWF, averaging 5.1 yards per carry after a 12-attempt, 61-yard effort. Hasic had a game-high 155 yards receiving on eight catches, while Morrow posted his fifth 100-yard performance in the last six games with 132 yards on five receptions. Nobles totaled 452 yards through the air with five touchdowns after going 24-for-42 passing.
Trent Archie led all players with a UWF single-game record 18 tackles. Marvin Conley contributed with 11 tackles of his own, while Sam Adams was the lone Argonaut to post multiple tackles for loss.
West Florida was hindered by 13 penalties accumulating 119 total yards in addition to Delta State’s 20 points scored off turnovers. Robinson paced the Statesmen offense with six touchdowns and 298 total yards divided between 100 receiving yards and 198 yards on the ground.
Northview Beats Jay To Clinch Postseason Berth (With Photo Gallery)
October 15, 2016
The Northview Chiefs came out on top against the winless Jay Royals Friday night in Bratt, but it was not as easy of a win as many thought it would be.
The Royals jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, and the Chiefs answered at 6:30 in the second with a quarterback keeper from Luke Ward for a 7-6 advantage that stood at the half. In the third, the Royals rallied for a 19-6 lead in the third quarter.
For a homecoming court gallery, click here.
For a game action gallery, click here.
With 4:55 in the third, Ward found Neikel Robinson on fourth down for a 45-yard touchdown, 19-14. With 8:24 on the clock in the fourth, Ward hit Robinson for crowd-pleasing 85-yard touchdown and a 27-19 Chiefs lead. On Jay’s next down, Ward intercepted and added another touchdown, 37-19. Ward added another touchdown to seal the win for the Chiefs.
“There was nothing pretty about it,” Northview High School Head Coach Dereck Marshman said. “A lot of credit goes to Jay; they played their tails off. There was very little time where I though we outplayed them effort wise, execution wise..It wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it.”
The win gives the Chiefs (5-3, 1-0) a playoff spot and eliminates Jay (0-8, 0-2) from the postseason. For the Chiefs, it’s their seventh straight playoff berth.
Northview’s game in two weeks at Baker will decide if the Chiefs or the Gators take the district championship, but Marshman said right now he’s more concerned about visiting Walton next week.
“Our full focus right now is on Walton. Senior night, our last home game of the regular season guaranteed to us and a chance to go undefeated at home this season,” he said.
For a homecoming court gallery, click here.
For a game action gallery, click here.
Additional photos (band, cheerleaders, dance team, will be posted by early next week)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tops Tate
October 15, 2016
The Escambia Gators moved into the top spot in District 1-6A with a 37-27 win over the Tate Aggies.
Escambia dominated the scoring in the first half, holding a 14-0 lead into the fourth quarter when the Aggies scored on the ground with touchdowns from Jake Henry and Corey Moorer.
Next week, the Tate Aggies (6-2, 1-1) move on host Choctaw next Friday night before traveling to Pine Forest on October 28.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 15, 2016
Here are high school final scores from across the North Escambia area Friday night:
FLORIDA
- Northview 40, Jay 25
- Escambia 37, Tate 27
- Pine Forest 36, Washington 20
- West Florida 44, Bay 9
- Arnold 13, PHS 0
- Taylor County 14, Catholic 7
- Gulf Breeze 55, Pace 28
- Navarre 44, Milton 0
- Baker 49, Chipley 14
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller 28, Bayside 23
- Escambia Academy 39, Lighthouse Christian (Pcola) 0
- Flomaton 29, Excel 0
- Andalusia 35, W.S. Neal 8
- Carroll 45, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Beats Escambia County Middle (With Photo gallery)
October 14, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School wrapped up their football season Thursday night with a 28-26 win over Escambia County Middle School of Atmore in Walnut Hill.
The Ernest Ward Eagles are the only middle school football team in Escambia County, FL.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Neal, ECHS, Flomaton Dig Pink For Cancer Awareness
October 14, 2016
Northview, Flomaton, W.S. Neal and Escambia County High (Atmore) high schools held a Dig Pink volleyball tournament Thursday afternoon at Northview.
Northview won the junior varsity portion of the tournament. Complete results, including the varsity winner, were not available.
All proceeds from the gate will go to the Side-Out Foundation for cancer research. Northview also sold shirts for the event and all those proceeds will also be donated to the Side-Out Foundation. The schools hosted a hospitality room for survivors, referees, and coaches. Survivors present at the game were admitted free and received a special treat from the volleyball players.
The Side-Out Foundation funds breast cancer research and support with “cutting-edge clinical trials at renowned medical institutions. . . which has extended the lives of people with Stage 4 breast cancer.” In addition to cancer research, the Side-Out Foundation also provides support services for cancer patients and their families.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Football Names Players Of The Week
October 12, 2016
Northview High School has named the following as Players of Week following the team’s game last week at Liberty County.
Offense
Neikel Robinson – 8 receptions, 193 yards, 1 TD
Jeremiah Woods – 12 carries, 97 yards, 2 TD
Defense
Hunter Cofield – 10 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks
Jared Aliff – 8 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries
Dominator
MJ Jones – Hit on Liberty County WR to dislodge ball on pass attempt
Dustin Bethea – Hit on interception return in 2nd quarter
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Judge: FWC Must Keep Deer-Dog Hunters Off Private Property
October 11, 2016
A Leon County circuit judge has ordered the state Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to stop deer-dog hunters from going on private property within the borders of a state wildlife management area in the Panhandle.
Judge Karen Gievers found that the state agency’s continued permission of the hunt within the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area in Okaloosa County and Santa Rosa counties is a “nuisance” that has interfered with the property owners’ right to enjoy their land.
The order doesn’t call for a stop to such hunting, and it will be up to the state agency to determine how to keep the hunters from going onto private property.
Fish & Wildlife Commission spokeswoman Susan Smith said the agency is reviewing the judge’s order, issued on Sept. 30. Smith said that, since July 1, the agency requires dogs in that area to be equipped with devices that allow behavior correction in addition to remote tracking.
The lawsuit was filed in November 2014 by retired U.S. Air Force pilot and National Rifle Association member William Daws, Jr., and his wife, Ouida Gershon, who sought to put an end to deer-dog hunting in the portion of the Blackwater area where they have lived since 2005. Twelve of their neighbors joined the suit earlier this year.
David Theriaque, a lawyer who represents the plaintiffs who live within the Blackwater area, said the order will provide relief to those property owners.
“All my folks have wanted for years was just to be able to use their property … without being subject to hunters and deer dogs shooting across their property,” Theriaque said.
Daws and Gershon claimed that, during the 44 days the state allows deer dog hunting, they have been threatened by hunters. Daws and Gershon alleged that their mailbox had been shot and derogatory graffiti was written in the road in front of their home. Dogs chasing deer can scare rescued horses on their property, the couple said.
Theriaque said he believes this is the first case in the country in which a court has ruled an agency must halt deer dog hunters from going on private property.
Deer-dog hunters use canines to trail deer through the woods. The dogs are unleashed when deer tracks are found or when hunters are within areas deer are known to frequent. The hunters typically follow in pickup trucks to where the dogs are expected to round up the deer for shooting.
Gievers found that “the plaintiff’s rights to the quiet enjoyment of their property had been invaded and interfered with” by the deer-dog hunters during the 12.1 percent of the year when the hunting is allowed.
“For now, it is clear that the trespasses onto the plaintiffs’ property and the interference with the plaintiffs’ property rights is a direct result of the FWC’s continued allowance of deer dog hunting in an area known to contain private property,” Gievers wrote in her 42-page order.
A hearing is set for Nov. 7 to determine if the court should proceed with a jury trial regarding damages. Daws and Gershon are asking for at least $15,000 in damages, claiming the state agency’s issuance of permits to deer-dog hunters has deprived them of their constitutional rights as property owners.
According to the lawsuit, the couple sought changes to deer-dog hunting for four years as efforts to protect rescue animals they care for on the property resulted in being “harassed, bullied, and threatened by deer-dog hunters, including deer-dog hunters firing their guns over the heads of the Daws.”
In 2005, the commission shrank the space allowed within the 200,000-acre Blackwater wildlife area for deer-dog hunting from 78,172 acres to 19,589 acres, while also closing a number of roads to the hunters.
Shortly before the lawsuit was filed in 2014, the state commission was advised by staff that closing more areas to hunting with dogs is possible, “however, interest in hunting with dogs remains extremely high.”
The state agency had argued in part that the court would violate Florida’s separation of powers law by issuing any order.
But Gievers disagreed, writing that the amended lawsuit did not seek to change FWC rules or regulations, “nor micromanage the deer hunting program.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Bonus Gallery: Tate Vs. Pace
October 10, 2016
For a bonus gallery from Friday night’s Tate vs. Pace game, click here.
For a story and photo gallery from Markus Baxley’s touchdown, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
