Tate Beats Pine Forest To Advance In Playoffs (With Photo Gallery)
November 21, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies continued their march to state Friday night with a 31-7 win over the Pine Forest Eagles in the Region 1-6A semifinals.
In the regular season, Pine Forest claimed the District 1-6A crown in a game that was tied up 28-all headed into the fourth only to see the Eagles surge to a 47-28 win.
But the tables were turned Friday night.
“The defense is playing great right now, and on offense we ran the football,” Tate head coach Jay Lindsey said. “Biggest thing is we played a physical football game; that is the thing you want in the playoffs. You want to get better toward the end of the year, and we are playing our best football. We are getting better week to week, and that’s exactly what we want to do.”
The Aggies took a quick 7-0 lead with 5:55 to go in the first quarter with quarterback Sawyer Smith taking it into the end zone. The just over two minutes later, after a 50-yard gain by Smith, Dee Thompson was around the outside for a touchdown and a 14-0 Aggie lead.
Toss in a Tate field goal with 11:05 in the second, and the Tate Aggies were up 17-0.
Then, with 5:25 in the half, Tate increased their lead to 24-0 with a 20-yard touchdown run from Thompson. The game stood at 24-0 headed into the half.
With 2:43 in the third, the Aggies added one more touchdown on a 15-yard run from Aldondo Thompkins, coming off a 44-yard pass to Madison Lockman.
The Tate Aggies (9-2) will travel to Niceville next Friday night.
During the regular season, Niceville beat Tate 31-28. But for Lindsey, the Region 1-6A final next week is not going to be about revenge.
“It’s the playoffs right now; it’s do or die,” Lindsey said. “It has nothing to do with who beat who in the regular season. It’s just one game at the time.
“We are just focused on us and being the best team that Tate High School can possibly be,” he said.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Playoff Finals
November 21, 2015
Here are final scores from playoff games around the North Escambia area tonight:
- Tate 31, Pine Forest 7 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- GW Long 35, Flomaton 21
- Hillcrest 25, T.R. Miller 22
- Baker 48. Vernon 20
- Niceville 36, Choctaw 21
File photo.
Northview Honors Top Volleyball Players
November 20, 2015
The Northview High School volleyball program recognized outstanding players at their annual banquet.
- Best Offensive Award — Ellie Amerson, JV, with 14 aces, 20 kills and 33 assists; Brittany Ward, varsity, with 16 aces, 3 kills and 146 assists; Hanna Ging, varsity, with 33 aces, 36 kills and 5 assists.
- Best Defensive Award – Natasha Walker, JV, with 6 blocks; Leah Fischer with 37 blocks and 15 digs; Jamia Newton, varsity, with 14.5 blocks and 10 digs.
- Most Improved – Alysa Whatley and Kayla Galvan, JV; Jamia Newton and Brittanie McLemore, varsity.
- Coaches – Brittany Ward
- Best Attitude – Lyndia Smith, JV; Savanna Roux, varsity.
- Effort Award – Alyana Brown, JV; Hanna Ging and Laurie Purdy, varsity.
Team members were recognized:
Junior Varsity
- Ellie Amerson
- Samantha Roux
- Kayla Galvan
- Alyana Brown
- Alysa Whatley
- Olivia Porter
- Autumn Albritton
- Lydia Smith
- Madison Sherouse
- Natasha Walker
Varsity
- Brittany Ward
- Savanna Roux
- Maddi Weber
- Leah Fischer
- Hanna Ging
- Courtney Griml
- Laurie Purdy
- Brittanie McLemore
- Catie Clayton
- Jamia Newton
Pictured: Northview’s varsity (top) and junior varsity (below) volleyball teams. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Oberley Signs To Swim For U.S. Air Force Academy
November 19, 2015
Tatiana Nicole Oberley signed a Letter of Intent to swim for the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday afternoon.
Present for the signing were her parents Mark and Virtudes Oberley and her older brother Ensign Joshua Oberley. Also attending were her coaches from the Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club, head coach Phil Kraus and head age group coach Greg Johnson. Tatiana is a senior at Pensacola Christian Academy where she carries a 4.0 GPA. She is a three time USA Swimming Scholastic All American. She currently plans to major in history at the Air Force Academy.
Pictured: (L-R) Coach Greg Johnson, Ensign Joshua Oberley, Virtudes Oberley, Tatiana Oberley (seated), Mark Oberley, and Coach Phil Kraus. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Players Named To All-Star Volleyball Team
November 18, 2015
Rosters have been announced for the 9th Annual Subway High School All-Star Volleyball game to be held Thursday, November 19 at the University of West Florida Field House at 6 p.m.
West Team roster:
Northview: Hanna Ging
Tate: Sydney Roberson, Hope Tourney, Deja Smith, Kristin Quina
Pine Forest: Alexis Lucas
West Florida: Brianna Parker, Lynn Arthur
Catholic: Hailey Fredrickson, Mirella Gatterdam, Kiley Brady, Madison Yarborough
East Hill: Karin Shull
Escambia: Alyssa Hubbart
PCA: Brianna Ross
Pensacola: Ariel Noethlich
Washington: Julia Grissett, Samantha Yonehiro
Head Coach: Kelly Comerford of Washington High School
Assistant Coach: Larry Lewis of Pine Forest High School
Assistant Coach: Meghan Triolo of Washington High School
East Team roster
Baker: Ashley Black
Central: Sarah Smith
Choctaw: Nakia McKinnie, Britney Kruegar
Crestview: Christia Johnson
Fort Walton: Kiva Malone
Gulf Breeze: Mady Smith, Julia Denby, Alison Von Brock
Jay: Bristin Campbell
Milton: Heidi Peoples, Mikaela Worley
Navarre: Nysha Frank
Niceville: Alexis Creasman, Shelby Young
Pace: Carlee Smith, Justice Gainey
Rocky Bayou: Maria Denbow
Head Coach: Gigi Vardai of Fort Walton Beach High School
Assistant Coach: Mark Gough of Pace High School
Final game rosters are subject to change.
The Subway High School All-Star Series, organized by Pensacola Sports, recognizes senior athletes in volleyball, football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s baseball, and women’s softball from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa County.
Tickets to the Subway High School All-Star Game are $8 at the gate and $6 with a canned good item. Pensacola Sports is again teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families by bringing a canned good item.
Pictured top: West All-Star Volleyball team members Hope Tourney, Kristin Quina, and Sydney Roberson of Tate High School. Pictured inset: West team member Hanna Ging of Northview High School. Pictured: The West team at a practice this week. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Cross Country Team Members Honored
November 17, 2015
Northview High School held their annual cross country banquet Monday night.
The following awards were presented:
- Fastest Female: Moria McGahan
- Fastest Male: Brandon Korinchak
- Most Improved: Tamara Barrows
- Jim Ross Memorial Award: Triston Reaves
- Junmi Ross Memorial Award: Moriah McGahan
- Coaches’ Award: Dalton Hadley
Pictured top: Junmi Ross Memorial Award winner Moriah McGahan, who was also named Fastest Female, and Jim Ross Memorial Award winner Triston Reaves. Pictured below: (L-R) Fastest Male Brandon Korinchak, Most Improved Tamara Barrows and Coaches’ Award winner Dalton Hadley. Pictured bottom: Coach Natalie Nall; seniors Tamara Barrows, James Ates, Triston Reaves, Moriah McGahan and Bethany Reynolds; and Coach Jesses Boone. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Varsity Cheerleaders Place First At Competition
November 16, 2015
The Tate High School Varsity Cheerleaders won first place at the Cheer Omega Cheer Games this past Saturday. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Double OT: Tate Aggies Advance In Playoffs With Win Over Navarre
November 14, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies earned a thrilling playoff win over Navarre Friday night, 23-22 in double overtime.
Navarre was first on the board with 4:01 to go in the first half on a 43-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0.
After quarterback Sawyer Smith hit Jake Henry with a 35-yard pass at the Navarre 29, Smith found Madison Lockman deep in the endzone for a 19-yard touchdown. That tied it up 7-7 in Navarre.
Navaree added a touchdown in the fourth and missed the extra point for a 13-7 Raiders lead. Then the Aggies tied it up on a 27 yard touchdown run from Alondo Thompkins. The game was locked at 13-13 as regulation time expired.
After exchanging field goals in the first overtime, Smith found Thompkins for a 23-16 Tate advantage in the second overtime period. Then Navarre scored a touchdown from two yards out, 23-22. But Navarre’s perfect 10-0 season ended with an extra point kick off to the side.
“I’m so proud of these team, just the adversity we fought,” Tate head coach Jay Lindsey said.
Tate moves on to round two of the playoffs at Pine Forest (8-3) next Friday. The Eagles are coming off a strong 37-3 win over Gulf Breeze. Pine Forest claimed the District 1-6A championship 47-28 over Tate in the last meeting on October 30.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vernon Ends Northview’s Playoff Hopes (With Photo Gallery)
November 14, 2015
For the second time in three years, the Vernon Yellow Jackets spoiled the playoff hopes of the Northview Chiefs. Friday night in Vernon, the Yellow Jacks got past the Chiefs 8-7 for a Region 1-1A semifinal win.
The Northview defense started early with two strong plays. Neikel Robinson picked off a Vernon pass in the end zone and returned it to near mid-field before turning it over on downs. Vernon was back in possession only to find a Chief picking off a Yellow Jacket pass — this time Michael Jones at the goal line.
The Chiefs were the first on the board with a pitch from quarterback Gavin Grant to Luke Ward who found Toney Harrison for a 12-yard touchdown. Northview topped Vernon 7-0, 6:32 to go in the half.
With 10:19 left to play in the game Vernon was down to the Northview 2. Vernon was in from 2 yards out. With a good two point attempt, Vernon took the lead 9-7 with 9:04 to go in the game.
On their final drive of the game, the Chiefs reached their own 49, but could not convert on a 4th and 12 as Vernon held on for an 8-7 win over the Chiefs.
Vernon (9-2) will travel to Baker next Friday night in the regional championship game. Baker blanked Graceville 26-0 Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Northview’s Neikel Robinson picks of a Vernon pass in the end zone early in the Chiefs battle against Vernon. Pictured inset: Senior Jacob Dunsford gains yardage for the Chiefs. Pictured below: Robinson with the ball for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom: Luke Ward breaks free for Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
November 14, 2015
Here are final playoff scores from around the North Escambia area tonight:
FLORIDA
- Vernon 8, Northview 7
- Tate 23, Navarre 22 2OT
- Rickards 42, West Florida 39
- Pine Forest 37, Gulf Breeze 3
- Trinity Christian 49, Catholic 3
- Baker 26, Graceville 0
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller 49, Pike County 8
- Flomaton 49, Fayetteville 10