Photo Gallery: Flomaton Opening Day

April 1, 2012

Saturday was Opening Day at Hurricane Park for Flomaton Little League.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured: Opening Day for Flomaton Little League. Submitted photos by Roger Riggs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Reader Photos: Opening Day At Century, Cantonment, NWE, Flomaton

April 1, 2012

Saturday was Opening Day at ballparks across the North Escambia area.

For a gallery of reader submitted photos from Flomaton, Northwest Escambia, Century and Cantonment, click here.

Editor’s Note: During the entire ball season, we encourage parents and fans to submit photos from area ballparks for publication.

Pictured top: The Hadji Shriners were out supporting the community and their children’s hospital on Opening Day in Cantonment. Pictured below:  Opening Day action from Fidelis versus the Century Mustangs. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate Wins Again

March 31, 2012

The Tate High School Aggies improved to 15-1 on the season Friday with a 6-5 win over Washington High School.

The junior varsity Aggies also beat Washington, 10-6.

The Aggies will travel to Escambia High Tuesday, April 3 with the varsity taking the field against the Gators at 7 p.m.

Ready, Set, Go: Ernest Ward Begins Track Season (With Gallery)

March 30, 2012

Middle School track and field season got underway Thursday in Escambia County.

The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles traveled to Pensacola to compete against Woodham, Warrington and Brown Barge middle schools. Results from the meet were not  immediately available from host school Woodham.

For a photo gallery from the meet, click here.

Pictured top:  Ernest Ward’s Jensyn Warner leads the pack in the girls 800 meter Thursday afternoon at Woodham Middle School in Pensacola. Pictured inset: Hadley Woodfin runs the girls 4×100 relay for the Eagles. Pictured: Ernest Ward competed in their first track meet of the season Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Baseball, Softball: Northview, Tate, Jay, West Florida (With Gallery)

March 30, 2012

qHere’s a look at baseball and softball action from the North Escambia area Thursday:

Northview 14 — Central 3

The Northview Chiefs beat the Central High School Jaguars 14-3 in six innings Thursday on the road in Santa Rosa County. (Pictured above, left).

For a photo gallery from the game, click here.

The Chiefs will head across the state line Monday to take on the Flomaton Hurricanes. The junior varsity begins at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:00.

Northview 10 — Central 0 (JV)

The junior varsity Northview Chiefs also won on Thursday, shutting out Central 10-0 in five innings.

Tate 3 — Milton 1

The Tate Aggies baseball team improved to 14-1 and 7-0 in district play with a 3-1 road victory over the Milton Panthers on Thursday.

JT Granat collected the his fourt win of the season pitching four  innings. He allowed four hits and struck out four Blake Edgar picked up his first save of the season pitching three innings.

Offensively, the Aggies were lead by Cody Palmer (2-3, 3B,2 runs), Austin Quina (2-2), and Mac Seibert (2-3, 3 SB).

Tate plays host to Washington Friday to begin the second round of district play with a JV/varsity double header beginning at 4:30.

SOFTBALL

West Florida 8 — Northview 0

The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs 8-0 Thursday at West Florida.  Misty Doran took the loss for the Chiefs, pitching six innings and striking out eight.

The Lady Chiefs will host the Freeport Bulldogs in varsity action Monday at 5:00 in Bratt.

Jay 12 — WS Neal 2

The Jay Lady Royals improved to 9-3 on the season Thursday with a win over WS Neal at Brewton. Sydney Lowery pitched the win for Jay, allowing four hits, two run, one error and striking out one. Jay hitters included: Becca Callaway 2-2, 2B, 3R, 2 RBI, 2 BB. Tessa Hendricks 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2R 3 RBI,; Sydney Lowery 3-4, 1R, 3 RBI. Michaela Stewart 1-2, 2 R.

Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs take on Central Thursday afternoon. Submitted photos by Taylor Rigby for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Prep Baseball, Softball: Tate, Northview, Jay, Flomaton, ACS, Escambia Academy

March 28, 2012

Tate 16 — Pensacola 0

Tuesday night was another big win for the Tate Aggies as they improved to 13-1 on the season with a 16-0 shutout of the Pensacola High Tigers

Cody Palmer pitched a complete game, shortened by the 10-run rule, to notch his fifth victory with no defeats for the year. He allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out four. Palmer also helped his own cause offensively going 2-4 with an RBI. Also for Tate: Maverick Chapman was 2-3 with 2 RBI. Mac Seibert 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI. Austin Quina 1-1, 2B, RBI. Matt Rickard 1-1, RBI.

The Aggies will head to Santa Rosa County Thursday as they look for win number 14 against Milton in a  7 p.m. district game.

Tate 11 — Pensacola 1 (JV)

In junior varsity play, the Tate Aggies beat the Pensacola High Tigers 11-1 Tuesday.

Tate 2 — West Florida 1 (Freshmen)

In freshman baseball action, the Tate Aggies defeated West Florida High School Tuesday, 2-1.

Northview 3 — Jay 2

The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals in extra innings Tuesday night, 3-2.  The Chiefs will travel to Central on Thursday, taking the field at 6:30.  The Royals will host Walton at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Northview 8 — Jay 8 (JV) — tie

The junior varsity game Tuesday between the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals ended in an 8-8 tie. The JV Chiefs will be on the road at Central at 4:00 Thursday. The JV Royals will next be in action Monday, April 2 as they host the Baker Gators.

Flomaton 7 — T.R. Miller 5

The Flomaton Hurricanes beat the T.R. Miller Tigers 7-5 Tuesday night.  Joseph Parker got the win for the Hurricanes and Darby Black took the loss for the Tigers.  Zack Watson closed the game and got the save.  Flomaton is on a 13 game winning streak and is now 14-3.  The Hurricanes next games are at Mobile Christian Friday, with the JV at  4:00 and varsity at 6:00.

For Flomaton: Andrew Cash 1-4 1B 1 run SB; Hunter Bonds 1-3 1B RBI 1 run SB; James Dean 1-3 1B 2 runs; Zack Watson 1-2 2 runs; Jacob Newton 1-3 2B RBI SB; Trey Weeks 1-3 2B 3RBI 1 run; Tyler Dove 1-4 RBI; Tyler Harris 1-2 2B SB; Joseph Parker SB. Pitching for Flomaton: Joseph Parker 3IP 2K 2ER 3 hits allowed; Hunter Bonds 2IP 2K 2ER 2 hits allowed ND Zack Watson 2IP 4K 1W S.

Escambia Academy 18 — Atmore Christian School 0
Escambia Academy defeated Atmore Christian School 18-0 Tuesday in Canoe. The two teams will meet again 6 p.m. at Escambia Academy. (Pictured top)

SOFTBALL

Jay 2 — Northview 0

The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 2-0 in varsity softball action Tuesday evening in Jay. The Lady Chiefs will be action again Thursday at 5 p.m. on the road at West Florida High School. The Lady Royals will travel to W.S. Neal Thursday at 6:00.

Northview 10 — Jay 2 (JV)

In junior varsity action, the Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Lady Royals 10-2 in Jay. The junior varsity Lady Chiefs will next play April 9 in Pensacola against Washington High. The JV Lady Royals will travel to W.S. Neal Thursday at 4:00.

Navarre 6 — Tate 5

In varsity softball play, Navarre got past the Tate Lady Aggies 6-5 Tuesday.

Pictured top: Escambia Academy beat Atmore Christian 18-0 Tuesday in Canoe. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Locals Place In Azalea Trail Run

March 25, 2012

Several North Escambia area runners took part in the Azalea Trail Run Saturday in Mobile, including two runners with top 20 finishes.

Hugh Long, age 75 of Atmore, finished second in his age division. Three other area residents, Michelle Peebles of McDavid, Jo Nolin of Flomaton and Charlene Cunningham of Century were top 10 finishers in their divisions.

Here are North Escambia area finishers in the Azalea Trail Run, listed by overall finish place followed by division place:

Azalea Trail Run 2012 10K

114 — 19, Bell Keith, 28 M, Atmore, 42:30
472 — 10, Rice Bert W, 63 M, Atmore, 50:44
791 — 80, Weber Jason, 36 M, Atmore, 54:57
968 — 10, Peacock Wayne, 67 M, Cantonment, 57:01
1205 — 71, Turner Shannon, 32 F, Flomaton, 59:39
1277 — 117, Clarke Adam, 40 M, Cantonment, 1:00:25
1483 — 100, Mosley Ashley, 36 F, Atmore, 1:02:33
1510 — 2, Long Hugh D, 75 M, Atmore, 1:02:53
1577 — 111, White Amy, 36 F, Flomaton, 1:03:33
1698 — 14, Peacock Sharon, 59 F, Cantonment, 1:05:04
1786 — 130, Bell Dawn, 38 F, Atmore, 1:06:29
1858 — 138, Godwin Jolynn, 36 F, Atmore, 1:07:23
1863 — 134, Godwin Gordon, 37 M, Atmore, 1:07:28
1882 — 142, Ragan Tonya, 39 F, Atmore, 1:07:50
1903 — 122, Hughes Ashley, 28 F, Atmore, 1:08:24
1933 — 143, Lassitter Amanda, 34 F, Atmore, 1:08:56

Azalea Trail Run 2012 5K

204 — 16 Yoder Glendon L, 30 M, Atmore, 27:50
227 — 43 King Adrian D, 12 M, Century, 28:19
258 — 16 King Gene L, 39 M, Century, 28:53
278 — 7 Peebles Michelle, 41 F, McDavid, 29:18
447 — 16 McGill Brian, 52 M, Atmore, 31:57
476 — 28 Smith Katie, 31 F, Atmore, 32:25
509 — 31 Johnson Heather, 34 F, Atmore, 32:45
666 — 33 Nall Natalie N, 43 F, Atmore, 34:37
669 — 49 Heaton Betty J, 32 F, Atmore, 34:38
963 — 68 King Judy L, 39 F, Century, 38:12
1176 — 7 Nolin Jo, 62 F, Flomaton, 41:10
1339 — 121 Steele Kellie, 32 F, Flomaton, 44:33
1545 — 97 Venker Cecilia, 23 F, Atlanta, 49:25
1588 — 100 McGhee Sydney W, 23 F, Atmore, 50:32
1589 — 101 Black Jessica M, 23 F, Atmore, 50:32
1682 — 9 Cunningham Charlene R, 69 F, Century, 54:16
1877 — 47 Heaton Jae, 6 F, Atmore, 1:58:13
1878 — 65 Heaton Mark, 33 M, Atmore, 1:58:13

Atmore Company Improves Monster Truck Performance

March 24, 2012

Bigfoot, a legend in the monster truck world, paid a visit to sponsor Alto Products in Atmore on Thursday.

Today, the in second part of our series, we are taking a closer look at the dozen-year relationship between the Atmore company and the monster truck industry. (For part one of this series, click here.)

According to Robbie Ferguson, vice present of the High Performance Division at Alto:

  • Bigfoot has been using Alto Red Eagle clutches for 12 years.
  • Bigfoot was the first monster truck to start using Alto Red Eagle clutches.
  • When the relationship began, Bigfoot was using a competitor’s clutch plates and they could not make it through one weekend of racing without burning up the clutch plates in their transmissions.
  • After Alto developed several new products specifically for Bigfoot, their Ford C6 transmissions started lasting six to eight weekends before needing attention.
  • After Ford dropped all of their sponsorships at the beginning of 2009, Bigfoot changed to GM 2-speed transmissions and with Alto Red Eagle clutch plates installed  their transmissions now last upwards of 6 months.
  • Alto now supplies their Red Eagle racing clutches to over a dozen monster truck teams including Gravedigger, Black Stallion and Big Dawg.
  • The Bigfoot trucks average about 1,500 horsepower and the “freestyle” portion of their shows are what cause the most damage to their trucks.
  • This is the second time that Bigfoot has visited Alto – they did an appearance at a company picnic in Century back in 2002.

Pictured top: Monster truck Bigfoot at Alto Products in Atmore. Pictured below: Alto Products COO Bill Bush is dwarfed by Bigfoot as he points to the Alto logo sponsorship sticker. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate Beats Hueytown In 10

March 23, 2012

The Tate Aggies beat Hueytown (Ala.) High School in the Acentria Aggie Classic Thursday night.

With the 2-1 win in 10 innings, the Aggies improved to 12-1 on the season.

The Tate Aggies will be in action again next Tuesday with a short road trip to Pensacola High School. Game time is 7:00.

True Giant: Bigfoot Visits Area; Driver Climbing The Ladder

March 23, 2012

Bigfoot — one of the true giants in the monster truck world — made a stop at sponsor Alto Products in Atmore Thursday afternoon.

Bigfoot #10  is a 4-wheel drive behemoth that achieves its superior power from Atmore-made Alto Products transmission clutch plates. It is a methanol-fueled fiberglass truck sitting on eight custom nitrogen charged shocks with 66-inch Firestone tires. Over 700 hours of computer design work went into Bigfoot #10.

COMING SATURDAY: Coming up Saturday morning on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll learn more about the role Atmore’s Alto Products plays in Team Bigfoot and the rest of the monster truck industry.

For a photo gallery, click here.

The truck’s driver is JR Adams, a 32-year old Madison, Indiana, resident and father of one. Adams (pictured left) arrived at the Bigfoot team in February of 2011 as a bit of an unknown variable. He had, for a short while, been a driver for the Paul Shafer Motorsports team out of Portage, Indiana. A handful of former PSM drivers have gravitated to the Bigfoot organization (including current star driver Larry Swim) to take a shot at working towards one of the most desirable positions in the monster truck industry: driving for Team Bigfoot.

This had become the case for Adams as well. His time spent away from the monster truck industry had only fueled his drive to get back on the road, and when he heard through the grapevine that Team BIGFOOT was in need of a new display truck driver for their Firestone Bigfoot #8 display program, Adams made a call to St. Louis.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking being the new guy at a place that’s as well respected as Bigfoot,” said Adams. “This place has a heck of a professional reputation, so you’re thinking to yourself  ‘Wow, I better bring my A-game’.”

Adams started off his career at Bigfoot assisting some of the team’s drivers at first-quarter indoor events, before transitioning to the role as the driver of the BIGFOOT #8 display truck, one of the team’s most vital positions.

As Bigfoot VP of Sponsorships & Business Development Bob Trent explained, “Our Firestone display program is the cornerstone of our business, and has been for some time. We depend on our display drivers as much as our race drivers to represent our team and our sponsors all across North America. It’s not a job to be taken lightly!”

Adams’ performance operating Bigfoot #8 continually met the team’s expectations, in addition to pleasing the scores of Firestone retailers that he and the truck visited throughout 2011. As the year began to draw down, a realignment in the team’s race driver roster set the stage for an early opening during the first quarter of 2012. Adams made sure he was in place to make the next great leap forward in his career, particularly as the normal route calls for two or three years of display and car crush experience first.

“When I found out that I might have the opportunity to step into one of the team’s race trucks already, I wanted to be sure I was ready. I finally got to do my first car crush performance (in Bigfoot #10) at a Firestone retailer in San Marcos, Texas, in November. It was a great time, and the truck felt amazing – and I knew I definitely wanted to get back into the driving seat.”

Now in the driver’s seat of Bigfoot #10, Adams is now climbing the driving ladder which typically consists of several months of exhibition car crushing and freestyle performances, a path that numerous championship Bigfoot drivers have traveled. Needless to say, Adams is excited about the opportunity.

“I feel like I’ve worked hard to get here, and it is incredibly exciting to have this opportunity in front of me,” Adams said. “I owe a huge thanks to everyone at Bigfoot for giving me a chance and helping me learn and grow and get to the point I’m at now. I’m enjoying every minute of this, but it’s still kind of hard for me to believe that I’m already here.”

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured:  Bigfoot #10 paid a visit to sponsor Alto Products in Atmore on Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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