Dobson Places In USA 10km Trail Championships
August 30, 2010
Matt Dobson of Jay placed in the 2010 USA 10K Trail Championships this past weekend in Laurel Springs, North Carolina, and he’s already looking forward to a host of upcoming races, including the Boston Marathon.
Saturday, Dobson, 40, finished 9th in the Masters runners division and 25th in the Open Men division with a time of 55:15.
“This race happened to be exceptionally difficult and the slower times proved it out,” said Dobson, who won a 10K in Pensacola with a time of 34 minutes. “This course could have been titled an adventures course or survival course! Huge rocks on the trail made it imposable to run across because they were at angles and they were slick. You had to grab the tops of rocks and use arm strength to pull you up, over, and/or across.”
He described the course as having up to a 25 percent grade — “mountainous hills”, he said.
“All in all, I enjoyed it as much as it hurt. It’s like I tell first time marathoners — do your first one to get experience, then go from there. This was my first true “trail” championship race. I learned much from the experience and will think twice about doing that course again. Not for the faint of heart,” the experienced runner said.
Dobson’s upcoming races include the Marine Corp Charity 5K in Pensacolaon September 18, the Cross Country Stampede 8K at the Equestrian Center in Pensacola September 25, the Disney World Wine and Dine Half Marathon on October 2, the Pensacola Marathon on November 14, the Disney Marathon in January and the 115th Boston Marathon in April, 2011.
Dobson finished the 2004 Boston Marathon 49th overall out of 20,000 runners and was the 16th fastest American.
Pictured top: Matt Dobson of Jay. Pictured bottom: A runner on the course at the USA 10K Trail Championships in Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Tops Miller In OT; Tate Falls To West Florida; Clarke Beats Escambia Academy
August 28, 2010
Friday night was the first regular season games for Escambia County High School and Escambia Academy in Alabama, and the Tate Aggies played a little preseason football in Florida.
Escambia County 35 T.R. Miller 34 (OT)
It was a nail-biter in Atmore Friday night as the Escambia County High School Blue Devils beat the T.R. Miller Tigers 35-34 in overtime.
The Blue Devils took the lead 7-0 in the first with a five-yard run from Rico Stallworth. But Miller answered with an Anthony Herbert touchdown to even it up at 7-7 in the first. Herber scored again, and with a missed point after, the Tigers held a 13-7 lead. The Blue Devils would strike again just before the half with Chris Smith in for six for one yard out. A good extra point, and the Blue Devils were up 14-13 heading into halftime.
Stallworth added another TD in the fourth. A good extra point, the Blue Devils were back on top 21-13. The Tigers picked up a two-yard touchdown and missed the two-point conversion to make the ECHS lead 21-19 . Smith was in again with about two minutes to go in the ballgame from a couple of yards out. After a missed extra point, ECHS was on top 27-19.
But it was not over, as the Tigers scored again and made a two point conversion to tie the game 27-27 with under a minute on the clock.
In overtime, T.R. Miller drove to the one and was in for six. The kick was good, and Miller was up 34-27. The Blue Devils took possession and drove to the one. On fourth down, Stallworth was in again for a one-yard touchdown. It was Stallworth again for the two-point conversion, and the Blue Devils took the win 35-34.
For the T.R. Miller Tigers, it was their first game without Coach Donnie Rotch on the field or in the stand. Rotch, who died in a traffic crash earlier this month in Brewton, was honored by his beloved Tigers with special helmet decal.
For Escambia County High School, Friday night was the regular season coaching debut for former Northview High School Coach Mark Heaton.
Escambia County will be on the road next Friday against B.C. Rain while the T.R. Miller Tigers will travel to Bayside Academy.
West Florida 21 Tate 20
The regular season in Florida does not start until next Friday night, but the West Florida Tech Jaguars and the Tate Aggies met in a Kickoff Classic Fiday night at Woodham Middle School. The Jaguars came out on top, 21-20.
Defense was not the name of the game for either team; both teams scored on every drive before the clock ran out. Antawn Carter scored for the Jags on 76-year, 10-play drive. Then it was Tate’s turn, with quarterback Nathaniel “Thumper” Grice with a 34-yard TD run. A missed two-pointer, and the Jags were up 7-6.
The Jags drover it in again, capped by a touchdown pass from Kyle Faxlanger to Jake Morris. 14-6. It was Tate’s turn to score again, with Lorenzo Long, a running back, with a 27-yard run. On West Florida’s next drive, Faxlanger tossed to Jake Morris for another TD. The Aggies answered after a 14-play drive ending with a three-yarder running back Josh Dees. Long got the two point conversion.
Last year, the Aggies won the matchup 35-0.
The Aggies will be at Washington High School next Friday night at 7:30 in a non-district game.
Clarke Prep Academy 51 Escambia Academy 30
It was a tough night on the road for the Escambia Academy Cougars as they lost to Clarke Prep Academy 51-30. It was the first regional game of the year for the Cougars (1-1, 0-1).
The Gators had just over 500 yards on the ground in their defeat of the Cougars, who were ranked ninth in the Alabama Independent School Association going into the game.
Escambia Academy will be at home in Canoe, Ala., next Friday night as they host Jackson.
Ernest Ward Football Season Begins Next Week
August 18, 2010
Football season begins next week for the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles — the only middle school football team in Escambia County, Fla.
The Eagles will travel for their first two games — to Excel on August 24 and Perdido on September 2. The first home game for EWMS will be September 7 against Excel
Here is the 2010 schedule for the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles:
- August 24 – Away – Excel
- September 2 — Away — Perdido
- September 7 — Home — Excel
- September 14 — OPEN
- September 21 — Away — Uriah
- September 28 — Away — Escambia Academy
- October 5 — Home — Uriah
- October 12 — OPEN
- October 19 — Home — Escambia Academy
All games begin at 6 p.m.
Cross Country: Runners From Four Schools Brave Summer Heat
August 17, 2010
Runners from several area schools have gathered twice weekly this summer to improve their cross country skills. Despite heat indexes well over 100 degrees many afternoons, members of the group have ran a twice-weekly 5K (that’s 3.1 miles) from Tom Byrne Park in Atmore.
The group was comprised of students from Northview High School, Escambia Academy, Escambia County High School and Ernest Ward Middle School. Northview Cross Country Coach Natalie Nall and retired T.R. Miller Coach Alan Ash assisted with the group’s conditioning.
Nall said that there is still time for Northview students to join the Chief’s Cross Country team.
Pictured: (back, L-R) Taylor Hubbard, Julia Thorpe, Aaron Rausch, Dillon Anderson, (front) Bethany Reynolds, Kristen Matthews, Natalie Nall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northwest Escambia Football Schedule Released
August 16, 2010
The 2010 Northwest Escambia football schedule has been released.
| September 4th | ||||||||
| At NW Escambia | ||||||||
| Mini-Mites | 11:00 | Milton Black | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| Mites | 12:30 | Milton Black | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| Midgets | 2:00 | Milton Black | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| September 11th | ||||||||
| At NW Escambia | ||||||||
| Mini-Mites | 11:00 | Navarre Black | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| Mites | 12:30 | Navarre Black | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| Midgets | 2:00 | Navarre Black | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| September 18th | ||||||||
| At NW Escambia | ||||||||
| Mini-Mites | 11:00 | Ensley Blue | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| Mites | 12:30 | Ensley Blue | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| Midgets | 2:00 | Ensley Blue | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| September 25th | ||||||||
| At Pace | ||||||||
| Mighty-Mites | 8:00 | East Milton | vs. | Pace | ||||
| Mini-Mites | 9:30 | NW Escambia | vs. | Pace Blue | ||||
| Mini-Mites | 11:00 | East Milton | vs. | Pace Red | ||||
| Mites | 12:30 | NW Escambia | vs. | Pace Blue | ||||
| Mites | 2:00 | East Milton | vs. | Pace Red | ||||
| Midgets | 3:30 | NW Escambia | vs. | Pace Blue | ||||
| Midgets | 5:00 | East Milton | vs. | Pace Red | ||||
| Juniors | 6:30 | East Milton | vs. | Pace | ||||
| October 2nd | ||||||||
| At NW Escambia | ||||||||
| Mini-Mites | 11:00 | Brewton | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| Mites | 12:30 | Brewton | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| Midgets | 2:00 | Brewton | vs. | NW Escambia | ||||
| October 9th | OFF | |||||||
| October 16th | ||||||||
| At Jay | ||||||||
| Mini-Mites | 11:00 | NW Escambia | vs. | Jay | ||||
| Mites | 12:30 | NW Escambia | vs. | Jay | ||||
| Midgets | 2:00 | NW Escambia | vs. | Jay | ||||
| October 23rd | ||||||||
| At Navarre | ||||||||
| Mini-Mites | 11:00 | NW Escambia | vs. | Navarre Maroon | ||||
| Mites | 12:30 | NW Escambia | vs. | Navarre Maroon | ||||
| Midgets | 2:00 | NW Escambia | vs. | Navarre Maroon | ||||
| October 30th | ||||||||
| At Brent | ||||||||
| Mighty-Mites | 8:00 | Cantonment | vs. | Brent | ||||
| Mini-Mites | 9:30 | NW Escambia | vs. | Brent White | ||||
| Mini-Mites | 11:00 | Cantonment | vs. | Brent Blue | ||||
| Mites | 12:30 | NW Escambia | vs. | Brent White | ||||
| Mites | 2:00 | Cantonment | vs. | Brent Blue | ||||
| Midgets | 3:30 | NW Escambia | vs. | Brent White | ||||
| Midgets | 5:00 | Cantonment | vs. | Brent Blue | ||||
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century’s Showalter 9-3 For The Orioles
August 15, 2010
Century’s Buck Showalter’s record as manager of the Baltimore Orioles fell to 9-3 Saturday as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the O’s 7-3.
Showalter is 3-2 on his first road trip. If the Orioles win Sunday in Tamp Bay, the Orioles will head back to Baltimore with their first winning road trip since August, 2008. It would also be their first fourth-consecutive series win since August, 2004.
Showalter’s father was a high school coach and principal, moving to Century in the late 1950’s. He played Little League ball in Century in a thriving program. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after his family.
Imagescourtesy MLB.com
Fall Football Pratice Begins (With Photo Gallery; NHS, Tate, Jay Schedules)
August 10, 2010
The prep football season got underway Monday in North Escambia, with teams hitting the practice field.
(Schedules are included below for Northview, Tate and Jay high schools.)
The Northview Chiefs finished last season at 7-3 under first-year Head Coach Sid Wheatley, one spot away from a playoff berth and a huge turnaround from the previous year’s 2-8 record. Wheatley said he had playoff plans for the Chiefs’ 2010 season.
Monday morning’s first practice of the fall season focused on the fundamentals and dealing with the heat. The Chiefs will continue morning practices through Wednesday with no pads. The full pads will be on as the Chief’s move to afternoon practices on Thursday.
For a photo gallery from the Chiefs’ Monday morning practice, click here.
The Northview Chiefs open their regular season on the road September 3 against Graceville. Here is the complete schedule for the 2010 Northview Chiefs:
- September 3 Graceville — Away
- September 10 South Walton – Away
- September 24 Bozeman — Home
- October 1 Baker — Away
- October 8 Bonifay — Homecoming
- October 15 Freeport — Away
- October 22 Jay — Home
- October 29 Sneads — Away
- November 5 Vernon — Home
- November 12 — West Florida Tech — Home
The Tate Aggies will begin their season on August 27 in Pensacola against West Florida at 6:30. The first regular season game will be away against Washington on September 2. The Aggies will play their first home game on September 17. Here is the complete Tate Aggies schedule:
- August 27 Kick-Off Classic Vs. West Florida — Away
- September 2 Washington Away
- September 10 Pensacola High – Away
- September 17 Crestview – Home
- September 24 Pace — Away
- October 1 Catholic — Away
- October 8 Pine Forest — Away
- October 15 Brother Martin — Homecoming
- October 22 Milton — Home
- October 29 Escambia — Away
- November 5 Navarre — Home
The Jay Royals will open their season at home against Holmes County. Here is the complete Jay High School football schedule:
- September 10 Holmes County — Home
- September 17 Freeport — Away
- September 24 Flomaton — Home
- October 1 Sneads — Home
- October 8 Vernon — Away
- October 15 South Walton — Homecoming
- October 22 Northview — Away
- October 29 Bozeman — Away
- November 5 Baker — Home
- November 12 Wewahitchka — Away
Pictured top: Northview High Head Coach Sid Wheatley (top center of photo) watches the first practice of the season Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heath Burkett Inks Baseball Scholarship
August 6, 2010
Nothview High School’s Heath Burkett signed a scholarship Thursday afternoon to pitch for Emmanuel College near Atlanta.
Burkett said he chose the Lions over Tennessee Temple University, Greensboro College in North Carolina and Brewton Parker in southeast Georgia. The Emmanuel Lions are in the NAIA and the Southern States Athletic Conference.
During his senior year on the mound for the Chiefs, Burkett had a 2.35 ERA and was 5-1.
Pictured top: Heath Burkett (center) signs a baseball scholarship with Emmanuel College Thursday afternoon as his father, Rodney Burkett (right) and Northview Coach Sid Wheatley (left) looks on. Pictured inset: Burkett on the mound during his senior season with the Northview Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Making Plans To Dedicate Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex
August 5, 2010
The Town of Century is working on plans to dedicate the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex this fall.
Mayor Freddie McCall said he is currently trying to obtain the lighting for the park from the Kayo Stanton Stadium at the former Century High School. Otherwise, the park is mostly complete. Dedication organizers will work toward having Pleasant at the dedication.
The 22 acre park was named after Century native Anthony Pleasant (pictured), a former pro football player selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks and two interceptions and a defensive end.
Pleasant is currently the defensive line coach for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Pictured top: Action between the Century Blackcats and the Flomaton Hurricanes last fall at the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century’s Showalter Wins Debut With The Orioles
August 4, 2010
Century’s Buck Showalter won his managerial debut with the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday night, 6-3 over the Los Angeles Angels.
The Orioles were fresh off a 1-6 road trip, with Showalter welcomed with hearty applause during the pregame introductions in front of 16,723 at Camden Yards. The Orioles made few mistakes and executed well for the win. With the win, Showalter is 3-1 in managerial debuts. He has two Manager of the Year titles.
“Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles and we are thrilled to add a two-time Manager of the Year to our organization,” president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. “We believe Buck’s extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future.”
Showalter’s contract with the O’s is through 2013. Overall, he is 882-833 during an 11 season career.
The Orioles fired Dave Trebley as their manager after he went 15-39 .
Showalter, who now lives in Dallas, previously had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. There was no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
He moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
Showalter’s father was a high school coach and principal, moving to Century in the late 1950’s. He played Little League ball in Century in a thriving program. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after his family.
Images courtesy MLB.com