NWE All-Stars Thank Community For Support (Updated)
August 7, 2009
Members of the 11-12 year old Northwest Escambia All-Stars and their manager thanked the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Thursday night for a donation that helped them travel to Coconut Creek near Fort Lauderdale for the 11-12 Year Old State Softball Tournament late last month.
Mallory Ryan (left), Manager Jerry Mason and Cheyanne Schoonover spoke to the Ruritan Club Thursday night, also offering their thanks to the many other businesses and community members that that supported the team.
The NWE All-Stars fell short of a state championship, dropping games to Mims from Cape Canaveral and South Tampa.
The following was submitted by the NWE All-Stars:
The NWE 11-12 year old girls’ softball team and coaches would like to thank the following for their support in sending our girls to the state playoffs in Coconut, Florida on July 24th:
Jeff Hester, Southern Plumbing, First Assembly of God, Buy-Rite, Jackie Helton, Atmore Animal Clinic, Midtown Auto Parts, Jerry’s Hardware, Buster’s, Millers Antiques, NAPA-Atmore Auto Parts, Gerry McGhee, Mayor Howard Shell, Escambia Lawn and Rental, Dale Ash, Modern Woodmen of America, Losson White, Ernie Hester, Escambia Grain, Walnut Hill Ruritan, State Line Pawn Shop, Creek Indians, Mike Stacey, Edward Jones, Linda Bailey, Brantley’s, R.J. Stuckey, Jr. Inc., Gilmore Services, Allen Walston, Petty Funeral Home, Pepsi, Winn Dixie, Piggly Wiggly, and Southern Family Markets.
From the 11-12 year old Northwest Escambia All-Star girls’ softball team, we say THANK YOU, without you this trip would not have been possible.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Print A Copy: NHS Football Schedule
August 4, 2009
In just over two months, the Northview High School Chiefs will take to the football field for their Kick-off classic.
It will be a year of change for the Chiefs. They will be under the leadership of Interim Head Coach Sid Wheatley following the resignation of Head Coach Cody Keene. The Chiefs will also be in a new district taking on several different opponents this year.
Northview dropped to Class 2A District 1 into a district with with Jay, Baker, Vernon, Sneeds, Freeport, Holmes County, South Walton and Bozeman.
This year’s Northview High School varsity football schedule is below.
Click the graphic to download a printable pdf.
Pelicans Flirt With First
August 3, 2009
The Pelicans cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Fort Worth Cats on Sunday, momentarily tying them for first place in the division with Shreveport-Bossier. Randy Beam was fantastic through eight innings, and Ron Hill struck out two in a perfect ninth inning. Dallas Christison had two RBI-singles, two runs scored, and a stolen base as the Pelicans earned a 2-1 series win over the Cats.
The Pelicans prowess began in the bottom of the third with an Adam Darby double. After a ground out, Dallas Christison drove Darby in to score. Christison scored as well on a groundball to the shortstop by Francisco Leandro to give Pensacola a 2-0 advantage.
The Cats cut into the Pelicans’ lead with an Isa Garcia homer to start the fifth. That run would be the only one of the game for the Cats, as Randy Beam handled the Cats for eight innings, yielding just four hits, a walk, and striking out four in his seventh victory of the year.
Pensacola supported their starter the whole game, adding two more runs in the bottom of the fifth frame. Adam Darby led off with a walk and moved to second on an Adam Deleo sacrifice bunt. Dallas Christison hit his second RBI-single of the evening to drive in Darby, and then stole second base. Leandro drove in Dallas to put the Pels up 4-1 after five.
The Pelicans added another pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth when Leandro hit his second single of the night. He scored when Chase Burch followed with a double, and Burch scored on an Antoin Gray base hit to give the Pelicans their sixth and final run.
Ron Hill pitched the ninth and struck out John Allen, induced Michael Bell to fly out to centerfield, and struck out Ryan Patterson to seal the victory.
With the Captains losing the first game in a double-header against Lincoln, Pensacola was tied with the Captains for the division lead at the time of this publication.
Pensacola travels overnight to Grand Prairie to take on the Air Hogs for four games before returning to Pensacola. Fans can follow all the action tomorrow at 6:50 p.m. by tuning to NewsRadio 1620 or going online at SportsJuice.com.
Former North Escambia Resident Considered For All-Time Navy-Marine Football Team
August 1, 2009
A former North Escambia resident is in the running to be on the All-Stadium Team to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium.
John Skaggs, a 2000 graduate of Tate High School, is one of the finalists to be on the specials teams of the All-Time Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Team.
The Naval Academy is planning a season-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, including honoring the 1959 Navy team that defeated William & Mary in the first game played at the stadium. Additionally, an all-time Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium team will be selected with fans having an opportunity to nominate and vote for their favorite Navy players who have played at the stadium.
The all-time team will be revealed at halftime throughout the 2009 season.
Skaggs punted for Navy from 2001-2003. He is the Navy’s all-time punting leader for a single-season and a career. He broke Bill Busik’s 60-year old single-season record in 2001 when he averaged 44.8 yards per punt, while his 43.1 yards per game career average is also a school record. In 2001, Skaggs had 48 punts for 2,151 yards.
“It would be an honor to be recognized on the All-Stadium team,” Skaggs told NorthEscambia.com Friday afternoon.
To vote for the specialists on the All-Time Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Team, click here. Voting ends Sunday.
Skaggs and his wife Emily (Fillingim) Skaggs now reside in Panama City. They both have numerous relatives in the North Escambia area.
Both North Escambia Teams Fall Short Of State Softball Championships
July 27, 2009
Both North Escambia teams playing in state softball tournament games fell short this weekend.
Both Tri-County and Northwest Escambia remained alive in their respective tournaments after Saturday play, but both suffered losses in Sunday semifinals.
Tri-County All Stars
The 10-11 year old Tri-County All-Stars won their first game in the state tournament Saturday morning near Orlando, but fell short in their second game in the afternoon.
Tri-County beat Mt. Dora 10-2 in a Saturday morning game. Saturday afternoon, Tri-County lost 9-4 to South Tampa.
Sunday morning, Tri-County lost a semifinal game to Land-o_Lakes, 10-0.
The tournament was in Windermere, Florida, just outside Orlando.
Northwest Escambia All Stars
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars have dropped two in the 11-12 Year Old State Tournament in Coconut Creek, Fla., just north of Fort Lauderdale.
NWE lost their first weekend game to Mims from Cape Canaveral 12-3 in six innings. Saturday morning, NWE lost to Windermere 10-3.
Northwest Escambia lost 8-0 to South Tampa on Sunday, ending their state championship hopes.
Pictured above: The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars. Pictured below: The 10-11 Year Old Tri-County All-Stars. File photos, click to enlarge.
Mixed Day For Two Local Softball Teams In State Tournaments
July 26, 2009
Saturday was a mixed day for two local teams competing for state softball championships. Both Tri-County and Northwest Escambia remained alive in their respective tournaments after Saturday play, but both has losses.
Going into Sunday games, Tri-County is 1-1 in state tournament play, and Northwest Escambia is 0-2.
Tri-County All Stars
The 10-11 year old Tri-County All-Stars won their first game in the state tournament Saturday morning near Orlando, but fell short in their second game in the afternoon.
Tri-County beat Mt. Dora 10-2 in a Saturday morning game. Saturday afternoon, Tri-County lost to South Tampa 9-4.
They will play Sunday in a semifinal game as second seed in their pool. Tri-County will take on Land-o-Lakes at 10 (EDT) Sunday morning.
The tournament is in Windermere, Florida, just outside Orlando.
Northwest Escambia All Stars
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars have dropped two in the 11-12 Year Old State Tournament in Coconut Creek, Fla., just north of Fort Lauderdale.
NWE lost their first weekend game to Mims from Cape Canaveral 12-3 in six innings. Saturday morning, NWE lost to Windermere 10-3.
Northwest Escambia will take the field again Sunday against South Tampa.
Pictured above: The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars. Pictured below: The 10-11 Year Old Tri-County All-Stars. File photos, click to enlarge.
School District To Insure Student Athletes For Free
July 22, 2009
All Escambia County student athletes will have free accident insurance complements of the school district during the upcoming school year.
The bill for $55,820 blanket insurance policy will be paid out of the Escambia County School Districts $9 million reserve fund. The board voted 3-2 Tuesday night to provide the insurance, with Patty Hightower and Gerald Boone voting against the plan. Boone and Hightower instead supported a plan requiring all student athletes to purchase a policy from the school system at $12 per high school student and $6 for each in middle school.
The new insurance plan will be at no cost to student athletes in any sport regardless of their current insurance status. If a child is already insured, the school district policy will serve as secondary coverage, covering additional expenses like co-pays on the primary policy.
During the last school year, if a student provided proof of at least $25,000 in insurance, they were not required to purchase a district policy. If they opted for the district policy, it last year’s cost was $54 for football players, $20 for soccer players and $9.50 for other sports.
The district current has about 5,500 total student athletes.
Pcola Pelicans Enter All-Star Break With 8-6 Win
July 20, 2009
The Pelicans’ spirits were soaring after sweeping the Saints on Sunday. Kyle Middleton earned his fifth win, Hunter Davis took his fourteenth save, and Adam Darby went deep in an 8-6 victory at Pelican Park.
The Saints took an early lead by scoring Jason Cooper in the first inning. After reaching on a fielder’s choice, Cooper moved to second when Brent Krause was hit by a pitch. Josh Alley took advantage of the situation by scoring Cooper with a base hit.
St. Paul added to their total with a big third inning. Cooper reached first again, though on an error by the first baseman that allowed him to take second as well. Krause walked and Alley followed with his second RBI-single that scored Cooper. Andrew Schmiesing scored Krause with a single, and Scott Knazek put down a suicide squeeze that brought Alley home to put the Saints’ lead at four.
The Pelicans lessened the lead with a run in the bottom of the third. Adam Darby hit a single in his first at-bat, moved to second when Antoin Gray walked, and touched third when Francisco Leandro reached on a force-out to second. Marcos Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice fly to left that brought Leandro in for the Pelicans’ first run.
Pensacola went on a tear in the fourth inning when Lou Palmisano led off the bottom frame with a base knock. Rafael Alvarez walked and both runners moved up a base after Adam Deleo put down a sacrifice bunt. Dallas Christison scored Palmisano with a base hit, and Adam Darby brought the remaining runners in with a three-run bomb to right. Darby hit his second home run in as many days to bring his season total to three and the Pelicans took a 5-4 lead.
The Saints pulled even again when Brent Krause scored on a Jake Butler sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth, but the Pelicans went up by two in the bottom of the inning. Palmisano again led off with a hit, this time a double. Rafael Alvarez thanked him with a base hit to bring Palmisano back to the dugout. After Deleo singled, Dallas Christison reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Alvarez and the Pelicans took a two-run lead.
The Pels added insurance in the eighth, as Francisco Leandro tapped the third single of his birthday. Leandro promptly stole second, and Rodriguez provided the icing on the cake with a single to bring him in.
Cooper tried to close the gap with a triple to begin the ninth inning, but after he scored on a groundout by Krause, the Saints’ scoring was over and so was the game: the Pelicans won 8-6 to sweep the Saints heading into the All-Star break.
Kyle Middleton picked up his fifth win in the Pelicans’ third straight, pitching seven innings. He gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks. Middleton struck out five to improve his league-leading total to 83. Aaron Jackson pitched a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and notching a strikeout to setup Hunter Davis’ fourteenth save of the year. Davis picked up the save while allowing an earned run on a hit with a walk.
The Pelican bats were alive and well in a game that saw Adam Darby go yard, and both Rodriguez and Palmisano hit a double. Darby finished the evening 2-4 with two runs scored and three RBI; Rodriguez went 2-4 as well. Palmisano joined Francisco Leandro in going 3-4, as Leandro swiped a base.
Most of the Pelicans will take an All-Star break, while Davis, Middleton, Burch and Gray will represent the South Division in the All-Star game to be played July 21 in Grand Prairie, TX. Antoin Gray will be the starting second baseman, and both he and Chase Burch will partake in the Home Run Derby before the game. NewsRadio 1620 will carry the game that’s slated for 7:35 p.m. Central Time.
The Pelicans return to action July 23 as they take on the Explorers in Sioux City. The 7:05 p.m. game can be heard on Pelicans flagship station NewsRadio 1620, or online via SportsJuice.com.
The Pelicans will conclude their seven-game road trip by returning home on July 31 to host the Fort Worth Cats. The Woodstock Weekend will be filled with grooviness for all, and all are assured a far-out time. Tie-dying and music from the era will cap off the themed home stand. Tickets are on sale now at Pensacola-area Circle K locations, or online at www.pensacolapelicans.com. Phone orders may be placed by calling (850) 934-8444.
Northwest Escambia All-Stars Headed To State After Sectional Win
July 19, 2009
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars are headed to the state tournament after winning the 11-12 Year Old Major League All-Star Sectional Tournament championship Saturday in Destin.
NWE beat Chairs-Capitola 3-2 in the first game of the tourney. Mallory Ryan pitched six, striking out two and giving up just two walks. Reagan Bell scored one for Northwest Escambia, and Madison Arrington added a couple.
Arrington had an impressive in-park home run for NWE.
NWE took game two of the series for the championship, 10-0.
Mallory Ryan pitched three innings for Northwest Escambia, striking out four and giving up no walks. Courtney Peebles finished the game on the mound for NWE.
Arrington, Darby Randolph, Addy Lee and Ryan scored one each for Northwest Escambia. Courtney Peebles and Kyndall Hall picked up two each for NWE.
Northwest Escambia will travel about 650 miles to the state championship tournament in Coconut Creek, Fla., which is just north of Fort Lauderdale. Brackets for the eight-team tournament are not complete.
The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars with their championship banner Saturday afternoon in Destin. Pictured middle: (L-R)Danielle Steadham, Addy Lee, Kyndall Hall, Kendal Cobb, Courtney Peebles, Darby Randolph, Reagan Bell, Cheyanne Schoonover. Pictured front: Mallory Ryan and Madison Arrington. Pictured back row: Manager Jerry Mason and Coach David Arrington. Pictured below: Mason and Arrington accept the team’s championship plaque. Submitted photos by Kim Ryan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sid Wheatley To Be Northview’s Head Football Coach
July 17, 2009
Sid Wheatley is the new interim head football coach at Northview High School.
Wheatley will fill the position left open when Cody Keene announced earlier this week that he was resigning to take a head coaching job at Hooper Academy in Montgomery. He has served as Keene’s assistant coach since the 2005 season, most recently coaching the offensive line and defensive backs last season.
Wheatley has served as Northview’s baseball team since 2005, and he also teaches history at the school. Wheatley attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a Bachelor’s degree in coaching and sports administration.
This is not the first time Wheatley has served as a head football coach — he led Loyd Star High School in Brookhaven, Miss. from 2002 to 2003. He’s also served as an assistant football coach at various other schools in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.