NHS Quarterback Club Elects Officers
April 30, 2009
The Northview High School Quarterback Club has elected officers for the next school year. They are:
- Joey McCall, president,
- David Bell, vice president
- Edie Jackson, treasurer
- Lisa Albritton, secretary
- Randy Albritton, public relations.
Eddie Jackson, Roy White, Jr., David Arrington, Mark Digmon, and Toney Simpson were elected as board members.
Also, the following committees were established, and they are listed with their respective chairperson and mission:
- Spirit Committee — Ramona Bell (Implement ideas that build school, team, and fan spirit)
- Fundraising Committee — Rebecca Presnall (Propose and organize fundraising ideas)
- Concession Coordination — Carla Randolph (Work with Concession Manager and develop schedules)
- Hospitality Committee — Deborah Arrington (Oraganize pre and post game meals, organize banquet and referee hospitality)
- Game Support Committee — Toney Simpson (Chain gang, Press Box crew, Statistics, and field prep assistance)
- Audio-Visual Committee — Randy Albritton (Sound system, game films, end of season video and highlights)
The following was submitted by Randy Albritton on behalf of the Quarterback Club:
One of our goals is to increase participation in the Quarterback Club. Twenty members attended this past meeting, and as you can see from the committees established above, there is plenty of help needed and required. Our main goal is to attempt to provide every student and athlete at Northview now and in the future, with a positive, memorable high-school experience through our sports programs.
We do that by working diligently and faithfully in the committees listed above. I believe that every parent shares this goal with the Northview Quarterback Club. So we encourage you to talk with members about the exciting things coming up for the next school year and please attend our next meeting on Tuesday, May 19th, at 7 p.m., at the gymnasium. During the summer, we will meet the first Tuesday of every month.
Don’t forget the Garnet and Gold intrasquad game will be Friday, May 22nd, at 7 p.m. There will be a hot dog supper for $6 available for all attendees. Come out and cheer for the Chiefs!!!
Chiefs Advance In District Play With 12-8 Win Over South Walton
April 29, 2009
The Northview Chiefs defeated the South Walton Seahawks Tuesday night 12-8 in the District 1-3A Baseball Tournament.
The Chiefs improved their record to 14-9 overall. They will play Thursday at 7 p.m. in Defuniak Spring for the district championship.
Northview scored four in the first inning, one in the third, two in the fifth, and five in the sixth.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs included Scooter Hamilton going 2 for 4 with a double, and scoring two runs. Austin Lowery was 2 for 4 with three RBIs, and three runs scored.
Brad Lowery was 2 for 4, with a double and one RBI. Dabney Langhorne was 2 for 2 with 4 RBIs. Heath Burkett was 1 for 3 with a double. Patrick McPherson was 1 for 4 with two runs scored. Brad Foster was 1 for 3 with a run scored. Dakota Stuckey was 1 for 2 with a double, three runs scored and one RBI.
Brad Lowery picked up the win on the mound for the Chiefs. He worked six innings, gave up six runs, on six hits. Lowery walked four, and struck out 10. He improved his record on the year to 7-2. Heath Burkett pitched the 7th inning for Northview.
Pictured above: The Northview Chiefs. Submitted photo by Becky Lowery for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Fall In Tourney Play
April 29, 2009
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost Tuesday night in the Region 1-3A Quarterfinals.
The Lady Chiefs lost on the road to Bonifay-Holmes County by the score of 10-0 in six innings. The Blue Devils allowed just four Northview hits.
The Northview Lady Chiefs finished their season at 11-12.
The majority of player this year for Northview’s softball team were sophomores: Kara Hardin, Emily Vickrey, Ashley Digmon, Shawna Montgomery, Miranda Burkett, Sarah Killam and Hayley Simpson. Juniors playing for the Lady Chiefs were: Aimee Clarke, Amber McMillan, Candice Greenwell and Kolbi Cobb. The team had just one senior this year, Briana Halteman. The Lady Chiefs were coached by Stephanie Elowsky and Sammy Day.
FHSAA Board Cuts Number Of High School Games Allowed
April 28, 2009
Most varsity sports in Florida will see a 20 percent reduction in games next year, and junior varsity games will be cut by 40 percent.
Varsity football was the one sport spared by cuts announced Monday by the Florida Highs School Athletic Association, with the schedule the next two years remaining at 10 games per year.
Baseball, basketball, softball and volley ball will be cut from 25 games to 20 allowed per year. At the JV level, those sports will be cut from 25 maximum games per year to just 15. Junior varsity football teams will be allowed to play six games rather than eight, while varsity football teams will remain at 10 games per year.
The maximum number of games in other sports, such as track and field, golf and cross country, were also cut.
The FHSAA says the reductions will be in effect for two years, and the organization intends to restore full athletic schedules after that period.
The Policy was designed to help reduce costs of operating high school athletic departments in these strained economic times. One of the goals was to reduce the number of contests in all sports so that districts would not be faced with total elimination of some sports all together, according to a FHSAA press release.
“We recognize that we have nothing to compare this to. These are unprecedented times. People are losing their jobs as schools are cutting millions and millions of dollars from their budgets. Our job is to look out for all the schools,” said FHSAA Board President Greg Zornes.
The changes were approved by the FHSAA Board by a 9-6 vote. The only representative from the Panhandle on the FHSAA Board, Gulf County School Superintedent Tim Wilder, voted in favor of the reduction.
The chart below shows the changes per sport.
Ernest Ward Middle Holds Annual Sports Banquet
April 25, 2009
The Third Annual Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Banquet was held Friday night.
Students were honored for their participation in football, cheerleading, volleyball, track, basketball and swimming.
Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry recognized EWMS Sports Booster President Charles Williams for his dedication to the sports programs at Ernest Ward (pictured below).
Students recognized included:
Boy’s Swim Team
- Sidney Amerson
- Robert Andreoli
- Devin Bell
- Mason Coleman
- Eathan Coon
- Justin Halteman
- Dakota Joiner
- Jarrett Parker
- Blake Presley
- Layne Purvis
- Brian Sanders
- Daulton Tullis
- Kelby Killam
- William Andreoli
- Alex Edmonson
- Dustin Parker
Girl’s Swim Team
- Cheyanne Schoonover
- Ariel Holland
- Sarah Holland
- Ashley Joiner
- Ashley Mooney
- Danielle Steadham
- Mason Solchenberger
- Lily Townson
- Jessica Warner
- Ashton Gibbs
- Chloe Leonard
- Jessica Lowery
- Anna Donald
- Hailey McQuaid
- McKenzie Nassar
- Reagan Bell
- Kristen Byrd
- Courtney Peebles
- Katelynne Calloway
- Mariah Albritton
- Penny Banda
- Ally Edwards
- Hannah Gibson
- Karmen Watson
- Courtney Lewis
- Kayla Nahkala
- Lauryn Walker
- Morgan Ward
Girl’s Track Team
- Autumn Ates
- Taylor Brook
- Kristen Byrd
- Lana Clayton
- Hope Coggins
- Georgia Goetter
- Andrea Miles
- Angel Mitchell
- Danielle Steadham
- Danielle Suggs
- Lily Townson
- Karmen Watson
- Courtney Lambert
- Taylor Roberson
- Savannah Vanderpol
Boy’s Track Team
- Jaylen Parker
- Lamikeal Banks
- Dillian Crutchfield
- Jonathan Moretz
- Trey Johnson
- Everette Garvey
- Daulton Daniel
- Elijah Harbison
- Robert Andreoli
- Reid Bell
- Josh Inghram
- Logan Lee
- Jacob Hendrix
Competition Cheerleaders
- Ariel Holland
- Angel Mitchell
- Cheyenne Godwin
- Ashley Mooney
- Jessica Lowery
- Ali Martin
- Paeton Hadley
- Raven Weaver
- Lana Clayton
- Katelynn Calloway
- Madison Arrington
- Mariah Albritton
- Morgan Ward
- Hannah Gibson
- Reagan Bell
Volleyball
- Madison Arrington
- Raven Weaver
- Lily Townson
- Mallory Wiggins
- Mallory Ryan
- Emily Fretwell
- Ariel Holland
- Kyndall Hall
- Julia Thorpe
- Darby Randolph
- Danielle Steadham
- Morgan Payne
- Rebecca Grim
Boy’s Basketball
- Hunter Rigby
- Kevin Vaughn
- Brandon Freeman
- Trenton Howard
- Aaron McDonald
- Lamikeal Banks
- Dalton Tullis
- ShaneBushaw
- Jaylen Parker
- William Andreoli
- Trey Johnson
- Reid Bell
- Justin Halterman
- La’derious Franklin
- DaMichael Fountain
- Blake McCall
2008-09 Boy’s Basketball MVP: DaMichael Fountain
Girl’s Basketball Team
- Dezaraa Turner
- Julia Thorpe
- Morgan Payne
- Jazzlyn Franklin
- Angel Lathan
- Mariah Albritton
- Rebekah Miles
- Samantha Sharpless
- Danielle Steadham
- Mallory Ryan
- Kaitlyn Gunn
- Darby Randolph
- Teamber Moorer
- Kasie Braun
2008-09 Girls Basketball Co-MVP: Jazzlyn Franklin and Danielle Steadham
Cheerleading Special Recognition Awards
- Most Outstanding Performer: Katelynn Calloway
- Most Improved: Paeton Hadley
- Best All-Around: Ariel Holland
- Best All-Around: Angel Mitchell
Volleyball Special Recognition Awards
- Team Spirit: Madison Arrington
- Best Serve: Morgan Payne
- Most Points Scored: Lily Townsend
- Most Improved: Danielle Steadham
- Best All Around/MVP: Raven Weaver
Student names and sports were provided by the coaches.
Pictured top: Morgan Ward (left) videos winners at Friday night’s Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Banquet, including Angel Mitchell (right). Pictured below: Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry recognizes volunteer Charles Williams for his dedication to every Golden Eagles sports team. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Fall In District Tourney
April 24, 2009
The Northview Lady Chiefs came up short in the District 1-3A Softball Tournament Thursday night.
The Lady Chiefs fell to South Walton, 4-1.
Hitters in last night’s game were Candice Greenwell, Shawna Montgomery and Kolby Cobb.
Northview will play Holmes County on Tuesday The Lady Chiefs record stands at 11-11 for the season.
Northview won their first game in the district tournament Tuesday. For a photo gallery from that game, click here.
Northview, Jay, Other Schools Consider New Independent Sports League
April 23, 2009
NorthEscambia.com Exclusive
Northview and Jay high schools are among about 20 high schools in the Florida Panhandle that have met to discuss forming a new independent athletic league outside of the Florida High School Athletic Association, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
“We all just want to see our teams have a level playing field,” Northview Principal Gayle Weaver told NorthEscambia.com.
The problem lies with smaller schools in the FHSAA that are forced to compete at the playoff level with private schools and academies. Those private schools are able to recruit the best players with scholarships and other incentives, making the chances of a small public school winning a state playoff unlikely.
“Sometimes out students say we are playing for second best,” Weaver said, “because they know that they could never win state.”
In addition, the current FHSAA brackets had the Chiefs on the road for over 1,200 miles last football season. The team’s game in Blountstown was a nearly 350 mile round trip.
“It is a hardship during the regular season for families to follow our teams,” Weaver said. “And it takes away from our community because there are no local rivalries.”
The smaller independent league would mean more games closer to home for most member schools.
In addition, schools like Northview and Jay lose financially when hosting an event like a football game where the opponent is from a long distance away. A long distance for the visiting teams equates to poor attendance, and poor attendance equals money lost.
There are about 20 small rural high schools from Northview to Sneeds that are considering the formation of the independent athletic league and the separation from the FHSAA. They range in size from Monroe High School with 106 students to Walton with 699 students. Northview has 554; Jay has 200. Baker, at 435 students, is the only other Escambia or Santa Rosa County school currently in talks about the new league.
Weaver said that it would be hard for a school like Northview to get past the quarter finals in a state competition when paired against private academies that recruit so heavily that they are considered “feeder schools” for college teams.
“It is disheartening to see our kids unable to complete on that level playing field,” she said. “We want what is fair for our students. We don’t want them to be beat by teams that are almost like semi-pros.”
An official from the Florida High School Athletic Association was at Wednesday’s meeting, Weaver said. That official promised the group that the FHSAA would form a committee to address the small schools’ concerns, and that committee would also take a look at how small schools fit into the statewide athletic associations in nearby states.
The small schools, including Northview and Jay, will meet again soon to discuss the formation of the independent athletic association.
Weaver said the independent league is not likely to be formed before August, so Northview, Jay and the other schools will likely play under the FHSAA one more year.
“After that, we’ll just see what happens,” she said.
“The schools would still be members of the FHSAA. The membership carries a lot of resources, but it also would require the schools to follow the FHSAA rules. The FHSAA Handbook is published each year, and the handbook explains things such as eligibility, sports seasons, rules for officials,” Weaver said.
Schools that are considering the independent league are (along with the student population of some schools):
- Monroe (106)
- Graceville (214)
- Cottondale
- Wewahitchka
- Jay
- Franklin Count
- Liberty County
- West Gadsden
- Freeport
- Port St. Joe
- Sneads
- Vernon
- Blountstown
- Baker
- Holmes County
- Bozeman
- Northview (554)
- South Walton
- Chipley (616)
- Walton (697)
Pictured above: Northview Head Coach Cody Keene prepares the Chiefs before last year’s season opener against Catholic High. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
NASCAR Night At Flomaton Speedway; Wallace Places Third
April 23, 2009
Flomaton Speedway had a NASCAR Night Wednesday with NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace racing against local and regional drivers in the IMCA Modified class.
Wallace brought his #36, JEGS-sponsored modified to race with about 17 others in the feature event.
This was the first NASCAR night at the track, and owner Jimmy Goodwin hopes to make it an annual event. A large crowd came out to meet Wallace, get autographs and watch him compete on the 1/4 mile banked dirt track.
Wallace finished third in the main event. After Wednesday night’s race he will be heading to Talladega for more racing this week.
Racing is held every Saturday night with four classes running at Flomaton Speedway. There is no racing this Saturday night, but the action will resume on May 2.
Pictured above: NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace’s #36 at Flomaton Speedway Wednesday night. Pictured inset: Wallace signs autographs. Pictured below: Wallace in a group photo with IMCA Class drivers. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More photos will be available at www.mikenewtonphotography.
Lady Chiefs Advance In District Tourney
April 22, 2009
Northview beat Catholic 5-3 in the District 1-3A Softball Tournament Tuesday.
Miranda Burkett pitched five for the Chiefs, holding Catholic scoreless until the third.
Northview scored one in the first, two in the second and one each in the third and fourth innings.
Sophomores Ashley Digmon and Sarah Killam, junior Aimee Clark and senior Briana Halteman were hitters for the Chiefs.
The Lady Chiefs improve to 11-10 for the year.
NHS Chiefs Beat PCA 13-6
April 22, 2009
The Northview varsity boys slammed Pensacola Christian Academy Tuesday 13-6.
Brad Foster slammed a home run for the Chiefs. Other hitters for Northview included Scooter Hamilton with two hits and one run. Patrick McPherson had one hit. Brad Lowery had two hits, scored a run, and had an RBI. Austin Lowery had three hits, including a double, and scored 2 runs. Heath Burkett had one hit and an RBI. Luke Killam scored three runs for the chiefs. Alex Abbott, the winning pitcher, had a two run single for Northview. Brett Hanks had one hit and scored 2 runs.
Abbott pitched five for the Chiefs. He gave up three runs on five hits, walked three and struck out five. Abbot is 2-0 this year.
The first inning ended 1-1, and PCA jumped out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the second. Northview answered with one in the third to make it 3-2 PCA going into the fourth. But Northview turned the game around, scoring four each in the fourth and fifth inning and three in the sixth. PCA managed just three in the sixth, giving the Chiefs the 13-6 win.