UWF Wins Gulf South Conference Championship
November 7, 2022
Of all the heart-thumping, final play wins in UWF’s six-year football history, the Argos 32-31 overtime thriller Saturday night at Valdosta State may now stand alone.
This one brought a Gulf South Conference championship and opportunity for the eighth-ranked Argos to have a home field edge when the NCAA Division II playoffs begin in two weeks.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett willed UWF to victory, after answering Valdosta State’s overtime touchdown with a fourth-down conversion from the 18, then his 12-yard touchdown pass to Caden Leggett, followed by Jarrett’s power plow into the end zone from the 1-and-a-half yard-line for game-winning, two-point conversion.
It was wow all the way around.
“He called it (2-point play), he wanted it,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick, who opted to go for the do-or-die 2-point play after a late hit on Jarrett’s overtime touchdown pass moved the ball from the 3 to the 1.5 yard-line.
“It was working for us all night,” said Jarrett, a first-team national junior college All-American a year ago, who transferred in the early summer to win UWF’s starting quarterback role. “I told coach, you brought me here for a reason. I can get you one yard. That was the biggest thing. I told him put it in my hands and we got it done.”
The Argos missed a chance to win the game with 22 seconds left in regulation play when Jarrett dropped a perfect 48-yard pass into Jared Smith’s hands, but the ball was knocked loose a split-second late by a VSU defender in the end zone for an incompletion. On the next play, another Jarrett long ball was intercepted with 13 seconds left to force overtime.
The dramatic win for the Argos (8-1, 5-1 in GSC) was their 14th consecutive road victory, the second-longest streak in Division II. It was a third consecutive win against rival Valdosta State (4-6, 2-5) in a series that has featured three of the past four games decided by five points or less between these teams.
UWF will now close out its regular-season on Nov. 12 with a rematch at Mississippi College, which does not count in the conference standings, but will be vital for UWF to win in order to guarantee a home game when the D-2 playoffs begin. UWF beat Mississippi College 45-17 on Oct. 22 in a GSC game in Pensacola.
Earlier Saturday, the Argos learned that previously unbeaten Delta State, which defeated UWF 45-42 in an epic double overtime game in Pensacola on Sept. 24, had lost at home (52-42) against West Georgia.
Since the GSC does not use a head-to-head matchups to determine a football league champion, the Argos knew they could share the GSC championship, plus enhance their positioning in region rankings for the Division II playoffs.
But UWF trailed 14-7 after a mistake-filled first half. The Argos tied the game three times in the second half but could never gain a lead until the game-deciding play in overtime.
“We found a way, found a way,” said Shinnick, the excitement in his voice easily detectable. “Way to overcome a lot of uncharacteristic plays on our part. I thought Peewee was on fire. He was dialing it up. He was hitting our guys, it was fun to watch.”
It became UWF’s 113th conference championship in school history, an amazing feat for the athletic program, and the second consecutive conference trophy for a football team that started from scratch in 2016.
“That is great,” Shinnick said. “Congratulations to our players. What a great job, staying true to this thing.”
UWF won the coin toss for overtime possession and elected to play defense. On the first play, Valdosta State’s senior quarterback Ivory Durham took a shotgun snap from the 25 and ran left, then down the sideline for a go-ahead touchdown.
Durham compiled 316 yards total offense Saturday by passing for 196 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 120 yards and one score.
When UWF got the ball from the 25, Jarrett’s second-down pass was nearly intercepted. He then was called for a delay-of-game penalty to push the ball to the 23. He rushed five yards to 18. On fourth down, he went up to middle to convert a first down and set the stage for his pass to Leggett in the back corner of the end zone.
Now, it was decision time. Go for two to win? Or kick the PAT to force a second overtime.
“Once we got the penalty, it was a no-brainer,” Shinnick said. “I was thinking about doing it even if we didn’t have the penalty. But we got the penalty, the ball at the yard and a half, there was no stopping us.”
There was no debate, either, on what to do.
“When it came down to the play, there was no discussion,” Jarrett said. “I told coach Shinnick, put the ball in my hands and let’s go right up the middle with it.”
As he lined up his team Jarrett saw VSU’s defense was not stacked at the line of scrimmage.
“I was expecting a way different look, a tighter box… and it was kind of loose,” he said. “I don’t know if they expected us to pass or what… I went out there and my eyes were wide, they probably saw that. But I just went right up the gut with it.”
The blocking from UWF’s veteran offensive line provided the initial push and Jarrett easily bulled in for the winner. He finished the game 15-for-34 passing for 309 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 121 yards. Many of his passes, however, were dropped, which skews the passing stats.
The Argos, who won for the first-time at Valdosta State during the regular season (they won a D-2 playoff game there in 2019 to advance to the national semifinals), struggled by their own self-inflicted issues the entire first half.
A holding penalty nullified a touchdown pass by Jarrett on the first possession. A missed field goal followed from 29 yards. An offensive pass interference and holding penalty on separate plays thwarted another drive.
Finally, Jarrett’s 43-yard pass to Nate Howard tied the game midway through the second quarter. But Valdosta State, which honored its first football team from 40 years ago, answered on the ensuing possession with an 11-play, 72-yard drive.
UWF tied the game on the third play of the second half when Jarrett connected with David Durden across the middle and he went 46-yards for a score. But again VSU answered, this time on a 78-yard scoring drive to regain the lead.
The Blazers took the lead on a 44-yard field goal with 9:41 left, but UWF’s Griffin Cerra atoned from the previous miss to convert a 36-yarder with 2:51 left in the game to tie the score.
The game was the first time all season UWF failed to score at least 34 points with an offense that is ranked No. 5 among all D-2 teams. The Argos will now turn focus to the season finale against Mississippi College.
by Bill Vilona, UWF Senior Writer
Photo: Morgan Givens
A Perfect 10: The Northview Chiefs Finish Undefeated Season With Win Over Bay (With Gallery)
November 5, 2022
A perfect 10.
The Northview Chiefs finished their regular season at 10-0 with a 41-6 rout of the Bay Tornadoes Friday night in Bratt.
It’s the first perfect regular season for the Chiefs since they won nine straight in 2006 before losing at home 20-14 to Chipley in round one of the playoffs for a 9-1 record that year.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, student life and more coming by Tuesday.)
“Just look at these players that have been driving for three years, and they accomplished it,” third year Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “I think I imagined this three years ago, but you don’t think it’s going to happen. It takes a special group of kids first and foremost, and then coaches support it. And we’ve got both.”
The Chiefs headed into Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium Friday night in Bratt at 9-0, hosting one-loss Panama City Bay, a school twice the size of NHS.
“We knew that they had speed,” Summerford said. “Their game is a quick game, get it to their athletes, and they’ve got a bunch of them. They’ve got some good players that can really play.”
The first quarter was scoreless, but the Chiefs outscored Bay 21-6 in the second quarter on the way to a win behind an unstoppable offense and a defense that proved to be unwavering.
“
Coach (Jace) Gandy really put a game plan together this week,” he said. “Unbelievable. That’s the thing about a great defense; it’s characteristic of them. It’s been building all year. It doesn’t happen overnight,” Summerford said. “I’ve challenged them all year. They stepped up in a big way. I don’t know if I’ve got words to express how well we played defensively.”
Northview and Chipley will sit out the first round of the playoffs next Friday. Beyond that, the games and second round home field advantage remain to be seen until the FHSAA computers crunch the numbers.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Summerford said.
Jamarkus Jefferson had three touchdowns on the night of 4, 2, and 14 yards. Quarterback Kaden Odom tossed to Luke Bridges for passing touchdowns of 24 and 76 yards, and found Malaki Hayes from 22 yards. And kicker Brandon Ferguson was 5 of 6 on point after attempts.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, student life and more coming by Tuesday.)
Pictured top: Maliki Haynes catches a Kaden Odom pass for a Northview touchdown Friday night in Bratt. Pictured top inset above: Luke Bridges with one of two touchdowns. Pictured bottom inset: QB Odom dumps a color of ice and water on NHS head coach Wes Summerford seconds before time expired on a perfect 10-0 season for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Season Ends With 36-20 Loss To Washington
November 5, 2022
The Washington Wildcats defeated the Tate Aggies 36-20 Friday night on Tate’s Carl Madison Field.
Sophomore quarterback Taite Davis found Carmelo Campbell to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead with 8:46 on the clock in the first.
Washington added a couple of touchdowns to hold a 14-7 lead by the first minute of the second quarter. The Wildcats snapped out of the endzone for a safety to give the Aggies a couple and cut their lead to 14-9.
Caleb Westergreen put the pigskin through the uprights for a Tate field goal, making it a 14-12 ballgame.
Davis hit Campbell in the endzone and 13 Edward O’Brien made the 2-point conversion to put the Aggies on top 20-14 in the third.
The Tate Aggies finished their season at 1-9.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
November 5, 2022
Here are Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 41, Bay 6 [Story, photos...]
- Washington 36, Tate 20 [Story, photos...]
- West Florida 14, Gulf Breeze 7
- Wewahitchka 16, Jay 10
- Escambia 35, Pensacola High 6
- Milton 56, Godby 32
- Niceville 35, Navarre 14
- Pace 48, Hollis Christian Academy 0
- Byes: Pensacola Catholic, Pine Forest
ALABAMA – Playoffs
- Chambers Academy 56, Escambia Academy 12
- T.R. Miller 41, Montgomery Academy 7
- W.S. Neal 27, Opp 13
Pictured: Northview Chiefs quarterback Kaden Odom hands off to Jamarkus Jefferson Friday night as the Chiefs routed Bay, 41-6. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Jay High Inducts Four Into Athletic Hall Of Fame
November 4, 2022
The second class was inducted into the Jay High School Athletic Hall of Fame Friday night.
The new members are:
- Truss Shell – Class of 1949
- Terry Diamond – Class of 1966
- Rick Weekes – Class of 1970
- Matthew Dobson – Class of 1987
The induction ceremony took place during halftime as Jay hosted Wewahitchka at 7 p.m.
Truss Shell was an educator for over 35 years. He coached baseball, football and basketball at Jay, including as head baseball coach from 1960-1965. He was Jay Elementary principal from 1965-1987. As a coach, parent and grandparent, he has attended over 1,500 Jay High School sporting events.
Terry Diamond taught and coached at Jay High School for 35 years and continued to support the school following his retirement. He coached baseball for 22 years, winning 11 district championships, five regional championships and made the Final Four five times. He was named the Class 2A Coach of the Year in 2007. He also coached softball for one year. In high school, he placed on six different district championship teams, and was all-area in football, basketball and baseball his senior year.
Rick Weekes retired and coached for 30 years, with 26 of those in Santa Rosa County. He was a member of the 1970 state championship baseball team and was all-conference in football, basketball and baseball. He played baseball from 1971 to 1973 for the University of South Alabama and in 1974 for the University of West Florida.
Matthew Dobson was on the cross country team for four years, basketball for a year and track for six years. Dobson has a long list of running accomplishments and accolades. He was the overall winner in more than 250 road, cross country, and/or track races with course records in over 35 of these races. He holds several records. He was the first American to win the Walt Disney World Marathon in 2004. In 2004, he was the 49th overall out of 20,000 runners, the 16th American, in the Boston Marathon. He was 38th overall in the 2004 Chicago Marathon out of 40.000 and the 18th American. His personal records are marathon: 2:27, 10K: 29:31, 5K: 14:24, and mile: 4:13.
All information provided by Jay High School.
Ole Miss Shuts Out LSU; Mississippi State Tops Texas A&M. And Escambia County Wins In SEC Tourney Day One
October 31, 2022
Ole Miss shut out LSU and Mississippi State beat Texas A&M in day one of the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Ashton Brosnaham Park. And the day was a big win for Escambia County.
Ole Miss 3, LSU 0
The three-time SEC Goalkeeper of the Year showed why she is the best to ever do it Sunday afternoon as Ole Miss (9-6-4) shut out LSU (9-3-7) in a match that was decided on penalty kicks. Ashley Orkus and the Rebel defense kept the Tigers off the board through regulation, two overtime periods, and three rounds of penalty kicks to advance to the quarterfinals.
For a Ole Miss, LSU photo gallery, click or tap here.
Both teams showed out defensively as there was just one shot on goal in the first half of the match. The Rebels turned up the heat in the second half, outshooting the Tigers 9-4.
Neither team could gain an advantage in the two overtime periods, taking just three shots apiece.
The Rebels now advance to the quarterfinals where they will face the SEC East Division Champion South Carolina Gamecocks on Tuesday at noon.
Mississippi State 2, Texas A&M 1 (OT)
In the first overtime match of the season for the Mississippi State soccer program (11-4-4), the Bulldogs outlasted the Texas A&M Aggies (9-6-5) to advance to the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals. Graduate transfer Jojo Ngongo’s 99th-minute header helped secure State its first conference tournament appearance past the first round.
For a Mississippi State, Texas A&M photo gallery, click or tap here.
“The fight in this group is unbelievable – they never gave up tonight,” head coach James Armstrong said. “This is a special group who continues to fight through adversity. Beyond proud of these players and staff.”
The No. 8 seeded Bulldogs will return to the pitch Tuesday, Nov. 1, for a quarterfinal match against the No. 1 seeded Alabama Crimson Tide (17-1-1, 10-0 SEC). The match will kick off at 5 p.m.
Big Win For Escambia County
Day one of the SEC Tournament opened with big crowds at Ashton Brosnaham Park off 10 Mile Road.
“We far exceeded our expectations, along with SEC expectations on the size of the crowd,” Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes told NorthEscambia.com on the field between Sunday’s games. “This is the largest highest profile event we’ve ever had at Ashton Brosnaham Park….We thank the community for showing in a large way.”
“All nine games are being televised live on the SEC Network and that kind of coverage for Escambia County and Pensacola is absolutely invaluable.”
Tuesday’s Games
The tournament continues with quarterfinals on Tuesday.
South Carolina will face Ole Miss at noon; Tennessee and Georgia are at 2:30 p.m.; No. 1 Alabama plays Mississippi State at 5 p.m., and Arkansas will take on Vanderbilt at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at secticketoffice.com. All-tournament passes are $25. Individual game tickets for first round, quarterfinals and semifinals are $7 for adults and $5 for students/military. Tickets for the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 6 are $10 for adults and $7 for students/military. Kids 12 and under wearing a soccer jersey get in free with a paying adult. A service fee is applied to all ticket purchases. A clear bag policy is in effect for the event.
All games will be televised on the SEC Network.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
UWF Defeats West Alabama 36-24 On Senior Day
October 30, 2022
The UWF football team rushed for 293 yards and got a school-record five field goals from Griffin Cerra to defeat West Alabama, 36-24, at Pen Air Field on Saturday.
UWF (7-1, 5-1 Gulf South) extended its winning streak to five games and completed its home regular-season with a 4-1 mark.
Peewee Jarrett passed for just 93 yards but ran for a game-high 114 yards – also a UWF quarterback record – on 15 carries with a touchdown to keep the Tigers potent run defense at bay much of the game.
“Peewee used his legs extremely well tonight and we needed it,” UWF head coach Pete Shinnick said.
Additionally, CJ Wilson rushed for 86 yards on 10 carries and Ra’veion Hargrove totaled 50 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown.
On Saturday, the Argonauts fell behind 10-7 early in the second quarter before getting three Cerra boots and a 23-yard touchdown run by Hargrove to go ahead 23-10 midway through the third.
UWA stopped the skid with a Bry Webb score from a yard out but it would be a very short celebration for the visitors.
CJ Wilson broke off a 27-yard run on first down before Jarrett went deep to David Durden on a dead sprint in the back of the end zone for a 48-yard bomb over the top that put the Argos ahead 30-17.
“I thought that throw and catch was spectacular,” Shinnick said. “We needed that. We had just had a CJ Wilson run prior to that so a two play, 75-yard drive was huge.”
The Tigers scored two minutes later, converting a double pass when Demetrius Battle found Darius Nalls in open space for a 57-yard touchdown that cut the UWF lead to 30-24.
But the Argos got Cerra field goals of 36 and 31 yards while chewing up a combined 9:58 off the clock in the final quarter. In between, the Tigers had a 3-and-out that halted any chance of momentum they might have had.
UWF had tremendous field position all game, with an average starting spot on its own 43 yard line. Durden had 94 of his 142 all-purpose yards on punt returns, including two huge returns of 38 and 21 yards that setup the Argos on the UWA side of the field. The ensuring Argo possessions both resulted in field goals as UWF regained momentum.
Cerra’s career day saw him tie the GSC record for made field goals, matching six previous kickers, including Colin Karhu of North Greenville last week against UWA. Cerra scored a career-high 18 points.
Cerra and Durden were just the tip of the iceberg for the UWF special teams on Saturday. Steve Dawson punted twice for a 48.5 average and Da’quan Bailey-Brown had kickoff returns of 51 and 21 yards.
UWA (4-5, 2-4) finished with 421 yards of total offense with 255 through the air. Tucker Melton was 14-for-27 for 198 yards with an interception.
UWF will now hit the road for its final two regular-season games, beginning next Saturday at Valdosta State (4-5, 2-4). Kickoff at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Georgia is at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Photo: Morgan Givens
Northview Cruises To 9-0 With 57-14 Rout Of Atmore (With Gallery)
October 29, 2022
The Northview Chiefs powered to a 57-14 senior night win over the Escambia County Blue Devils of Atmore Friday night in Bratt.
With the win, Northview is 9-0 as they look for that elusive perfect season next week. In 2006, the Chiefs went 9-1 overall under coach Cody Keene, dropping the final game of that season at home 20-14 to Chipley. In 2012 when they won the only football state championship in school history, the Chiefs opened at 1-1, losing their second game to Marianna. They finished 2012 at 11-3.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The Chiefs were a little slow out of the gate as the lead teetered back and forth, but they soon floored it on the way to the win.
“We’ve to fix that,” head coach Wes Summerford of the slow start. “When we get to the playoffs, we can’t make those mistakes. We’ve got to start fast.”
He said the offense “didn’t miss a beat”.
The Blue Devils were first on the big board at 8-0 with a 40-yard pass with just under 10 minutes to go.
A couple of minutes later Northview QB Kaden Odom found Wyatt Scruggs from 48-yards, and Odom was in for the two point conversion and an 8-8 ballgame. Northview moved on top with an 11-yard run touchdown rush from Jamarkus Jefferson.
ECHS returned the kickoff for a 72-yard touchdown, and Jefferson added another touchdown to round out the first quarter with a 22-14 Chief lead.
In the second quarter, Jefferson had touchdowns of 35, 34 and 2-yards. In the third, the Chiefs scored when Odom hit Scruggs for a 29-yard score, and Odom was in from 6-yards out. Kicker Brandon Ferguson was 7-7 on point after attempts Friday night.
The Escambia County Blue Devils season came to an end at 4-6.
The Chiefs (9-0) will host Bay next Friday night.
“It’s not going to be much different than Atmore,” he said.
The Chiefs will likely out the first week of the playoffs with a bye before starting their postseason trip toward Tallahassee on November 18.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Legend: Tate Football Field Dedicated As ‘Carl Madison Field’
October 29, 2022
Friday night, the football field at Tate High School was dedicated in honor of high school sports legend Carl Madison.
The field inside Pete Gindl Stadium is “Carl Madison Field” in honor of the man that led the Aggies to a 1980 state championship and is one of the all-time winningest high school coaches in the nation.
“The best advice you can give people is play clean and hard, and be ready to back the next day,” Madison said shortly before tossing the coin for the Aggies Friday night game against Escambia.
Madison was surrounded at the ceremony by former players from his nearly five decades coaching, including members of the Aggies 1980 state championship team.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Madison, who turns 92 in January, sits at number two on Florida’s all-time football coaching victories list with a 326-129-7 record and is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
In addition to winning a state title at Tate, he took the Pine Forest Eagles to two state championships in 1987 and 1988. The 1988 Eagle team was named as national champions by USA Today, and Madison earned the title of the National High School Football Coach of the Year. All in all, he coached at five different Florida High Schools including Ernest Ward, plus three out of state schools.
His football days began early at Escambia County High School in Atmore where he played tailback under Coach Herbert Barnes from 1945 to 1947, making him one of Atmore’s semi-famous “Barnes Boys” with 30 straight wins. After a stint in the Army, from 1950 to 1952, Madison played college ball for Texas Tech and Troy State Teachers College in the mid-1950s.
Fresh out of college, Madison coached for four years beginning in 1957 at Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill. He moved to Milton High in 1961, coaching them to a state championship and 34 straight victories. He then took a coaching job at a Georgia High School, losing a state championship game in 1968.
Madison joined the coaching staff at Tate in 1971 on his way to winning that 1980 state championship. He left Tate in 1983, heading to Pensacola High for a couple of years. Then it was off to Pine Forest and those back-to-back state championships. He coached at an Albany, Georgia, school, another 10 years at Milton High and another short period at PHS during the period from 1989 until 2002.
In 2002, he took the head coach job at the small Jackson Academy in Alabama. The then 71-year old took over a team that had gone 0-10 prior to his arrival. He lost his first two games at Jackson, but he went on to win the state championship. The following year, Jackson was undefeated and won another state championship.
In 2009, Madison briefly came out of retirement to once again take to the field at Tate, this time as an offensive consultant.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Gets Past Tate 38-31 (With Photo Gallery)
October 29, 2022
The Tate Aggies fell to the Escambia Gators 38-31 Friday night on the newly dedicated Carl Madison Field.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Aggies were first on the board when Taite Davis found Diego Dukes for a 29-yard touchdown to give the Aggies a 7-0 advantage with 6:50 to go in the first quarter. Escambia was back with a score of their own to tie it up 7-7 with 4:13 on the clock in the first.
Andre Colston was in for the Aggies, 14-7 with 10:17 remaining in the second. In about a minute, the Gators answered for a 14-14 ballgame. With another touchdown, the Gators were on top 38-31 at the half on their way to the win.
The Tate Aggies (1-8) will round out their season next week as they host Washington (4-5).
Related: The Legend: Tate Football Field Dedicated As ‘Carl Madison Field’
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
