Tenth-Ranked Argos Right At Home As They Run Together Past UWG
October 9, 2022
Adding to its trend of gems, UWF’s football team continues feeling right at home on the road.
The 10th-ranked Argos seized control of a tied game midway through the third quarter, then overpowered conference rival West Georgia 42-28 Saturday night for their 12th consecutive road victory – a streak that now spans three seasons.
It’s the nation’s second longest in Division II, another part of the Argos’ mantle of feats in their six-year history. The Argos big win also continued an uncanny element of this contentious series, where the visiting team has won each time.
In fact, UWF is now 4-0 at West Georgia’s University Stadium when factoring the Argos upset playoff win in 2017 en route to reaching the NCAA D-2 national title game that season.
The latest win put the Argos at 4-1, 2-1 in the Gulf South Conference, tied with West Alabama (4-2, 2-1) in the conference standings, following UWA’s upset win Saturday at Valdosta State. UWF faces another road trip next Saturday to play Shorter (2-4, 0-3).
On this night, UWF smoothed out its performance from a rocky first half.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett committed three turnovers in the game’s first 25 minutes, including a pair of interceptions – one of which UWG turned into a touchdown drive – plus a fumble he lost at the Wolves 21.
But the transfer junior was dynamite in the second half.
He passed for 120 yards and two scores, plus rushed for 43 of his 71 yards in the game on a game-sealing drive late in the fourth quarter. He also scored a rushing touchdown late in the second quarter.
“He was on fire,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “He took (first half troubles) personal. We want the ball in his hands. Our offense I think is very close to just taking this thing to the next level.”
After Jarrett had a two-yard run to the UWG 21 late with less than two minutes remaining, which forced a final time out from West Georgia, the Argos faced a 3rd-and-9 play. In a defining moment, UWF’s offensive line opened up a mass passageway on the left side that Shomari Mason raced through for a game-sealing touchdown with 1:42 remaining.
On that play, Mason became UWF’s all-time, career rushing leader with 2,016 yards, breaking the mark set by Chris Schwarz (1,992) during UWF’s first three seasons (2016-18). Mason’s two TDs Saturday gave him a school record 21 rushing scores in his career, pushing him past Anthony Johnson Jr., a Pace High grad, who amassed 20 in four seasons (2017-19 and 2021).
Mason is already the UWF record holder for most overall touchdowns, now with 23.
His first touchdown Saturday was a game-changer.
Coming out of halftime with the scored tied 14-14, the Wolves got the ball to start the third quarter. On a second down play, UWF linebacker Gael Laurent stripped the ball from West Georgia quarterback Harrison Frost. The Argos Aidan Swett recovered at the West Georgia 23.
On the next play, Mason broke free to break the tie on a 23-yard run.
“Oh my god… that was unbelievable,” Shinnick said. “We were hoping to right the ship just a little bit…. we turned the ball over three times in the first half. To get that (turnover) and have Shomari take to the house on the next play, that was unbelievable.”
Even though West Georgia answered on the ensuing possession with a 15-play, 82-yard drive to tie the game at 21, the Argos offense never lost its edge.
UWF followed right back in three plays when Jarrett hit Caden Leggett on a deep sideline route with a throw over the cornerback’s outstretched arm. Leggett raced untouched for a 62-yard touchdown.
The Argos defense then came up with another big play when De’Mareyae Givens intercepted a Frost pass at the UWF 34, less than minute into the fourth quarter.
Facing 3rd-and-18 from his own 37, Jarrett made his biggest play when he rolled out, escaped a rush and found receiver Larry Rembert for a 20-yard gain. Three plays later, Jarrett threw a perfect, back-shoulder pass to David Durden, who leaped above the cornerback to catch the ball and get a foot in bounds on a 21-yard score.
It put UWF up by two scores (35-21) with 10:53 remaining, which was ironically the same point difference the Argos rallied from behind in the past two games at home.
West Georgia got within a touchdown after its 12-play, 79-yard drive that finished with a rushing touchdown from the 1 with 5:39 remaining. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Argos good field position at the West Georgia 35.
The Argos offensive line and rushing game took over from there. Jarrett’s third-down conversion run to the 22 kept the drive going and set up Mason’s game-clinching run.
UWF is now 29-9 all-time on the road, including 27-5 in the last five seasons. UWF’s defense has forced 16 turnovers in seven games against West Georgia – the most against any opponent – and with 12 of those turnovers happening at UWG’s University Stadium.
UWF finished the game Saturday with 199 yards rushing, 235 yards passing, which continues a balance established in the season’s first game. The Argos now have thrown for at least one touchdown pass in 50 consecutive games.
By Bill Vilona
GoArgos Senior Writer
Photo: Morgan Givens
UWF Downs Lee To Win Pack It Pink Match
October 9, 2022
Saturday marked UWF’s annual Pack it Pink Match as the 13th-ranked Argonauts defeated the Flames of Lee University, 3-1. Through a silient auction and donations taken at the gate, UWF raised more than $6,600 for cancer awareness and research.
The first set saw the Argos trail the Flames early on, as Lee jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead and stayed ahead for a majority of the match. Alex Oliver led the way for the Argos in the first as her 5 kills was only one off the game high of 6 from the Flames Hannah Upton, but UWF fell in the first set 25-23.
The second set featured a dominant Argonaut attack that out hit the Flames .333 to .000 and featured three Argos recording 3 kills or more in the set – Oliver had four, and Jacque Martin and Jenna Zydlo had three each. The Argos would use that attack to take set two 25-14 and tie the match up at 1-1.
Freshman Lily Sumner would provide the spark that head coach Melissa Wolter was looking for, as her 3 kills in the set to go along with Jacque Martin’s 4 and Jenna Zydlo’s 3 would pace the Argos attack to a 25-15 set win, and give the Argos a 2-1 lead over the Flames.
The fourth and final set was completely controlled by the Argos, as their 10-3 lead would prove to be too much for the Flames. UWF cruised to a 25-16 set win and took the match 3-1 over the Lee University Flames.
The Argos offensive attack would go on to outhit the Flames .325 to .128 for the match as three players finished with double-digit kills (Oliver 13, Martin 12, Zydlo 10). Senior Taylor Vaneekeren continued her stellar senior season as she would finish the match with a double-double of 44 assists (game high) and 11 digs to go along with 5 blocks.
Sophomore Meg Brackhan and senior Kierra Potts provided the anchors for the Argos defense today, as Potts would finish with a game high 7 blocks and Brackhan finished with a game high 20 digs for the match.
With the win today, the Argos improve to 17-4 on the season with a 9-1 GSC conference record. The Argos next match takes place next Friday as they head to Birmingham Alabama for the GSC Crossover Tournament.
Northview Crushes Blountstown 49-0
October 8, 2022
The Northview Chiefs are having their best season in over 15 years, rolling to a crushing 49-0 road win over Blountstown Friday night.
Headed into Friday night, No. 11 Blountstown was 4-2 with just one loss at home this season, and the Chiefs were at No. 7 in the state, tops in Region 1-1R.
The Chiefs took an early 17-0 lead by the end of the first and were up 21-0 at the half as they rolled to the big win.
The Northview Chiefs have not been 6-0 since way back in 2006 when they 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.
Next week it’s the War Along Highway 4 as Northview takes the short trip on Highway 4 across the Escambia River to take on the Jay Royals (3-3).
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
West Florida Jaguars Top The Tate Aggies
October 8, 2022
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Tate Aggies 41-7 Friday night at WFHS.
Tate High Coach Rhett Summerford was back in familiar territory Friday night. He left West Florida to return to his alma mater to take over the program at Tate.
The Jaguars were first on the big board with a touchdown run from 6-yards out to give WFHS a 7-0 lead. John Nicolas found Andre Coleman to put the Jags inside the five. Jones took it in to put the Jags up 14-0.
The Aggies answered with a Taite Davis pass to Diego Dukes for a 51-yard touchdown for Tate, 14-7.
From there, the scoring was all West Florida as they rolled on the win.
Tate (1-5) will travel to Pace next Friday night, while West Florida (4-2) will host PHS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
October 8, 2022
Here are high school football scores from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 49, Blountstown 0 [Game story...]
- West Florida 41, Tate 7 [Game story, photos...]
- Baker 28, Jay 0
- Pine Forest 28, Niceville 7
- Pace 44, Pensacola High 7
- Washington 66, Godby 34
- Navarre 38, Mosley 35 (Thursday)
- Pensacola Catholic 38, Gulf Breeze 17 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 35, Pickens Academy 22
- T.R. Miller 39, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
- W.S. Neal 13, Flomaton 12
Pictured: West Florida defeated the Tate Aggies Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo by Jennifer Reine, click to enlarge.
Northview Gets Senior Night Win Over Pine Forest (With Gallery)
October 7, 2022
The Northview Chiefs earned a senior night victory over the Pine Forest Eagles Thursday night in Bratt.
Northview defeated Pine Forest 25-18, 25-20, 25-11.
The Chiefs honored five seniors (pictured above L-R): Hadassah Mascaro, Alyssa Stabler, Elianna Morales, McKenna Simmons and Emily Levins.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Volleyball Receives Academic Award From Marines, Coaches Association
October 6, 2022
The Tate High School Volleyball team recently received an award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the United States Marines.
The Aggies, led by Javier Rivera, received the 2022 USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award.
The award has honored teams for 30 years for matching their dedication to volleyball with excellence in the classroom.
For a photo gallery from a Tate volleyball game against Gulf Breeze, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Flomaton Defeats Northview (With Photo Gallery)
October 5, 2022
The Flomaton Hurricanes defeated the Northview Chiefs 3-2 in high school volleyball action Tuesday evening in Flomaton.
Northview will host the Pine Forest Eagles at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in their final home game of the regular season.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Riley Robbins Named Association Florida High School Player of the Week
October 4, 2022
Tate High School junior Riley Robbins has been named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Florida High School Player of the Week.
In a dozen games this year, Robbins has recorded 55 kills (4.58/game), 53 digs (4.42/game), 67 receptions (5.58/game), two aces and one assist.
This is Robbins’ third year playing volleyball for the Tate Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Milton Tops Tate 21-7
October 1, 2022
The Milton Panthers defeated the Tate Aggies 21-7 Friday night in Milton.
Tate took a 7-0 lead with about six minutes to go in the first quarter.
The Aggies held their lead until the second quarter when Milton answered with a touchdown to tie it headed into halftime.
The Tate Aggies will be at the West Florida Jaguars next Friday night.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
