Double OT: Tate Aggies Advance In Playoffs With Win Over Navarre
November 14, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies earned a thrilling playoff win over Navarre Friday night, 23-22 in double overtime.
Navarre was first on the board with 4:01 to go in the first half on a 43-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0.
After quarterback Sawyer Smith hit Jake Henry with a 35-yard pass at the Navarre 29, Smith found Madison Lockman deep in the endzone for a 19-yard touchdown. That tied it up 7-7 in Navarre.
Navaree added a touchdown in the fourth and missed the extra point for a 13-7 Raiders lead. Then the Aggies tied it up on a 27 yard touchdown run from Alondo Thompkins. The game was locked at 13-13 as regulation time expired.
After exchanging field goals in the first overtime, Smith found Thompkins for a 23-16 Tate advantage in the second overtime period. Then Navarre scored a touchdown from two yards out, 23-22. But Navarre’s perfect 10-0 season ended with an extra point kick off to the side.
“I’m so proud of these team, just the adversity we fought,” Tate head coach Jay Lindsey said.
Tate moves on to round two of the playoffs at Pine Forest (8-3) next Friday. The Eagles are coming off a strong 37-3 win over Gulf Breeze. Pine Forest claimed the District 1-6A championship 47-28 over Tate in the last meeting on October 30.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Molesting Child
November 14, 2015
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 25 years for molesting a minor.
Ricky Russell, 62, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim under 12. Following the verdict, Russell was sentenced to 25 years in state prison to be followed by probation for the rest of his life. He was also designated as a sexual predator.
The ongoing molestation occurred between 2008 and 2014, according to prosecutors.
Vernon Ends Northview’s Playoff Hopes (With Photo Gallery)
November 14, 2015
For the second time in three years, the Vernon Yellow Jackets spoiled the playoff hopes of the Northview Chiefs. Friday night in Vernon, the Yellow Jacks got past the Chiefs 8-7 for a Region 1-1A semifinal win.
The Northview defense started early with two strong plays. Neikel Robinson picked off a Vernon pass in the end zone and returned it to near mid-field before turning it over on downs. Vernon was back in possession only to find a Chief picking off a Yellow Jacket pass — this time Michael Jones at the goal line.
The Chiefs were the first on the board with a pitch from quarterback Gavin Grant to Luke Ward who found Toney Harrison for a 12-yard touchdown. Northview topped Vernon 7-0, 6:32 to go in the half.
With 10:19 left to play in the game Vernon was down to the Northview 2. Vernon was in from 2 yards out. With a good two point attempt, Vernon took the lead 9-7 with 9:04 to go in the game.
On their final drive of the game, the Chiefs reached their own 49, but could not convert on a 4th and 12 as Vernon held on for an 8-7 win over the Chiefs.
Vernon (9-2) will travel to Baker next Friday night in the regional championship game. Baker blanked Graceville 26-0 Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Northview’s Neikel Robinson picks of a Vernon pass in the end zone early in the Chiefs battle against Vernon. Pictured inset: Senior Jacob Dunsford gains yardage for the Chiefs. Pictured below: Robinson with the ball for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom: Luke Ward breaks free for Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
GOP Race Still Wide Open As Candidates Come To Florida
November 14, 2015
As the candidates in a crowded Republican presidential field began making their pitches to party activists Friday at the Florida GOP’s “Sunshine Summit,” it was as much a reminder of what hasn’t happened in the state’s primary campaign as what has.
Even with two prominent Florida politicians in the race — former Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio — the campaign appears to be wide open. Real-estate tycoon Donald Trump and neurosurgeon Ben Carson have polled well in the state, even ahead of Bush and Rubio, four months before voters choose which candidate will get all of Florida’s 99 delegates to the Republican National Convention.
“I think most everybody, even the candidates, thought that this was going to be kind of a contest between Rubio and Bush,” former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a fellow candidate, told reporters Friday after making his pitch. “And Florida being a winner-take-all state probably meant that most of the candidates wouldn’t feel even a need to invest a lot and campaign in Florida … if they couldn’t poll well and couldn’t beat the native sons. But I don’t know that that’s the case anymore.”
Given that dynamic and a party rule that makes it tedious to qualify for the ballot without showing up to the event, 14 of the 15 major Republican candidates agreed to appear at the summit Friday and Saturday at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort. Only former New York Gov. George Pataki passed up a chance to address hundreds of party activists and officials in Orlando.
The party is hoping to capitalize on the fact that the winner of the state’s March 15 vote will get a healthy boost toward the 1,236 delegates needed to clinch the GOP presidential nomination.
The famously on-message Rubio mixed some state-specific notes into his speech to the Republicans at the event.
Rubio stressed that his own tale of being the child of immigrants who came to America to build a better life was not just his story, but the nation’s.
“It’s especially the story of Florida, a state where people have come from all over the place in search of a better life,” Rubio said. “Some came here fleeing socialism in Venezuela, some fleeing socialism in New York.”
The Florida Gators fan also couldn’t help a “Go Gators” when talking about the campaign in the critical early state of South Carolina — Florida faces the Gamecocks this weekend — and joked that how well he does in the “SEC primary,” a collection of Southern states voting March 1, might be tied to how the Gators do in a surprisingly good season.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas — who like Rubio is of Cuban descent — noted that Florida and his home state are both growing states that draw immigrants and “share a similar dislike for snow.”
“There is a reason people are fleeing high-tax, high-regulation states all over the country and coming to states like Florida and Texas, because jobs and opportunity and growth and the future (are) in states like Florida and Texas,” Cruz said. “Florida’s primary is a critical time and Florida can play a decisive role in ensuring that the next Republican nominee for president is a strong conservative.”
In a possible sign of the upheaval in the race, Cruz got one of the warmer welcomes of the first day. His speech ended to a standing ovation, as the candidate leapt off the front of the stage and began shaking hands in the crowd.
Cruz also unveiled his Florida campaign’s leadership, including state Chairman Neil Combee, a state lawmaker from Polk County, and stopped at an Orlando church to unveil his “Stop Illegal Immigration” policy.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, lagging far behind the rest of the field in the polls, simply nodded in Bush and Rubio’s direction.
“You have two wonderful candidates from Florida running for the presidency of the United States; you should be proud,” he said.
And despite the current state of the race, Bush and Rubio could still prove to be formidable opponents here. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia, who is neutral in the presidential race, cautioned against reading too much into where candidates stand right now. Ingoglia, a Spring Hill Republican who also serves in the state House, said things would tighten in the weeks ahead.
“As we get closer to the date, people are going to start paying more attention, (a), and then, (b), they’re going to start solidifying their decisions,” he said.
Even Huckabee noted that things could change.
“Historically, at this stage of the race, what it looks like right now is nowhere near what it will look like by the time we get to Feb. 1,” he said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Man Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography
November 14, 2015
An Escambia County man has been charged with possession of child pornography.
Nicholas Bundy, 35, was arrested for possessing material depicting child sexual content and obscene communication. Authorities said he downloaded more than 1,000 illegal images and videos of children as young as two months.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $240,000.
Middle 60’s Today, Upper 30’s Tonight
November 14, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Friday Night Football Finals
November 14, 2015
Here are final playoff scores from around the North Escambia area tonight:
FLORIDA
- Vernon 8, Northview 7
- Tate 23, Navarre 22 2OT
- Rickards 42, West Florida 39
- Pine Forest 37, Gulf Breeze 3
- Trinity Christian 49, Catholic 3
- Baker 26, Graceville 0
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller 49, Pike County 8
- Flomaton 49, Fayetteville 10
Arrest Made In Gas Station Double Murder
November 13, 2015
A young Escambia County man has been arrested for the murders to two people at a gas station on Palafox Street Wednesday afternoon.
Terry Newkirk, 19, has been charged with two counts of homicide and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Newkirk admitted to investigators that he was the black male seen by witnesses getting inside the SUV at the Raceway gas station on Palafox and Mason Lane about 1:30 Monday afternoon. Antrone Marquis Moore and Antonio Bullard, both 26-years old, were shot to death inside that SUV.
Investigators said the shooting occurred during a drug transaction at the gas pumps. Newkirk, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, has connections to a local gang.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Arrested Following Highway 97 Accident
November 13, 2015
One driver was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol after a Friday morning accident in Walnut Hill.
Marques Christopher Salter, 36, was taken into custody for driving with a suspended license, and he will be cited for improper passing.
According to witnesses, the driver of a Ford was southbound on Highway 97 and stopping to make a proper turn onto Highway 99A at Ernest Ward Middle School. Salter, also southbound on Highway 97, attempted to pass the driver of the Ford as she began to turn.
Neither driver was injured.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Surrenders Morning After Flomaton Manhunt
November 13, 2015
A Century man turned himself in this morning to authorities following a manhunt Thursday night in Flomaton.
Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said officers and K-9 units searched Thursday night for 34-year old Michael Maurice McCall of Century. He was last seen in the area of Church’s Chicken near the Highway 31 and Highway 29 intersection.
McCall surrendered himself to Alabama authorities Friday morning. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center on charges of distributing a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and attempting to elude.
Pictured top: A manhunt was underway Thursday night in Flomaton. Pictured inset: A June 2015 photo of McCall. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.