UWF Advances To National Semifinals With 45-14 Win Over Wingate
December 4, 2022
In another mind-boggling way, UWF’s football team produced its latest gem and newest rarefied place.
The Argos wowed with four defensive touchdowns, a feat which may be unmatched in recent college postseason history, en route to rolling past Wingate, 45-14, Saturday to win the Super Region 2 championship at Pen Air Field. The blowout win, matching the Argos’ biggest point differential in postseason, sends them into the NCAA Division II national semifinals for the third time in UWF’s six-year, program history.
Three of those defensive scores came in succession to start the second half. It meant by the time UWF’s offense actually took a snap in the third quarter, less than a minute remained and it was 45-7.
“What an amazing game,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick, who then added, jokingly. “Just really disappointed in our offense that only had the ball for 56 seconds in the third quarter. I have never seen a third quarter like we had.
“It might be one of the best, if not the best defensive effort I have ever seen in my life. Fired up about that.”
Adding to the emotional joy, the sixth-ranked Argos (12-1) will play next Saturday at fifth-ranked Ferris State (12-1), located in Big Rapids, Michigan, next Saturday at 11 a.m. (CST) for a chance to reach the Division II national championship game for a third time and extend a record as the fastest startup college football program to attain this kind of success.
UWF won at Ferris State 28-14 on December 14, 2019, in that year’s semifinals to advance to the national title game the Argos won against Minnesota State in McKinney, Texas.
Already, UWF’s third region championship is fifth-best, all-time, among South Region teams in D-2 history.
“It really has been different groups each time,” said Shinnick, who was hired in 2014, two years before UWF’s inaugural first game. “(2017) was a special time with it being the first. We won (national title) in ‘19 and this is a brand new start of another group.
“The University of West Florida is an amazing place. We’ve known that since the beginning. And we just continue to find the right pieces to make this program what it is.”
Seven different UWF players scored touchdowns. Only two were offensive guys. Three were pick-6, interception returns from Anthony Johnson Jr, Keon Voison and Kode Lowe, who combined to tie the NCAA Division II playoff record for interception scores in a game.
“It was something special. I have never seen something like that,” said UWF star linebacker Will Breland, who recovered a fumble, forced a fumble, had an interception and a quarterback pressure that led to one of those pick-6 scores.
“Two or three of those defensive scores, I was on the sideline, waiting to get in and right back out there, when we had guys scoring.”
All of this flurry of astonishment occurred after Wingate scored the game’s first touchdown with under five minutes left in the first quarter. UWF only led 10-7 with less than three minutes left before halftime.
And then, dynamite ignited.
As linebacker Lowe applied pressure, Wingate grad-senior quarterback Shaw Crocker rushed a throw that Johnson Jr. swiped out of the air and returned 36 yards for a score to make it 17-7 with 2:33 left.
“I felt that was a big play in the game,” Johnson Jr. said. “We really needed that. We trust our offense always, but sometimes we (defense) have to make plays, too.”
On the ensuing possession from the Wingate 40, Breland intercepted a Crocker pass and returned it 22 yards with 53 seconds left in the first half. Eight plays, two timeouts later, UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett took a snap with 4.9 seconds left from the 5 and threw a perfect dart to Jakobe Quillen for a touchdown as time expired.
“I was like, okay we owe the defense here and we owe them a couple touchdowns,” said Jarrett, who passed for just 149 yards in the game with limited possessions.
Said Shinnick: “Pewee is on the sidelines (during timeout) telling me, “Coach I will get (pass) off in time. I will get it before 4.9 seconds. And he didn’t… but he threw a touchdown.”
In all, UWF forced six turnovers. The defense outscored the Argos offense 28-17.
“We never really got to do what we planned,” said Wingate coach Joe Reich, whose team was playing in the Super Region 2 championship/national quarterfinals for the first time in team history. “We turned the ball over and It’s like you never get a chance to get started.”
Wingate (11-3) ranked No. 22 entering the game, was UWF’s first-round playoff opponent in 2017 and 2019, both years the Argos went to the national title game.
This Wingate team, however, boasted a defense that had allowed opponents just 10.2 points per-game and was ranked second nationally in scoring defense, third nationally in total defense.
“We’re thinking okay (after scoring first), this is what we expect,” Reich said. “But I had a concern coming into the game, we play really hard and I was concerned about penalties, because we played this song before on occasion.
“And then you add the turnovers into it and it’s a recipe for disaster. And that’s what happened.”
Wingate committed six first-half penalties, four of which were personal fouls, as both teams engaged in post-play jawing and shoving at times.
And when Wingate got the ball to start the third quarter, the Bulldogs committed the first of three turnovers on consecutive possessions to put the game out of reach.
On the seventh play of the second half, Will Breland made a big hit on Crocker to dislodge the ball. Johnson scooped up the fumble and went 37 yards for a touchdown. Wingate ran five plays the next time it got the ball. On the sixth play, Voison made his big interception and went 64 yards for a score.
“We were going good, and I really felt like it was going to be a back-and-forth game and we never got back on track,” Reich said. “Turnovers just crushed us. And we lost some discipline. That’s on me. I take responsibility for that. We got to do better than that.
“Pete Shinnick, we’ve been competing against each other for a long time, and he’s one the best coaches in any division right now. His teams are just phenomenal. So well coached. I give them the credit.”
Lowe’s interception and 31-yard score came with 6:59 left, which meant UWF’s offense with Jarrett taking a snap did not occur until 3:03 left in the third quarter.
“This is the first time I have ever made the playoffs with any team, so to be able to be a factor and help our team win games is great,” said Jarrett.
GAME NOTABLES
— While it was a tough day for UWF placekicker Griffin Cerra, who missed two field goals (he made a 32-yarder to give UWF the lead for good in the second quarter) and had an extra point go awry on a bad snap, he had a heart-warming week.
On Monday, Cerra missed practice and traveled to Seattle, Washington to donate special plasma needed to save a life through the Be The Match. The 4-hour procedure was successful, and Cerra returned the following day.
“He’s had an amazing week,” Shinnick said. “He’s probably done more in a week than any of us will ever do in a week in our lifetime.”
— Since 1990, a school from the Gulf South Conference has advanced to the Division II national semifinals 25 of the last 31 seasons.
— The Argos have now forced 42 turnovers in 14 playoff games.
Photo: Morgan Givens/UWF
Undefeated Northview Chiefs Head To State With 21-11 Win Over Union County (With Gallery)
December 3, 2022
It’s been a decade since the Northview Chiefs brought a state championship trophy back to Bratt, but they have a little trip to Tallahassee planned to pick up the hardware and earn the rings.
The Chiefs defeated the Union County Tigers 21-11 Friday night in Bratt’s Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in the Class 1-R state semifinal.
It was the toughest battle of the season for the Chiefs as they improved to a school-record 13-0.
“It feels awesome,” Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. “It’s a little bit surreal right now. It will probably take a few hours, and yeah, we’re going to Tallahassee!”
Summerford credited a team effort for the win, but gave extra credit to his seniors, several of whom have played together since their youth football days.
“That’s our senior leadership,” Summerford said. “These guys will run through a brick wall for each other, and they just about did that; I think they did everything but that tonight.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, fans, celebration and more photos coming soon.)
In the first couple plays of the game, Jefferson broke free for a long sprint down to the 1-yard line. But the Tigers held him from crossing the goal line in four straight downs.
But in the second quarter, the Chiefs would be first on the board on a 37-yard run from Jefferson and a good extra point by Brandon Ferguson.
In the second quarter, Jefferson was in again from 32-yards out. Toss in a field goal from the Tigers, and it was 14-3 at the half.
In the fourth, Union County was in from 2-yards out to cut Northview’s lead to 14-9.
After eating about eight minutes off the clock, QB Kaden Odom found Jefferson for another touchdown with just over a minute to go to seal the win, 21-11.
“The best moment of the game is when we scored that touchdown,” Summerford said. “We were just trying to get a first down. I never had any doubt these seniors would come up with a big play, and boy they did with that catch.”
“Jamarkus told me before the play…he’s like ‘dude, I’m going to slip out and be open, I promise. Give me the ball, and I trusted him’,” Odom said. “I took a lick, but delivered a strike to him.”
“We always talk about big time plays, big time things,” Jefferson said. “Kaden told me that he was going to give it to me; he told me to make a play. And that’s exactly what he did. He threw it to me, and I made a play.”
The Union County Tigers finished their season at 8-3.
The Northview Chiefs will face Hawthorne (11-0) in the state 1R championship game. Hawthorne is coming off a 28-0 shutout of Blountstown Friday night. The FHSAA 1-Rural state title game will be played at 7 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, December 10 at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Band, cheerleaders, fans, celebration and more photos coming soon.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Showers, Fog For Saturday Night
December 3, 2022
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Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Calm wind.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Christmas In Century Kicks Off With Tree Lighting, Caroling (With Photo Gallery)
December 3, 2022
Christmas in Century kicked off Friday evening with a tree lighting ceremony.
The event included visits with Santa, caroling by the Tri-City Children’s Choir, and the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree in Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Next Friday, the Century Christmas parade will roll at 5:30 p.m. It will be followed by the movie “The Grinch” and food — all free — from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at Anthony Pleasant Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Legislative Delegation To Hold Public Hearing On Local Requests
December 3, 2022
The Escambia County state legislative delegation will hold a public hearing next Wednesday.
Delegation members will consider local bills, hear presentations from governmental and other entities, and take public testimony on proposals for the 2023 regular session of the Florida legislature. Any member of the public is welcomed to attend.
The meeting will take place December 7 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at the Pensacola State College Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio at 1000 College Boulevard in Pensacola.
The Escambia County legislative delegation consists of Sen. Doug Broxson, Rep. Michelle Salzman and Rep. Alex Andrade.
FHP Makes Drug Trafficking And Weapons Arrest After Chase
December 3, 2022
An Escambia County man is facing a long list of drug and weapons charges after fleeing from a Florida Highway Patrol trooper.
A trooper was conducting traffic enforcement on West Michigan Avenue in the area of Montgomery Avenue when he observed a silver 2022 Chevrolet Malibu commit several traffic infractions. The trooper initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle occ by 26-year old Dymitri Antonio Thomas.
Initially, the vehicle pulled onto the east shoulder of Montgomery Avenue, but when the trooper exited his vehicle, Thomas made a U-turn and fled southbound on Montgomery Avenue before making a right turn onto West Michigan.
Thomas traveled westbound in the eastbound lane of West Michigan and struck a Nissan SUV.
Thomas exited the vehicle and ran away.
Two troopers arrived on scene and chased the suspect on foot. Troopers said while Thomas was running, he removed a Glock 48 .9 mm handgun from his waistband and thew it to the ground. The gun was later recovered by troopers.
A probable cause search of the vehicle found a trafficking amount of fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, and other drug paraphernalia.
Thomas was apprehended in the parking lot of Publix on Mobile Highway. He was charged with:
- Resisting without violence
- Possession of firearm/ammunition by convicted felon
- Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license
- Prisoner escape
- Reckless driving
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of marijuana with intent to sell
- Trafficking fentanyl
- Trafficking cocaine
- Trafficking oxycodone
Jail records also show eight additional charges against Thomas by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office including:
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Tampering in a felony proceeding
- Battery
- Grand theft
- Aggravated battery with a pregnant victim
- Resisting without violence
- Providing a false ID to law enforcement
- Possession of a a controlled substance
Thomas remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $309,500.
Escambia Names Top 10 Teacher Of The Year Finalists
December 3, 2022
The top 10 finalists for Escambia County’s Teacher of the Year have been named.
In alphabetical order, they are:
- Audrey Brown – Brentwood Elementary
- Nikki Gill – Tate High School
- Anna Harageones – A. K. Suter Elementary
- Gary Horne – Washington High School
- Melanie Johnson – Kingsfield Elementary
- Angela McFarland – West Florida High School
- Christopher Norris – Ransom Middle School
- Linda Patti – Escambia Virtual Academy
- Allison Roberts – Success Academy
- Sara Smith – Beulah Elementary School
The district will narrow the list to five finalists to be announced later this month, and the Teacher of the Year will be named in late January. Teachers of the year from all schools will be honored at a special event in the spring.
“These outstanding educators reflect the skill, knowledge and compassion that our students benefit from each and every day. They represent ten of the finest examples of instructors who make sacrifices each day in order for our students to accomplish their educational goals,” said ECPS Superintendent Timothy Smith. “We look forward to celebrating these top ten finalists, as well as all of our outstanding Teacher of the Year nominees, and our hard-working teachers throughout the district.”
Pictured: The Golden Apple Award. File photo.
Cox Files Protest Over Commission’s Choice Of EREC For North Escambia Fiber Internet
December 2, 2022
Cox Communications has retained a law firm and filed a formal protest against the Escambia County Commission’s fiber internet selection of Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC).
A letter to the county from Orlando law firm Gunster states that Cox wants the memorandum of understanding with EREC rescinded and, instead, awarded to Cox.
Escambia County originally sought proposals to provide fiber to homes north of 10 Mile Road, with another upcoming request for proposals for the area south of 10 Mile Road. The county committed up to $10 million to the area north of 10 Mile Road, with another $12 million for the area to the south.
The proposal from EREC includes only their electric franchise territory, an area essentially north of Barrineau Park Road. As a member owned electric cooperative, EREC would provide fiber internet service to all 4,000 plus homes and businesses in their territory. Cox submitted a proposal to provide broadband internet to about 2,500 homes in unspecified areas north of 10 Mile Road.
Acceptance of the EREC proposal would be followed by a second phase to the south.
In their protest, COX claims the proposals from EREC and other companies are invalid because they do not include the complete originally specified area north of 10 Mile Road. For that reason, Cox contends they should win. In addition, the Cox proposal scored higher than EREC’s in a county selection committee ranking.
Commissioners, however, altered the original requested service area at a November 28 meeting because they felt the EREC proposal would better serve the unserved and underserved residents of North Escambia. In addition, District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry pointed out that EREC is owned by the residents they serve.
Escambia County’s contribution toward fiber internet in the county will come from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
PROPOSAL DETAILS
EREC Proposal
Under their proposal, EREC requested $6 million from the county toward a $24 million project. They proposed fiber internet to some 4,000 plus homes and businesses — every single home and business in their footprint — and a fiber ring connecting about two dozen county facilities. The first homes could receive service as early as next summer.
Three basic speed tiers proposed by EREC are:
- 100 Mbps/100 Mbps — $49.95/month
- 1 Gig/1 Gig — $79.95/month
- 2 Gig/2 Gig — $99.95/month
Cox Proposal
In their proposal, Cox requested the county provide $16.3 million toward a $24.4 million project to construct a 132 mile fiber ring to 44 county facilities and provide fiber internet to 2,514 “underserved” households. Their proposed timeline was 18-36 months to complete the residential portion, with 36 total months needed to ring the county facilities.
Cox proposed package pricing as follows:
- 100 Mbps/100 Mbps — $49.99/month
- 250 Mbps/250 Mbps — $87.99/month
- 500 Mbps/500 Mbps — $99.99/month
- 1 Gig/1 Gig — $119.99/month
- 2 Gig/2 Gig — $149.99/month
UWF Student Arrested On Child Porn Charges
December 2, 2022
A University of West Florida student was arrested at his campus residence Thursday for child pornography by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Paul Tupas Roquelara, 21, was charged with 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, and one count each of promoting a sexual performance of a child and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The case began in November after multiple law enforcement investigators obtained downloads of files containing child sexual abuse material from a peer-to-peer network from Roquelara. Investigators determined that the internet protocol address was unique to the suspect at his residence in the Village East Apartment dorms on the UWF campus.
Agents obtained and executed a search warrant at Roquelara’s residence Thursday and seized multiple electronic devices. FDLE said forensic examinations of his devices uncovered evidence of videos featuring children being sexually abused, some younger than 5 years old.
Homeland Security Investigations and University of West Florida Police Department assisted in the investigation.
Roquelara was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond until first appearance.
FDLE said additional charges are pending further forensic review.
What You Need To Know: Northview Hosts Union County In State Semifinal Tonight
December 2, 2022
The Northview Chiefs will host the Fightin’ Tigers of Union County High in the FHSAA 1-Rural state semifinal.
The Chiefs (12-0) are coming off a powerful 42-6 win over previously unbeaten Chipley last week, while Union County (8-2) defeated Lafayette 41-6. Union County is from Lake Butler, just north of Gainesville. They have a 333 mile road trip to Bratt.
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium, Northview HS
- Tickets: $9, plus service fee.
- All tickets must be purchased through Gofan.co. Mobile device only; no printed tickets. Only FHSAA state series passes will be accepted.
- Parking: Donation. Arrive early for the best locations.
- Theme: “Light Up the Tigers”. Fans asked to wear necklaces, bracelets or anything that lights up.
- Weather: Comfortably cool, no chance of rain. Kickoff about 61 degrees, dropping only a degree or two by the end of the game. Light wind from the east.
Northview has averaged 44.33 points per game this season, while Union County has averaged 34.9. The Chiefs have averaged 389.9 total yards per game (278 rushing, 111.9 passing), while Union County has averaged 399.6 (271.1 rushing, 128.5 passing).
Players to watch:
- Northview: #6 Jamarkus Jefferson with 174.4 yards rushing, 196.7 total yards, and 22.3 average points per game; #4 Kaden Odom with 111.9 passing yards per game; #24 Luke Bridges with 8.2 tackles per game; #55 John Michael Ward with 70 pancake blocks and 0.5 sacks per game.
- Union County: #9 AJ Cortese with 127.7 yards passing, 191.5 total yards per game; #4 Rayvon Durant with 148.3 rushing yards and 9.6 points per game; Dayviontae Thompson with 5.7 tackles per game; Markus Strong with 1.1 sacks per game.
With a win Friday night in the semifinals, the Northview Chiefs will face the winner of tonight’s Blountstown (9-4) at Hawthorne (10-0) game in the state 1R championship game. The game will be played at 7 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, December 10 at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
