Coach Hugh Thomas Fountain III
March 27, 2025
Coach Hugh Thomas Fountain III, a devoted husband, father, paw paw, mentor, and legendary high school football coach, passed away on March 24, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and football.
Born on March 13, 1964, in Brewton, Alabama, Hugh was the son of Hugh and the late Gayle Fountain. He grew up in East Brewton alongside his four siblings, Kim, Kay, Scott, and Jason. From an early age, he displayed a love for football, playing at W.S. Neal High School before continuing his career as a center at Troy State University. He was a member of the 1984 Troy State football national championship team, earned a letter in 1985, and later received his degree.
Hugh began his coaching career in 1987 as an assistant coach at Flomaton High School before becoming the head coach at Evergreen High School in 1988 at just 22 years old. The following year, he returned to his hometown as the head coach of the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles, leading the program to one of its most successful stretches in school history. Under his leadership, the team made six playoff appearances and, in 1995, tied the school record for most wins in a season with a 12-2 record.
In 1996, he took the helm at Charles Henderson High School in Troy, Alabama, where he spent 16 seasons and led the Trojans to 10 playoff appearances, including an undefeated regular season in 2007. In 2012, he transitioned to the AISA ranks as the head coach at Escambia Academy, where he won two football state championships, in 2014 and 2017, and guided the track program to eight straight state championships.
Coach Fountain’s impact on high school football was unparalleled. Over 39 years, he amassed an extraordinary 271 wins, ranking him 15th in Alabama high school football history for all-time wins. His teams qualified for the playoffs 29 times, and he holds the rare distinction of being the only head football coach in Alabama to be the winningest head football coach at three different schools—W.S. Neal, Charles Henderson, and Escambia Academy.
In 2022, Coach Fountain returned to W.S. Neal, bringing his career full circle as he continued to pour his heart into developing young athletes, mentoring his players, and changing lives. His passion extended beyond the field, as he worked tirelessly to secure college football scholarships for hundreds of student-athletes.
Beyond the gridiron, Hugh was a man of deep faith and a devoted servant of the Lord. He was an active member of Flomaton First Baptist Church, where he served as both the youth pastor and associate pastor. His calling to ministry led him to recently become an ordained minister, a role he embraced with the same passion and dedication that defined his coaching career. Whether from the pulpit or the sidelines, Hugh’s life was a testimony to his unwavering faith, and he found great joy in sharing God’s love with others.
Above all, Hugh was a devoted family man and a beloved husband to his wife of 39 years, Susan Locklier Fountain. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising three children: Hannah Fountain Helton (Brett), H.T. Fountain (Abigail), and Troy. He was also a proud grandfather to three grandchildren—Lock and Champ Helton, and Cross Fountain—who brought him endless joy.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Gayle Fountain; her parents, Eugene and Eloise Cargill; and his paternal grandparents, Hugh Thomas and Pearlie Mae Fountain.
Coach Fountain’s life was defined by his faith, his dedication to his players, and his love for his family. Though he has left the sidelines, his influence will continue to be felt in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
A celebration of Coach Fountain’s life will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, with visitation from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. The visitation will begin at the entrance to the fieldhouse and proceed onto the field, where condolences can be offered to the family. The service will follow on the football field at 7:00 PM.
A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025 with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Of Brewton, Alabama Directing.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Coach Hugh Fountain Scholarship Fund (702 Greenlawn Circle, Flomaton, AL 36441) to continue his legacy of helping student-athletes achieve their dreams.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23
Cantonment Woman And Her Two Young Grandsons Injured In Pensacola Wreck
March 26, 2025
A Cantonment woman and her two young grandsons were injured in a crash Tuesday afternoon on Fairfield Drive at Highway 90.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a silver Honda Fit driven by a 33-year-old DeFuniak Springs man exited a Walgreens parking lot and entered the path of an eastbound white Hyundai Tucson. The Hyundai was driven by a 61-year-old woman from Cantonment, with her 12-year-old and 4-year-old grandsons as passengers.
The collision resulted in minor injuries for the woman and her grandsons. They were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital. The Honda driver was uninjured and cited for failure to yield.
In His Own Words: New Northview Head Football Coach Doug Vickery
March 26, 2025
Northview vs. Flomaton has been a big rivalry for years. It’s usually a hard fought game, but a game that always ends with the Century Whataburger full of Hurricanes and Chiefs that left it all on the field and hang out together like good friends and neighbors door.
So for Doug Vickery, who was named the new head football coach at Northview Tuesday afternoon, it’s going to be an exciting fall when the two teams meet this season.
RELATED: Northview Chiefs Name Former Hurricane Doug Vickery As Head Coach
Tuesday afternoon, NorthEscambia.com interview Vickery just before we had the opportunity to be the first to break the big local sports story. Here’s what he had to say, in his own words.
“Every time we (Flomaton and Northview) play, it is like a dog fight. I’m just excited about getting over there; I’m excited about working with those kids and putting a great product on the field, something that everybody can be proud of. Kids that will hostel and fight and scratch. That’s my personality, and I’m just excited.
“Coach Summerford did such a great job there…too them to the state championship game just a few years ago. He’s got the foundation laid out, and it is a science. It’s a football rich tradition school, so I’m excited.”
Positive Personality
“I felt like what I do well is develop culture, and God have given me the ability to coach and lead young men,” he said. “You are concerned about those young men mentally and spiritually. You are constantly trying to feed those you men, and the second part is to develop toughness and implement toughness in everything that we do. The third thing is to build them up.”
“I am going to coach them hard and get on to them, but twice as much coach them up and tell them love them, brag on them, and push them in that right direction.”
“Football is a tough game, and it demands a lot out of you physically and mentally, but you’ve got to have some with it. And if you don’t have fun with it, why are you even playing the game?”
As for Friday night, he said Chiefs fans can expect to see him yelling and screaming (perhaps at the refs), but fans will also see him fist bumping, jumping up and down, and getting excited with the players.
Why cross the state line?
“I decided I had 31 years in the state of Alabama, so I’d been doing it a long time, and it was time and had an opportunity. I had some other opportunities come up these last few months when I’ve just been kind of looking around, and Northview popped up. Obviously, it’s always been in the back of my head that one day Northview would really be something I’d like to have, so it’s kind of like a dream job.”
And it’s almost a homecoming of sorts, he said. Vickery is an Atmore native, and his wife Leah is from Walnut Hill where she graduated from Ernest Ward High School.
“It just opened up, and (Principal) Mr. Sherrill’s giving me an opportunity. I can retire from Alabama, and I feel like I’ve still got a lot of juice in the tank, so I’m excited about having a group of you men that I can pour into and try to help them anyway I possibly can. That’s what I really enjoy.”
I enjoy every aspect of it from. Practice to off-season workouts to summer workouts. I think those are some of the best things, whether we’re going to camp together, or whether we’re spending time, whether we take them bowling or to a hockey game, whatever that’s some of the funniest things it keeps me young.”
And about THAT game
Former Flomaton Hurricane coach Vickery’s first season at Northview is also the first season for former Northview co-defensive coordinator Jace Gandy who is now Vickery’s successor as the new head coach at Flomaton — will end on the field in Flomaton. They know each other’s playbooks, and each other’s players.
“It will be tough,” Vickery said with a little chuckle. “Honestly, there are the kids that I have coached since they were really little, and I was their coach forever. And I love those kids, but now my sole responsibility is head football coach for Northview. So, I’m a Chief now, and I’m going to do all I possibly can. That does not mean I still don’t love those kids, but at the end of the day, it’s a game.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Arrested For DUI, Drug Possession In Atmore Traffic Stop
March 26, 2025
A Century man was arrested early Saturday morning after an Atmore Police Department officer stopped his vehicle for failing to maintain its lane.
According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Cowpen Creek Road. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Dennis Mathis showed signs of impairment and was asked to perform field sobriety tests. When he was unable to do so, officers placed him under arrest.
APD said a subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Mathis was charged with DUI, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and open container violations.
He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.
Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars
March 26, 2025
WSRE recently hosted the Shining Star Awards, honoring outstanding fifth grade students who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership, as well as demonstrating the core values of the Escambia County School District.
This was the 28th year that WSRE hosted this awards ceremony, previously with the Greater Escambia Community Foundation and now in partnership with the Escambia County Principals Association which raised the funds to purchase bicycles and also coordinated the event.
Each Shining Star student received a certificate and a brand-new bicycle.
For a photo gallery with additional photos with North Escambia students, click here.
The Shining Star award winners were:
A. K. Suter — Ja’Michael McCastle
Bellview — Adalyn Robinson
Beulah — Carly Jones
Blue Angels — Major Suggs
Bratt — Amahl Atallah
Brentwood — Conner Spratt
Byrneville — Kolin Rogers
C.A. Weis — Sarah Zaremba
Cordova Park — William Sherrill
Ensley — Daniel Cano Gutierrez
Ferry Pass — Harper Miller
Global Learning Academy — Yaretzy Alvarez
Hellen Caro — Ava Pope
Holm — Cameron Steele
Jim Allen — Chipper “Drew” Haney
Kingsfield — Aiden Barnhill
L.D McArthur — Alyson Le
Lincoln Park — Lemuel Ade Taku
Lipscomb — Kensley Adkisson
Longleaf — Elan Thompson
Molino Park — Emilee Marlow
Montclair — Fiona Hop
Myrtle Grove — Sarenity Rowe
N.B. Cook — Kelsie Barnhardt
Navy Point — Maria Guevera-Garcia
O.J. Semmes — Hope Johnson
Oakcrest — Sophia Perez Virola
Pensacola Beach — Jace Davis
Pine Meadow — Vance Beeks
Pleasant Grove — Eva Cunningham
Scenic Heights — Zachary Goodyear
Sherwood — Damion Felger
Warrington — Willow Turner
West Pensacola — Henry Ezell
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Holman Guard Charged With Sexual Misconduct With Inmate, Introduction Of Contraband
March 26, 2025
An Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) employee has been charged with having as sexual relationship with an inmate and introducing contraband into the Holman Correctional Institution in Atmore.
The ADOC Narcotics and Law Enforcement Services Divisions arrested correctional security guard Sabrina Taylor during an investigation into the illegal introduction of contraband at Holman.
“The ADOC continues to combat illegal contraband being introduced to the state’s correctional facilities, whether it is introduced from the inside or the outside. There is no place for corrupt personnel at ADOC,” Commissioner John Q. Hamm said.
Taylor reportedly provided headphones and a cellphone to an inmate.
She was charged with an ethics violation, prohibited activities, custodial sexual misconduct and promoting prison contraband. Taylor was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center following her arrest.
ADOC said the investigation is continuing and additional charges may be pending.
Foosackly’s Restaurant Planned For West Nine Mile Road
March 26, 2025
Foosackly’s has filed plans to build a new restaurant on West Nine Mile Road, which would be the chain’s third restaurant in the Pensacola area.
Foosackly’s parent company, Mobile based Three Fingers, Inc., filed the application this week with the Escambia County Development Review Committee for a 4,400 square-foot location on 5.61 acres at 2605 West Nine Mile Road, the corner of West Nine Mile and North Eight Mile Creek Road.
Plans show a single drive-thru lane with access from both Eight Mile Creek and Nine Mile roads. Plans show 60 parking spaces, including two handicap spaces.
The plans are not yet set for review or public hearing by the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
Northview Lady Chiefs Run Rule Catholic; Tate Baseball Shuts Out Pine Forest, NHS Falls To EHS
March 26, 2025
SOFTBALL
Northview 15, Catholic 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs make quick work of a 15-0 mercy rule shutout of the Pensacola Catholic Crusaders Tuesday afternoon in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Jamison Gilman earned the win for Northview in about an hour. In a complete four inning game, the senior allowed no hits and no runs while striking out nine and walking just one.
At the plate, Aubrey Hadley went 2-3 for the Lady Chiefs with two runs drove in. Riley Brooks and Kylee Langham each added two RBIs for Northview.
Up next, the Lady Chiefs will host the West Florida Jag in a varsity only game at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The game was postponed from Monday by weather.
BASEBALL
Tate 13, Pine Forest 0
The Tate Aggies shut out the Pine Forest Eagles 13-0 Tuesday at Pine Forest.
Sheppard Edgar earned the win for Tate, gave up no hits and no runs in two innings while walking two and striking out four. Aiden Bramblett and Cohen Rush both threw shutout innings in relief.
Nathan Connors and Tate Davis each had two RBIs for the Aggies as Lance Brady went 2-2.
Up next, Tate will host Central on Thursday.
Escambia 4, Northview 1
The Escambia Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs 4-1 Tuesday at Escambia.
In five innings, Jackson Bridges allowed four unearned runs on six hits while walking four and striking out four.
Cole Davis had one RBI for Northview as he went 1-2. Kelan Jury, Jase Portwood, Brady Smith, and Grayden Sheffield each added one hit for the Chiefs.
Up next, the Northview Chiefs will host the Jay Royals at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny, Maybe A Quick Passing Afternoon Shower
March 26, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 4pm. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Sandra Anne Spence
March 26, 2025
Mrs. Sandra Anne Spence, who was 56-years-old, sadly passed away at her home on March 25, 2025. She was originally from Fort Rucker, Alabama, but had lived in Walnut Hill, Florida, for the last 38 years. Her presence in the community will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Mrs. Spence had a joyful spirit that shone through her love for tulips and the excitement of traveling. She cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren, who filled her days with laughter and warmth. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she delighted in decorating with cheerful snowmen that brought a smile to everyone’s face. Her playful puppy, Trigger, was always by her side, adding to her happiness. Whether it was being outdoors or enjoying a peaceful day of fishing, Mrs. Spence embraced every moment with love and joy.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John T Akridge Sr. and Averil English Akridge; brother, John T. Akridge Jr.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, William Scott Spence of Walnut Hill, Florida; two daughters, Caitlin (Cole) Norton of Atmore, Alabama and Allison (Nathaniel) Nelson of Milton, Florida; son, Samuel (Autumn) Spence of Molino, Florida; three brothers, Peter (Claire) English of Kings Lynn, England, Tony Akridge of Geneva, Alabama, and John (Penny) Mecham of Suffolk, England; two sisters, Deborah (Jerry) Hilliard of Phenix City, Alabama, and Shirley (Bobby) Brackin of Geneva, Alabama; grandchildren, McKenzie Norton, Emma-Kate Norton, William Norton, Maverick Norton, Kevin Nelson, Hunter Nelson, Karsyn Nelson, one on the way Logan Nelson, Liam Spence, Greyson Spence, and Knox Spence; puppy Trigger.
Sandra’s favorite saying was “I Love You To The Moon and Back”
A memorial service will be held at a later date.