Photos: First Baptist Church Of Bratt Holds Fall Festival
November 16, 2025
The First Baptist Church of Bratt held its Fall Festival on Saturday.
Festivities included a chili lunch, bounce house, games and more.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No. 3 UWF Argos Fall In Heartbreaking OT Loss To Valdosta
November 16, 2025
The hopes carried by UWF’s football team Saturday to celebrate an unbeaten regular season and first outright Gulf South Conference title before a record home crowd were dashed in a stunning end.
After the No. 3-ranked Argos (9-1) tied the game in the final minute, they whiffed on an overtime possession and Valdosta State kicker Matt Rolader drilled a 37-yard field goal, giving the Blazers a walk-off 47-44 upset win at PenAir Field that will reshape the seeding and NCAA Division II playoff picture.
It was an emotion-numbing experience for UWF and the 5,754 fans who watched a wild, back-and-forth game of big plays, big mistakes and emotional swings.
“Obviously a little frustrated with how we played,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles. “We didn’t play our best, but we still gave them everything we had to take it to overtime. We’ll let this hurt for 24 hours and see how we respond. We still have a chance to make a run in the playoffs and we’ve got to get a lot better.”
In another riveting game in this rivalry, it featured a combined 948 yards total offense by the teams and five times when the score was tied.
The Blazers (6-4) won their fourth straight game and captured their 12th GSC title after starting the season 2-4. It was Valdosta State’s first overtime game since UWF beat the Blazers 32-31 in 2022. Each team has produced big wins on the other team’s home field.
On Saturday, UWF’s downfall was committing three turnovers, missing three field goals and an extra point. UWF also had some crucial penalties and could not get enough defensive stops in the final three quarters.
“I was on the players a bunch about it in the locker room and the nice thing is they are saying the same thing I”m saying now,” Nobles said. “We’ve got to get better, we gotta get more disciplined.
“We are going to get those things fixed. We’ll coach them up and if guys can’t do it, they won’t be on the playoff roster.”
Had they won, the Argos would have been the No. 1 seed in their eight-team Super Region bracket with a home-field advantage through the first three rounds. Now, it’s anyone’s guess how the pairings will shake out when the entire NCAA Division II playoff field is revealed at 5 p.m. Sunday on the selection show that will be live streamed on NCAA.com.
UWF is assured a first-round home game, but it gets dicier after that. Valdosta State was cited Friday by the GSC for using an ineligible player for its first eight games. That player did not play in the upset wins against Delta State or UWF in the final two games, but the Blazers’ win against West Alabama was declared a conference loss by the GSC.
It will be up to the NCAA football selection committee to determine how that affects the region pairings. Winning the GSC was set to bring an automatic spot in the playoffs.
“We’re in the playoffs and did our job getting that far,” Nobles said. “I know that we’re probably going to have to go on the road in the maybe the second or third round, but our guys have to be ready. Doesn’t matter about location, we have to be ready to play and I will do my job to get them ready to play.”
Here’s how Saturday’s game unfolded.
FIRST HALF
After missing a field goal on their second possession, the Argos produced a pair of touchdowns on a big play and a long drive to jump to a 13-0 lead.
Facing 3rd-and-12 from the UWF 40, quarterback Marcus Stones threw a deep pass under pressure that receiver Corey Scott outleaped a VSU defender for the ball inside Blazers territory and ran the distance for a 60-yard touchdown and the game’s first points.
After another defensive stop, the Argos scored again when Jayon Swinton caught a 21-yard scoring pass with 3:52 left in the quarter. But the extra point was blocked by the Blazers and returned for a 2-point play at the other end zone.
On their next possession, UWF was poised to expand the lead, but ball was punched loose. The Blazers recovered and this became a pivotal moment.
Valdosta State scored a pair of touchdowns less than two minutes apart, following another UWF fumble to take a 16-13 lead and turn the game into a back-and-forth battle the rest of the way.
The Argos tied the game on freshman kicker Brogan Woeber’s field goal and regained the lead on TJ Lane’s 10-yard score, following a big hit on VSU quarterback Jameson Holcomb and fumble recovery.
But the Blazers answered to tie the game with 1:55 left in the half.
Undaunted, UWF answered right back with Stokes finishing a 75-yard scoring drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Scott with 28 seconds left before halftime. It gave UWF a 30-23 halftime lead.
SECOND HALF
After UWF failed on a fourth-down conversion through a penalty, VSU tied the game with a 75 yard drive in three plays. A personal foul penalty followed a long pass completion and led to the tying score.
The Argos went up 37-30 after an interception by Chester Fearon and return to the Blazers 7. After Stokes’ run was nullified by a taunting penalty against him, he made amends two plays later with a TD pass to Tyree Holloway.
But this is where another big sequence unfolded. The Blazers reeled off more big plays to set up touchdown run and tied the game 37-37 with 1:56 left in the third quarter.
They took a 44-37 lead after Stokes threw an interception the end zone early in the fourth quarter, then another chance was missed when UWF smothered a botched punt at the Blazzers 27. UWF’s offense failed to deliver and Woeber missed a 44-yard field goal.
This time, VSU answered with six play drive where Holcomb made three big pass plays to set up the go-ahead scored.
The game reached its dramatic point in the final three and a half minutes.
UWF failed to convert a 4th-and-1 situation at the Valdosta 21 with 3:29 left when tailback Jay Sharp was ruled down inches short of the mark.
The Argos used their remaining timeouts, got a defensive stop and the ball back with 2:26 remaining at their own 43. They tied the game with 28 seconds left when Stokes connected with Holloway on a 35-yard pass that had the crowd screaming in delight.
Nobles signaled for a two-point conversion try and bold move to try and take the lead and win the game. But it never happened. The Argos were cited for a delay of game penalty following a late substitution and were forced to kick the extra point.
“We had a little miscommunication on something,” Nobles said. “I’m not going to go into detail about it, but we had played a lot of plays and I felt like (players) were tired on both sides, so I felt let’s go win the thing right now.”
OVERTIME
The Blazers won the coin toss. That proved pivotal. They elected to play defense first.
UWF lost a yard on its first play, after Lane was smothered on a running play. The next two plays were incomplete passes by Stokes. That forced a 41-yard field goal attempt by Woeber that was deflected and fell way short.
“Four bad plays in a row to end the game will definitely keep me up (Saturday night),” Nobles said. “Not very happy about it. We didn’t really do what we were supposed to do on any of those plays.
“So our guys have to improve on it, they have execute what we’re trying to do and we’ve got to do better as coaches in preparing them.”
The Blazers gained five yards on their possession from the 25, but had the ball right in the center of the field, easing the field goal attempt that split through the uprights to win the game.
Ice Flyers Continue Winning Ways With 4-1 Victory Over Marksmen
November 16, 2025
The Ice Flyers continued their winning ways on Small Dog Race Night sweeping the weekend series with a 4-1 victory over the Fayetteville Marksmen in front of 5,595 fans at the Hangar.
After a scoreless first period that saw both teams trade chances, Sam Rhodes broke through in the second to give the Ice Flyers a 1-0 lead. Tim Kent evened the score for Fayetteville midway through the frame, but Rhodes answered back late in the period to restore the Ice Flyers’ advantage. Tyler Burnie added another goal before the end of the second, sending Pensacola into the final period with a commanding 3-1 lead.
The intermissions brought their own entertainment as 96 dogs competed in races on the ice, with tons of cute chaos delighting the crowd throughout the night.
The second period featured multiple fights that electrified the crowd and set the tone for the rest of the game. Shane Bull capped off the night with the lone goal of the third period to seal the 4-1 win.
Rico DiMatteo was once again outstanding in net, following up his shutout performance from the previous night with a 31-save effort, stopping all but one of Fayetteville’s 32 shots.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
400 Thanksgiving Meals Gone In 15 Minutes As Over 1,000 Seek Food Help
November 15, 2025
Some people line up as early as 11:30 Friday night for a Saturday morning Thanksgiving food distribution sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman.
By 6:30 a.m., there were over 1,000 vehicles in line at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, with many people picking up for multiple families. Due to the sheriff’s office concerns for safety and traffic, the distribution started 45 minutes early at 6:45 a.m., and by 7:00, all 400 complete Thanksgiving meals had been handed out.
Another 600 boxes of free produce and other items were distributed.
For those who called the number on the flyer before noon (Saturday) to express concern about being near the front and still not getting the thanksgiving meal, we will be delivering a Thanksgiving meal to you,” Salzman said, noting those individuals will receive a call or text in the next few days to coordinate delivery.
“I know what it’s like to go hungry and our team of volunteers are all committed to taking care of you,” Salzman added. “Food insecurity is at an all time high, and this morning we all felt it.”
“It was heartbreaking to see the hundreds of cars coming through that missed out on the meals, and I wish we could have done more.”
She said over two dozen local businesses and organizations donated over $50,000 in food to the event, and over 200 people volunteered with the distribution Saturday morning.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Take A Final Bow On The 2025 Season (With Photo Gallery)
November 15, 2025
The Blue Angels took a final bow on their 2025 season for a hometown crowd on Friday. The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show that was set for this weekend was canceled due to the government shutdown.
The Blue held their final public practice of 2025 as NAS Pensacola reopened to the public. The Blues also surprised fans in Cantonment with a low flyover and buzzed Pensacola Beach.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Fat Albert was part of the flights, giving fans what was likely one last look at the C-130 for awhile. Fat Albert will be sent to England for complex component replacements and maintenance that is expected to take 10-14 months to complete.
Pictured: The Blue Angels final public practice and beach buzz on Friday, as seen from Pensacola Beach and Fort Pickens. NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Lipscomb Elementary School Celebrates World Kindness Day
November 15, 2025
Students and staff at Lipscomb Elementary School enjoyed spreading kindness for World Kindness Day. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Charged After Narcotics Search Warrants
November 15, 2025
Two people were arrested on multiple drug charges after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served two search warrants Thursday morning.
Devante Lyons Jamal Lyons, 33, and Olivia Grace Andersen, 27, were both arrested Thursday evening, each charged with:
- trafficking methamphetamine
- trafficking in fentanyl
- cocaine trafficking
- heroin trafficking
- methaqualone derivatives
- possession of synthetic cannabin
- weapon possession by convicted felon
Anderson was also charged with criminal attempt to solicit/conspire. Both remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Sheriff Chip Simons said the ECSO Narcotics Unit served the first search warrant at 194 Overlook Drive, near I-10 and North Palafox Street, while the second search warrant was excited at room at the Motel 6 on Highway 29.
Deputies seized multiple weapons, an assortment of drugs including methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin, along with a drug lab.
Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons with weapons, drugs and other paraphernalia seized during the execution of two search warrants.
UWF Seeks Perfect Season And GSC Title On Saturday
November 15, 2025
by Bill Vilona
The first eight seasons in UWF’s football history have featured an incredible array of historic moments and national achievements.
Two missing elements? Going unbeaten in the regular season and winning an outright Gulf South Conference title.
The opportunity to complete a special checklist awaits Saturday at 2 p.m. when the No. 3 ranked Argos (9-0) face nearest rival Valdosta State (5-4) in a defining, showdown game at UWF’s PenAir Field to end the 2025 schedule.
A win assures UWF of being a No. 1 region seed in the NCAA Division II playoffs, which begin Nov. 22, along with home-field advantage guaranteed in at least the first three rounds. The winner Saturday is the GSC champion and with that comes an automatic playoff berth.
But all of this becomes more pronounced when remembering a decade ago, the Argos launched football on a well-worn set of intramural fields, about 100 yards or so from their current venue.
“It’s pretty surreal to be a part of, to be honest,” said UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles, who was the starting quarterback of UWF’s inaugural 2016 season, then held an assisting coaching role in the Argos’ national title 2019 season. “I have such a unique experience to be able to sit back and look at everything.
“Basically, I’ve been around for almost every part of the (UWF) program. It is kinda cool to sit back and think, man, we have never entered the last game of a season with a chance to do this (finish unbeaten in the regular-season schedule).
“There have been a lot of firsts in this program, because it’s been such a fresh football program. But we never had a chance to to win a conference championship outright and we’ve never been able to go undefeated.”
Saturday’s game also brings an emotional attachment. Nobles grew up in Fitzgerald, Georgia, located about 80 miles from Valdosta State. After attending games there as a kid with his father, who was a renowned high school coach, Nobles then played his first four seasons at Valdosta State.
He has a friendship with Blazers head coach Graham Craig. The two were quarterback teammates in 2012 at VSU.
“It is pretty cool to be part of a game like this one versus them (Blazers) and there’s obviously a lot riding on the line,” said Nobles, who played against his former team in 2016 when UWF traveled that season to Valdosta State.
“But really, the last time I was part of that program was December 2015, so it has literally almost been 10 years now,” Nobles said. “A lot has changed.
“I’ve had the opportunity to be part of a lot of good teams here at UWF as an assistant coach and now as a head coach. So, it’s almost like that part of me has been separated so far between then and now that it really doesn’t register for me as much.
“Graham Craig is a very good coach, a great motivator and really good friend of mine, so from that aspect it is very cool and maybe a little more emotional for this game. But as far as me having been there as a player, it’s not as emotional.”
The stage for Saturday’s matchup was heightened Nov. 8 when Valdosta State scored a game-winning touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining to knock off Delta State 27-23, creating the scenario for a GSC outright title game at PenAir Field.
The Blazers have won 11 GSC crowns, the most of any team in league history. They boast 28 seniors, many of whom helped the team reach the NCAA Division II national title game in 2021 and 2024.
“Like I have told our guys, we haven’t come this far, just to be undefeated at this point,” Nobles said.
Led by quarterback Marcus Stokes, who’s recently been recognized as a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the nation’s best Division II player, the Argos offense has been especially prolific the past two games, producing 106 points. The Argos needed the offense in high gear to win a 51-38 shootout in their last game Nov. 1 at Delta State.
But they’ve also won games that were decided by one possession in the fourth quarter.
“We have played games in six different states,” Nobles said. “We have faced adversity on the road and our sideline has never wavered. I’ve never had a point all season when I was worried or concerned.
“People keeping coming at us and we keep standing. The guys on the sideline have been very positive and we have been resilient. We still have a lot of young guys on offense. We took our lumps last year and finished 7-3 (missing the postseason) and I told those guys, hey what you are going through right now will make you better for the long run and I feel our adversity has made us better.”
Child Injured In House Fire Off 10 Mile Road
November 15, 2025
A child was transported to the hospital following a house fire Friday afternoon on Shear Street off East 10 Mile Road.
The fire was reported about 3:40 p.m. in the 10600 block of Shear Street.
Fire officials said seven people were inside the home and all were able to escape the blaze. A girl who escaped through a window was taken to the hospital as a precaution for possible smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries reported.
The fire started in the kitchen, according to Escambia County Fire Rescue.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
High School Football Playoffs Scoreboard
November 15, 2025
Here are Thursday and Friday night playoff scores from the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
Region 1-6A Quarterfinals
Pace 20, Evans 6
Region 1-5A Quarterfinals
Beachside 23, Milton 7
Region 1-4A Quarterfinals
Ed White 41, Pine Forest 20
Choctawhatchee 49, Washington 6
Region 1-3A Quarterfinals
West Florida 24, Yulee 16
Region 1-2A Quarterfinals
Pensacola Catholic 48, Bozeman 0
Rural Regional Semifinals
Blountstown 38, Jay 0
4A-7A FIT Regional Semifinals
Tate 35, First Coast 14 (Thursday) [Story, photos...]
1A-3A FIT Regional Semifinals
Dunnellon 35, Pensacola High 6 (Thursday)
Rural FIT Regional Semifinals
Central 28, Wewahitchka 20 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
AISA Semifinals
Escambia Academy 27, Cornerstone Christian 14 (Thursday)
AHSAA 4A Second Round
W.S. Neal 35, American Christian Academy 7
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat First Coast 35-14 on Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.