Northview Chiefs Split With Chipley Tigers To Force Sunday Regional Decider
May 3, 2026
The Northview Chiefs dropped their first regional semifinal game to the Chipley Tigers 10-3 Saturday afternoon, but the Chiefs doubled down in a long nightcap, powering ahead to a 16-8 win. That tied the best-of-three series at 1-1, setting up a deciding game on Sunday afternoon.
GAME 1: Chipley 10, Northview 3
Saturday’s afternoon in the regional semis was the first game the Northview Chiefs had played in 15 days, since winning the district championship 2-1 over Jay back on April 17. And it showed, according to head coach Justin Raley.
Chipley set the tone in the first inning with a two-run homer to left field, and added a solo home run to left field in the third.
Grayson Burns opened on the mound for the Chiefs, surrendering two hits and three runs in two innings, striking out three and walking four. Gage Harrison threw four and one-third innings in relief for the Chiefs, giving up eight hits and seven runs (six earned), while striking out four and walking five.
At the plate, Grayden Sheffield went 2-4 for NHS. Burns, Luke Chavers, and Bryant Mason each had one run.
GAME 2: Northview 16, Chipley 8
The Chiefs found their rhythm in a nearly four-hour game two, doubling up on Chipley 16-8 on a chilly Saturday night with temperatures dropping into the middle 50s.
Northview took an early 7-0 lead by the top of the third but saw it eroded to an 8-8 tie in the fourth inning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Bryant Mason went 4-6 with three RBIs at the plate for the Chiefs. Jase Portwood was 3-4 with two RBIs and Grayden Sheffield was 2-4 with one RBI.
Senior Jackson Bridges had his first career home run, a fly ball to center field, while Taylor Curtis and Grayson Burns also had a hit each.
Mason earned the win for the Chiefs, surrendering one hit and one unearned run in three and two-thirds innings, walking seven and striking out seven. Jack Boutwell opened on the hill for NHS, allowing four hits and seven runs (six earned) in two and one-third innings, striking out none and walking three. Portwood threw one inning of no-hit ball in relief, striking out two and walking none.
GAME 3
The final game in the best-of-three series will be 3 p.m. on Sunday. The winner will advance to take on the Holmes County Blue Devils on Friday. Holmes County took two from the Jay Royals on Saturday [Read more...]
Northview Softball Regional Rescheduled For Tuesday
May 3, 2026
Northview’s regional opener has been rescheduled from Thursday to Tuesday, due to a high chance of rain currently in the forecast for Thursday.
Ranked No. 1, Northview (18-5) will host No. 4 Holmes County (8-16) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5. The regional finals are still scheduled for Tuesday, May 12.
The state Rural semifinal is May 19, followed by the state championship on May 20, at Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Musicians Take Part In Northwest Florida Honor Band Performance
May 3, 2026
Several Northview High School band members took part in the Northwest Florida Small School Honor Band on Saturday afternoon at Milton High School.
The Northwest Florida Small School Honor Band was founded by the Baker, Central and Jay band directors who conceptualized a new honor band experience for small schools, with an inaugural performance in April 2024. This year, Baker, Central, and Jay were joined by Northview in the honor band performance.
Northview band members performing on Saturday were:
- Landon Brown
- Brynlie Shaw
- Elizabeth Coleman
- Olivia Doyle
- Amy Floyd
- Aubrey Flowers
- Ryan Martin
- Brandon Stinson
- Donovan Szuch
- Daivyd Wallace
The Northview band director is Garsche Roble.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Holmes County Takes Jay Out Of Regional Hunt
May 3, 2026
The Holmes County Blue Devils defeated the Jay Royals in two close contests on Saturday in the Rural regional semifinals.
Holmes County won 2-1 and 4-2 in the best-of-three series.
The Blue Devils advance to the regional finals on Friday, May 8 against the winner of Sunday’s game three between Northview and Chipley.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
May 3, 2026
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board are asked to submit a resume indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Monday, May 11. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Lewis Jr., Blue Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader Over Shuckers
May 3, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos swept the Biloxi Shuckers in a doubleheader on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 7-4 win in game one and a 6-3 win in game two.
Ian Lewis Jr. was the offensive star, hitting a go-ahead, two-run triple in the opener and giving the Blue Wahoos the lead for good in the nightcap with a three-run homer.
In game one, a makeup after Friday night’s rainout, the Shuckers jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning on a two-run homer from Damon Keith. The Blue Wahoos answered back in the home half of the inning thanks to a Brendan Jones leadoff walk and an RBI groundout from Ryan Ignoffo.
Pensacola starter Brandon White (W, 1-1) allowed a solo homer to Mike Boeve in the fourth, but completed 5.0 innings with a season-high seven strikeouts to keep the Blue Wahoos within striking distance and ultimately earn his first Double-A win.
Trailing 3-1 in the fifth, the Blue Wahoos finally broke through against Shuckers starter Brett Wichrowski (L, 2-2). Ignoffo hit a two-run triple to tie the game, and Lewis Jr. hit another two-run triple two batters later for a 5-3 edge. Michael Snyder added insurance by scoring Lewis Jr. with a sacrifice fly, and Jones circled the bases an inning later with a single, stolen base and wild pitch to give Pensacola a 7-3 lead.
Nigel Belgrave (S, 3) surrendered a solo homer to Darrien Miller in the seventh, but kept the Shuckers at arm’s length to earn the six-out save in a 7-4 final.
In game two, Pensacola’s top prospect Karson Milbrandt (W, 1-1) surrendered a run in the first inning without allowing a hit. Blake Burke walked, stole second, took third on a throwing error, and scored on a wild pitch for a 1-0 Biloxi lead.
Milbrandt would settle down, ultimately striking out eight over 6.0 two-hit innings, and got a lead to protect in the bottom of the second when Lewis Jr. launched a three-run homer off Biloxi’s Manuel Rodriguez (L, 1-2) for a 3-1 advantage.
Dillon Lewis launched his team-leading fifth homer of the season, an opposite-field shot to right field, in the fifth inning to extend Pensacola’s lead to 6-1.
The Shuckers scored twice in the top of the seventh and loaded the bases with the top of their order due up, but Logan Whitaker (S, 3) retired Dylan O’Rae and Jesús Made with the tying run at first to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer
NAS Pensacola Reopens Areas Of Public Interest Seven Days A Week
May 2, 2026
After being closed to the general public for over a month, NAS Pensacola has reopened areas of public interest seven days a week.
Areas of public interest on the air station include the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, Fort Barrancas and the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM). Other areas on NAS Pensacola can only be accessed by individuals with a Department of War (DoW) identification card.
The installation’s West Gate is open daily from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. for visitor access to the air station’s areas of public interest.
The only authorized area onboard NAS Pensacola to view the Blue Angels practice is at the National Naval Aviation Museum flightline.
Access to Barrancas National Cemetery – located onboard the air station – is always available through the Visitor Control Center (VCC) to individuals with family interred at the cemetery. Visitors to Barrancas National Cemetery must enter the installation through the Main Gate at the south end of Navy Blvd.
All U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals 18 and older must have a Real identification card or passport and enter NAS Pensacola through the installation’s West Gate at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.
Foreign Nationals are authorized access to NAS Pensacola but must be escorted by a U.S. citizen with proper identification.
The following restrictions will apply to visitors:
- No weapons (firearms/knives) allowed (to include Concealed Weapon Permit holders)
- No backpacks/coolers allowed (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
- No alcoholic beverages allowed
- No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
- Individuals with felony convictions are not authorized base access
- No visitors with boats and boat trailers
- All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks
Create a Special Card For Mom Today At The Molino Library
May 2, 2026
Stop by the Molino Library between 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and make a special card for mom to show just how much you care.
Use the free Mother’s Day Card Creation Station to design a one-of-a-kind card using color paper, stickers, and more.
File image.
Blue Wahoos Rained Out Friday; Double Header On Saturday
May 2, 2026
Friday’s game at Blue Wahoos Stadium between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Biloxi Shuckers was postponed due to rain.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday with a pair of seven-inning games beginning at 4:05 p.m. Game two will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
Fans planning to attend Friday’s postponed game can exchange their tickets for a future 2026 regular season home game of equal or lesser value at the Blue Wahoos Stadium ticket office. As stated on tickets, no refunds will be given.
Fans with tickets to Saturday’s regularly scheduled game will gain admittance to both games in the doubleheader, in the seats they have been assigned. Gates open at 3:00 p.m.
The Blue Wahoos play the Shuckers again on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m., and continue their homestand on Tuesday as they begin a six-game series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.
Northview Lady Chiefs Blank Jay For District Title (With Gallery)
May 1, 2026
The Northview Lady Chiefs shut out the Jay Royals 7-0 on Thursday night to win the Rural District 1 championship — the Lady Chiefs’ second district championship since 2019.
Northview took an early 4-0 lead in the first inning and held steady to earn the win in Jay.
Junior Mikayla McAnally was a force in the circle for NHS, allowing only one hit, walking two and striking out 11. Cadee Carroll took the loss for Jay, surrendering seven hits and seven runs (four earned) while walking two and striking out three.
Daviona Randolph went 2-3 at bat with two RBIs to lead the Chiefs at the plate. Riley Brooks also had two RBIs. Emery Vaughn went 1-3 for the Royals.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Thursday night was the seventh consecutive victory for Northview, now 18-5, while Jay dropped to 11-12.
Northview will be at home in Bratt next Thursday for the regional semifinals. The game is currently set for 7 p.m., but coaches are looking to change to a 6 p.m. start. Jay will likely also receive a regional bid that will put them on the road for May 7.
The regional finals for the Rural class will be on May 12, and it’s possible the Royals and Chiefs could meet again. Last season, Northview beat Jay 4-1 for the regional title before finishing as state runners-up.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
