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.
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.
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.
Ice Flyers Beat Fayetteville 4-0 (With Gallery)
November 15, 2025
The Ice Flyers showed out in front of 5,787 fans Friday night, dominating the Fayetteville Marksmen with a commanding 4-0 victory at the Hangar.
Blake Wells opened the scoring in the first period with his third goal of the season, followed by Tyler German’s fourth goal to give the Ice Flyers a 2-0 lead. German struck again in the second period, capitalizing on a shorthanded opportunity to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Nicholas Aromatario added his first goal of the season in the third period to seal the 4-0 win.
Rico DiMatteo capped off the night with a stellar performance in net, recording his first professional shutout with 34 saves.
The Ice Flyers will be back in action Saturday night for game two of the weekend against the Marksmen.
Demolition Paves Way For Construction Of New Costco On Nine Mile Road
November 14, 2025
Demolition is now underway on East Nine Mile Road, the future site of a new Costco store.
The Escambia County Development Review Committee gave final approval in August for a Costco at 225 East Nine Mile, the site of a Planet Fitness that has now moved nearby; and a previous Kmart store.
The architectural firm MG2, which has partnered with Costco for 30 years on over 780 locations, says it takes under four months to build a new store — but that’s after demolition and site work is complete.
“Costco Wholesale has set the bar by creating and maintaining the platinum standard in optimized rollouts: It takes just 110 days from the time construction begins to the moment doors open to their members, the MG2 website states. That means a new Pensacola Costco could be open by next summer.
The plans show a 172,580 square foot Costco retail store with a gas station and 830 parking spaces at the corner of East Nine Mile Road and Chemstrand Road. The site is just under 22 acres.
The plans show the existing Dairy Queen, seafood restaurant and Wells Fargo to remain, with a Costco gas station constructed between Sam’s Seafood and Wells Fargo in an area that is currently a parking area for the old shopping center.
Pictured: A large portion of the old Kmart store on East Nine Mile Road had been demolished by Thursday afternoon in preparation for the construction of a new Costco store. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Three Killed In Single Vehicle Crash Near Atmore
November 14, 2025
Three people were killed in a single-vehicle crash near Atmore.
The crash happened on Highway 21 just north of Atmore about 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday. Alabama State Troopers said the crash occurred when the 2000 Toyota Camry driven by Tommy R. Odom, 39, of Little River, left the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned. Odom was fatally injured and pronounced deceased at the scene. Erica L. White, 40, of Uriah and Jason L. Peoples, 39, of Little River, who were both passengers in the Toyota, were also fatally injured and pronounced deceased at the scene.
Troopers said neither Odom, White, nor Peoples was using a seat belt at the time of the crash and were all ejected.
The investigation into the triple-fatal crash is continuing.