Century Council Member Named To League of Cities Federal Action Strike Team
October 1, 2023
Century Town Council member Shelisa Abraham Florida League of Cities’ 2023-2024 Federal Action Strike Team (FAST).
FAST members are asked to commit to working closely with Florida’s U.S. senators and members of Congress.
She will attend a meeting later this month in Washington, D.C. Her travel will be funded by the Town of Century.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Jiles Overcomes Low Moment With Record Night In Leading No. 6 UWF Past NGU
October 1, 2023
In a span of 75 seconds Saturday, John Jiles went from the lowest point of UWF’s night to stamping the greatest, single-game receiver performance in Argos football history.
Oh, how they needed it, too.
Jiles willed his way with scoring catches, led sixth-ranked UWF to a fourth-quarter explosion that became a 48-24 victory against North Greenville and continued the Argos’ three-season, unbeaten streak in Gulf South Conference road games.
“This means a lot to me and obviously being back in the Carolinas, coming here, that was special, too,” said Jiles, a senior from Wake Forest, North Carolina, who transferred to UWF this year from Virginia Union.
Before Jiles finished the game with an astonishing 11 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns – the fourth most yards by a receiver in GSC history – he had disaster strike.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jiles had the ball ripped from his arms as he was falling on a third-down conversion catch. North Greenville’s Jerrick Foster then headed the other way on a stunning, 33-yard, strip-and-score fumble return that cut UWF’s once-comfortable lead into 27-24 with 12:42 left in the game.
All the emotion, the momentum was suddenly on the Crusaders’ sideline at North Greenville’s Yount Stadium.
But Jiles instantly made amends. After the ensuing kickoff became a touchback, UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett connected again with Jiles for a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown with 11:19 remaining.
“That was a very low moment for me and right after that play, I said, well, I’ve got to make a play, I gotta make up for it, I gotta make up for it,” Jiles said. “I kept pounding that in my head and it then presented itself and I just went out made a play.”
Just like that, UWF’s lead was 10 points again. The Argos (4-1) later faced a 3rd-and-10 situation from North Greenville 44. UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles called for a pass that Jarrett beautifully threw to Jiles for a knockout touchdown with 2:44 left.
“It was like the cherry on top… it was great to end the night,” said Jiles, whose record surpassed the 254 receiving yards produced by Quentin Randolph, a Navarre High grad, in the 2019 national championship game.
“I am super excited about those guys,” Nobles said. “I can see that happening and I am not surprised, because they’ve had a great connection all summer.”
The only player in college football this season at all levels with more single-game yards is New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube who produced 295 yards in a game against Central Michigan.
“Guys like John Jiles, Peewee Jarrett and all those wide receivers, the tight ends and running backs… they make my life a lot easier. I’m really excited about this offense,” Nobles said.
A minute later, following UWF’s third defensive interception, the Argos were going to run out the clock when Jalen Bussey busted through a gaping hole and went 57 yards to double the lead and create the final score.
“I am very proud of that O-line,” said Nobles, whose team had 607 yards total offense and average 8.8 yards per-play. “They played very well and our running backs were phenomenal.”
This was among the wildest wins in UWF’s conference road streak. And longest, too, after the game took 3 hours, 33 minutes to complete, because of various reasons.
“I am really proud of how our guys played overall, how our effort was the entire game,” Nobles said. “There are a lot of things we really need to clean up, but we are moving in a really good direction.”
Leading the checklist of clean-up is the multitude of UWF penalties. It has been a season issue.
“We have to get more disciplined,” Nobles said.
The Argos overcame a season-high 17 penalties with big performances from many players. Jarrett followed his strong game a week ago against West Georgia – playing only three quarters that night in a lopsided win – by completing 21 of 33 passes against North Greenville for 419 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown.
The running game was led by C.J. Wilson with 68 yards, then Jamontez Woods with 59 yards and Bussey’s two carries that included one to the end zone.
Among Jiles’ receiver supporting cast, Caden Leggett had five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. KJ Franklin had two catches, one for a touchdown.
The Argos defense was led by Walker Robinson, a Fort Walton Beach High grad, who had 10 tackles, 7 solo stops. Gael Laurent had nine stops. Quincy Milhomme had two interceptions. Ralph Ortiz had the other interception.
The Argos racked up six quarterback sacks.
After North Greenville drove to the Argos’ 2 yard-line on the game’s opening possession, settling for a field goal, UWF took command of the first half, leading 20-3 at halftime.
Jarrett’s scoring run made it 27-10 with 55 seconds left in the third quarter. But the Crusaders answered with two touchdowns in 13 seconds. They finished a 79-yard drive with a touchdown pass, then had the big-play fumble return to produce 14 points.
“We pulled away at the end, but obviously I would have loved for us to start out hotter in the third quarter,” Nobles said. “We played well in the first half, executed the two minute drill and had a chance to get points (before missing field goal).”
The win now leads into a defining October, which begins with UWF’s homecoming game next Saturday against Shorter. The Argos will then play West Alabama and Delta State on the road, before ending the month at home against Valdosta State.
by Bill Vilona
Fall Tradition: Pumpkins Have Arrived At Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
September 30, 2023
It’s a sure sign of fall in Cantonment.
The pumpkins have arrived at the Allen Memorial Methodist Men Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment
Thursday, the Northview High School NJROTC helped unload 38,000 pounds — 19 tons — of pumpkins under the big tent on Highway 29 near Neal Road.
The pumpkin patch is located on Highway 29 near Neal Road and is open from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays.
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Hosting Junior-Senior Parents Night On Tuesday
September 30, 2023
Northview High School will host a junior and senior parents night on Tuesday, October 3 at 6:00 in the library.
Attendees can learn about scholarship opportunities, graduation requirements, FAFSA, college applications and more.
Pensacola State College, University of West Florida, Coastal Alabama, University of South Alabama, George Stone Technical College, and the Pensacola School of Massage Therapy are scheduled to attend. Recruiters from the Navy, Marines, Army and Army National Guard are also expected to attend.
A limited number of free ACT study books will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Registration Underway For Tri-City Children’s Choir
September 30, 2023
Registration is underway for the Tri-City Children’s Choir (TCCC), a regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
TCCC welcomes young singers in grades 2-6 who reside in Century, Flomaton, Jay and the surrounding areas in Florida and Alabama.
The choir will one again be under the direction of Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher.
Singers will meet weekly beginning October 5 at Century First United Methodist Church, 530 Church Street. TCCC is a tuition-based program and costs from $15 to $65 per month. Families may choose the weekly amount that works best for their household finances, and scholarships are also available. Parents can apply during the registration process.
For more information on joining the choir, or make a contribution, visit www.tricitychoir.org.
Driver taught music in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years, served as the choral director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino for nine years, and teaches in her own studio.
If you need more information, call or text Driver at (850) 324-6182.
Pictured: A May 2022 performance by the Tri-City Children’s Choir. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Milton 45-7 (With Photo Gallery)
September 30, 2023
The senior Aggies never had better than a one-win season during their first three years at Tate — until this year.
And it’s just getting better and better.
The Aggies notched win number three Friday night as they blacked-out the Milton Panthers 45-7. Is the first time the Aggies have won three games in a season since 2018.
“What a night for the senior class on our home turf,” head coach Rhett Summerford said of the district win. “The seniors worked really hard. It says something about them. It’s emotional. It’s just sweet tonight. That’s just the thing; it’s just sweet. We had a great crowd here and the student body was awesome.”
The Aggies were on the scoreboard early when junior quarterback Taite Davis found Christian Neptune on a 35-yard touchdown pass. The Aggies were up 7-0 with 10:34 in the first.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. For a gallery with the band, fans, cheerleaders and mini cheerleaders, click here.
Also in the first, Carson Secchiari had a touchdown run, and kicker Jackson Clarke put a 35-yard through the uprights for a field goal to put the Aggies on top 24-0.
In the second, Tate’s Ward O’Brien added a touchdown run, and Secchiari had his second TD of the night to make it 31-0. Milton added a touchdown as time expired in the half, 31-7.
The Aggies had touchdowns in the fourth quarter from Andre Colston and Elijah West.
“We can’t make stupid penalties. We had them at third and long, and they get a big play. We can’t get a false start penalty,” Summerford said. “There’s a lot to still get improved on, but this team is growing. We’ve got a good young class. I’m proud of Tate High School right now.”
The Tate Aggies (3-2) will do homecoming — Glo-Co ‘23 — next Friday night as they host the West Florida Jaguars (2-4). The Jags are coming off a 35-31 loss to Walton Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. For a gallery with the band, fans, cheerleaders and mini cheerleaders, click here.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat Milton 45-7 Friday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 30, 2023
Here are Friday night football scores from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Tate 45, Milton 7 [Game story, photos...]
- Elberta 43, Northview 26
- Destin 22, Jay 6
- Walton 35, West Florida 31
- Pine Forest 35, Fort Walton Beach 20
- Escambia 35, Washington 0
- Baker 42, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 12
- Pensacola Catholic 51, Pensacola High 7
- Pace 55, Gulf Breeze 24
- Niceville 42, Crestview 21
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 32, Hooper Academy 12
- Escambia County (Atmore) 41, Monroe County 6
- Byes – Flomaton, T.R. Miller, W.S Neal
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat Milton 45-7 Friday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Holding His Girlfriend Against Her Will For Two Days
September 29, 2023
A Cantonment man is charged with holding his girlfriend against her will for two days and physically battering her.
Antwon Jamal Davis, 28, was charged with felony battery by strangulation and felony false imprisonment, both domestic violence related.
The victim claimed Davis had held her against her will for two days at his grandmother’s house. Davis grabbed her by the throat when she tried to escape, pulling her back into a room and causing her to lose consciousness, according to an arrest report. He also struck her in the face with a closed fist and hit her in the back of the head, the report continues.
The female victim was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS for treatment.
Davis told deputies that he did not place his hands on the victim; instead he said he was hit and shoved by the victim. Deputies noted Davis had cut and scrape injuries.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies determined Davis was the primary aggressor. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $6,500.
We Are Now Officially In A Severe Drought
September 29, 2023
A severe drought exists across much of the North Escambia area, according to the latest information released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center.
A portion of Escambia County in Alabama is under an extreme drought.
There is no rainfall in the forecast for the next week in the North Escambia area.
According to the National Weather Service in Mobile:
- Many local streams and rivers have shown some degradation in flow and stage remaining at below or much below normal levels. This can lead to hazards and increased difficulty in safe navigation of recreational boating and commercial waterway needs.
- Crop condition in the driest of areas remains very poor and pasture lands provide little to no livestock feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition.
- Increase in air-borne allergens likely to create problems for respiratory sensitive groups.
- Water conservation techniques are strongly encouraged in drought areas
T-Mobile Goes Live On Cell Tower In Town Park, Increasing Revenue For Century
September 29, 2023
T-Mobile went live recently on a cell tower in a town-owned park, and that should mean a little more revenue for Century.
In 2021, the Century Town Council approved a five-year lease with options out to 40 years with Diamond Towers for a tower with AT&T service on a parcel of land in the town’s Anthony Pleasant Park off West Highway 4. It’s a small area tucked away essentially at the back of the park.
In early 2022, AT&T was the first carrier to provide service from the tower.
Diamond pays about $1,500 per month for at least five years under the terms of the contract. There is another $500 per month due for any additional cellular provider, such as T-Mobile, collocated on the tower in the future. There are annual options for slight increases.
Pictured: This tower at Anthony Pleasant Park in Century provides AT&T and T-Mobile service now. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.