Northview Dominates Central on Senior Night
September 14, 2024
The Northview Chiefs cruised to a 40-0 victory over the Central Jaguars on Friday night in Bratt, capping their senior night celebration with a shutout performance.
For more photos, click here.
A strong start set the tone for the Chiefs. Junior quarterback Dane King led the way with a quarterback keeper on the opening drive, setting up Zikel Jones for an 8-yard touchdown run. Sam Reid’s impressive catch-and-run play followed, leading to Moses Delarosa’s touchdown run to give Northview a comfortable 14-0 lead over the fledgling first year Central program.
The Chiefs continued their dominance in the second half, with Delarosa adding a 56-yard touchdown run and Jamaris Durant finding the end zone from 2 yards out.
With the victory, Northview improved to 2-2 on the season. They will look to keep their momentum going as they travel to Bonifay next Friday night to face the Holmes County Blue Devils.
Photos by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Great Place To Be: Tate Is Now 4-0 With Homecoming Win Over Milton (With Gallery)
September 14, 2024
“We are 4-0. We are proud of that. It’s a great place to be.”
That’s how Tate Head coach Rhett Summerford described the Aggies 30-14 homecoming night win over the Milton Panthers.
It’s a revival of sorts for the Aggies. Tate has not started a season at 4-0 since 2016, and they dropped that fifth game that year to Niceville on the way to a 9-3 season.
The Aggies are coming off a 5-5 season last year and, before that, several tough years that saw them win just one game in each season from 2019 to 2022.
Before a huge crowd at Pete Gindl Stadium, Tate opened the scoring Friday when senior quarterback Taite Davis connected with Elijah West for a 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead with 35 seconds to go in the first quarter.
Milton responded with a touchdown of their own but missed the extra point, leaving Tate with a narrow 7-6 advantage. Carson Secchiari added a 23-yard touchdown to extend the Aggies’ lead.
Nicco White later contributed 23-yard touchdown with 4:32 to go in the fourth, and Milton scored a late touchdown with less than a minute to go.
“Good things, bad things,” Tate head coach Rhett Summerford said following the win. “We’ve still got work to do. It was ugly at times. I think we got into the red zone plenty of times to score a lot of points, and we just didn’t capitalize enough.”
“Defense kind of played bend but don’t break; it was kind of grindy. It was only 14, and one of those they scored at the end, but offensively, we can’t get into the red zone and not score. I think that’s the frustration part of the night, and I told the kids we’ve got work to do.”
The Aggies will face a quick turnaround as they travel to West Florida next Thursday night. With a short week of preparation, including a JV game on Monday, Summerford said the Aggies “have got to kind of get after it.”
Loor for photo galleries over the next few days from the homecoming parade, the alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, student section, band, fans and more.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Sample Ballots Now Available
September 14, 2024
As we prepare for the 2024 General Election, Escambia County voters are now able to access their sample ballots online.
To view your ballot, click here.
Voters who have not requested to receive a vote-by-mail ballot will also receive a sample ballot in the mail. The sample ballot mailer should be in mailboxes starting October 14, a full week before the start of early voting on October 21.
There’s still time to request a vote-by-mail ballot in Escambia County. Voters wishing to request a vote-by-mail ballot can do so by visiting https://escambiavotes.gov/vote-by-mail, or by calling (850) 595-3900. Military and overseas vote-by-mail ballots will be mailed no later than Friday, September 20. The seven-day statutory window to mail domestic vote-by-mail ballots begins September 26. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Thursday, October 24. You can also track your vote-by-mail ballot by signing up for notifications at https://escambiavotes.gov/track-my-ballot. You will be able to see when your ballot was received and accepted for tabulation.
The last day to register to vote for the November 5 election is Monday, October 7, 2024.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 14, 2024
Here are this week’s high school football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Tate 30, Milton 14 [Story, photos...]
- Northview 40, Central 0 [Story, photos...]
- Jay 41, Baker 0
- Walton 48, West Florida 21
- Escambia 30 Panama City Bay 29 (OT)
- Pine Forest 27, Choctaw 21 (OT)
- Pace 55, Gulf Breeze 0
- Pensacola 20, Destin 7
- Montgomery (AL) Catholic 28, Pensacola Catholic 14
- Washington Fort 22, Walton Beach 0 (Thurs)
- Mosley 30, Navarre 0 (Thurs)
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller 56, Flomaton 7
- Mobile Christian 13, Escambia Co. 6
- Orange Beach 42, W.S. Neal 32
Pictured: The Tate Aggies went to 4-0 Friday night with a win over Milton. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Clinch Eighth Consecutive Winning Season After Beating Biscuits
September 14, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos missed out on a playoff berth this season.
But they now have continued an impressive feat.
In a performance Friday that reminded of early summer success, complete with a near-capacity crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium filled with energy, along with quality pitching and a big inning, the Blue Wahoos clinched an eighth consecutive winning season with an 6-2 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits.
The Blue Wahoos (69-65) have now had winning seasons since 2016 with three different affiliations. This one is the fourth in a row for Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel – the only manager in franchise history to do it – and he guided this season’s ballclub with 60 different players.
Pensacola is the only team in the Miami Marlins organization in 2024, from the big-league club through Class A, that will end the season with a winning record.
After the game, a sizable portion of the crowd remained in the ballpark to cheer Jessica Webster, a stomach cancer survivor and member of the Miracle League of Northwest Florida and ARC-Gateway, as she took a trip around the bases with Blue Wahoos mascot Kazoo.
The crowd cheered when learning after six months of treatment, Jessica is now cancer-free.
It provided a poignant finale to a game the Blue Wahoos needed to end a three-game losing streak this week and bring good vibes back to their dugout.
The game began with Montgomery’s leadoff batter, third baseman Brayden Taylor, smashing a home run off Blue Wahoos starter Tristian Stevens. Taylor is one of nine Biscuits players ranked in the top 10 of the Tampa Bay Rays’ best 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline.
He was also a big part of why the Rays won the first three games of this series to clinch the second half Southern League South Division title, following their first-half division win.
But from that point Stevens settled into a groove and did not allow another run in his four innings of work. He struck out four and had zero walks.
The Blue Wahoos tied the game in the fourth inning on Johnny Olmstead’s two-out single to score Joe Mack, who had led off the inning with a walk.
The Biscuits reclaimed the lead in the fifth against reliever Adam Laskey when Jalen Battles hit an RBI double in the gap to score Willy Vasquez.
And then, the Blue Wahoos produced a rally they had lacked earlier this week.
They scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth, beginning with Nathan Martorella’s leadoff homer. The next three batters reached base on a walk and two singles. Graham Pauley’s single scored Jared Serna, who had walked and stolen second.
Paul McIntosh followed with a sacrifice fly to score Mack. Olmstead delivered another RBI single.
The lead expanded to 6-2 in the sixth when Serna’s sacrifice fly scored Andrew Pintar, who had led off the inning with a single. Pintar, Martorella and Olmstead all had two hits as part of the Blue Wahoos’ 11-hit attack.
Laskey earned his sixth win in relief, working four innings and allowing just two hits, one walk and striking out four batters. Woo-Suk Go finished the game in the ninth with a scoreless inning.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: BlueWahoos Stadium
USPS Vows to Fix Cottage Hill Mail Delivery Problems
September 13, 2024
The Post Office says they are working to improve service in Cottage Hill.
Numerous residents of Cottage Hill reached out to NorthEscambia.com to complain about mail delivery problems in Cottage Hill. Residents complained about missing packages, missing paychecks, missing medications and other delivery problems. Others stated that they often would receive other peoples’ mail and then take it to them.
We contacted the the U.S. Postal Service for a response.
“The Postal Service plays an important role in the community, and we are committed to providing the best service possible. We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been experienced by our customers in Cottage Hill,” Ashley S. Holmes Mullenix, a USPS corporate communications specialist told us in an emailed statement. “Local management is aware of recent service concerns in the area and is working to resolve them. We are confident that customers should see improvements in service very soon.”
Mail delivery for Cottage Hill is handled by the Cantonment Post Office.
Mullenix said that if anyone needs assistance with mailing or shipping concerns involving the USPS, they can contact a manager or supervisor at their local post office, call or 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit them online.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Vendor Applications Being Accepted For Molino Craft Extravaganza
September 13, 2024
The Molino Mid County Historical Society is gearing up to host a Craft Extravaganza on Saturday, October 5. The event will showcase the talents of local artisans and crafters, offering a variety of handmade treasures.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can browse a wide selection of handcrafted items, including home decor, jewelry, walking sticks, wreaths, cups, flower arrangements, 3-D printed creations, gifts and more. Food vendors will also be on site to satisfy hungry shoppers..
The Craft Extravaganza will be held at the Molino Community Center, at 6450 Highway 95A North. For more information or to obtain a vendor application, contact the Historical Society at mmchs2000@gmail.com or (850) 587-5011. Vendor registration deadline is September 15.
Escambia County Elementary Schools Hold Open House Events
September 13, 2024
Elementary school open house events were held this week in the Escambia County Public School district. Pictured: Open House Thursday evening at Bratt and Lipscomb elementary schools. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Edge Hoboes in Three Set Battle (With Gallery)
September 13, 2024
The Norview Chiefs defeated the Hoboes of Laurel Hill in three sets Thursday evening on their home court in Bratt.
The Chiefs took the first set by a score of 25-20. The Chiefs secured a 25-21 victory in the second., and Northview took the third set 25-23.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Chiefs will travel to Laurel Hill for a rematch with the Hoboes on Thursday, September 19.
The Northview Chiefs will host the Escambia Gators on Monday at and J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs on Tuesday. All of next week’s games will begin at 5:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Biscuits Blast Past Blue Wahoos For Twinbill Sweep And Second-Half Crown
September 13, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
After fringes of a hurricane interrupted this final homestand, the Blue Wahoos returned Thursday and were hit with a power surge.
The Montgomery Biscuits blasted five home runs, including four by different players in the first game and a big first-inning blast in the nightcap, to sweep a doubleheader with 10-3 and 4-3 wins that clinched a second-half division crown and eliminated the Blue Wahoos from playoff contention.
Following the game, the Biscuits (80-54 overall, 40-25 in second half) celebrated in the visitors’ dugout with a variety of beverage sprays and chugs of beer.
Their playoff opponent in the Southern League divisional series next week will likely be the Biloxi Shuckers, who led late in their Thursday game over the Mississippi Braves with a magic number of one.
For the Blue Wahoos (68-65 overall, 30-35 in second half), it’s the first time they’ve missed the playoffs since 2021.
They faced long odds this week, needing to win at least five games against a Montgomery team loaded with nine of the top 10 prospects in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system.
Following Wednesday’s postponement – the first time the Blue Wahoos were forced to postpone a home game in two years — the Biscuits’ dual wins in two seven-inning games at Blue Wahoos Stadium continued a season trend. The weather Thursday turned sunny with a wind blowing out to left field and the Biscuits took full advantage.
They are now 19-8 this season against the Blue Wahoos. They’ve won all three games so far this week heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
The first game Thursday had the Biscuits holding a 3-1 lead into the fifth inning. The Blue Wahoos scored the game’s first run on newcomer Kemp Alderman’s second inning homer.
But in the sixth, the Biscuits got a pair of runs against Blue Wahoos reliever Chandler Jozwiak, then walloped three homers in the seventh against relievers Josh Ekness and Josh White in a five-run rally that blew open the game.
In Game 2, Montgomery shortstop Carson Williams, the No. 2 rated prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, hit a three-run homer off starter Jacob Miller. The Biscuits then made it 4-0 in the second after Jalen Battles reached on an error, then scored on Williams’ RBI single.
The Blue Wahoos halved the deficit on Johnny Olmstead’s two-run homer in the fourth inning. They added another on Andrew Pintar’s RBI double in the fifth inning, but left the bases loaded with one out in a sequence that proved decisive.
The Blue Wahoos did not get a base runner in the final two innings against the Biscuits bullpen.
These losses dropped the Blue Wahoos to a losing home record (32-34) this season. They have not won a six-game home series since the first week of June.
They will now try to get a win Friday in the fourth game of the series with righthander Tristian Stevens (2-3, 3.98 ERA) on the mound.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: BlueWahoos Stadium