UWF Takes Road Loss to No. 2 Grand Valley
September 29, 2024
by Bill Violona
After sustaining its worst regular-season loss Saturday in six years, UWF’s football team finds itself in uncommon territory, searching for solutions.
No. 2-ranked Grand Valley State opened up a close game at halftime with 17 points in the third quarter and rolled to a 31-7 victory against the No. 21 Argos, turning a marquee matchup into a one-sided showcase, delighting a crowd of 10,458 at Lubbers Stadium.
“I’m disappointed with how we played, especially on offense,” said head coach Kaleb Nobles during the post-game radio broadcast aired on ESPN-Pensacola. “We have to get better. “It’s completely on us. I take full responsibility with this one. It’s frustrating. But we’ve got to bounce back.”
That opportunity awaits UWF (1-2) with two home games – against winless Mississippi College and fierce rival Delta State – the next two weeks at PenAir Field.
In perspective to how great UWF’s success has been, this is the Argos’ only losing record at any point in a season since the inaugural 2016 season.
It’s also the first back-to-back losses since 2018, which was followed by the 2019 historic national title season when Nobles was on the coaching staff.
Facing one of the most tradition-rich programs in NCAA Division II, one with four national titles and the most wins the past 52 years of any D-2 or FBS (formerly Division 1-AA) team in the country, the Argos struggled from the outset against Grand Valley State.
The unbeaten Lakers (4-0), who now have three consecutive wins against ranked teams, took their first possession and went 85 yards in seven plays for a touchdown and emotional edge they kept the whole game.
This game’s statistical summary reflected how difficult Saturday became for UWF. Grand Valley amassed 436 yards total offense, including 312 rushing yards. The Lakers entered No. 3 in D-2 for rushing offense with 312 yards.
Meanwhile, Grand Valley’s defense held the Argos to only 121 total yards that included minus-7 yards rushing and just 56 yards total offense at halftime.
The Argos offensive line was overwhelmed by Grand Valley’s defense, which entered ranked No. 4 nationally in D-2 for fewest yards allowed.
UWF quarterback Marcus Stokes was under siege the entire game. He was sacked eight times, knocked to ground multiple other times, forced into two interceptions and completed 10 of 27 attempts for 102 yards.
Nearly every time Stokes dropped back to pass, there were defenders charging him. Nobles indicated in the post-game radio interview the need to address things on the offensive line.
“We have to find who our best guys are and get them on the field,” Nobles said on the offensive line. “We think we know, but those guys did not play as well today. We got to keep pushing those guys to get better.”
The Argos defense kept UWF in the game the first half and produced the Argos longest play of the game when senior defensive lineman Byron Puryear picked up a fumble and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown with 2:27 left before halftime.
Unfortunately, Puryear was hurt during a pass rush tackle in the third quarter concluding a positive day for the senior that included three tackles.
The fumble was caused by sophomore defensive back Kamrin Canterbury, who jarred the ball loose from Grand Valley quarterback Avery Moore during a tackle in the backfield. The scoop and score tied the game at the time.
Canterbury had a sensational game as UWF’s top performer. He had 16 tackles including seven solo stops. Ralph Ortiz was UWF’s next highest tackler with nine.
After that defensive score, however, Grand Valley answered with an eight-play, 74 yard drive, aided by two pass interference penalties, to take a 14-7 lead before halftime.
There’s obviously some things we have to clean up on defense overall,” Nobles said. “And we have to stop the run better.”
When the Lakers got the opening kickoff to start the second half, their 80 yard drive pushed the lead two scores and forced UWF to try and make plays against Grand Valley’s stout defense.
Jamontez Woods was UWF’s leading rusher with just 15 yards on eight carries. Da’Moni Brown, who had a big game last week against West Alabama, was held to one catch for 26 yards.
Former Milton High standout Raymond Cotrell saw his first action late in the game and had two catches for 18 yards.
This was the first meeting between the teams, but not UWF’s first time to Grand Valley State. The Argos practiced at Lubbers Stadium during the 2019 run to the championship when beating Ferris State in Big Rapids, Michigan.
UWF is hoping to arrange a return trip by Grand Valley to Pensacola in a future season.
WHAT’S NEXT
WHO: Mississippi College (0-4) vs. UWF Argos (1-2).
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5, 4 p.m.
WHERE: PenAir Field
Photo Jon Rose/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Fire Rescue Deploys To Assist Following Hurricane Helene
September 29, 2024
Several resources from Escambia County Fire Rescue have deployed to Gilchrist County, Florida, in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Seven personnel along with an engine company, a tender, and a command vehicle will meet with other resources from Region 1, including an engine from Pensacola Fire Department, to form a structural strike team. The strike team will assist Gilchrist County with emergency responses and will be deployed for 14 days.
Escambia County often deploys resources to areas affected by severe weather. Escambia County has received assistance following severe weather events including Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Sally.
Pictured top are: Escambia County Fire Rescue Firefighter Robert Held, Firefighter Haley Crabb, Firefighter Michael Maddrey, Lieutenant Darren Snipes, Battalion Chief Steve Boothe, Firefighter Kenny Fehl, Lieutenant Keith Chapman, and Firefighter Shannon Halfacre.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FPL Seeks Parcel For ‘Laydown Yard’ In Century Industrial Park
September 29, 2024
Florida Power & Light in proposing to use a Town of Century industrial park lot for a “laydown yard” to place poles and equipment, according to the town.
According to an agenda item that will be presented to the town council this week, FPL will pay the town $10,000 if the proposal is approved. OF that. $7,500 will be for 0.368 acres of a permanent utility easement and $2,500 will be for 2.127 acres of temporary construction easement that will expire in December. The easement will be located along the boundary of two parcels. FPL will be given the right clear the land and keep it cleared of all vegetation.
The parcel would provide FPL easy access to an electrical transmission line located just to the north of the Industrial Park.
Once FPL has completed their project, the utility will return to the property to its original state, according to the proposed agreement. FPL will have access to the property by foot, motorized construction and other types of heavy vehicles and trucks carrying construction equipment, materials and personnel.
Pictured: The red area indicated the approximate utility easement the temporary FPL proposes in the Century Industrial Park. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
From ECSO To Animal Rescue To Emergency Management: Escambia County Responds To Helene Recovery
September 28, 2024
Agencies from Escambia County responded Friday to areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Escambia County Emergency Management deployed early Friday morning to Madison County along with the county’s mobile command unit, THOR, Escambia County EMS, and Santa Rosa County Emergency Management to support response and recovery efforts. An Animal Search and Rescue team also responded.
In addition, Escambia County is hosting animals that were evacuated due to Hurricane Helene at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Beulah.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also deployed to Madison County to assist with recovery efforts. The team is comprised of Escambia Sheriff’s Office employees who have volunteered to respond to disaster areas. The group is completely self-sufficient and equipped with chainsaws, generators, sleeping quarters, showers, full cook team, skid steer to help clear roads, ATVs and other equipment that can be used to assist in search and rescue operations along with law-enforcement duties. They will be deployed 7-14 days.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
God Bless You All: EREC Linemen Helping With Power Restoration After Hurricane Helene
September 28, 2024
Crews from Escambia River Electric Cooperatives deployed Friday to assist with power restoration following Hurricane Helene.
The EREC crews will assist with power restoration for Central Florida Electric Cooperative in Chiefland, Florida.
“Thank you to all the linemen leaving their families to help us. God bless you all,” Teresa Hodge of Bell, Florida, said through social media.
Before they departed, EREC CEO Ryan Campbell emphasized the importance of extreme caution and safety measures.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navarre Upsets Tate For The Aggies’ First Loss Of The Season (With Gallery)
September 28, 2024
The Navarre Raiders upset the Tate Aggies 30-27 at Pete Gindl Stadium Friday night in Cantonment. It was the first loss of the season for the Aggies, now 5-1.
The Aggies started strong in the district game when quarterback Taite Davis found Carson Secchiari for a 23-yard touchdown on the opening drive for Tate. The kick was blocked, and the Aggies led 6-0 on Carl Madison Field. Navarre answered with a TD of their own.
Laquarius Bradford added a 30-yard touchdown for Tate with 3:30 to go in the first quarter. The PAT was again blocked, leaving Tate with a 12-7 advantage.
For a photo gallery, click here. Look for band, cheerleaders and other bonus photo by next week on NorthEscambia.com.
With 4:51 to go in the half, David threw to Elijah West with an impressive touchdown catch (pictured above). Carson Secchiari added a 4-yard touchdown run with 8:08 to go in the game.
“They had a good plan,” Tate head coach Rhett Summerford said. “I guess we did not play very well tonight but hats off to them. We lost one that we should have won. but that’s football. That’s high school football.
The Aggies will be off next week before returning to action October 11 at the Pace Patriots.
“It was a bye week, and then you are going to play a big one,” Summerford said. We’ve got two weeks to work on it. We’ve got to plan a little better. But we are not out; the season is not over.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Blue Devils Defeat Northview 14-0 (With Gallery)
September 28, 2024
The Escambia County High School (Atmore) Blue Devils defeated the Northview Chiefs 14-0 Friday night in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
The game stood at zero-all headed into the locker room at halftime.
For a photo gallery, click here. Look for band, cheerleaders and other bonus photo by next week on NorthEscambia.com.
The Blue Devils scored with 10:19 to go in the third on a 50-yard touchdown run by Jovaughntai Henderson. Ronald Jackson added a 3-yard rushing touchdown for Atmore with 5:17 remaining in the game to seal the win.
“Just a disappointing loss,” Northview head coach Wes Summerford said. ” I think we had them most of the game and really needed one more stop, needed to hold them up and it just didn’t happen… I just don’t think we came out in the second half. I don’t think we came out at all second half.”
Escambia County (2-4) will travel to Orange Beach (4-2) next Friday night. The Chiefs (2-4) will celebrate homecoming next week as they host the Baker Gators (5-1) in a district game.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEsccambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 28, 2024
Here are Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
- Navarre 30, Tate 27 [Read more, photos...]
- Escambia County (Atmore) 14, Northview 0 [Read more, photos...]
- Flomaton 24, Jay 17
- Pace 56, Crestview 25
- Escambia 48, Washington 14
- Bay at Pensacola High
- Freeport at Pensacola Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
- Niceville 41, Gulf Breeze 7
- Mosley at Milton (rescheduled to Monday)
- Central at Rocky Bayou Christian (Saturday, 6 p.m.)
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 24, Jay 17
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Northview
- Escambia Academy 50, Snook Christian Academy 10
- T.R. Miller 28, UMS-Wright 14
- W.S. Neal 37, Blountstown 6
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Crashes And Burns After Fleeing From Law Enforcement In Two States
September 27, 2024
A vehicle that fled from law enforcement in both Alabama and Florida crash and burned near Nokomis in extreme northwest Escambia County.
Due to an equipment violation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle on North Century Boulevard Wednesday night, according to ECSO spokesperson Morgan Lewis. The driver did not stop, and deputies did not pursue the vehicle due to speed and safety issues, she said.
The vehicle was later spotted near the state line in Atmore, Alabama. Atmore Police Department Sgt. Darrell McMann said APD officers pursued the vehicle for only a few seconds before it crossed back into Florida. He said Atmore officers terminated their pursuit and did not chase the vehicle into Florida.
About 9:30 p.m., the vehicle burst into flames after crashing into a tree and a ditch on Pineville Road near Hollingsworth Road
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded and extinguished the blaze. Two people from the vehicle were located on Hollingsworth Road; it was not clear if either was the driver. Both were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital as trauma alerts.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash. Due to preparations for Hurricane Helene, FHP was unable to provide further details Thursday.
Devastating Hurricane Helene Makes Landfall As Category 4 Near Perry, Florida
September 27, 2024
Hurricane Helene made a devastating landfall in the Florida Big Bend region late Wednesday night, bringing with it catastrophic winds and storm surge. The powerful storm, which had been intensifying rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico, came ashore just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.
The eye of Helene passed directly over Perry, Florida, a city of about 10,000 people, around 11:10 p.m. EDT The storm’s destructive winds caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Trees were uprooted, power lines were downed, and roofs were torn off.
The storm surge associated with Helene was also a major concern. The National Weather Service had warned of the potential for life-threatening inundation along the coast, and many coastal communities were evacuated ahead of the storm’s arrival. The extent of the storm surge damage is still being assessed, but it is clear that it will be significant.
In the aftermath of the storm, residents of the Florida Big Bend region are facing a long road to recovery. The damage caused by Hurricane Helene is extensive, and it will take time to rebuild. The storm has also left many people without power, water, or other essential services.
The full impact of Hurricane Helene will not be known for days or even weeks to come.
The current track of the storm is below.
