Northview Falls In State Semifinal Playoff Game
December 3, 2011
The Northview Chief’s road to a state championship came to an abrupt end Friday night with just over a minute to go in their state semifinal game against Chipley.
The Chiefs held lead throughout the entire game on their home turf in Bratt — until a 53-yard Chipley touchdown pass put the Tigers (11-2) on top 25-21 with just 1:11 to go in the ballgame. Northview fought back hard, driving to the Chipley 21-yard line with 50 seconds in the game. But the Chiefs lost possession on a fumbled handoff between LaMikal Kyles and Roderick Woods.
- For a game action photo gallery, click here.
- For a photo gallery “The Agony of Defeat”, click here.
- For a photo gallery of the Tribal Beat band, click here.
“Nights like this can be decided by a play here and there, and we had a mistake or two,” Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said, “and that last one was the difference in the ballgame.”
“As far as their will to win and they way they fought tonight, I was proud of them,” Wheatley said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them. They’ve had a whole lot of wins and a whole lot of success. When they look back on it, they have a lot to be proud of.”
Chipley’s night got off to a rough start miles away from Bratt as their bus burned to the ground alongside I-10 near Defuniak Springs. There were no injuries and little lost, other than personal possessions.
On the field in Bratt, the first couple of Northview possessions put the Tigers at a two-TD deficit. Kyles scored on a 26-yard run with 6:45 on the click in the first, and Woods was in for a 6-yard touchdown. Coupled with a couple of Kevin Vaughan kicks, the Chiefs were up 14-0 with 3:35 in the first quarter.
Chipley scored on a 73-yard run with 1:35 in the first. With a missed kick wide right, Northview held a 14-6 lead going into the second.
Kyles had a 70-yard touchdown run in the second, but the play was called back because of a holding penalty. The Chiefs were forced to punt it away, resulting in a 6-play Tigers drive that ended with a 27-yard touchdown run. Chipley missed the two point attempt, leaving Northview with a 14-12 advantage.
The Chief came really close to scoring with just half second to go in the half when a Vaughan pass to Kyles was picked off by a Chipley defender.
“We had the opportunity once or twice go up by maybe a couple of touchdowns, but they made the plays defensively,” Wheatley said.
Just 20 seconds into the third quarter, a pass from Kyles to Albritton resulted in a 74 yard touchdown and a 21-12 lead for the Chiefs.
Northview missed another opportunity as Brian Ross picked up a blocked punt and made it down to the 10-yard line. That series ended with a missed 28-yard field goal attempt from Vaughan.
“I’m heartbroken. But it was a heck of a run, and I wish it could keep going,” Albritton, a senior, said. “They had the last knock out play. I wish we could have, but they did.”
Northview’s starting quarterback Brandon Sheets sat out the game in the press box after being suspended following last Friday’s Freeport game for unsportsmanlike conduct. An appeal to the Florida High School Athletic Association was denied.
The loss was particularly tough for Sheets as the senior stood crying on the field following the game, surrounded by his teammates and friends.
“I don’t know what to say; it’s horrible,” Sheets said through his tears. “I just wanted this so bad for all of us.”
- For a game action photo gallery, click here.
- For a photo gallery “The Agony of Defeat”, click here.
- For a photo gallery of the Tribal Beat band, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: The Agony Of Defeat
December 3, 2011
After the final buzzer, the final notes from the bands, and the fireworks ended both on the field and in the skies, it was strangely quiet on western end of the football field at Northview High School Friday night. The scoreboard in the distance told the heartbreaking story for the hometown Chiefs, a 25-21 loss in the state semifinal game.
Moms held their sons; dads reacted with a pat on the back and a strong hug as they tried to find those perfect words to encourage their boys and make them feel rightfully proud about an impressive season cut short of their state championship dream.
Cheerleaders were oddly quiet, far from cheerful as tears flowed down their faces. Young men kneeled to the ground in disbelief that it was all over. Fans stood silently, many sobbing, each consoling the other.
It had been a football season from which dreams were made. Blood, sweat and tears to a semifinal spot only reached once before by anyone in a Northview Chief jersey.
A senior quarterback, denied the right to play in his last ever high school football game, stood crying uncontrollably, his cheerleader girlfriend speechless by his side. One by one, his fellow teammates spoke to him. This was not a time for handshakes, this was a time for sharing a tear and that bond that Chiefs have.
A family of Chiefs stood together, even in defeat. It’s the kind of thing that make one proud to live in North Escambia, and the kind of thing that makes one love the Northview Chiefs.
It’s a story, a love for God and country and community and one another and the Northview Chiefs that is just hard to put into words. It’s easiest understand this story by looking into the souls and the passion of the Northview Chiefs in a photo gallery we’ve entitled The Agony of Defeat.
Click here to view the gallery.
Pictured top: A tearful senior Sam Spence is comforted by cheerleader Autumn Rose following Northview’s loss to Chipley Friday night. Pictured top inset: Senior quarterback Brandon Sheets (center), sheds tears with teammates. Pictured bottom inset: Senior Austin Albritton is overcome with emotion following the loss. Pictured below: Senior Nathan Therrell, who was unable to play until undergoing brain surgery, was once the team’s waterboy. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Frontier, Cox Communications Both Experience Outages
December 3, 2011
Two communications providers in the area experienced major outages Friday.
Frontier Communications, which serves customers in Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino and Atmore, experienced a major internet outage from about 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Friday. Frontier phone services was not effected.
Cox Communications, which serves customers in the Pensacola area, experienced an internet, phone and 911 outage for a few hours Friday evening.
“We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience,” Cox Public Affairs Manager David Deliman said.
Ernest Ward Middle Ships Care Packages To Overseas Soldiers
December 3, 2011
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School raised over $600 for Christmas care package items for American soldiers serving overseas. Clubs and athletic groups at the school donated a portion of their own fundraising proceeds toward the project.
In addition to snacks and other items, the students also included hundreds of handmade Christmas cards for the packages that were mailed Friday.
Pictured: Representatives from several Ernest Ward Middle clubs and athletic groups packed Christmas care packages Friday for overseas American soldiers. Pictured are Bethany Reynolds, cross country; Peighton Dortch, FFA; Mallory Gibson, cheerleading; Brianna Parker, basketball; Amber Freeman, band; Gavin Grant, basketball; and Austin Whitehead, football. Several other clubs that are not pictured also contributed to the effort. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Is One Of America’s Most Wanted
December 3, 2011
A former Cantonment resident that was the suspected triggerman in the shooting a death of a Pensacola toddler over two months ago is being named one of America’s Most Wanted.
The America’s Most Wanted television program is filming a segment this weekend about 19-year old Dwayne “Money” Pinestraw. He’s wanted on an open count of murder for the shooting death of Ty’Quarius Moultrie, 19 months old; aggravated battery for the shooting of Vincent Dennis, 23; and firing a weapon into an occupied building for the incident that occurred in July at Pensacola Village, 500 East Fairfield Drive.
Multiple shots were fired into the apartment back on July 15, according to Pensacola Police, shortly after several people were involved in a drug transaction nearby.
Pinestraw’s last known address was on Lake Drive in Cantonment. Pinestraw is a black male, approximately 5-feet 6-inches tall and approximately 130 pounds. He should be considered armed and dangerous, according to Pensacola Police.
Anyone having information on the Pinestraw’s location or the shooting is asked to contact Lt. Doug Baldwin at (850) 435-1908, Detective James Reese at (850) 435-1976, or the Desk Sergeant’s Office at (850) 435-1900.
Pinestaw is expected to be featured on America’s Most Wanted with John Walsh on December 17 as part of a special two hour primetime special.
Man Arrested In Early Morning Murder Of Escambia Teen
December 2, 2011
An arrest has been made in the early morning murder of an Escambia County teen.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office charged Michael Palmer Davis, 25, with second degree murder for the shooting death of Alonzo Dewayne Knight.
Deputies responded to the 7100 block of Princess Lane near Fairfield Drive and Patricia Drive just after 2 a.m. Friday for a shooting victim. Upon arrival, Knight was
pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound.
Davis is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Chipley High Bus Burns On The Way To Northview
December 2, 2011
A bus transporting Chipley High School’s football team to Friday night’s semifinal game at Northview High School burned on the interstate.
There were no injuries and the team was able to save all of the equipment, Mike Morrison, public information officer for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office told NorthEscambia.com. The bus fire began during the 4:00 hour on I-10 at the 74 mile marker near Defuniak Springs.
The photograph on this page was taken as the fire was starting; it engulfed and destroyed the bus, according to Tracy Hinote, mother of Chipley player Kyle Hinote. She confirmed that there were no injuries and none of the football equipment was lost. She said that several players did lose their personal items on the bus, such as jackets
The team secured another bus to continue to Northview High School.
Pictured: Chipley High School’s bus burns Friday afternoon on I-10 near Defuniak Springs. Exclusive photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 29 Crash
December 2, 2011
There were no serious injuries reported in a Friday morning accident in Cantonment, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The accident happened about 11:15 a.m. on Highway 29 north of Archer Road, near St. Monica’s Episcopal Church.
The accident did cause traffic delays in the area for a short period.
Further details have not been released; the accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Our View: NHS Quarterback Sheets’ Suspension Just Isn’t Right
December 2, 2011
Tonight’s the biggest football game ever in Bratt, and certainly the big one for seniors like Brandon Sheets, starting quarterback and free safety.
But Brandon won’t play tonight, his suspension upheld Thursday by the Florida High School Athletic Association for taunting. Really? This is high school football. This is a sport for young men; this is not third grade kickball.
That said, there should have never been a flag on Sheets after his short touchdown late in the third. Video from two different angles clearly shows Sheets steeping across the goal line and stopping near immediately. There’s a Freeport defender wrapped around his legs. The tackle does not bring him down, but he stops until the Freeport player turns loose. Yes, he does look down, waiting to see when Mr. Freeport is going to let go. Then within a second, he turns and walks away with another Chief.
Plenty of “smart” armchair quarterbacks have read the reports on NorthEscambia and chimed in on how immature he was, how he should be taught a lesson, how the suspension was correct and lots of other uneducated comments. Some theorized that it was what he said that irked the referee. Most probably did not even see the game, blowing hot air behind their keyboards.
The videos clearly show he did not do anything wrong. But, most importantly to me, I did not see anything wrong. I’m not playing armchair quarterback or making that call from the perspective of a fan in the stands. I’m saying that as the person standing closer to the play than anyone else in the stadium except for other players. I was just feet away on the edge of end zone, closer than any referee. If he said anything wrong, I certainly did not hear it, and it would have been impossible for any referee to hear.
I never saw a second flag against Sheets. No one caught it on video. In fact, I can’t find anyone that saw the second flag, even among us media types on the field. There was never a clear signal from a ref that Sheets was ejected.
If Brandon Sheets did run back on the field clapping, then sorry Mr. Referee, he wasn’t making fun of you (again, this is not third grade kickball and no one’s out to get you). He was encouraging his team. That’s what Brandon Sheets does play after play, game after game. That’s leadership, not taunting.
After the game, Wheatley told me, and told other reporters in separate interviews, that Sheets was not ejected. Wheatley said he pulled him from the rest of the game, allowing backup quarterback Kevin Vaughan excellent playtime in the QB slot.
But somewhere between Friday night and Monday morning, an official from the Miracle Strip Association, decided and reported to the Florida High School Athletic Association that Sheets was ejected.
That’s another interesting issue. The Miracle Strip Association that provided the officials is based in Shalimar, about 30 miles from Freeport, with officials from across that area. They are, just to make the note, the likely officials for the Northview vs. Chipley game. Chipley is a short 75 miles from Freeport.
Ejections have their place in high school sports. Throwing punches, spitting, attacking an official physically, throwing a sissy fit — those are valid reasons for ejections. Ejections have been issued overturned on appeal this year in our area for players involved in fights and players that were arrested.
But what’s done is done, as wrong as it may be. Brandon Sheets will sit out Friday night’s game. He will hold his head high knowing his team, his fans and most of Escambia County are behind him.
Junior Kevin Vaughan will step and he will lead the Chiefs on the field tonight. Rest assured, his team is behind him, and they are ready to “Do it with Dewey”, as he is called by those that know him. The fans will pack the stands; those that can’t be there will follow our score updates on their computers and smartphones. We all have your back Kevin, and we are supporting you and each of the players fully.
Win or lose, we won’t be making excuses come Saturday morning, even though we know the suspension was wrong. The entire area will stand tall behind the Boys from Bratt. Most of us are already checking the couch cushions for gas money for Orlando. (Can you say Road Trip?!?)
Go Chiefs!
William Reynolds, Publisher
NorthEscambia.com
December Begins With Three House Fires
December 2, 2011
Escambia and Santa Rosa county both kicked off their annual December fire safety campaigns Thursday. In Santa Rosa County, the month was off to a rough start, with three residential fires reported in one day.
The first Santa Rosa County fire was ported at 4:15 a.m. on Covenant Circle in Pace. Two people were displaced by the fire, which was believed to have started in the home’s heating system.
The second fire was reported about 3:15 p.m. on Whychwood Road. The home was a total loss; the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Three people were left homeless.
The third fire was in the 8300 block of Sierra Street in Navarre, believed to have started in the trailer’s chimney, the fire left one person homeless.
For more about the “Keep the Wreath Green” program in Escambia County and the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign in Santa Rosa County, click here.