Football Player Killed, 30 Injured When Bus Overturns Following Flomaton Game
September 3, 2011
A Southern Choctaw High School football player was killed and about 30 others were injured in an accident between the team’s bus and a car following a Friday night game at Flomaton High School.
Alabama troopers said 15-year old Otties William Brewer III of Silias, Alabama, died when the car and bus collided, overturning the bus onto its roof.
The accident happened about midnight in Coffeeville, about 20 miles from Southern Choctaw High. The driver of 1999 Nissan Maxima was also injured and airlifted to a Montgomery hospital. Alabama State Troopers said the driver of the Maxima, whose name has not been released, ran a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 84 and Alabama Hwy. 69 hitting the bus. The bus was being escorted by an Alabama State Trooper and a Choctaw County Sheriff’s deputy at the time of the crash, according to troopers.
Alabama troopers “continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this crash,” according to a press release.
Southern Choctaw High School is in Gilbertown, Alabama, a small community of about 200 people near the Mississippi line – about 115 miles from Flomaton. The close-knit Gilbertown community gathered for a prayer service this morning.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers. More details will be posted as they become available.
Pictured top: One Southern Choctaw High football player was killed and 33 injured during this crash about midnight in Coffeeville, Alabama. Photos courtesy WALA-TV Fox 10 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured bottom of page: The Southern Choctaw High School football team. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Missing Former Jay Resident’s Boat Found Empty In Mexico
September 3, 2011
The fishing boat belonging to a former Jay resident missing almost a week in the Gulf of Mexico has been found off the Mexican coast, according to a published report in a Mexican newspaper.
Lee Kent’s The Monkey Bar II was located near Chuburna, a small town on the Yucatan Peninsula. There was no one aboard the Boston Whaler, according to the Progreso Hoy website.
The boat was floating with the keys in the console but no one aboard, according to fisherman Yam Chan who found the boat. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed late Friday night that the Monkey Bar II was being held by Mexican authorities pending an investigation.
The newspaper reported that pirates from the Cuban-American mafia sometimes use boats to smuggle undocumented Cubans onto the Yucatan Peninsula.
About 8:30 last Sunday morning, family reported 41-year old Kent, now a resident of Gulf Breeze, missing after he did not return from a fishing trip south of Pensacola Pass. The Coast Guard called off their search for Kent on Tuesday after searching an area larger than Maryland.
Pictured: The Monkey Bar II, the fishing boat belonging to a former Jay resident missing since a fish trip last week, was found in Chuburna, Mexico. Photo courtesy Progreso Hoy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Billings Murders: Pamela Long Gets 28 Years In Prison
September 3, 2011
Pamela Long was sentenced Friday morning to 28 years in prison for her role in the robbery and murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings in July 2009.
It took an Escambia County Jury about eight hours over two days last month to find Long-Wiggins guilty of accessory to murder after the fact and home invasion after the fact. She faced up to 45 years in prison.
Long was accused of helping to hide a safe that was taken from the Billings home in her backyard and taking guns to Mississippi that were used in the murders.
“I feel a sense of relief knowing that those involved in all aspects of the murder of my parents are now being held responsible,” Ashley Markham, the Billings’ daughter, said in a statement released following the verdict.
Prep Football Roundup
September 3, 2011
Here is a look at prep football action from around the North Escambia area Friday night:
Florida
- LaPlace (LA) St. Charles Catholic 42, Tate 0 [Read more...]
- Jay 48, Rocky Bayou 0 [Read more...]
- West Florida High 30, Escambia 21
- Tallahassee Lincoln 20, Pensacola High 7
- Navarre 28, Washington 7
- Choctawhatchee 28, Catholic 24
- Milton 20, Crestview 14 (2-OT)
- Saturday — Pine Forest vs. Columbia (GA) in Jonesboro, GA
- OFF — Northview
Alabama
- Flomaton 35, Southern Choctaw 7 [Read more...]
- Bayside 28, T.R. Miller 27
- UMS Wright 37, W.S. Neal 6
- Saturday — Escambia County (Atmore) at B.C. Rain, 7 p.m. Ladd-Peebles Stadium
Thursday Scores
- Pace 54, Panama City Arnold 28
- Jackson 23, Escambia Academy 13 (Read more…)
Photo Gallery: Tate Falls To St. Charles Catholic
September 3, 2011
The Tate High School Aggies fell to St. Charles Catholic of LaPlace, LA, Friday, 42–0
For a submitted photo gallery from the game, click here.
Submitted photos by Gary Carnley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspension Cut For Jay QB
September 3, 2011
The six game suspension handed down earlier this week to Jay High quarterback Conner Weekes has been reduced.
Jay High appealed, and the Florida High School Athletic Association cut the suspension to just one game — last night’s game with Rocky Bayou.
The suspension was the result of an altercation during a preseason game August 26 between Jay and Baker. Weekes and Baker defender Billy Cotton were accused of throwing punches, but video reviewed during the appeals process revealed that Weekes never threw a punch during the altercation.
Jay lost that preseason game to Baker, 27-13.
Pictured above: WEAR 3’s camera caught the very end of an August 26 altercation during a preseason game between Baker and Jay. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Beats Rocky Bayou 48-0
September 3, 2011
The Jay Royals kicked off their first season under new Head Coach Ken Smith with a big win Friday night, pounding Rocky Bayou Christian School 48-0. It was the first regular season win for the Royals since 2009.
It was a big night in Jay for running back Ricky Cofield, with five touchdown runs totaling about 200 yards, including a 90-yarder late in the first half. Overall, Cofield hit almost 300 yards on the night.
Cofield’s first TD came with 4:25 in the first on a one-yard dash for the end zone. The kicked failed, putting Jay up 6-0.
In the second quarter, Cofield scored on runs on 44, 90 and 41 yards. Dalton Edwards was 2 of 3 on point after kicks, giving Jay a 26-0 lead heading into the lockers at the half.
In the third Cofield was in again on a 25 yard run, with a good kick from Edwards; and Dakota Smith scored for the Royals on a 2 yard run followed by another Edwards kick.
Headed into the fourth with a 40-0 lead, the Royals were not done, finishing up Rocky Bayou 48-0 after a 41 yard run from Tate Upton and a 2 point conversion on a Sammy Jones pass from Dalton Edwards.
Next Friday night, the Jay Royals (1-0) will host Bonifay.
Flomaton Hurricanes Beat Southern Choctaw 35-7
September 3, 2011
It was big win at home Friday night for the Flomaton Hurricanes as they downed Southern Choctaw 35-7.
UPDATE: One Southern Choctaw player was killed and about 30 others injured in a bus accident following the game. Click here for details.
After a scoreless first quarter, Flomaton hit the end zone on the second play of the second quarter with a 30 yard run by Ryheem Dixon and a good kick from Corey Busbee, 7-0. The Canes capped a 60-yard drive with a 15 yard pass from Dixon to Jacob Newton with 1:36 in the half. Busbee, 5 for 5 through the uprights under the Friday night lights, added the point after, and the Canes were up 14-0 at the half.
Flomaton scored again in the third with a 3 yard run by Nieko Robinson and a good kick, 21-0. The Southern Choctaw Indians answered the score less than a minute later, 21-7.
In the fourth, the Canes struck again with a 13 yard touchdown pass from Dixon to Austin Patterson and a good kick, 28-7. After Patterson intercepted, Flomaton scored again on a 4 yard run by Ladarius Thomas, 35-7.
Following the game, a 16-year old Southern Choctaw player was airlifted by LifeFlight to a Pensacola hospital after suffering an apparent head or neck injury during the game. His condition was not available late Friday night.
The Flomaton Hurricanes will travel to Monroe County next Friday night take on J.U. Blacksher.
Submitted photos by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Charged After Walnut Hill School Bus Wreck
September 2, 2011
An Atmore man is facing traffic charges after a Friday afternoon school bus wreck near Walnut Hill.
Authorities said 22-year old Jack Cunningham of Atmore was traveling South Highway 99 near Leandras Lane when he ran off the road, over-corrected and collided with Escambia County School bus 29-06 driven by 41-year old Tonia Allen of Molino.
Cunningham received minor injuries and refused transport to the hospital. Allen and the seven Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High school students on the bus were not injured. Damage to the bus was minor.
Cunningham was charged with failure to maintain a single lane and no proof of insurance, according to the FHP.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: The driver of a car was injured Friday afternoon after colliding with a school bus near Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Falls On The Road To Jackson
September 2, 2011
The Escambia Academy Cougars where handed their second loss of the season Thursday night on the road, falling to Jackson 23-13.
The Cougars (1-2) were coming off a 24-20 loss to Clarke Prep a week ago. Escambia Academy, under Head Coach Heath Gibson, will be on the road again next week, playing Marengo Academy on September 9.