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.
Family Plans Scholarship, Memorial To Honor Fallen Marine
September 2, 2011
The family of Lance Cpl. Travis Nelson will honor the legacy of the young Marine with an annual college scholarship and a monument in a local park in his honor.
LCpl. Nelson, who grew up in Bratt, was killed in action August 19 in Afghanistan, five weeks after being deployed as an infantry rifleman. His parents, Beckie and Scott Nelson of Bratt, buried their 19-year old son last Friday in Atmore.
“The support of the community has been remarkable to say the least,” Scott Nelson said following his son’s funeral Aug. 26. “Words really cannot express how we felt from the response to Travis’ death and funeral.”
Nelson said the community support has shown that Americans still have a heart and patriotism for the country and her people.
“Travis would have been proud to know he gave his life and the people came together as they did to show their respect,” Nelson said. “It’s nice to know that we haven’t given up on what our country was founded on – God, love, patriotism, honor, respect and the old-fashioned neighbor.”
From the gates of the Naval Air Station in Pensacola last Wednesday when LCpl. Nelson’s body arrived, to the streets of Atmore following his funeral last Friday, thousands upon thousands of people, from all ages and walks of life, lined the streets to honor the fallen marine.
As a tribute to their son and the sacrifices he made to serve his country, the Nelsons are creating a college scholarship fund to be awarded to one or two outstanding seniors involved in either the Northview or Pace High School ROTC program or in the Young Marines of Pensacola.
“Both of these organizations were such a big part of Travis’ life and were the beginning of his commitment to serve his country,” Beckie Nelson said. “We are proud of Travis and know that he would want to share in the excitement of other young men and women as they prepare for a career in military service.”
For the first year, the Nelsons plan to award a $500 scholarship to a senior ROTC member from NHS or PHS or Young Marine with the highest GPA (grade point average), who exemplifies community involvement and service and commitment to their country through military service.
“We think this is the best way to honor Travis and his life,” Mrs. Nelson said. “He loved his country and we know he died doing what he loved.”
Mrs. Nelson said she hopes the scholarship fund will eventually be able to offer at least two scholarships a year for up to a $1,000 to a senior ROTC member from both NHS and PHS.
In addition to the scholarship fund, the Nelson’s are seeking approval from Escambia County to place a monument in honor of their son at the county-funded and maintained Bratt Community Park located on Highway 4 in Bratt, just two doors down from Nelson’s childhood home.
“We just thought it would be fitting to have something there to remember him by,” Mrs. Nelson said. “This is where he grew up and he spent many hours and days out here playing before the park was built. This community (Bratt) was such a big part of his life and played a part in the man he became.”
The Nelsons have set up an account at Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union to accept donations for the college scholarships and monument in the park.
“I will learn from my son and this community and strive to be a better American and neighbor,” Scott Nelson said in a letter of thanks published on NorthEscambia.com. “Travis, you will always be your beautiful mom’s and my hero. We will miss you to the point we cannot describe but will join you, pawpaw, papa and the other heroes in heaven. My prayers go out to the rest of the troops, its time we bring these men and women home. God Bless America.”
Contributions can be made at any Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union branch in LCpl. Travis Nelson’s name.
To donated by mail, make checks payable to: LCpl. Travis Nelson Memorial/Scholarship Fund and mail to:
Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union
220 E. Nine Mile Road
Pensacola, FL 32534
If needed: GWFCU Routing Number 263281679
– OR –
Nelson Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 601
Century, Florida 32535
Pictured top: The August 26 funeral of LCpl Travis Nelson, who died August 18 in Afghanistan. Pictured middle inset: The remains of LCpl Travis Nelson pass Ernest Ward Middle School August 24. Picture bottom inset: The flag presented to the Nelson family at the August 26 graveside service for LCpl. Travis Nelson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Falls To Perdido (With Photo Gallery)
September 2, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School Golden Eagles opened their 2011 season Thursday night with a loss to the Perdido Middle School Raiders in Walnut Hill.
EWMS jumped out to an 8-0 lead with 4:04 to go in the first quarter, but the Raiders answered with a 6o-plus yard TD run less than a minute later. Perdido missed the point after, cutting Ernest Ward’s lead to 8-6.
With about two minutes on the clock in the half, EWMS drove to fourth and goal but tossed an interception to the Raiders at the four yard line. Heading into the half, Ernest Ward held onto their 8-6 lead.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Perdido Raiders drove to fourth and inches, running it in on the next down for a touchdown. Once again missing the point after, Perdido had a 12-8 advantage with 2:27 on the clock.
Ernest Ward ended the game with no time on the clock and a missed pass into the endzone.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
Next week, the EWMS Eagles will be on the road at Excel on September 6. Their next home game in Walnut Hill will be September 20.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward’s Warren Suggs avoids Perdido defenders Thursday night in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Seventh grader Desmone Knight picks up yardage for EWMS. Pictured below: Hadley Woodfin cheers for the Eagles. NortheEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
JV Chiefs Beat West Florida (With Photo Gallery)
September 2, 2011
The Northview High Junior Varsity Chiefs kicked off their 2011 season with a win Thursday over West Florida High School. The Chiefs beat the WFHS Jaguars 30-16 in Pensacola.
The JV Chiefs will travel north to Alabama next taking on Escambia County High School at 6:30 on Monday, September 12 in Atmore.
The remainder of their 2011 schedule is as follows: Sept 22 – at Baker – 6:30 pm; -Sept 26 – Atmore – 6:30 pm; Oct 13 – West Florida – 6:30 pm.
Pictured: The JV Northview Chiefs defeated West Florida High Thursday in Pensacola. Submitted photos by Chris Edwards for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspect’s Tight Pants Call 911; Cantonment Trio Busted For Burglary
September 2, 2011
A suspect’s too-tight pants called 911 during a burglary, landing three Cantonment men behind bars.
Micheal Joshua Smith, 20; Matthew Alex Nuvoli, 19; and Timmothy Luke Riley, 28, are all facing felony burglary of a vehicle and burglary of an unoccupied structure charges in connection with the incident on Flagler Drive in Ensley.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received an unknown 911 call from Flagler Driver. Responding deputies discovered the Cantonment trio had gone through a Mercedes Benz parked under a carport. The men told deputies they knew no one was home, so they “had just been hanging out drinking beer”, according to a Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Deputies determined that the original 911 call that led to the arrests had been made from Smith’s cellphone. Smith told deputies that his cellphone was in his pants pocket, and it will sometimes call 911 on its own if his pants are too tight.
Riley was also charged with resisting arrest without violence in connection with the incident. Deputies said he jumped a fence and tried to run from them, but he slipped and fell in a ditch.
All three were released from the Escambia County Jail on bond.
Frontier Internet Fails Again; Company Plans Big Fix
September 2, 2011
Officials with Frontier Communications said late Thursday that they are taking steps to prevent hundreds of North Escambia area residents from losing their internet service for hours at a time.
During the summer, Frontier high speed DSL and dialup internet customers in Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino and Atmore have lost their internet connection for as long as 12 hours at a time. The company has experienced at least six major outages since June, including an almost eight hour period on Thursday.
The company said most of the outages were not their fault, blaming the downtime on AT&T, which provides Frontier’s internet connections. Karen Miller, spokesperson for Frontier, said Thursday’s outage was the result of an AT&T fiber line cut near Bay Minette, interrupting the connection between Atmore and Atlanta.
“We have no control over that AT&T cable,” Miller said. “It’s not our fiber; it’s not our network.”
All of the Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino and Atmore DSL and dialup services provided by Frontier are connected to the rest of the internet by a single fiber optic line between Atmore and Atlanta. When that line goes down, there is currently no backup, Miller said.
But she said Frontier is working to install a second independent route to the internet from Atmore, preventing a single fiber cut like happened Thursday from cutting the North Escambia area off from the internet.
“We are close to finishing an engineering study to get a second route to get traffic from Atmore to Atlanta,” Miller said. “It won’t be that long before it happens.”
Once that second connection is installed, Miller said, it will provide a backup to keep internet traffic flowing from the area.
Kidnapping Suspect Gets 35 Years
September 2, 2011
An Escambia County man received 35 years in prison for kidnapping a woman.
Curtis Sanders Brown was sentenced by Judge W. Joel Boles to 30 years in state prison for kidnapping to inflict bodily harm upon or to terrorize the victim and five years for felony battery. Each sentence is consecutive to the other for a total sentence of 35 years in state prison, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
On July 25, 2009, the victim was at a closed business when Brown forced her into his vehicle and took her almost to the Alabama line before she jumped out of the vehicle. Two witnesses observed her jump out of the vehicle and called for law enforcement and medical assistance.