Tenth-Ranked Argos Right At Home As They Run Together Past UWG
October 9, 2022
Adding to its trend of gems, UWF’s football team continues feeling right at home on the road.
The 10th-ranked Argos seized control of a tied game midway through the third quarter, then overpowered conference rival West Georgia 42-28 Saturday night for their 12th consecutive road victory – a streak that now spans three seasons.
It’s the nation’s second longest in Division II, another part of the Argos’ mantle of feats in their six-year history. The Argos big win also continued an uncanny element of this contentious series, where the visiting team has won each time.
In fact, UWF is now 4-0 at West Georgia’s University Stadium when factoring the Argos upset playoff win in 2017 en route to reaching the NCAA D-2 national title game that season.
The latest win put the Argos at 4-1, 2-1 in the Gulf South Conference, tied with West Alabama (4-2, 2-1) in the conference standings, following UWA’s upset win Saturday at Valdosta State. UWF faces another road trip next Saturday to play Shorter (2-4, 0-3).
On this night, UWF smoothed out its performance from a rocky first half.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett committed three turnovers in the game’s first 25 minutes, including a pair of interceptions – one of which UWG turned into a touchdown drive – plus a fumble he lost at the Wolves 21.
But the transfer junior was dynamite in the second half.
He passed for 120 yards and two scores, plus rushed for 43 of his 71 yards in the game on a game-sealing drive late in the fourth quarter. He also scored a rushing touchdown late in the second quarter.
“He was on fire,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “He took (first half troubles) personal. We want the ball in his hands. Our offense I think is very close to just taking this thing to the next level.”
After Jarrett had a two-yard run to the UWG 21 late with less than two minutes remaining, which forced a final time out from West Georgia, the Argos faced a 3rd-and-9 play. In a defining moment, UWF’s offensive line opened up a mass passageway on the left side that Shomari Mason raced through for a game-sealing touchdown with 1:42 remaining.
On that play, Mason became UWF’s all-time, career rushing leader with 2,016 yards, breaking the mark set by Chris Schwarz (1,992) during UWF’s first three seasons (2016-18). Mason’s two TDs Saturday gave him a school record 21 rushing scores in his career, pushing him past Anthony Johnson Jr., a Pace High grad, who amassed 20 in four seasons (2017-19 and 2021).
Mason is already the UWF record holder for most overall touchdowns, now with 23.
His first touchdown Saturday was a game-changer.
Coming out of halftime with the scored tied 14-14, the Wolves got the ball to start the third quarter. On a second down play, UWF linebacker Gael Laurent stripped the ball from West Georgia quarterback Harrison Frost. The Argos Aidan Swett recovered at the West Georgia 23.
On the next play, Mason broke free to break the tie on a 23-yard run.
“Oh my god… that was unbelievable,” Shinnick said. “We were hoping to right the ship just a little bit…. we turned the ball over three times in the first half. To get that (turnover) and have Shomari take to the house on the next play, that was unbelievable.”
Even though West Georgia answered on the ensuing possession with a 15-play, 82-yard drive to tie the game at 21, the Argos offense never lost its edge.
UWF followed right back in three plays when Jarrett hit Caden Leggett on a deep sideline route with a throw over the cornerback’s outstretched arm. Leggett raced untouched for a 62-yard touchdown.
The Argos defense then came up with another big play when De’Mareyae Givens intercepted a Frost pass at the UWF 34, less than minute into the fourth quarter.
Facing 3rd-and-18 from his own 37, Jarrett made his biggest play when he rolled out, escaped a rush and found receiver Larry Rembert for a 20-yard gain. Three plays later, Jarrett threw a perfect, back-shoulder pass to David Durden, who leaped above the cornerback to catch the ball and get a foot in bounds on a 21-yard score.
It put UWF up by two scores (35-21) with 10:53 remaining, which was ironically the same point difference the Argos rallied from behind in the past two games at home.
West Georgia got within a touchdown after its 12-play, 79-yard drive that finished with a rushing touchdown from the 1 with 5:39 remaining. The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Argos good field position at the West Georgia 35.
The Argos offensive line and rushing game took over from there. Jarrett’s third-down conversion run to the 22 kept the drive going and set up Mason’s game-clinching run.
UWF is now 29-9 all-time on the road, including 27-5 in the last five seasons. UWF’s defense has forced 16 turnovers in seven games against West Georgia – the most against any opponent – and with 12 of those turnovers happening at UWG’s University Stadium.
UWF finished the game Saturday with 199 yards rushing, 235 yards passing, which continues a balance established in the season’s first game. The Argos now have thrown for at least one touchdown pass in 50 consecutive games.
By Bill Vilona
GoArgos Senior Writer
Photo: Morgan Givens
UWF Downs Lee To Win Pack It Pink Match
October 9, 2022
Saturday marked UWF’s annual Pack it Pink Match as the 13th-ranked Argonauts defeated the Flames of Lee University, 3-1. Through a silient auction and donations taken at the gate, UWF raised more than $6,600 for cancer awareness and research.
The first set saw the Argos trail the Flames early on, as Lee jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead and stayed ahead for a majority of the match. Alex Oliver led the way for the Argos in the first as her 5 kills was only one off the game high of 6 from the Flames Hannah Upton, but UWF fell in the first set 25-23.
The second set featured a dominant Argonaut attack that out hit the Flames .333 to .000 and featured three Argos recording 3 kills or more in the set – Oliver had four, and Jacque Martin and Jenna Zydlo had three each. The Argos would use that attack to take set two 25-14 and tie the match up at 1-1.
Freshman Lily Sumner would provide the spark that head coach Melissa Wolter was looking for, as her 3 kills in the set to go along with Jacque Martin’s 4 and Jenna Zydlo’s 3 would pace the Argos attack to a 25-15 set win, and give the Argos a 2-1 lead over the Flames.
The fourth and final set was completely controlled by the Argos, as their 10-3 lead would prove to be too much for the Flames. UWF cruised to a 25-16 set win and took the match 3-1 over the Lee University Flames.
The Argos offensive attack would go on to outhit the Flames .325 to .128 for the match as three players finished with double-digit kills (Oliver 13, Martin 12, Zydlo 10). Senior Taylor Vaneekeren continued her stellar senior season as she would finish the match with a double-double of 44 assists (game high) and 11 digs to go along with 5 blocks.
Sophomore Meg Brackhan and senior Kierra Potts provided the anchors for the Argos defense today, as Potts would finish with a game high 7 blocks and Brackhan finished with a game high 20 digs for the match.
With the win today, the Argos improve to 17-4 on the season with a 9-1 GSC conference record. The Argos next match takes place next Friday as they head to Birmingham Alabama for the GSC Crossover Tournament.
United Way Day Of Caring Makes A Difference Across The Area (With Photo Gallery)
October 8, 2022
Hundreds of volunteers fanned out across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties Friday from the United Way of West Florida’s 29th Annual Day of Caring on Friday.
Day of Caring is a single-day, community-wide volunteer event organized by United Way of West Florida. United Way connects volunteers with local agencies and schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties needing service projects completed.
There were 64 volunteer groups with nearly 600 individual volunteers working on 66 projects in the two-county region.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Projects related to North Escambia area agencies, schools or volunteer groups included:
- Ascend volunteers worked on the cleaning and maintenance of the nature boardwalk at Escambia Westgate School. They also replaced two older wheelchair ramps that were not done last year when the new boardwalk was built.
- Led by a Tate alumnus, Community Health Northwest Florida worked to clean up and create an inviting seating area in the front of Tate High School, near the Jennings Building, so students can enjoy an outdoor space.
- Navy Federal Credit Union worked to clear and prepare the ground in front of the Tate High School Lipscomb Building for the installation of planter boxes. The culinary classes will use the planter boxes to grow an herb garden to incorporate into the curriculum.
- Volunteers from Florida Blue, Navy Federal, International Paper, and Junior League of Pensacola deep cleaned, organized and installed smoke detectors at the Ronald McDonald House.
- Escambia River Electric Cooperative volunteers worked to beautify Chumuckla Elementary School.
Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated more than 28,000 volunteers to complete projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Pictured above and first below: Volunteers from Navy Federal Credit Union and Community Health Northwest Florida volunteered at Tate School on Friday. Second below: Ascend volunteers worked on the nature trail at Escambia Westgate School. Third below: Volunteers from Florida Blue, Navy Federal, International Paper, and Junior League of Pensacola worked at the Ronald McDonald House. Bottom: EREC volunteered at Chumuckla Elementary School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Holds Fall Festival (With Photo Gallery)
October 8, 2022
Byrneville Elementary School held their annual Fall Festival Friday night at the school.
The family fun fundraiser had plenty of games, a silent auction, vendors, a hayride, haunted house, karaoke and more.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Crushes Blountstown 49-0
October 8, 2022
The Northview Chiefs are having their best season in over 15 years, rolling to a crushing 49-0 road win over Blountstown Friday night.
Headed into Friday night, No. 11 Blountstown was 4-2 with just one loss at home this season, and the Chiefs were at No. 7 in the state, tops in Region 1-1R.
The Chiefs took an early 17-0 lead by the end of the first and were up 21-0 at the half as they rolled to the big win.
The Northview Chiefs have not been 6-0 since way back in 2006 when they went 9-1 overall under coach Cody Keene, dropping the final game of that season at home 20-14 to Chipley. In 2012 when they won the only football state championship in school history, the Chiefs opened at 1-1, losing their second game to Marianna. They finished 2012 at 11-3.
Next week it’s the War Along Highway 4 as Northview takes the short trip on Highway 4 across the Escambia River to take on the Jay Royals (3-3).
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
West Florida Jaguars Top The Tate Aggies
October 8, 2022
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Tate Aggies 41-7 Friday night at WFHS.
Tate High Coach Rhett Summerford was back in familiar territory Friday night. He left West Florida to return to his alma mater to take over the program at Tate.
The Jaguars were first on the big board with a touchdown run from 6-yards out to give WFHS a 7-0 lead. John Nicolas found Andre Coleman to put the Jags inside the five. Jones took it in to put the Jags up 14-0.
The Aggies answered with a Taite Davis pass to Diego Dukes for a 51-yard touchdown for Tate, 14-7.
From there, the scoring was all West Florida as they rolled on the win.
Tate (1-5) will travel to Pace next Friday night, while West Florida (4-2) will host PHS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
October 8, 2022
Here are high school football scores from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 49, Blountstown 0 [Game story...]
- West Florida 41, Tate 7 [Game story, photos...]
- Baker 28, Jay 0
- Pine Forest 28, Niceville 7
- Pace 44, Pensacola High 7
- Washington 66, Godby 34
- Navarre 38, Mosley 35 (Thursday)
- Pensacola Catholic 38, Gulf Breeze 17 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 35, Pickens Academy 22
- T.R. Miller 39, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
- W.S. Neal 13, Flomaton 12
Pictured: West Florida defeated the Tate Aggies Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo by Jennifer Reine, click to enlarge.
UWF Study Pinpoints Suicide, Opioid Death Rates In U.S., Including The Panhandle
October 8, 2022
An analysis by a University of West Florida team identified areas in the contiguous United States where suicide and opioid death rates are high and where the deaths overlap.
The maps showed that suicide rates in the Florida Panhandle may be “high,” but not as high as what is seen in most of the western part of the U.S. The research showed that clusters of counties with very high opioid mortality rates are also clusters of counties with very high rates of suicide and are associated with each other.
Dr. Raid Amin, a distinguished University professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Dr. Rodney Guttmann, professor in the Department of Biology, and former UWF graduate students Misty Uher, Matthew Holley and Bradly Rivera-Muniz studied suicide deaths and associations with several factors, including opioids deaths. Their research examined deaths in years 2000-2019. Out of nine significant clusters, six were bivariate (suicide and opioids) while three were only opioids.
“These results have the potential to provide a scientific framework that is based on surveillance, allowing health agencies to intervene and reduce elevated rates of suicides in selected counties in the U.S.,” Amin said. “The study is limited due to the resolution of the data at the county level, and some covariate data was unavailable for the entire period of the study.”
The observations have the opportunity to assist health agencies in these areas in identifying conditions that may be driving an unusually high rate of suicides and/or opioid deaths, according to researches.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: ECSO Locates Missing, Endangered Woman
October 7, 2022
UPDATE: Amanda Dees Harper has been safely located per the ECSO.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing and endangered woman last seen midday Friday.
Amanda Dees Harper, 42, was last seen in the 6600 block of Pensacola Boulevard wearing a red shirt, blue skirt and blue shoes. She is described as being 5-feet, 4-inches tall, 140 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.
ECSO said she might be driving a white Honda Pilot with Florida tag #Z86JIE.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Molino Man Charged With Stealing $2,400 Horse Saddle, Cooler With $1,100 In Fish
October 7, 2022
A Molino man is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a cooler containing $1,100 worth of fish and a tote containing over $3,000 worth of horse riding gear.
William “Billy” Arbon Gilly IV, 29, was charged with two counts of grand theft, two counts of burglary of a conveyance, and two counts of dealing in stolen property. All of the charges are felonies.
Gilly allegedly took a large industrial type plastic tote out of the bed of a truck on Ryale Road. The owner told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that the tote contained a hunter jumper horse saddle valued at $2,400 and other horse related items for a total value of $3,260.
The victim later located the saddle for sale on Facebook Marketplace by an individual that was currently in a relationship with Gilly, according to an arrest report. The saddle was listed at $800 but the price was later reduced to $650.
Deputies responded to the woman’s home on Barrineau Park Road and recovered the saddle and other items including riding boots, riding crop and a riding jacket. The items were returned to the owner.
Gilly was taken into custody at the home on an outstanding warrant related to an earlier theft of a cooler and fish.
In July, Gilly allegedly took a Yeti cooler valued at $350 that contained $1,100 worth of fish from outside the gas station and Dairy Queen on Scenic Highway. The owner found the cooler for sale by “Billy Gilly” on Facebook, and it later sold for $200, according to ECSO. Investigators were able to serve a search warrant on Facebook for information and identified the cooler based upon minor damage and aftermarket additions.
The arrest report does not state the type of fish or what happened to them.