UWF’s Special Season Ends In National Semifinal Loss To Ferris State
December 11, 2022
The amazing post-season magic that UWF’s football team was always able to generate this time vanished at the worst possible time.
After rallying from a 17-3 deficit in the second quarter to tie the game at halftime, the Argos committed mistakes on their first three, second-half possessions, and it led to a 38-17 loss Saturday against defending national champion Ferris State in the NCAA Division II national semifinal at Top Taggart Field.
The Argos (12-2) had won all nine previous road playoff games – many of those in comeback fashion — including the one at Ferris State in the 2019 semifinal game that vaulted UWF to its historic national title.
But in this match of the past two champions – there was no D-2 title in the 2020 season halted by the coronavirus – it was Ferris State seizing control in the second half.
“Obviously, this moment is bitter, but I am extremely pleased with the season and what we were able to do,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick, whose team had won its last 16 road games overall. “Not many teams get to play this far and just disappointed the way this thing ended.”
The big picture, however, is that UWF played in its third national semifinal in the six-year history of the program. Each time the Argos advanced this far, the semifinal game was on the road in a cold-weather place. Twice before, the Argos flew back to Pensacola with a championship game berth.
Game time temperature Saturday was 33 degrees and snow began to fall in the final minute of the game. But UWF was unfazed by the conditions in coming back from a sizeable deficit in the first half. The Argos scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes of the second quarter to gain the emotional edge at halftime.
“I thought we could create from the first half and I thought we could be right where we wanted,” Shinnick said. “But the opening drive didn’t go the way we hoped, and they just kept capitalizing on things and it hurt us. Not the second half we hoped for.”
Ferris State (13-1) rushed for 325 yards and scored all five touchdowns on the ground. Marcus Taylor had 182 yards on the ground with a score, and Carson Gulker added 64 with three touchdowns.
UWF traveled home Saturday night after a season where the Argos came back from a double-overtime, home loss to Delta State to win 10 consecutive games in reaching this stage.
“A phenomenal season,” Shinnick said. “And hard to reflect on that when this thing (Saturday loss) is just present in your mind right now. But our guys did so much this year and accomplished so many things and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
The game changed on two plays early in the second half.
UWF got the ball coming out of halftime and was on a 13-play drive when failing to convert on a 4th-and-2 play at the Ferris State 34. UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett misfired a pass to David Durden.
Ferris State’s offense took over again. The Bulldogs took the lead in just nine plays on a 3-yard run.
On the ensuing possession, the Argos then committed a game-changing turnover when quarterback Peewee Jarrett was sacked by Caleb Murphy, his 25th of the season and Murphy was able to dislodge the ball.
Ferris State safety Travis Miracle recovered at the UWF 36. Mylik Mitchell, who threw just nine passes, had his biggest one on a 24-yard competition to the 1. It led to a third rushing touchdown by freshman backup quarterback, Gulker, who proved to be a force the entire game against UWF.
That gave Ferris State a two-touchdown lead just 31 seconds into the fourth quarter. On UWF’s next possession, the Argos tried to fake a punt from their 42 on a 4th-and-5 situation, but Ferris State’s defense snuffed it out.
The Bulldogs were back in the end zone eight plays later with the game-sealing score.
The Argos were only able to generate 298 yards total offense in the game, including just 83 yards in the second half. They entered the game as the second-most prolific offense in Division II, averaging 453 yards per-game. Included in that total was 243.2 yards rushing.
Saturday, the Argos had just 113 yards on the ground. The Argos also did not get a turnover, after forcing 42 in their previous 14 post-season games, including six turnovers, four of which were returned for touchdowns, in last week’s blowout win against Wingate in the Super Region 2 championship game in Pensacola.
Like many games this season, the Argos fell behind early in Saturday’s game. Ferris State used a 13-play, game-opening drive that used 6:28 off the clock to take a 7-0 lead.
The Argos answered with their own drive, attaining a first-and-goal from the 7. But two running plays and incomplete passes forced settling for a Griffin Cerra field goal.
Ferris State then scored touchdowns the next two times the Bulldogs had the ball. They had a 4th-and-2 situation from their own 42 and chose to go for it. UWF’s defense rose up and got the stop.
Two plays later, the Argos were back in the game on Jarrett’s 40-yard touchdown pass to David Durden, who later had to leave the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
Again, UWF’s defense got a stop. Again, UWF’s offense answered. This time, Jarrett capped a 7-play, 74-yard drive by rushing in from the 10 with 1:22 left in the half.
It seemed another second half comeback win was possible for UWF. But on this day, it never developed at all in the second half.
Jarrett threw for 185 yards on 9-of-16 with one TD pass. He also ran for 35 yards. Shomari Mason had 36 yards on the ground and CJ Wilson had 30. Durden had three receptions for 98 yards.
Cantonment Man Charged With Trafficking Oxycodone After Seat Belt Traffic Stop
December 11, 2022
A Cantonment man has been charged with drug trafficking after an Escambia County traffic stop.
Samuel Lee Purifoy, Jr., 31, was charged with trafficking in oxycodone and possession of marijuana over 20 grams, both felonies.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Purifoy’s vehicle on Fairfield Drive after observing him driving without a seat belt. Purifoy smelled strongly of marijuana and appeared to be under the influence of marijuana, according to an arrest report.
A search of his vehicle uncovered marijuana and 86.3 grams of oxycodone in the vehicle, and $1,710 in cash was in his pocket, the report states.
Purifoy was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $27,500 bond.
ECAT To Announce Free Rides For Students Under 18, Roll Out Three New Buses
December 11, 2022
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) will announce a new program this week that will provide free rides for students.
The Student Transit Empowerment Pass (STEP) Program will provide the free ride for those under age 18
STEP pass applications will be available online or in person at ECAT customer service offices beginning Wednesday, December 14. Applications must be completed by a parent or legal guardian and are valid until the end of the school year.
ECAT will also roll out thee new buses this week, the first to be added to the fleet since 2014. Equipped with seated capacity for 23 riders and additional hand straps for riders to safely stand, each bus is Wi-Fi ready, contains automatic passenger counters, and can accommodate two wheelchairs and two bicycles.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
December 11, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Dec. 11 through Saturday, Dec. 17 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Sunday, Dec. 11 through Thursday, Dec. 15 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations. The work will allow crews to perform paving operations, as well as sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Dec. 11 through Thursday, Dec. 15 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, Dec. 11 through Friday, Dec. 16 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures and lane shifts at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe. In addition, daytime shoulder closures will continue through Saturday, Dec. 17.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement - The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed a $4.3 million project on Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek. The work included replacement of the bridge on North Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek; milling and resurfacing the roadway, between Royce Street and Bayou Boulevard and a portion of Carpenters Creek Drive; upgrades to the drainage and the lighting systems; and new signage and pavement markings, guardrail, curb and gutter and sidewalks.
- U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Turn Lane Construction at the new Publix – Drivers will encounter intermittent outside westbound lane closures near Rosewood Avenue Monday, Dec. 12 and Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- Garden Street (U.S. 98) City of Pensacola Christmas Parade – Motorists may encounter a road closure between A Street and Tarragona Street Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the annual City of Pensacola Christmas Parade.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Inspection over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures near the Florida/Alabama line Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine bridge inspection.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance over East River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent southbound outside lane closures Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine utility operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Dec. 11 through Saturday, Dec. 17 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Dec. 11 through Friday, Dec. 16 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Blackwater River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures west of S.R. 87 Monday, Dec. 12 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) Routine Bridge Maintenance over East Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of U.S. 98 Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Routine Utility Maintenance in front of Milton High School – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for utility maintenance.
- I-10 Coring Operations near Exit 45 (S.R. 189) – Motorists may encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures Monday, Dec. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for coring operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County Council PTA To Host Winter Roundtable
December 11, 2022
The Escambia County Council PTA (ECCPTA) will host their Winter Round Table on Thursday, December 15.
ECCPTA board member Karen White will be present “Getting out of your comfort zone today, tomorrow, and in the future”.
The event is open to anyone from Escambia County. It is free for active PTA leaders, or $10 for non-PTA members.
The purpose of the round table “is to start discussions, share stories, share ideas that are working, share ideas that are not working, and build relationships to help make schools a better experience for our children,” according to the organization.
The round table will be held at the Studer Community Institute at 350 West Cedar Street in Pensacola from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m.
BREAKING: Northview Chiefs Fall Short Of State 1R Title
December 10, 2022
The Northview Chiefs fell short of the FHSAA 1-Rural state championship Saturday night in Tallahassee. Hawthorne defeated the Chiefs 13-2.
The Chiefs won the 1A state championship in 2012, and they were the last Escambia County team to win a state football championship.
Northview finishes an astounding 2022 season, the best in school history, at 13-1.
NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage on Sunday.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs fell short of the FHSAA 1R state championship Saturday night in Tallahassee.
Lighted Christmas Parade Rolls Through Century (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2022
Century’s lighted Christmas parade rolled through town Friday night with Santa.
Santa Claus parked his traditional sleigh an rode atop a backhoe on the town’s float, hard at work digging up Christmas.
And there was a naughty and nice list right on back the float under Santa….find out who made each list in the photo gallery below.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click or tap here.
The parade was followed by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office movie night at Anthony Pleasant Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Let The Tate Band Do All Of Your Gift Wrapping This Year
December 10, 2022
The Tate Band Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations through Christmas Eve. Look for the tent at JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports.
Tate Band Gift Wrap Schedule:
- Dec. 11 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 12 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 13 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 14 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 15 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 16 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 17 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 18 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 19 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 20 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 21 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 22 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 23 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 24 — 9 am – 4 p.m.
Pictured. Tate band moms wrapping gifts outside Walmart in Ensley in 2021. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Holds Movie Night In Century (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2022
A big crowd attended an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office movie night Friday night following the Christmas parade in Century.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Crowds enjoyed the movie “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” on a big outdoor screen, along with free hot dogs, hamburgers and popcorn from the ECSO at Anthony Pleasant Park.
The ECSO movie nights are presented across the county by the ECSO and the non-profit Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Foundation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Northview Chiefs Head To State (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2022
The Northview Chiefs headed toward Tallahassee Friday afternoon for Saturday night’s state football championship.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
For a photo gallery from Bratt and Byrneville Elem., click or tap here.
After a big sendoff at the school, the Chiefs traveled to Bratt Elementary School, Ernest Ward Middle School and Byrneville Elementary School to the delight of sign-waving “little chiefs”.
The Northview Chiefs will face Hawthorne (11-0) in the state 1R championship game. Hawthorne is coming off a 28-0 shutout of Blountstown Friday night. The FHSAA 1-Rural state title game will be played at 7 p.m. (EST) on Saturday at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.
Pictured: The Chiefs sendoff Friday at Northview High School, and fans lined the East Highway 4 in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
