Tate Senior Gage Coates Wins Esports Madden NFL Championship
December 15, 2025
Tate High School senior Gage Coates won the Esports Fall 2025 Madden NFL Central Region Championship Game, defeating his opponent from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers.
Coates earned the No. 2 seed in the playoffs with an impressive 7-1 regular season record. The national league, hosted by PlayVS, features 32 teams from across the United States, including competitors from states like Iowa, Alabama, and Kansas.
“I enjoy playing Madden because we get to play as our heroes and compete with people around the world,” Coates said. “Sometimes, we’re lucky enough to play as a guy we watched on Friday night, like Graham Gano.”
This victory marks the latest achievement in Coates’ esports career, following his impressive performance last season when he won the Central Region Madden NFL Championship with a 9-1 regular season record and an overall 14-1 performance.
In addition to Coates’s success, Tate’s esports program continues to thrive across multiple games. This year, multiple Tate teams qualified for the PlayVS playoffs, including two teams in Super Smash Bros. and two in Fortnite, showcasing the ongoing growth and success of Tate’s esports program.
The esports program at Tate High School was made possible through a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) grant, which has allowed students like Coates to excel in competitive gaming at the highest levels.
“We are incredibly proud of Gage and the dedication he brings to our esports program,” Principal Laura Touchstone said. “His hard work, leadership, and passion have set a high bar for our students. Our esports teams continue to demonstrate excellence, and Gage’s championship victory is a testament to the talent and commitment found here at Tate High School.”
PlayVS (Play Versus) is North America’s leading platform for scholastic and collegiate esports. Coates’s championship victory underscores the exceptional talent at Tate, and the support of the DoDEA grant has been crucial in making these achievements possible.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
I-10 To Be Resurfaced From State Line To Near Highway 29 In $19.8 Million Project
December 15, 2025
The Florida Department of Transportation will soon begin a $19.8 million resurfacing project early next year on I-10, from the Perdido River Bridge at the state line to west of the Highway 29 (Exit 10).
The project also includes:
- Installation of an intelligent transportation system (ITS) wrong-way detection system, along with eastbound on-ramp and westbound off-ramp extensions at the I-10/Pine Forest Road (State Road 297) interchange (Exit 7).
- Installation of high-tension cable barriers from the Perdido River Bridge to Beulah Road, and from Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) to west of U.S. 29 (Exit 10).
- Median crossover installation for emergency vehicles.
- Guardrail replacement.
- Expansion joint rehabilitation on the westbound approach slab of the Perdido River Bridge.
During construction, traffic shifts may be required for travel lanes, ramps and shoulders. Lane closures may also occur Sunday through Thursday, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2027.
Hundreds Attend Annual Molino Christmas Parade (With Gallery)
December 14, 2025
Hundreds of people lined Crabtree Church Road for the annual Molino Christmas Parade on a beautiful Saturday morning, after the parade was rescheduled last week due to rain.
All proceeds from the parade, which was coordinated by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Molino campus, will benefit families in need in the North Escambia area.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The parade was followed by a family fun event at the Don Sutton Ballpark, featuring activities, inflatables, food trucks and pictures with Santa.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
University of West Florida Holds Fall Commencement (With Photo Gallery)
December 14, 2025
The University of West Florida held 2025 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Guest speaker from the Class of 2025 graduate, Diana Darling (Ed.D., Instructional & Performance Technology) told a personal story of perseverance as she overcame a brain tumor and brain surgery during her studies.
Manny Diaz Jr., UWF interim president, encouraged hard work and success for the Argo graduates.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas Parade Rolls Through Century (With Photo Gallery)
December 13, 2025
The Century Christmas Parade will be held Friday afternoon, followed by a Sheriff’s Movie Night with a free showing of “The Grinch” at Anthony Pleasant Park.
For a parade photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Hosts Movie Night (With Gallery)
December 13, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hosted a movie night in Century on Friday night following the town’s Christmas parade.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Residents 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.
Four Injured, Two Critically, In After Driver Runs Red Light At Highway 29 And Molino Road
December 12, 2025
Four people were injured, two critically, in a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an 86-year-old Birmingham man ran a red light as his red Lexus SUV was traveling south on Highway 29. At the same time, a white Chevrolet SUV driven by a 39-year-old Molino woman was northbound and turning onto Molino Road.
The Birmingham man and his 73-year old female passenger, also from Birmingham, were critically injured and were airlifted as “trauma alerts” to a Pensacola hospital by two medical helicopters. The Molino woman in the white SUV and her 40-year old male passenger, also from Molino, were transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Both Highway 29 and Molino Road were completely shut down by the crash and investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ECSO Master Deputy David Preston Retires After Over Three Decades Of Service
December 12, 2025
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy David Preston was honored on his retirement during a ceremony at ECSO headquarters on Thursday.
Preston, who is a North Escambia resident, joined the ECSO in 1994. He spent the early part of his career in the Patrol Division in Century and last worked as investigator in Property Crimes.
Sheriff Chip Simmons and fellow deputies praised Preston for a job well done during over three decades of service to the citizens of Escambia County.
“I want to thank God for just taking care of all of us for this many years,” Preston said. “I want to thank my family, in particular, my wife.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
