Tate Sweeps Jay; Northview Defeats Blacksher
October 6, 2026
Tate 3, Jay 0
The Tate Lady Aggies traveled across the river and earned a hard-fought three-set sweep over the Jay Lady Royals in high school volleyball action in Jay.
Tate took the match with set scores of 25-23, 25-15, and 25-22.
The host Lady Royals pushed Tate down to the wire in both the opening and closing frames.
Jay mounted a tough battle in the opening set before the Aggies edged out a two-point margin to take early control. After Tate controlled the tempo through the second set, the Royals responded with resilience in front of the home crowd, battling point-for-point in a competitive third frame before Tate sealed the victory.
Northview 3, J.U. Blacksher 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs traveled across state lines Monday night, earning a straight-set road victory over the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs in Uriah, Alabama.
Northview took the varsity match with set scores of 25-21, 25-15, and 25-23.
The Lady Chiefs fought through a tight opening frame to establish an early lead before hitting their stride in the second set, controlling the pace to go up 2-0. The host Bulldogs battled back in a closely contested third set, but Northview held off the late push to finish out the 3-0 sweep.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Fall In Road Game To Abilene Christian
October 4, 2026
Saturday night became the game UWF’s football team experienced the formidable challenges of its climb into Division I FCS competition.
Abilene Christian, the two-time United Athletic Conference champion, belied its 1-4 season start by opening a four-touchdown, halftime lead and moving past the No. 17-ranked Argos 35-7 at Wildcat Stadium.
It was the Wildcats (2-4) ninth consecutive, home conference win, across three seasons. It was also their eighth win against a ranked FCS opponent in the same span.
“I hope we can learn some stuff from this,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles, during a post-game interview with SportsRadio Pensacola. “I’m frustrated myself. I take this on me. We just didn’t show up and play well and I take personal responsibility for that.”
The game was won in the first half. UWF (3-2) couldn’t sustain offensive drives and the Argos defense gave up long gains – something that had been contained in the first four games.
“We’ve got to figure a way to stop the run,” said Nobles during the halftime interview with SportsRadio Pensacola. “We’re getting run through like a hot knife through butter right now. There’s a lot of things we need to say at halftime to clean this up.”
Abilene Christian, which began the season with three straight losses, all against ranked teams, produced touchdowns on four consecutive possessions, including 21 points in the second quarter to produce an early knockout. Wildcats quarterback, sophomore Tucker Parks, was the big factor.
Parks made plays throwing, scrambling and direct run plays. He completed 16 of his 17 pass attempts for 155 yards and three touchdowns. He also finished the game as the Wildcats’ leading rusher with 97 yards on 15 carries.
“Bad start, didn’t stop the run well and just didn’t do some good stuff on offense that put us behind the 8-ball, and gave up some big plays (on defense) that shouldn’t happen,” Nobles said. “And that’s on me. We’ve got to figure something out, change some things and get ready to bounce back from this.”
The Wildcats stayed conservative in the second half with a big lead, before getting their final touchdown with 1:33, after a defensive stop in Argos’ territory.
“When you come out for the second half and you’re down by 28, we get the ball hoping to get some momentum and we show up and get a 3-(plays)-and out to start the second half,” Nobles said. “So not the start we needed. But we kept fighting, our guys kept fighting, they got resilient. I have to get things changed and coach it up a little bit better.”
UWF quarterback Ty’Ray Davis returned as the starter, after playing just one fourth-quarter snap in the Argos’ road win Sept. 26 at Southeast Missouri State. But it was a tough night for him, especially in the first half and early in the third quarter.
Davis finished 16-of-31 passing for 208 yards and rushed for 33 yards on 19 carries. One of his best throws was a laser to Jakari Mozelle for the Argos only points with 5:17 left in the game. It was set by his 58-yard completion to Tyshon Mansell from the UWF 20, which led to a 2-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.
Earlier in the game, however, Davis was thwarted three times on designed quarterback runs to convert fourth down and short yardage situations. The Argos finished 1-for-5 on fourth down, but most importantly converted only three of 14 third down situations.
With TJ Lane out with an injury for the second game, junior Markel Townsend was UWF’s featured back again and he finished with 98 yards on 12 carries.
Mansell led the receiving corps with 67 yards on two catches.
Penalties hurt the Argos throughout the game. They were flagged a season-high 10 times for 91 yards.
One of the biggest occurred when UWF produced its only turnover. David Awuah recovered a fumbled punt at the Abilene Christian 9 with 1:13 left in the third quarter. But after the recovery, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on UWF moved the ball back to the Wildcats.
On the next play, the center snap sailed over Davis’ head forcing him to recover the ball at the 40. It became a failed opportunity.
The Argos first possession of the game became an omen for the night. They got their biggest offensive play of the game, a 51-yard run by Markel Townsend to the Wildcats 30. But two illegal procedure penalties followed on the next four snaps.
The Argos then had a 4th-and-2 from the 23 when Davis tried to plow his way for the first down to no avail. The Argos later tried to convert three more 4th-and-short situations with Davis and could not do it.
UWF was the fourth ranked opponent Abilene Christian faced in its first six games. One of those was a loss to Texas Tech, the No. 12 ranked team in the FBS Top 20 and College Football Playoff team last season.
The Wildcats endured their worst start since 2020, after playing the fifth toughest opening schedule in FCS according to the Massey Ratings.
The Argos, meanwhile, will seek to get back on track by playing two NCAA Division II opponents in back to back home games.
“We’ve got to make some adjustments and go fix some things to play better at home,” Nobles said.
WHAT’S NEXT – UWF returns home for the first time since Sept. 19 at Pen Air Field to face the Northeastern (Okla.) State Riverhawks (3-3) an NCAA Division II Independent team, located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
The Argos beat Northeastern State 31-24 in Oklahoma last season. This game is the return part of that contract. It will be part of back-to-back home games against D-2 opponents. UWF hosts West Alabama, on Oct. 17 for UWF’s homecoming game.
written by Bill Vilona, Argos correspondent
Photo by Morgan Givens for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
October 3, 2026
Here are this week’s high school football scores from across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Friday
- Jay 1, True Institute 0 (True Institute forfeited)
- West Florida 22, Washington 14
- Pace 31, Pine Forest 29 (OT)
- Milton 32, Pensacola 14
- Navarre 31, Fort Walton Beach 26
- BYES: Tate, Central, Pensacola Catholic, Gulf Breeze
Thursday
- Destin 35, Northview 21 [Story, photos...]
- Choctawhatchee 41, Escambia 0
ALABAMA
- Escambia County (Atmore) 19, Flomaton 7
- Cornerstone Christian 24, Escambia Academy 13
- Jackson 42, W.S. Neal 21
- T.R. Miller 55, Excel 6
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs fell 35-21 to the Destin Sharks on Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Fall To Destin 35-21 On Homecoming Night
October 2, 2026
The Destin Sharks beat the Northview Chiefs 35-21 on Thursday night for homecoming in Bratt.
The Sharks bit first, taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter before adding a field goal early in the second quarter. The Chiefs answered to hold a 14-10 lead at halftime.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Look for a bonus gallery with cheerleader, band, band and fan photos in the next few days.
Up next, Northview (5-2) will travel on Friday night, October 9, for a district matchup at Blountstown (4-1 before the Tigers’ October 2 game).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Outlast W.S. Neal In 5-Set Senior Night Thriller
September 30, 2026
The Northview Lady Chiefs celebrated Senior Night in unforgettable fashion Wednesday night in Bratt, battling through five grueling sets to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over the visiting W.S. Neal Eagles.
In a match defined by wild momentum swings and relentless rallies, the Lady Chiefs dug deep in the tiebreaker to seal the win: 21-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-18, 15-13.
The evening honored five Northview seniors;
- Mikayla McAnally
- Daviona Randolph
- Brielle Garcia
- Jessie Joyner
- Emma Bowman
For more photos, click here. (Seniors are near the end of the gallery)
The Eagles struck first, leaning on strong net play and sharp serving to claim the opening set 25-21. Northview answered immediately in the second frame, pushing past regulation points in a wire-to-wire fight to edge Neal 26-24 and even the match.
W.S. Neal regained control in the third, stringing together late points to take a 25-20 win and put the host Chiefs on the brink of defeat. With their backs against the wall, Northview’s seniors set the tone in set four, sparking an aggressive 25-18 run to force a winner-take-all fifth frame.
The deciding set proved to be a fitting finale for the rivalry clash. Neither side led by more than two points as the teams traded side-outs down the stretch. Trailing late, the Lady Chiefs locked down defensively, coming up with crucial touches at the net and capitalizing on key Eagle errors to take the final frame 15-13 and send the home crowd into celebration.
In junior varsity action, Northview beat Neal 2-0.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Fall In Hard-Fought District Battle At Gulf Breeze
September 30, 2026
Fresh off a dominant Senior Night sweep over Milton, the Tate Lady Aggies traveled south on Tuesday night for a pivotal district clash, falling in four hard-fought sets to the Gulf Breeze Dolphins, 3-1.
The Lady Aggies stayed within striking distance throughout the opening frame before the Dolphins edged ahead to take set one, 25-20. Gulf Breeze carried that momentum into the second frame to take a 25-18 decision and build a 2-0 match lead.
Refusing to go quietly, Tate answered with tenacity in the third set. Controlling the tempo at the net, the Lady Aggies broke away late to claim a decisive 25-18 victory and push the match to a fourth frame.
The two sides traded runs in a fiercely contested fourth set, but Gulf Breeze managed to close out the match with a 25-19 win to seal the victory.
With the setback, Tate drops to 15-7 overall and 1-3 in district play, while Gulf Breeze improves to 14-4 overall and 2-1 in the district.
After regrouping for a few days, the Lady Aggies will held to Jay on Monday at 6:30 to take on the Royals before rounding out the regular season with away games at Pensacola Catholic on Tuesday and Pace on on October 8.
Pictured: The Tate Lady Aggies swept Milton 3-0 on Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Sweep Milton On Senior Night (With Photo Gallery)
September 29, 2026
The Tate High School Aggies celebrated Senior Night in dominant fashion on Tuesday, sweeping the Milton Panthers 3-0 in their final home game of the regular season.
Tate set the tone early in a competitive opening frame, taking the first set 25-19 before overpowering Milton 25-10 in the second. The Aggies closed out the sweep with a decisive 25-15 victory in the third set.
For more photos, click here. (Seniors are near the end of the gallery)
The evening honored five Tate seniors playing their final regular-season contest on their home floor:
- Laila Whitley
- Jayla Templeman
- Torrie Garrett
- Bailie Merritt
- Ella Merritt
With the win, the Aggies improved to 15-6 overall on the season.
Up next, Tate (1-2 in district play) hits the road today, September 29, for a crucial district showdown against the Gulf Breeze Dolphins (13-4, 1-1).\
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Argos Defense Makes Statement In Road Win Over Southeast Missouri
September 27, 2026
Jolted by adversity, UWF’s football team found a way on Saturday night to create another memory.
The Argos defense made sure of it.
Playing without starting quarterback Ty’Ray Davis and top running back TJ Lane, the No. 20 ranked Argos got an astounding performance from their defense, which forced six turnovers, including the game-sealing one in the final minute Saturday to beat Southeast Missouri State 20-17 and continue UWF’s history as road warriors.
The Argos defense scored one touchdown on Christian Ware-Terry’s fumble recovery that was forced by Patrick Hisatake, then set up 10 other UWF points with turnovers.
This kind of gritty win likely made a 593-mile, all night bus ride back to Pensacola go a lot easier and sweeter. UWF is now 3-1 as first-year Division I FCS members.
“Playing a couple guys down, our guys are resilient,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles, speaking to SportsRadio Pensacola on the field moments after the win. “They played really well, did a lot of really good things to win the game. Man, I’m just proud of how these guys played and excited to get another win in the win column.”
UWF knew prior to the game that Davis could not be risked, so backup Donovan Leary, a senior transfer from Tulane, who played in the fourth quarter last Saturday against Austin Peay, made his first start. Davis was in uniform and entered for one play, a failed third-down conversion run in the third quarter, his only snap in the game.
The Argos had just 88 yards total offense in the first half and minus-four yards rushing. They finished the game 1-for-13 on third down conversions.
But each time after short possessions, UWF’s defense under coordinator Kavell Conner, a former NFL linebacker, kept responding to keep the Argos in the game. They finished with 12 tackles for lost yardage.
“Resilient, opportunistic,” said Nobles, when asked on the post-game radio interview for words to describe the group. “They do a good job of forcing turnovers and giving us short fields and giving extra possessions to the offense. They did a lot better job of stopping the run versus a really good team.”
Leary had passes dropped and some miscommunication with receivers but got more in sync as the game progressed in the second half. He produced what became the game-winning play when lofting a perfect 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Robinette, who made a terrific, leaping catch with defenders on him in the corner of the endzone for a 20-10 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Leary finished 16-of-36 passing for 155 yards and one interception.
“Give a shout out to Donovan Leary,” Nobles said. “First win as starting quarterback at UWF. Played phenomenal. Just excited about him. We did some good things with pass protection in the second half and he was really smart with the football.”
Southeast Missouri (2-3) an Ohio Valley Conference member and Division I program since 1991, scored the game’s first points on its first possession on a 42-yard field goal by Justin Keller. On that drive, UWF’s defense recorded the first of its four sacks to thwart a first down and possible touchdown drive.
After UWF’s Byron Puryear forced a fumble and 12-yard return by Will Fennema, the Argos tied the game on Reid Grek’s 32-yard field goal. The Argos’ longest first-half drive – 8 plays, 44 yards – ended with another Grek field goal form 44 yards out and a 6-3 lead with 6:39 left in the first half.
The Redhawks answered with a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take a 10-6 lead at halftime.
In the second half, after a holding penalty moved the Redhawks to their own 10, Hisatake sacked quarterback Braylen Ragland and forced a fumble that Ware recovered and ran five yards into the end zone to give UWF a 13-10 lead.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Redhawks used 14 plays to go 75 yards, capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass from Ragland to cut the lead to 20-17.
The Argos defense then forced turnovers on the Redhawks’ final two possessions. The first was a fumble recovery by Cherron Holt Jr. right before he went out of bounds with 3:54 left. Carson Ratliff forced the fumble on a big hit after a short pass play.
The Argos ran off clock, but Grek missed a 38-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining that gave the Redhawks another chance.
Ragland was sacked by Ratliff on the first play, pushing the Redhawks to their 9. Two plays later Kenyan Hunter intercepted a pass after Ragland was hit and he knelt down at the 41 for the game-sealing play.
It was a road win resembling so many UWF had during its nine-season tenure as an NCAA Division II team. During both seasons when UWF reached the DII national title game, the Argos had comeback road wins during the regular season and playoffs.
WHAT’S NEXT – The Argos will take their longest road trip, this one by plane, however, to face Abilene Christian on Saturday Oct. 3 in Abilene, Texas. Kickoff is 7 p.m. It will be UWF’s third United Athletic Conference game.
written by Bill Vilona, Argos correspondent
High School Football Scoreboard
September 26, 2026
Here are high school football scores from across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Friday
- Niceville 34, Tate 33
- Holmes County 47, Northview 21
- Jay 43, Bozeman 0
- Washington 16, Escambia 13
- South Walton 28, Pine Forest 20
- Bay 28, Pensacola High 24
- Samson 16, Central 6
- Pace 41, Crestview 27
- Fort Walton Beach 35, Gulf Breeze 21
- Choctawhatchee 43, Milton 15
Thursday
- Pensacola Catholic 45, Destin 8
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 38, Southern Choctaw 0
- W.S. Neal 52, Rain 28
- T.R. Miller 35, Hillcrest (Evergreen) 6
- Escambia Academy 55, Heritage Christian 0
- Escambia County (Atmore) — OPEN
Here’s Where To Watch This Weekend’s College Football
September 26, 2026
Here is this week’s college football schedule and where to watch the games.
All times are Central.
Saturday, Sept. 25
FBS (or FBS vs. FCS)
No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee | 11 a.m. | ABC
Illinois at No. 7 Ohio State | 11 a.m. | FOX
Sam Houston at No. 11 Texas Tech | 11 a.m. | TNT
Wake Forest at No. 16 Louisville | 11 a.m. | ESPN
Colorado at Baylor | 11 a.m. | ESPN2
Bucknell at Pitt | 11 a.m. | ACCNX
Virginia Tech at Boston College | 11 a.m. | ACC Network
San Diego State at Toledo | 11 a.m. | CBSSN
Colorado State at UTSA | 11 a.m. | ESPNU
UNLV at Akron | 11 a.m. | ESPN+
Ball State at Kent State | 11 a.m. | ESPN+
South Alabama at Kentucky | 11:45 a.m. | SEC Network
Lindenwood at Eastern Michigan | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
UCLA at Maryland | 12:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
No. 3 Notre Dame at Purdue | 1 p.m. | Peacock
Northern Illinois at Georgia State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Central Arkansas at Florida State | 2 p.m. | ACC Network
Hawai’i at Wyoming | 2 p.m. | CW
Oklahoma at No. 2 Georgia | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 4 Ole Miss at No. 21 Florida | 2:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 15 Utah at Iowa State | 2:30 p.m. | FOX
No. 17 Iowa at No. 18 Michigan | 2:30 p.m. | CBS
TCU at UCF | 2:30 p.m. | FS1
William & Mary at Duke | 2:30 p.m. | ACCNX
Boise State at Western Michigan | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN2
UConn at Miami (Ohio) | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
New Mexico at New Mexico State | 2:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Robert Morris at Buffalo | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Stonehill at Ohio | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Gardner-Webb at Marshall | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
No. 25 Houston at Georgia Southern | 3 p.m. | ESPNU
North Carolina Central at East Carolina | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Vanderbilt at Auburn | 3:15 p.m. | SEC Network
Wisconsin at No. 13 Penn State | 4 p.m. | Peacock
Nebraska at Michigan State | 4 p.m. | Big Ten Network
South Florida at Bowling Green | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Delaware at Virginia | 5 p.m. | ACC Network
UIW at Texas State | 5 p.m. | USA Network
Long Island University at Florida International | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
James Madison at Old Dominion | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Central Michigan at No. 6 Miami (Fla.) | 5:30 p.m. | CW
Louisiana at Charlotte | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN+
South Carolina at No. 8 Alabama | 6 p.m. | ESPN
Kansas State at Cincinnati | 6 p.m. | ESPN2
Oklahoma State at West Virginia | 6 p.m. | FS1
Southern Miss at Tulane | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Kennesaw State at Arkansas State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Mercyhurst at Western Kentucky | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Middle Tennessee at Jacksonville State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
No. 23 Texas A&M at No. 10 LSU | 6:30 p.m. | ABC
No. 20 Oregon at No. 12 USC | 6:30 p.m. | NBC
Arizona at Washington State | 6:30 p.m. | CBS
Troy at Utah State | 6:30 p.m. | CBSSN
Houston Christian at North Texas | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Appalachian State at NC State | 6:30 p.m. | ESPNU
No. 19 Missouri at No. 24 Mississippi State | 6:45 p.m. | SEC Network
Tulsa at Arkansas | 7 p.m. | SECN+
Florida Atlantic at UL Monroe | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Missouri State at No. 22 SMU | 8 p.m. | ACC Network
Oregon State at UTEP | 8 p.m. | MW+
UMass at Sacramento State | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Rice at Fresno State | 9 p.m. | CW
Georgia Tech at Sanford | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
Air Force at Nevada | 9:30 p.m. | FS1
Minnesota at Washington | 10 p.m. | FOX
FCS
Presbyterian at Marist | 11 a.m. | ESPN+
Columbia at Georgetown | 11:30 a.m. | ESPN+
Holy Cross at Lafayette | 11:30 a.m. | ESPN+
Monmouth at Dartmouth | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Stony Brook at Fordham | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Yale at Cornell | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
North Dakota at Indiana State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Lehigh at Penn | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Drake at Davidson | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
New Haven at Merrimack | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Tennessee Tech at Wofford | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN+
South Dakota at Youngstown State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Furman at Richmond | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
UT Martin at Austin Peay | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Butler at Valparaiso | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Chattanooga at The Citadel | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Colgate at Villanova | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
UAlbany at Princeton | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
Western Carolina at East Tennessee State | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
VMI at Samford | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Western Illinois at North Alabama | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Lamar at Nicholls | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Illinois State at UNI | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Fort Valley State at West Georgia | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Northeastern State at Stephen F. Austin | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Southern Illinois at Murray State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Cal Poly at Eastern Washington | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Eastern Illinois at South Dakota State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
SE Louisiana at Northwestern State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling (Cotton Bowl in Dallas) | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Southern at Jackson State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
East Texas A&M at McNeese | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
West Florida at Southeast Missouri State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Mercer at Abilene Christian | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Idaho State at Southern Utah | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Utah Tech at Northern Colorado | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Portland State at Weber State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Montana at UC Davis | 9 p.m. | ESPN+
Northern Arizona at Montana State | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
DII
Kentucky State at Albany State | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Edward Waters at Morehouse | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Southern Nazarene at Southeastern Oklahoma State | 2 p.m. | YouTube
Harding at Ouachita Baptist | 7 p.m. | YouTube
DIII
Wisconsin-Whitewater at Keystone | 11 a.m. | YouTube
Methodist at Apprentice School | 12 p.m. | YouTube
Lycoming at Rowan | 12 p.m. | YouTube
Albion at Hope | 12 p.m. | YouTube
Olivet at Calvin | 3 p.m. | YouTube
Trine at Kalamazoo | 5 p.m. | YouTube