Buck Powell And Frankie Bell: Two Champion Coaches Born In Century Pass Away
March 19, 2026
Two legendary state champion high school coaches born in Century recently passed away, leaving a legacy of success that spanned decades of local sports history.
Melvin “Buck” Powell and Franklin “Frankie” Nelson Bell are both being remembered for their contribution to both athletics and education.
Melvin “Buck” Powell
October 14, 1943 – March 14, 2026
Melvin Powell, 81, was born in Century on October 14, 1943. He grew up in Flomaton and graduated from Flomaton High School. Buck went on to attend Auburn University, where he graduated in 1966 with a B.S. in Education. He also received his M.S. in Educational Leadership from Troy University in 1983.
Powell began his teaching and coaching career at Lyeffion High School in Evergreen and then at Greenville High School. In 1970, Coach made a move that had a huge impact on his life; he became the head coach at Century High School. During his six seasons leading the Blackcats, his teams went 46-15-2. Powell was named Escambia River Conference Coach of the Year in 1973, 1974, and 1975. Also in 1975, he was named Florida Coach of the Year.
In 1976, Powell was named the athletic director and head football coach at Escambia County High School in Atmore. During his tenure, the Blue Devils were 33-17 in region play. In 1983, the Blue Devils posted a record-setting season of 13-2 and won the 3A Alabama State Football Championship. Powell was also named Alabama Football Coach of the Year.
He served as an assistant principal at Rachel Patterson Elementary School and principal at Escambia County High School in Atmore. In 2000, he was appointed Escambia County (AL) Superintendent of Education. He retired from public education in 2006.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Franklin “Frankie” Nelson Bell
July 10, 1944 – March 14, 2026
Franklin Nelson “Frankie” Bell, 81, was born in Century on July 10, 1944, and graduated from Flomaton High School in 1962. After high school, he attended Mississippi State College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and proudly played football for the Bulldogs for all four years. He graduated with the Class of 1966.
Bell began his coaching career in Talladega, Alabama, and Tallapoosa, Georgia. He returned to Escambia County High School in Atmore in 1976 with a career that ended as head football and tennis coach in 2025. Bell led the Blue Devils to a state championship in 1983.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Aggie Classic Scores; Pace To Host Yukon For Title; Tate With Walk-Off Win
March 19, 2026
The field is set for the final day of the 2026 Aggie Classic on Thursday.
Pace will host Yukon (OK) at 7 p.m. for the Aggie Classic Championship at Pace High School.
Other Thursday games are:
Tate High School
Christ Presbyterian (TN) vs. Bixby (OK) 4 p.m.
Tate vs. Blanchard (OK) 7 p.m.
Gulf Breeze High School
Gulf Breeze vs Broken Arrow (OK) 7 p.m.
Pensacola Catholic High School
W.S. Neal (AL) vs. Claremore (OK) 4 p.m.
Pensacola Catholic vs. Union (OK) 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18 Scores
- Tate 6, Claremore (OK) 5
- Pace 11, Blanchard (OK) 0
- Yukon (OK) 8, Gulf Breeze 1
- W.S. Neal (AL) 7, Union (OK) 5
- Broken Arrow (OK) 5, Christ Presbyterian (TN) 4
- Pensacola Catholic 6, Bixby (OK) 4
Tate 6, Claremore (OK) 5
The Tate Aggies walked off with a 6-5 win over the the Claremore (OK) Zebras on Wednesday night at Tate.
In the bottom of the seventh and tied at five, the Aggies scored on an error.
Clayton earned the win for Tate, giving up no hits and not runs in one-third of an inning, striking out one and walking none. Brady opened the game for Tate, surrendering seven hits and five runs (four earned) in six and two-thirds innings, walking two and striking 11.
At the plate, Griffin Cook went 3-4 with three RBIs, and Evan Taylor went 2-4 for the Aggies. Cade McNair added one hit.
Tuesday, March 17 Scores
- Tate 5, Broken Arrow (OK) 2
- Pace 11, Claremore (OK) 1
- Yukon (12) W.S. Neal (AL) 2
- Gulf Breeze 9, vs Bixby ( OK) 8
- Blanchard (OK) 5, Pensacola Catholic 4
- Christ Presbyterian (TN) 11, Union (OK) 1
Monday, March 16 Scores
- Tate 10, Union (OK) 3
- Gulf Breeze 16, Blanchard (OK) 6
- Pace 15, Broken Arrow (OK) 6
- Pensacola Catholic 11, Claremore (OK) 0
- Bixby 13 (OK), W.S. Neal (AL) 1
- Yukon 10 (OK), Christ Presbyterian (TN) 0
Ray Palmer Of Pensacola Sports Named To Sports ETA Hall Of Fame
March 18, 2026
Sports ETA has announced that Ray Palmer, president and CEO of Pensacola Sports, will be inducted into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual Symposium on April 22 in Las Vegas.
The Sports ETA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose careers have made a lasting impact on the sports events and tourism industry through leadership, innovation and service.
Palmer has spent more than two decades leading the growth of sports tourism in Northwest Florida. Since joining Pensacola Sports as executive director in 2002 and later becoming president and CEO, he has guided the organization through a period of unprecedented expansion focused on event management, sports tourism development and community engagement.
Under Palmer’s leadership, Pensacola Sports has expanded its portfolio to include high school all-star series competitions, firefighter games, open water swimming events, fishing tournaments and numerous collegiate championships. Major events secured during his tenure include the Sun Belt Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships and the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship, along with community awards programs, scholarships and youth initiatives that strengthen the region’s sports ecosystem.
Palmer has also played a key leadership role within Sports ETA, serving as chairman of the board and contributing to numerous committees that have helped shape the future of the sports events and tourism industry.
“Ray Palmer has dedicated his career to demonstrating how sports events can elevate a community and create lasting economic and civic impact,” said John David, President and CEO of Sports ETA. “Through his leadership at Pensacola Sports and his service to Sports ETA, Ray has helped grow our industry and inspire destinations across the country to think bigger about the role sports can play in their community.”
“Just to have been considered to join the other 24 members of the Sports ETA Hall of Fame is special — being selected is an amazing honor,” said Palmer.
A lifelong resident of Pensacola, Palmer is also widely recognized for his civic leadership and community service. He is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, a recipient of the Florida Sports Leadership Award, and a member of numerous regional boards and committees. In 2026, he was named for the third time to the Inweekly Power List, recognizing the 100 most influential people in the Pensacola region. Known for his enthusiastic advocacy of his hometown, Palmer frequently describes Pensacola as the “Western Gate to the Sunshine State,” proudly promoting the destination and its quality of life to visitors and event organizers from around the country.
Northview Gets 11-Inning Spring Break Shutout of T.R. Miller
March 18, 2026
The Northview Chiefs earned a Spring Break shutout 3-0 over T.R. Miller in 11 innings Tuesday night.
Jase Portwood earned the win for the Chiefs in relief, giving up three hits and no runs in four and two-thirds innings, while striking out four and walking three. Boutwell opened on the mound for NHS, surrendering five hits and no runs in six innings, striking out five and walking two.
Grayden Sheffield led Northview at the plate with two RBIs and was 1-5 on the night. Portwood led Northview in hits, going 2-4.
The Chiefs will enjoy the rest of Spring Break off before returning to acton of March 24 at West Florida.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Aggie Classic Scores, Schedule
March 18, 2026
The 31st annual Harvesters Credit Union Aggie Classic is underway with teams from four states facing off across Pensacola
Here are scores through Tuesday night, along with the schedule for Wednesday.
Monday, March 16
- Tate 10, Union (OK) 3
- Gulf Breeze 16, Blanchard (OK) 6
- Pace 15, Broken Arrow (OK) 6
- Pensacola Catholic 11, Claremore (OK) 0
- Bixby 13 (OK), W.S. Neal (AL) 1
- Yukon 10 (OK), Christ Presbyterian (TN) 0
Tate 10, Union (OK) 3
In their opening game of the Aggie Classic, the host Tate Aggies easily defeated Union (OK) 10-3 on Monday.
Nathan Connors earned the win for Tate Varsity Aggies, allowing one hit and two runs in two and two-thirds innings, recoding four strikeouts and walking six.
Connors led the Aggies at the plate with three RBIs as he went 2-3 on the night. Connor Dethlefs went 1-1 with two RBIs while Cade McNair added one.
Tuesday, March 17
- Tate 5, Broken Arrow (OK) 2
- Pace 11, Claremore (OK) 1
- Yukon (12) W.S. Neal (AL) 2
- Gulf Breeze 9, vs Bixby ( OK) 8
- Blanchard (OK) 5, Pensacola Catholic 4
- Christ Presbyterian (TN) 11, Union (OK) 1
Tate 5, Broken Arrow 2
On the second night of the Aggie Classic, the Tate Aggies defeated the Broken Arrow Tigers (OK) 5-2 on Tuesday.
Bryton McLellan earned the win for Tate Varsity Aggies, surrendering four hits and two runs in a complete game seven innings, striking out five and walking four.
Taylor went 2-3 at the plate for the Aggies, driving in two runs. Nathan Connors,s, Kannon Ham, and Cooper Halfacre each had one hit.
Wednesday, March 18
Tate High School
4:00 PM – WS Neal, AL vs Union, OK
7:00 PM – Tate, FL vs Claremore, OK
Pace High School
7:00 PM – Pace, FL vs Blanchard, OK
Gulf Breeze High School
7:00 PM – Gulf Breeze, FL vs Yukon, OK
Catholic High School
4:00 PM – Christ Presbyterian, TN vs Broken Arrow, OK
7:00 PM – Catholic, FL vs Bixby, OK
Back-to-Back: Tate Track Takes Top Spot At Battle By The Beach
March 16, 2026
For the second straight week, the Tate High School Girls’ Track and Field Team earned a first-place win.
The Aggies took the top spot in the Second Annual Battle by the Beach Spring Break Invitational hosted by Pine Forest High School on Saturday. A week ago, the Aggies won first place in the Wildcat Invitational.
For more photos from the meet, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Men’s Basketball Falls In NCAA Tournament First Round
March 16, 2026
West Florida (25-9, 15-7 Gulf South) fell to West Alabama (27-5, 19-3 Gulf South) with a final score of 53–58 on Saturday at Rick Case Arena in the NCAA South Regional Tournament. This game marked the fourth time the two teams have faced each other this season.
Despite the loss, this season concluded as one of the most successful in program history, with the Argonauts achieving the second most wins in a season at 25-9. The season also featured one of the biggest turnarounds in school history, as the team had won only 16 total games in the last two seasons. Additionally, UWF claimed their second Gulf South Conference championship this season.
West Florida’s defense recorded eight steals, contributing to a tense game with 12 ties throughout the contest. The first half began with West Alabama taking an early lead, thanks to free throws by Elliot Tulip, putting the score at 3-0. West Florida quickly responded with a jumper from Aric Demings and a 3-pointer by Elijah Wyche, assisted by Demings, to edge ahead 5-3 at the 16:26 mark. The game remained closely contested with both teams exchanging leads, highlighted by a 3-pointer from the Argonauts’ Christian Monroe at 9:51, bringing the score to 14-11. As the half drew to a close, both teams were tied 29–29 after a late driving layup by Christian Valarezo with 36 seconds remaining.
West Alabama pulled away in the second half to secure the five-point victory over the Argonauts. Rasean Frederick scored the opening points with a jumper, giving the Tigers an early momentum. West Florida tied the game at 33 with Wyche’s tip-in at the 16:54 mark. However, Jakobe Singleton’s consistent scoring, including a layup with 1:35 remaining, helped the Tigers maintain their lead. Although West Florida’s Colby McAllister hit a late 3-pointer with five seconds left to cut the deficit, West Alabama sealed the win with two free throws by Singleton.
McAllister led the scoring for the Argonauts with 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and added four rebounds. Demings contributed nine points, converting all five of his free throws, and recorded three assists. Tim Hall Jr. was active defensively, finishing with two steals and five rebounds. Wyche scored seven points and blocked a shot, making three of his four field goal attempts.
Ice Flyers Bounce Back With Win Over Macon Mayhem (Gallery)
March 15, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers bounced back on Small Dog Race Night defeating the Macon Mayhem 4–2 on Saturday night at the Hangar to close out the weekend series.
Macon struck first midway through the opening period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity to take the early lead. The Mayhem carried the 1–0 advantage into the first intermission despite several strong pushes from Pensacola.
The Ice Flyers responded in the second period as Jack Suchy continued his hot weekend, scoring his fourth goal of the series to even the game at 1–1. Less than 30 seconds later, the Hangar erupted when Porter Schachle netted his first professional goal, giving Pensacola its first lead of the night. Macon answered with a goal from Khaden Henry to tie the game, but the Ice Flyers regained momentum before the break when Andrew Poulias found the back of the net to send Pensacola into the second intermission with a 3–2 lead.
Pensacola extended its advantage early in the third period when Zack Bross buried a goal to make it 4–2. The intensity ramped up later in the frame as a series of roughing penalties got the home crowd on its feet, but the Ice Flyers held strong defensively down the stretch to secure the victory.
With the win, Pensacola earns two valuable points in the standings.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats L.E.A.D. Academy, Tate Softball Slips To WFHS
March 14, 2026
BASEBALL
Northview 14, L.E.A.D. Academy 4
The Northview Chiefs defeated L.E.A.D. Academy of Pace 14-4 on Friday night in Bratt.
Mason went 3-4 for the Chiefs with three RBIs. Grayden Sheffield, Gauge Harrison, Jase Portwood, and Sam Reid had two RBIs each.
For a photo gallery, click here.
First on the mound, Portwood earned the win for the Chiefs, allowing no hits and no runs in three and two-thirds innings, walking two and striking out six.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 3, Tate 2
The West Florida Lady Jags defeated the Tate Lady Aggies 3-2 on Friday night at WFHS.
Sarah Mitchell went six innings for the Aggies, allowing two hits, three earned runs, walking four and striking out seven.
Ke’Anna Smith had one RBI for Tate as she went 1-3 at the plate. Jordyn Banks and Brelynn Morris each also had one hit for Tate.
The Lady Aggies will take off for spring break, returning with a road trip to Escambia on March 26.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mayhem Top Ice Flyers In OT (With Gallery)
March 14, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers and Macon Mayhem delivered a back-and-forth battle on St. Patrick’s Celebration Night on Friday night at the Hangar, with Macon ultimately edging Pensacola 6–5 in overtime.
The Ice Flyers came out strong in the opening period, striking twice on the power play. Cooper Jones opened the scoring for Pensacola before Zack Bross added another man-advantage goal to give the Flyers an early cushion. Macon answered late in the frame when Jake Goldowski found the back of the net, cutting the deficit to 2–1 heading into the first intermission.
The Mayhem surged in the second period as Eric Neily scored back-to-back goals to give Macon its first lead of the night. Pensacola responded in a big way, however, as Jack Suchy netted two goals of his own to swing the momentum back in the Flyers’ favor and send Pensacola into the final period with a 4–3 lead.
Macon evened things up early in the third when Conor Witherspoon tied the game. The Ice Flyers answered once again as Nicholas Aromatario restored Pensacola’s lead, but the Mayhem refused to go away. Alex Cohen scored later in the period to knot the game at 5–5 and force overtime.
Pensacola thought they had the winner early in the extra frame, but the goal was waved off by officials. Moments later, Michael Herrera found the game-winner for Macon to secure the overtime victory.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
