UWF Argos Win National Championship (With Photo Gallery)
December 22, 2019
Redshirt freshman Austin Reed had a record-setting performance and senior Quentin Randolph saved his best for last as 20th-ranked UWF defeated fourth-ranked Minnesota State, 48-40, for the program’s first Division II National Championship at McKinney ISD Stadium Saturday.
UWF (13-2) completed one of the most remarkable postseason runs in NCAA history, defeating three number one seeds and four-consecutive undefeated teams for the first time ever en route to the University’s 10th team national championship.
Reed finished with a school and NCAA Championship single-game record 523 passing yards and tied both organization marks with six passing touchdowns. He was 33-of-54 on the day with his completions tying the finals mark and his attempts setting a new top effort. He had 399 yards by halftime to break the previous yardage mark of 361 which had stood since 2002.
With all that passing, Randolph and Lehtio were the beneficiaries. Randolph had 10 receptions for a school-record 254 yards and tied the championship game mark with three touchdowns. Lehtio set the title game record with 13 catches for 139 yards and a score.
But for all the fireworks the Argonauts were putting up, MSU was keeping pace. UWF scored first and the teams traded touchdowns for the first five possessions of the game. That’s when the Argos forced the first of their three turnovers.
UWF converted a Nate Gunn fumble into an Austin Williams 31-yard field goal to go up 24-14. The teams again traded touchdowns before the Argos got a fourth down stop at the 1-yard line with 56 seconds left. Rather than run the ball and accept a 10-point lead, head coach Pete Shinnick dialed up a 37-yard strike to Ka’Ron Ashley, a 14-yard route to Lehtio before Randolph ran down a 48-yarder in the end zone to go up 38-21 at the break.
The Mavericks came out and drove inside the UWF five before Myles Meyer forced another Gunn fumble that the Argos recovered. But after a 3-and-out, they were forced to punt. Dawson Hamlin boomed a 55-yarder as he stood back deep in his own end zone and the third MSU fumble followed as Justin Arnold muffed the punt, giving the Argos possession at the MSU 40.
Seven plays later, Reed hit Lehtio on a slant from the eight to put UWF up 45-21 midway through the third.
MSU scored on a special teams miscue by the Argos a few minutes later and got within 45-29 after a 2-point conversion. UWF got three points back on a 30-yard Williams field goal at the start of the fourth for a 48-29 lead.
The Mavericks got a field goal of their own with 9:52 left and then pulled to within 48-40 on a Shane Zylstra touchdown with 4:03 to play.
UWf ran 1:51 off the clock on its next possession before MSU got the ball at he 20 following a Hamlin 59-yard touchback. The Mavericks drove down to the UWF red zone in less than a minute before the Argos defense made the key stop. After a 2-yard run, Andre Duncombe, Jr. hurried Ryan Schlichte into an incompletion and followed it with a sack to set up fourth down. Schlichte went to the All-American Zylstra but Marcus Clayton was there for the break-up to clinch the title for the Argos. It was his fourth break-up of the game to go along with six tackles. UWF ended the game with five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
MSU (14-1) finished with 562 yards of total offense – one more than UWF.
UWF was playing in it’s second NCAA Championship Game in four seasons of football. The team improved to 35-17 all-time after starting in 2016. The Argonauts are 9-1 in NCAA postseason games and now own the highest winning percentage in D2 history among teams who have played a minimum of 10 playoff games.
The road to the title featured wins over No. 16 Wingate (38-17), No. 1 and defending national champion Valdosta State (38-35), No. 6 Lenoir-Rhyne (43-38) and No. 2 Ferris State (28-14). The wins over the Blazers, Bears and Bulldogs ended the three longest home field winning streaks in Division 2 and those victories, along with Saturday’s were all over teams that entered the game undefeated..
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
1979 Ernest Ward High School State Championship Football Team Holds Reunion
December 20, 2019
The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team recently held their 40 year reunion. The reunion was held in the gymnasium of what is now Ernest Ward Middle School.
Under the leadership of head coach Steve McCord, the Ernest Ward Golden Eagles won the 1979 Class A state title with a 13-6 upset of the No. 1 ranked Benjamin High School Bucs of Palm Beach Gardens at Booster Stadium in Ocala.
The 1979 Ernest Ward-Benjamin game still holds the state record for the fewest two-team turnovers during a state final. Both teams were turnover free. The 1979 Golden Eagles were the only team in state football history to knock off three No. 1 ranked teams in the same season.
Ernest Ward High School and Century High School were combined to create Northview High School, which won the Class 1A state crown in 2012. The Century Blackcats with head coach Joe Cardwell fell short of a title by just one point back in 1986 with a 8-7 loss at home to Glades Day High of Belle Glade.
Pictured top: The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team (front, L-R) Tommy Van Pelt, Marion Cooper, Eric Sanders, Mike Dignam, David Bell, Byron Vaughn, Todd Wiggins, Bill Smith and Perry Byars; (back) Coach Steve McCord, Kevin Beck, Scott Ward, David Beck, Mike Solomon, Mark Hanks, Kenny Bryan, Todd Linam, Phillip Robbins, Glen Sharpless and Kevin Morgan. Pictured below: The 1979 Ernest Ward High School state championship football team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Aggie Soccer Defeats Pine Forest 9-0
December 19, 2019
Tate High soccer beat Pine Forest Wednesday night and fell to Navarre Monday night.
Tate 9, Pine Forest 0
Wednesday night, the Tate Aggies defeated Pine Forest 9-0.
For Tate: Junior Owen Jacobs 2 goals, 1 assist; junior Logan Tyree 1 goal, 1 assist; senior Gustavo Pineda 2 goals, 2 assists; sophomore Sam Megginson 1 goal; junior Nathan Bailey 1 goal and 1 assist; senior Braedon Ladd 2 goals; and junior Calenj Arnevik 1 assist.
Up next, Tate Senior Night is this Friday versus Milton High at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium.
Navarre 4, Tate 1
Monday night, Tate lost to Navarre 4-1.
The lone goal was shot by Junior Nathan Bailey with the assist from Junior Logan Tyree.
NorthEscambia.com file photo by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Da’Quan Johnson Signs With The Duke Blue Devils
December 18, 2019
Flomaton High School senior football star Da’Quan “Money” Johnson signed with the Duke Blue Devils Wednesday morning on National Signing Day.
Johnson decommitted from Troy State Sunday night. He received a scholarship offer and took an official visit to Duke earlier this month.
Johnson led the Flomaton Hurricanes to the 3A station championship last season, playing mostly quarterback. He was named Alabama’s 3A Back of the Year. In the championship game against Piedmont, Johnson carried the ball 43 times — a Super 7 record — and was named MVP. He also made 37 tackles on defense last season and had four interceptions.
Flomaton Coach Doug Vickery said in August Johnson picked Troy over South Alabama, Southern Miss, UAB, Tulane, Army, Florida Atlantic and others.
Pictured: Flomaton’s Da”quan “Money” Johnson signs with Duke, surrounded by his mom Tiffany Johnson, brother Devonta Johnson and Flomaton coaches. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Chiefs Play Redzone Games On Falcons Field In Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
December 17, 2019
The freshmen and junior Northwest Escambia football teams had a chance to play Sunday on the Atlanta Falcons Field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and NWE cheerleaders were able to perform midfield.
The freshmen Chiefs were (3-1) in the 2-minutes Redzone games, and the junior Chiefs were (2-1-1).
The freshmen and junor NWE teams both won league championships this year, and the freshmen won a Turkey Bowl Championship.
Pictured top: NWE freshmen football at the Atlanta Falcons field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Pictured below in descending order: NWE juniors, junior cheerleaders, freshmen cheerleaders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF’s NCAA Football Championship Tickets Now On Sale
December 17, 2019
In just four years of the program’s existence, the University of West Florida Argonauts will head to the national title game for the second time.
Tickets for the 2019 Division II Football Championship National Championship game featuring UWF against Minnesota State this Saturday at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas are currently on sale.
Tickets are available for purchase now! UWF has access to 2,000 reserved and general admission tickets, with all tickets being located in prime locations directly behind their bench on the visitors side. Reserved seats are chairback and $25 each. General Admission seats are bench seating and $20. Children 2 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Click here and look for UWF sections to purchase your tickets online. If you wish to select specific seats directly behind the UWF bench, click the ‘Buy on Map’ link and use the promo code ‘VISITOR’ to access those seats. When purchasing tickets, note that the Argonauts will be on the visitor’s side of the field.
For seating questions, contact Shannon Frazier with McKinney ISD at 469-302-4186
Gates will open at 12:30 Central Time. McKinney ISD Stadium ticket offices are located on both the east and west sides of the stadium. Both ticket offices will open at 12:30 CT. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 CT.
There is a $10 parking fee at McKinney ISD Stadium.
MISD STADIUM REGULATIONS
- West side of the stadium is home seating and the east side is visitor seating. Tickets must be purchased for your team’s side only.
- No re-entry to stadium without the purchase of a new ticket.
- No outside food or drink is allowed.
- Only vendors with prior approval may distribute information/merchandise at MISD stadium.
- No pets and/or live mascots will be allowed.
- All MISD policies regarding banned substances such as tobacco, alcohol and e-cigs will be strictly enforced.
- All spectators must be appropriately clothed. Administrators reserve the right to eject anyone wearing offensive items.
MISD stadium has a no-bag policy beginning fall of 2018.
EVENT COVERAGE: The championship game will be televised on ESPNU. Radio coverage can also be heard live on the UWF Sports Network, ESPN Pensacola 1330 AM/99.1 FM Live stats will be available at GoArgos.com.
Photo Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Da’Quan Johnson Decommits From Troy Days After Official Visit To Duke
December 16, 2019
Flomaton High School senior football star Da’Quan Johnson decommitted from Troy State Sunday night, just days after a trip to Duke University.
Johnson committed to Troy on August 2. He received a scholarship offer from Duke on December 3 and took and official visit to Durham on December 6.
“After talking with my family. I would like to announce my de-commitment from the Troy University,” Johnson posted on Twitter Sunday night. “I sincerely thank all of the coaches at Troy for recruiting me, especially Coach (Brandon) Hall. This is my decision!”
Johnson led the Flomaton Hurricanes to the 3A station championship last season, playing mostly quarterback. He was named Alabama’s 3A Back of the Year. In the championship game against Piedmont, Johnson carried the ball 43 times — a Super 7 record — and was named MVP. He also made 37 tackles on defense last season and had four interceptions.
Flomaton Coach Doug Vickery said in August Johnson picked Troy over South Alabama, Southern Miss, UAB, Tulane, Army, Florida Atlantic and others.
Pictured top: Flomaton’s Da’Quane “Money” Johnson gains yardage for the Hurricanes against Escambia County High School. Pictured below: Johnson has shifted to quarterback to the Canes after a knee injury for starter Zeb Vickery. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Headed To National Championship Game
December 15, 2019
The UWF football team scored 21 unanswered points in the second half and forced six turnovers in a 28-14 win over previously unbeaten Ferris State at Top Taggart Field in the 2019 NCAA Division 2 National Semifinals Saturday.
UWF (12-2) finished beating an undefeated opponent with a long home winning streak for the third-consecutive week. Saturday’s win in 33-degree temperatures ended FSU’s 14-game home winning streak and was just the second loss by the Bulldogs in the last two seasons.
The six turnovers – including fumble recoveries on three-consecutive Bulldog drives in the second half – tied the school record set earlier this season at West Georgia. UWF scored 18 points off those miscues as they turned a 14-7 deficit into a 28-14 lead.
UWF finished with 366 yards of total offense as Austin Reed threw for 299 yards with three touchdowns. He completed passes to six players, led by seven to Tate Lehtio as the program’s all-time leading receiver had 118 yards, two touchdowns and caught a 2-point conversion.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Lehtio got the scoring started for UWF, hauling in a 34-yard reception by catching a ball over the helmet of a FSU defender on he game’s opening possession.
The Bulldogs tied it at 7-7 late in the first quarter on a Tyler Minor 6-yard run. But that was how it stayed at the half as the teams played field position football.
FSU came out to start the second half with seven-straight rushes that ended with a Dion Earls score from the 11.
After a 3-and-out by the Argos, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs near midfield. Austin Williams made the first of his two field goals eight plays later to pull UWF within 14-10.
Then the turnovers started. Ferris drove the ball 71 yards before Sharod Oliver punched the ball away from Xavier Wade at the one and watched it go through the end zone for a touchback. 72 yards later Williams made a 25-yarder to get within 14-13 early in the fourth.
After Ty Cox forced an Earls fumble on the next FSU play, Reed needed just two plays to find Lehtio for an 18-yard strike to put the Argonauts up 21-14 after the conversion.
Ferris rans three plays on its next possession before a bad snap hit the motion man and Trent Archie recovered it for UWF. With another short field the Argos used just three plays as Reed and Quentin Randolph connected from the six with 6:59 to play as UWF grabbed a 28-14 lead.
Ferris fumbled one more time in UWF territory as the Argos pounced on it for their sixth turnover.
FSU (12-1) totaled 378 yards with 255 on the ground. Marvin Campbell led the rushing attack with 104 yards on 23 carries.
UWF will now meet No. 4 Minnesota State (14-0) in the D2 National Championship Game next Saturday, Dec. 21 at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas.
UWF is making its second appearance in the national championship game after taking a similar path two years ago, winning four-consecutive road games over higher seeded teams. The program is 34-17 all-time after starting in 2016. The Argonauts are 8-1 in NCAA postseason games and regardless of the outcome next week, will have the highest winning percentage in D2 history among teams who have played a minimum of 10 playoff games.
UWF roads to McKinney has featured wins over No. 16 Wingate (38-17), No. 1 and defending national champion Valdosta State (38-35), No. 6 Lenoir-Rhyne (43-38) and No. 2 Ferris State. The wins over the Blazers, Bears and Bulldogs have ended the three longest home field winning streaks in Division 2.
Minnesota State advanced with a 58-15 win at No. 8 Slippery Rock (13-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Soccer Earns Saturday Win Over East Hill Christian
December 15, 2019
Tate Aggies Boys Soccer earned another win Saturday night 3-1 over East Hill Christian.
Scores were by senior Matt Johnson, junior Calen Arnevik and sophomore Chase Mills. Junior Nathan Bailey had two assists.
Tate (10-1) will host Navarre on Monday.
Pictured top: Senior Matt Johnson charging into the goal. Pictured below: Senior captain Josh Cagle pushing his team up the field. Pictured below> Junior Calen rnevik taking a shot on goal. NorthEscambia.com photos by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
West Defeats The East 26-16 In Subway All-Star Football
December 14, 2019
Test West beat Team East 26-16 Friday night in the 2019 Subway High School All Star Football game Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
JaKobi Jackson of Catholic High School started the scoring for the night off early in the first quarter. After a couple of powerful run, Northview High’s Trent Peebles was in, giving Team West an early 14-0 lead. Team East battled back for a TD in the second quarter by Trace Sears of Crestview High School, only to be matched by another touchdown by Team West’s Jackson. Curtis Jefferson of Pine Forest scored in the third to bring the score to 26-14. A two-point conversion rounded out the night, bringing the final score to 26-16, Team West.
Test West was the best high school senior football players from Escambia County, while Team East was the best from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in the 16th annual matchup.
Ballgame MVPs were:
East Offensive MVP: Trace Sears, Crestview High School
West Offensive MVP: JaKobi Jackson, Catholic High School
East Defensive MVP: Andrew White, Pace High School
West Defensive MVP: Eric Thomas, Jr., Washington High School
Pictured top: Northview Subway All Star seniors (L-R) Trent Peebles, who scored a touchdown for Team West, Wyatt Windham, Cameron Findley and Garrack Davis. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.