No. 24 West Florida Rains On West Georgia, 30-2
October 20, 2019
The UWF defense recorded a school-record six turnovers and held West Georgia to 147 yards of total offense in a 30-2 win amid the deluge of Tropical Storm Nestor at University Stadium Saturday.
The win propelled 24th-ranked UWF (5-1, 4-0 Gulf South Conference) to its fifth-consecutive victory and best start in conference play since starting football four years ago.
UWF turned defense into offense all game long, scoring all four touchdowns as a result of UWG turnovers.
Jervon Newton recorded his second 100-yard game of the year with 100 yards on 21 carries to lead the Argos. UWF finished with 184 yards on the ground.
But the game started about as poorly for the Argonauts as the last regular-season visit to UWG – a 16-0 first quarter deficit in 2017. On Saturday, Austin Reed threw an interception on the second play of the game and the next time UWF got the ball, a fourth down snap got past punter Dawson Hamlin and into the end zone for a safety, spotting the Wolves a 2-0 lead.
Both teams struggled to move the ball in the first quarter as they figured out how to play in the heavy downpour on the natural grass surface.
But it was the Argos who figured it out. Following a missed field goal, UWF forced a UWG miscue when Kedrick Bradley stripped Chauncey Williams. Three plays later Jaden Gardner scored on a 17-yard run to put UWF ahead 7-2.
On the ensuing possession, UWF recovered a Willie Candler fumble at the UWG 16-yard line. Three players later, Reed completed a 23-yard pass to Kevin Grant with just over a minute left in the half to give UWF a 14-2 lead.
The Wolves got the ball to start the second half and fumbled on the third play when Candler was sacked by Gael Laurent. Three plays later Reed barreled in from 15 yards for another touchdown.
The Argos recorded their record-setting sixth turnover on the next possession when Bradley intercepted Candler and returned in 21 yards to the UWG 34. Reed pushed his way into the end zone again on a 13-yard rush for a 28-2 edge.
UWF forced four turnovers in the span of 16 Wolf plays from the end of the first half through early in the second half.
After trading punts, Hamlin pinned the Wolves on their own four with a 54-yard kick. Ian Bush then recorded a safety for the Argos when he tackled Jaevan Ward in the end zone for a 6-yard loss on a pass play.
Gael Laurent had a monster game to lead the Argos with seven tackles, three-and-a-half for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
UWG (4-3, 2-2) had just 78 rushing yards after entering the game with 189 yards per game.
The Argos compiled 227 yards of total offense with 184 of those on the ground. The wet conditions aided in the 43 passing yards on 2-of-15.
UWF improved to 3-2 all-time in the series with the road team winning every game.
UWF will return to action next Saturday in the Third Annual Coastal Classic, traveling to Melbourne, Fla. to face Florida Tech (3-4, 1-3). The game featuring the only two Division 2 football-playing schools in the state of Florida will kickoff at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time at Palm Bay High School’s Florida Tech Panther Stadium.
Photo: Morgan Givens
Friday Football Finals, List Of Rescheduled Games
October 19, 2019
Here are Friday night football final scores from the North Escambia area, along with a list of games that were rescheduled due to Tropical Storm Nestor.
FLORIDA SCORES
De La Salle 24, West Florida 6 (Friday)
Milton 40, Mosley 28 (Thursday)
FLORIDA RESCHEDULED GAMES
Saturday
Washington 51, Tate 31
Monday
Jay at North Bay Haven, Monday 5:30 p.m.
Pine Forest at Choctaw, Monday 7 p.m.
Escambia at Fort Walton Beach, Monday, 7 p.m.
Pensacola High at Panama City Arnold, Monday 5:30 p.m.
Pace at Gulf Breeze, Monday 7 p.m.
Catholic at Tallahassee FAMU, Monday 7 p.m.
Navarre at Tallahassee Leon, Monday 7 p.m.
ALABAMA SCORES
UMS-Wright 31, Escambia County 8
Escambia Academy 47, South Choctaw Academy 0
Flomaton 44, Thomasville 21
Andalusia 42, W.S. Neal 12
Montgomery Catholic 26, T.R. Miller 21
File photo.
Flomaton Beats Thomasville
October 19, 2019
The defending Alabama 3-A state champion Flomaton Hurricanes have earned a chance to defend their title this season. With a 44-21 win over Thomasville Friday night, the Hurricanes secured a spot in the 3A playoffs.
The Flomaton Hurricanes will be on the road next Friday night at T.R. Miller before wrapping up regular season play at Southern Choctaw on November 1.
Photos by Sheridan Rowell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Eagles Defeat The Eagles Of Ernest Ward (With Gallery)
October 18, 2019
The Ernest Ward Eagles wrapped up their regular season Thursday night with a 12-0 loss to the Escambia County Middle School Eagles from Atmore.
Ernest Ward has the only middle school football team in Escambia County, Florida.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baker Claims District Title Over Jay (With Photo Gallery)
October 18, 2019
The Jay Royals came oh so close to claiming the District 1-1A championship Thursday night in what has been their best season in three decades.
But the top-seed Baker Gators claimed the title over Jay in five sets – 22-25, 25-18, 25-27, 25-23, 15-12.
Both teams continue next week in the state series.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs No. 7 In State, No. 2 In Region
October 16, 2019
The Northview Chiefs have moved up to No. 2 in the region and No. 7 in the state in the latest 1A rankings released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
In Region 1-1A, the Chiefs are ranked one spot behind the Baker Gators, who defeated the Chiefs 14-12 on September 13. The Gators are ranked number one in the state in 1A.
Region 1-1A rankings are as follows (listed as school, RPI, record)
- Baker .698 (7-0)
- Northview .605 (5-2)
- Freeport .598, (6-2)
- Vernon .597, (5-2)
- Graceville .541 (5-2)
- Jay .515 (3-4)
- Holmes County .443 (2-5)
- Cottondale .428 (2-5)
- Chipley .405 (1-6)
There are no districts in Class 1A. The top six teams in each district make the playoffs, with the top two receiving a bye in the first week.
Teams are ranked based upon a RPI formula. RPI stands for Ratings Percentage Index. In short, it is a way to measure a team’s strength relative to other teams, based largely on the strength of their schedules.
The Chiefs are off this Friday night, and will round out the regular season with away games at Chipley and Jay.
Pictured: The Baker Gators got past Northview in a close 14-12 game September 13 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Volleyball Districts: Jay Defeats Northview; Baker Beats Central
October 16, 2019
The Jay Royals and Baker Gators advanced to the District 1-1A volleyball finals with wins Tuesday night at Northview.
Jay defeated Northview in the first two sets of their matchup, before Northview powered back in close third and fourth sets. But the Royals won a tight third set to win 3-2.
In game two Tuesday night, Baker beat Central 3-0.
No. 1 Baker and No. 2 Jay will meet Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Northview for the district title.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Catholic Wins District Girls Golf Tourney; Northview Runner-up
October 15, 2019
The Catholic High Crusader girls took the 1A district golf championship Monday, and the Northview High Chiefs finished as runner-ups.
Both advance to the regional meet next Monday in Jacksonville.
Northview girls team members are Bradi Edwards, Emily Boutwell, Meredith McGhee and Taylor Lashley. Jack Boutwell is volunteer coach.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volleyball District Tournaments This Week: 1A At Northview, 6A At Niceville
October 14, 2019
The high school volleyball postseason gets underway this week with district tournaments.
In the District 1-6A tournament, the Tate Aggies are seeded No. 5 with a 6-14 record. Crestview, ranked fifth in the state, is No. 1 seed, followed by Niceville, ranked 15th in the state, at No. 2.
The District 1-1A tournament will open Monday night with Central at Laurel Hill in Laurel Hill, with the balance of the tournament hosted by Northview High School. Jay, ranked at number four in the state, and Baker, ranked number nine in the state, are the top two seeds. The Northview Chiefs, at number 16 in the state, are seeded third and host Jay at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
District 1-6A Tournament
at Niceville High (Oct. 14-17)
No. 1 Crestview (18-5) – BYE
No. 3 Pace (9-11) vs. No. 6 Milton (6-14)
No 2. Niceville (14-9) – BYE
No. 4 Navarre (7-15) vs. No. 5 Tate (6-14)
District 1-1A Tournament
at Northview High Oct.15, 17
No. 5 Central def.. No. 4 Laurel Hill Monday at Laurel Hill
No 2. Jay (17-4) vs. No. 3 Northview (8-7), Tuesday 5 p.m. at Northview
No. 1. Baker (14-10) vs. Central (4-11), 6:30 p.m. at Northview
Championship Game – Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at Northview
Pictured: Jay defeated Northview 3-2 on September 16 at Northview. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Crashes South Walton’s Homecoming 53-20
October 12, 2019
If you plan on celebrating a special football night, don’t invite the Northview Chiefs to your house.
The Chiefs crashed homecoming for South Walton 53-20 Friday night. Also this season, they’ve crashed homecoming for Holmes County (34-22) and Senior Night for North Bay Haven (36-25).
Both Northview and South Walton were riding three game winning streaks heading into Friday night.
The Seahawks held a 14-6 lead in the first quarter, but the Chiefs mounted a comeback with a Jayden Jackson touchdown, 14-12. The Seahawks added another TD before Trent Peebles was in to make it 20-18, Seahawks.
In the final seconds of the half, quarterback Ben Wilson had nowhere to throw. He found his way in from 14 yards out time expired in the half. The Chiefs were up 25-20.
“We kind of were playing tight early on but I think all we needed was a defensive stop,” Northview Coach Derek Marshman said. “Once we got that defensive stop and had a little confidence, the defense didn’t give up another touchdown.”
The second half was all Northview, going on to the 53-20 win.
“Second half shutout offensively was offensive line. We had a lot of backs that had a lot of success tonight,” Marshman said. All of our backs were able to run the ball well because of our offensive line. They were the more physical team tonight and it showed.”
Northview (5-2) will be off next Friday night before hitting the road October 25 against the Chipley Tigers (currently 1-6). And by the way, it’s Senior Night for Chipley.
Photos by Lexi Kittrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
