Lady Aggies Sweep FWB On Senior Night (With Photo Gallery)
October 3, 2023
Tate High School volleyball honored their seniors Monday night and swept three straight from the visiting Fort Walton Beach Vikings.
The Lady Aggies easily defeated FWB 25-7, 25-2, 25-12.
Before the match, the Lady Aggies recognized seniors Chloe Biggs, Lauren Durham, Payton Garrett, Alyssa Moodie, Riley Robbins and manager Caroline Armstrong.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. (Look for extra senior night photos at the end of the gallery.)
On Tuesday, the Lady Aggies (15-6) will visit Pensacola Catholic (4-16) at 6:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Pine Forest 3-1
October 3, 2023
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The 1A Northview Chiefs defeated the 5A Pine Forest Eagles 3-1 in high school volleyball Monday in Pensacola.
Northview won 25-23, 22-25. 25-17, 25-15.
Last month, Northview defeated Pine Forest 2-0 in Bratt in a match played without officials due to a scheduling problem.
Northview (10-4, 1-3) will host a district match against Laurel Hill (3-15, 0-5) at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Buck Showalter Out As New York Mets’ Manager
October 3, 2023
Century’s Buck Showalter is out as manager of the New York Mets.
“I want to make sure I get this right,” Showalter said early Sunday afternoon, his voice catching, before revealing that his tenure was coming to an end. He read a prepared note he had written on a piece of paper.
About an hour later, as Showalter approached home plate to exchange his lineup card for the final time as Mets manager, dozens of his players and staff members spilled out of the dugout to applaud him. The Citi Field crowd followed suit, offering Showalter a standing ovation. Showalter exchanged the card then turned, put his head down and walked quietly back to the dugout, where he watched the Mets lose 9-1 to the Phillies in their season finale.
That dugout office, where Showalter has spent more time than all but 18 men in history, is no longer his home. Following Saturday’s penultimate game of the season, Mets general manager Billy Eppler informed Showalter that he could either resign or be fired. Showalter, who had one year left on his contract, chose the latter route.
“I think the players know I would never quit or resign,” Showalter said.
Owner Steve Cohen considered the move necessary out of fairness to David Stearns, whose hiring as president of baseball operations will become official on Monday. The Mets’ owner did not want to disempower Stearns by forcing him to keep an incumbent manager, regardless of how popular that manager may have been.
“Buck did everything we wanted him to do,” Cohen said. “Not everything went right this year, and yet he kept an even-keel. The players loved him. These are always hard things to do.”
“I can’t tell you right now if it’s the right or wrong decision,” shortstop Francisco Lindor added. “Do I like it? No. It doesn’t feel good to have a man that I love, that my family loves, be without a job.”
As a manager, Showalter’s legacy is complicated. Of the 838 men to manage in the Major Leagues, only 18 of them won more games than him. But only 16 lost more games than Showalter, whose managerial career began in 1992 at the helm of a rebuilding Yankees team. Following a disappointing playoff performance in 1995, Showalter was dismissed, only to watch the Yankees win the World Series four times under Joe Torre. He moved onto a D-backs team that also won its first title a year after Showalter left.
Brought back to New York years later to resurrect the Mets, Showalter lasted two seasons, going 175-148.
Overall, he has produced a .509 winning percentage over 22 years and 3,393 games as a manager. Showalter has won just one postseason series, plus a Wild Card Game with the Orioles. Only Gene Mauch managed and won more MLB games without a pennant, which does not leave Showalter with a bitter taste.
“Baseball has been very fair to me, all things considered,” he said.
One of Showalter’s best chances to break through occurred last year, when he guided the Mets to a 101-win season but saw the NL East title slip out of his grasp with days to go. Rather than enjoy a bye, the Mets lost in the Wild Card Series to the Padres before faltering again this summer. They produced a sub-.500 record despite the largest payroll in Major League history.
“When things aren’t going well in New York, things happen,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “And they happen quickly. It’s just our job as players to try and not let these things happen again.”
What the future looks like for Showalter remains to be seen. At 67, Showalter was already one of the game’s oldest managers, but he indicated he has a desire to remain in the dugout if another team will have him. Before joining the Mets, he spent time as a broadcaster, which could call to him again. Or, Showalter could simply retire home to Dallas, where he and his wife Angela have lived for years.
Showalter’s family moved to Century in the late 1950’s. His father served as a teacher, coach and principal at Century High School and Carver Middle in Century for 23 years. Buck Showalter, know as “Nat” to the locals, played Little League ball in a thriving program in Century, and he graduated from Century High School. Century’s modern day Showalter Park bears the family name in honor of his father.
Courtesy MLB/New York Mets
Jiles Overcomes Low Moment With Record Night In Leading No. 6 UWF Past NGU
October 1, 2023
In a span of 75 seconds Saturday, John Jiles went from the lowest point of UWF’s night to stamping the greatest, single-game receiver performance in Argos football history.
Oh, how they needed it, too.
Jiles willed his way with scoring catches, led sixth-ranked UWF to a fourth-quarter explosion that became a 48-24 victory against North Greenville and continued the Argos’ three-season, unbeaten streak in Gulf South Conference road games.
“This means a lot to me and obviously being back in the Carolinas, coming here, that was special, too,” said Jiles, a senior from Wake Forest, North Carolina, who transferred to UWF this year from Virginia Union.
Before Jiles finished the game with an astonishing 11 catches for 277 yards and three touchdowns – the fourth most yards by a receiver in GSC history – he had disaster strike.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jiles had the ball ripped from his arms as he was falling on a third-down conversion catch. North Greenville’s Jerrick Foster then headed the other way on a stunning, 33-yard, strip-and-score fumble return that cut UWF’s once-comfortable lead into 27-24 with 12:42 left in the game.
All the emotion, the momentum was suddenly on the Crusaders’ sideline at North Greenville’s Yount Stadium.
But Jiles instantly made amends. After the ensuing kickoff became a touchback, UWF quarterback Peewee Jarrett connected again with Jiles for a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown with 11:19 remaining.
“That was a very low moment for me and right after that play, I said, well, I’ve got to make a play, I gotta make up for it, I gotta make up for it,” Jiles said. “I kept pounding that in my head and it then presented itself and I just went out made a play.”
Just like that, UWF’s lead was 10 points again. The Argos (4-1) later faced a 3rd-and-10 situation from North Greenville 44. UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles called for a pass that Jarrett beautifully threw to Jiles for a knockout touchdown with 2:44 left.
“It was like the cherry on top… it was great to end the night,” said Jiles, whose record surpassed the 254 receiving yards produced by Quentin Randolph, a Navarre High grad, in the 2019 national championship game.
“I am super excited about those guys,” Nobles said. “I can see that happening and I am not surprised, because they’ve had a great connection all summer.”
The only player in college football this season at all levels with more single-game yards is New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube who produced 295 yards in a game against Central Michigan.
“Guys like John Jiles, Peewee Jarrett and all those wide receivers, the tight ends and running backs… they make my life a lot easier. I’m really excited about this offense,” Nobles said.
A minute later, following UWF’s third defensive interception, the Argos were going to run out the clock when Jalen Bussey busted through a gaping hole and went 57 yards to double the lead and create the final score.
“I am very proud of that O-line,” said Nobles, whose team had 607 yards total offense and average 8.8 yards per-play. “They played very well and our running backs were phenomenal.”
This was among the wildest wins in UWF’s conference road streak. And longest, too, after the game took 3 hours, 33 minutes to complete, because of various reasons.
“I am really proud of how our guys played overall, how our effort was the entire game,” Nobles said. “There are a lot of things we really need to clean up, but we are moving in a really good direction.”
Leading the checklist of clean-up is the multitude of UWF penalties. It has been a season issue.
“We have to get more disciplined,” Nobles said.
The Argos overcame a season-high 17 penalties with big performances from many players. Jarrett followed his strong game a week ago against West Georgia – playing only three quarters that night in a lopsided win – by completing 21 of 33 passes against North Greenville for 419 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown.
The running game was led by C.J. Wilson with 68 yards, then Jamontez Woods with 59 yards and Bussey’s two carries that included one to the end zone.
Among Jiles’ receiver supporting cast, Caden Leggett had five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. KJ Franklin had two catches, one for a touchdown.
The Argos defense was led by Walker Robinson, a Fort Walton Beach High grad, who had 10 tackles, 7 solo stops. Gael Laurent had nine stops. Quincy Milhomme had two interceptions. Ralph Ortiz had the other interception.
The Argos racked up six quarterback sacks.
After North Greenville drove to the Argos’ 2 yard-line on the game’s opening possession, settling for a field goal, UWF took command of the first half, leading 20-3 at halftime.
Jarrett’s scoring run made it 27-10 with 55 seconds left in the third quarter. But the Crusaders answered with two touchdowns in 13 seconds. They finished a 79-yard drive with a touchdown pass, then had the big-play fumble return to produce 14 points.
“We pulled away at the end, but obviously I would have loved for us to start out hotter in the third quarter,” Nobles said. “We played well in the first half, executed the two minute drill and had a chance to get points (before missing field goal).”
The win now leads into a defining October, which begins with UWF’s homecoming game next Saturday against Shorter. The Argos will then play West Alabama and Delta State on the road, before ending the month at home against Valdosta State.
by Bill Vilona
Tate Aggies Beat Milton 45-7 (With Photo Gallery)
September 30, 2023
The senior Aggies never had better than a one-win season during their first three years at Tate — until this year.
And it’s just getting better and better.
The Aggies notched win number three Friday night as they blacked-out the Milton Panthers 45-7. Is the first time the Aggies have won three games in a season since 2018.
“What a night for the senior class on our home turf,” head coach Rhett Summerford said of the district win. “The seniors worked really hard. It says something about them. It’s emotional. It’s just sweet tonight. That’s just the thing; it’s just sweet. We had a great crowd here and the student body was awesome.”
The Aggies were on the scoreboard early when junior quarterback Taite Davis found Christian Neptune on a 35-yard touchdown pass. The Aggies were up 7-0 with 10:34 in the first.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. For a gallery with the band, fans, cheerleaders and mini cheerleaders, click here.
Also in the first, Carson Secchiari had a touchdown run, and kicker Jackson Clarke put a 35-yard through the uprights for a field goal to put the Aggies on top 24-0.
In the second, Tate’s Ward O’Brien added a touchdown run, and Secchiari had his second TD of the night to make it 31-0. Milton added a touchdown as time expired in the half, 31-7.
The Aggies had touchdowns in the fourth quarter from Andre Colston and Elijah West.
“We can’t make stupid penalties. We had them at third and long, and they get a big play. We can’t get a false start penalty,” Summerford said. “There’s a lot to still get improved on, but this team is growing. We’ve got a good young class. I’m proud of Tate High School right now.”
The Tate Aggies (3-2) will do homecoming — Glo-Co ‘23 — next Friday night as they host the West Florida Jaguars (2-4). The Jags are coming off a 35-31 loss to Walton Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. For a gallery with the band, fans, cheerleaders and mini cheerleaders, click here.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat Milton 45-7 Friday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
September 30, 2023
Here are Friday night football scores from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Tate 45, Milton 7 [Game story, photos...]
- Elberta 43, Northview 26
- Destin 22, Jay 6
- Walton 35, West Florida 31
- Pine Forest 35, Fort Walton Beach 20
- Escambia 35, Washington 0
- Baker 42, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 12
- Pensacola Catholic 51, Pensacola High 7
- Pace 55, Gulf Breeze 24
- Niceville 42, Crestview 21
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 32, Hooper Academy 12
- Escambia County (Atmore) 41, Monroe County 6
- Byes – Flomaton, T.R. Miller, W.S Neal
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat Milton 45-7 Friday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Fans Asked To Black Out The Panthers; Free Student Pregame Tailgate Party And Shirts
September 28, 2023
The Tate High Aggies are asking fans to black out the stands Friday night as they host a district game against Milton.
There will be a tailgate event in the school courtyard at 5 p.m. Friday with free tailgate party food and drinks provided by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. The church will also provide free blackout shirts to the first 250 students who attend.
Wahoos Johnston, Monteverde, Yan Named Southern League All-Stars; Randel Named Manager of the Year
September 28, 2023
Three Pensacola Blue Wahoos players were recognized for their outstanding 2023 seasons , as Troy Johnston, Patrick Monteverde and Jefry Yan were named to the Southern League All-Star Team. Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel was recognized by his peers as the Southern League Manager of the Year.
Johnston, who was named a Southern League All-Star for Pensacola in 2022, returned to the Blue Wahoos for a second season and had an even more impressive offensive year in 2023. As an everyday first baseman for the Blue Wahoos, Johnston led the league in OPS at .963 and established a career-high mark in home runs with 18. His 83 RBI broke a Blue Wahoos single-season record, and he continued to hit after an August promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville. His 116 RBI across two levels were the most in all of Minor League Baseball in 2023.
Monteverde enjoyed a breakout campaign that saw him represent the Marlins in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in July. After a dominant start to the season that earned him Southern League Pitcher of the Month honors, the left-handed starter remained effective throughout 21 Double-A starts. He finished with a 10-5 record and a 3.32 ERA, striking out 114 batters in 114 innings and leading qualified Southern League pitchers in winning percentage.
Yan, back for his third season as a member of the Pensacola bullpen, was handed closer duties mid-season and ultimately picked up 13 saves in 14 tries. The lefty finished 3-3 with a 3.71 ERA with the Blue Wahoos, striking out an impressive 91 batters in 51.0 innings and holding opponents to a .201 average.
Randel becomes the first Pensacola manager ever to win Southern League Manager of the Year honors, and just the second Marlins Double-A manager to be recognized by his league (Carlos Tosca, Portland Sea Dogs, 1996). In his third year as Blue Wahoos manager, he led the club to its best winning percentage in franchise history (.581) and has followed up a championship season in 2022 with another appearance in the Southern League Championship Series. Despite balancing 63 different players who suited up for the Blue Wahoos in the regular season, Randel maintained a steady hand and saw the Blue Wahoos secure a winning record in all but one month.
The Blue Wahoos lost game two of the Southern League Championship Series Tuesday night, ending their season.
by Erick Bremer
Northview Defeates Blacksher 3-0
September 27, 2023
The Northview Chiefs defeated the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs 3-0 Tuesday evening.
Northview took straight sets on their home court, 25-13, 25-20, 25-23.
Northview (8-3, 1-2) will travel to Jay (8-4, 4-1) at 5 p.m. Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Blue Wahoos’ Season Ends 10-3; Smokies Win Southern League Championship
September 27, 2023
The Blue Wahoos’ acclaim-filled 2023 season, which included several club records, ended Tuesday one last feat short of complete.
Unable to contain the Tennessee Smokies’ power-laden lineup, Pensacola’s quest to repeat as Southern League champions was dashed in the Smokies’ 10-3 win to sweep the short series at Blue Wahoos Stadium and claim their first league title in 45 years.
A year after the Blue Wahoos celebrated on the field at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tennessee to produce their first outright championship, the Smokies got their turn in Pensacola.
After the Blue Wahoos’ Nasim Nuñez lined out for the final out Tuesday, a sensational leaping catch by Smokies second baseman Matt Shaw – the Chicago Cubs’ top pick of the 2023 Draft just three months ago – the players rushed from the visitors dugout.
They took a picture in front of the pitcher’s mound, then huddled in the dugout for simultaneous sprays of champagne before carrying the party into the visitors clubhouse.
Tennessee won the first game 8-4 Sunday with a similar hitting show. The Smokies’ bats stayed hot after the bus ride to the Gulf Coast. In both games in this best-of-three series, they jumped to an early inning lead and kept expanding it.
The last time Tennessee hoisted a championship trophy, the 1978 team was named the Knoxville Sox, the affiliation was with the Chicago White Sox and Tony La Russa was manager, before his Hall of Fame managerial career in Major League Baseball.
It was a long time coming for the Smokies and they lingered on the field to savor it.
But the Blue Wahoos had a season to remember as well.
Their 79-57 record in the regular season was the best winning percentage (.581) in the team’s 11-season history. It included a franchise record 10-game winning streak.
The team set club records in seven offensive categories, including batting average (.250) and home runs (163) — the seventh-most homers in league history.
But against the Smokies this year, the Blue Wahoos ran into a formidable foe.
The Smokies began the post-season with 14 of the Chicago Cubs’ top 30 prospects – many of whom were added in the final month of the season. That talent was reflected in how they swept two playoff series, outscoring Chattanooga and Pensacola by a combined 26-9.
Tuesday night, Smokies starting pitcher Cade Horton was as dominant as advertised. The Cubs’ No. 2 overall prospect, their top draft pick in the 2022 MLB Draft from the Oklahoma Sooners, twirled five strong innings to pick up his second postseason win.
The 22-year-old righthander, who started the 2022 season as the Sooners’ third baseman before leading Oklahoma to a runner-up finish as pitcher in the College World Series, continued his strong season.
He gave up just one hit and one run with three walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Horton is a finalist for the Minor League Baseball pitching prospect of the year.
After Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios retired the Smokies lineup in order in the first inning, he was hit hard the rest of way. It was reminiscent of Sunday’s first game, when Evan Fitterer struggled with location and the Smokies pounced for big hits and rallies for a quick knockout.
Palacios, who had been strong in the last several starts, including a playoff win last week against Montgomery, lasted only three innings, giving up six hits and four runs. The biggest blow was a 3-run homer in the third inning by B.J. Murray after the Blue Wahoos had tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Norel González in the second inning.
Murray’s homer left the bat looking like the a flyout, but with the wind blowing out to right field, the ball carried over the wall and the hit triggered more run production the next several innings.
Five Blue Wahoos relievers followed. The Smokies blew open the game in the sixth inning, getting four runs against Dylan Bice and from that point the outcome seemed a formality.
The Smokies had 13 hits, including five for extra bases. The Blue Wahoos had just four hits in the game.
Many of the fans stayed and clapped as the players left the dugout and began the off-season. The focus now shifts to spring training in February and the 2024 season, which begins at home on April 5 against the Mississippi Braves.
by Bill Vilona