No. 3 UWF Argos Fall In Heartbreaking OT Loss To Valdosta
November 16, 2025
The hopes carried by UWF’s football team Saturday to celebrate an unbeaten regular season and first outright Gulf South Conference title before a record home crowd were dashed in a stunning end.
After the No. 3-ranked Argos (9-1) tied the game in the final minute, they whiffed on an overtime possession and Valdosta State kicker Matt Rolader drilled a 37-yard field goal, giving the Blazers a walk-off 47-44 upset win at PenAir Field that will reshape the seeding and NCAA Division II playoff picture.
It was an emotion-numbing experience for UWF and the 5,754 fans who watched a wild, back-and-forth game of big plays, big mistakes and emotional swings.
“Obviously a little frustrated with how we played,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles. “We didn’t play our best, but we still gave them everything we had to take it to overtime. We’ll let this hurt for 24 hours and see how we respond. We still have a chance to make a run in the playoffs and we’ve got to get a lot better.”
In another riveting game in this rivalry, it featured a combined 948 yards total offense by the teams and five times when the score was tied.
The Blazers (6-4) won their fourth straight game and captured their 12th GSC title after starting the season 2-4. It was Valdosta State’s first overtime game since UWF beat the Blazers 32-31 in 2022. Each team has produced big wins on the other team’s home field.
On Saturday, UWF’s downfall was committing three turnovers, missing three field goals and an extra point. UWF also had some crucial penalties and could not get enough defensive stops in the final three quarters.
“I was on the players a bunch about it in the locker room and the nice thing is they are saying the same thing I”m saying now,” Nobles said. “We’ve got to get better, we gotta get more disciplined.
“We are going to get those things fixed. We’ll coach them up and if guys can’t do it, they won’t be on the playoff roster.”
Had they won, the Argos would have been the No. 1 seed in their eight-team Super Region bracket with a home-field advantage through the first three rounds. Now, it’s anyone’s guess how the pairings will shake out when the entire NCAA Division II playoff field is revealed at 5 p.m. Sunday on the selection show that will be live streamed on NCAA.com.
UWF is assured a first-round home game, but it gets dicier after that. Valdosta State was cited Friday by the GSC for using an ineligible player for its first eight games. That player did not play in the upset wins against Delta State or UWF in the final two games, but the Blazers’ win against West Alabama was declared a conference loss by the GSC.
It will be up to the NCAA football selection committee to determine how that affects the region pairings. Winning the GSC was set to bring an automatic spot in the playoffs.
“We’re in the playoffs and did our job getting that far,” Nobles said. “I know that we’re probably going to have to go on the road in the maybe the second or third round, but our guys have to be ready. Doesn’t matter about location, we have to be ready to play and I will do my job to get them ready to play.”
Here’s how Saturday’s game unfolded.
FIRST HALF
After missing a field goal on their second possession, the Argos produced a pair of touchdowns on a big play and a long drive to jump to a 13-0 lead.
Facing 3rd-and-12 from the UWF 40, quarterback Marcus Stones threw a deep pass under pressure that receiver Corey Scott outleaped a VSU defender for the ball inside Blazers territory and ran the distance for a 60-yard touchdown and the game’s first points.
After another defensive stop, the Argos scored again when Jayon Swinton caught a 21-yard scoring pass with 3:52 left in the quarter. But the extra point was blocked by the Blazers and returned for a 2-point play at the other end zone.
On their next possession, UWF was poised to expand the lead, but ball was punched loose. The Blazers recovered and this became a pivotal moment.
Valdosta State scored a pair of touchdowns less than two minutes apart, following another UWF fumble to take a 16-13 lead and turn the game into a back-and-forth battle the rest of the way.
The Argos tied the game on freshman kicker Brogan Woeber’s field goal and regained the lead on TJ Lane’s 10-yard score, following a big hit on VSU quarterback Jameson Holcomb and fumble recovery.
But the Blazers answered to tie the game with 1:55 left in the half.
Undaunted, UWF answered right back with Stokes finishing a 75-yard scoring drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Scott with 28 seconds left before halftime. It gave UWF a 30-23 halftime lead.
SECOND HALF
After UWF failed on a fourth-down conversion through a penalty, VSU tied the game with a 75 yard drive in three plays. A personal foul penalty followed a long pass completion and led to the tying score.
The Argos went up 37-30 after an interception by Chester Fearon and return to the Blazers 7. After Stokes’ run was nullified by a taunting penalty against him, he made amends two plays later with a TD pass to Tyree Holloway.
But this is where another big sequence unfolded. The Blazers reeled off more big plays to set up touchdown run and tied the game 37-37 with 1:56 left in the third quarter.
They took a 44-37 lead after Stokes threw an interception the end zone early in the fourth quarter, then another chance was missed when UWF smothered a botched punt at the Blazzers 27. UWF’s offense failed to deliver and Woeber missed a 44-yard field goal.
This time, VSU answered with six play drive where Holcomb made three big pass plays to set up the go-ahead scored.
The game reached its dramatic point in the final three and a half minutes.
UWF failed to convert a 4th-and-1 situation at the Valdosta 21 with 3:29 left when tailback Jay Sharp was ruled down inches short of the mark.
The Argos used their remaining timeouts, got a defensive stop and the ball back with 2:26 remaining at their own 43. They tied the game with 28 seconds left when Stokes connected with Holloway on a 35-yard pass that had the crowd screaming in delight.
Nobles signaled for a two-point conversion try and bold move to try and take the lead and win the game. But it never happened. The Argos were cited for a delay of game penalty following a late substitution and were forced to kick the extra point.
“We had a little miscommunication on something,” Nobles said. “I’m not going to go into detail about it, but we had played a lot of plays and I felt like (players) were tired on both sides, so I felt let’s go win the thing right now.”
OVERTIME
The Blazers won the coin toss. That proved pivotal. They elected to play defense first.
UWF lost a yard on its first play, after Lane was smothered on a running play. The next two plays were incomplete passes by Stokes. That forced a 41-yard field goal attempt by Woeber that was deflected and fell way short.
“Four bad plays in a row to end the game will definitely keep me up (Saturday night),” Nobles said. “Not very happy about it. We didn’t really do what we were supposed to do on any of those plays.
“So our guys have to improve on it, they have execute what we’re trying to do and we’ve got to do better as coaches in preparing them.”
The Blazers gained five yards on their possession from the 25, but had the ball right in the center of the field, easing the field goal attempt that split through the uprights to win the game.
Ice Flyers Continue Winning Ways With 4-1 Victory Over Marksmen
November 16, 2025
The Ice Flyers continued their winning ways on Small Dog Race Night sweeping the weekend series with a 4-1 victory over the Fayetteville Marksmen in front of 5,595 fans at the Hangar.
After a scoreless first period that saw both teams trade chances, Sam Rhodes broke through in the second to give the Ice Flyers a 1-0 lead. Tim Kent evened the score for Fayetteville midway through the frame, but Rhodes answered back late in the period to restore the Ice Flyers’ advantage. Tyler Burnie added another goal before the end of the second, sending Pensacola into the final period with a commanding 3-1 lead.
The intermissions brought their own entertainment as 96 dogs competed in races on the ice, with tons of cute chaos delighting the crowd throughout the night.
The second period featured multiple fights that electrified the crowd and set the tone for the rest of the game. Shane Bull capped off the night with the lone goal of the third period to seal the 4-1 win.
Rico DiMatteo was once again outstanding in net, following up his shutout performance from the previous night with a 31-save effort, stopping all but one of Fayetteville’s 32 shots.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Playoffs Scoreboard
November 15, 2025
Here are Thursday and Friday night playoff scores from the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
Region 1-6A Quarterfinals
Pace 20, Evans 6
Region 1-5A Quarterfinals
Beachside 23, Milton 7
Region 1-4A Quarterfinals
Ed White 41, Pine Forest 20
Choctawhatchee 49, Washington 6
Region 1-3A Quarterfinals
West Florida 24, Yulee 16
Region 1-2A Quarterfinals
Pensacola Catholic 48, Bozeman 0
Rural Regional Semifinals
Blountstown 38, Jay 0
4A-7A FIT Regional Semifinals
Tate 35, First Coast 14 (Thursday) [Story, photos...]
1A-3A FIT Regional Semifinals
Dunnellon 35, Pensacola High 6 (Thursday)
Rural FIT Regional Semifinals
Central 28, Wewahitchka 20 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
AISA Semifinals
Escambia Academy 27, Cornerstone Christian 14 (Thursday)
AHSAA 4A Second Round
W.S. Neal 35, American Christian Academy 7
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat First Coast 35-14 on Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Beat Fayetteville 4-0 (With Gallery)
November 15, 2025
The Ice Flyers showed out in front of 5,787 fans Friday night, dominating the Fayetteville Marksmen with a commanding 4-0 victory at the Hangar.
Blake Wells opened the scoring in the first period with his third goal of the season, followed by Tyler German’s fourth goal to give the Ice Flyers a 2-0 lead. German struck again in the second period, capitalizing on a shorthanded opportunity to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Nicholas Aromatario added his first goal of the season in the third period to seal the 4-0 win.
Rico DiMatteo capped off the night with a stellar performance in net, recording his first professional shutout with 34 saves.
The Ice Flyers will be back in action Saturday night for game two of the weekend against the Marksmen.
Tate Aggies Beat First Coast To Advance In Florida Invitational Tourney (With Gallery)
November 14, 2025
The Tate Aggies beat First Coast 35-14 Thursday night to advance to the regional finals of Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT).
For a photo gallery, click here.
The No. 2 seed Tate Aggies (8-3) will host No. 6 Bartram Trail (4-7) from St. Johns (near Jacksonville) next Thursday night, November 20.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Golfer Luke Godwin Celebrates His 18th Birthday With A College Signing
November 14, 2025
Thursday was a double big day for Northview High School golfer Luke Godwin.
He signed with Coastal Alabama Community College, and it was his 18th birthday.
Godwin had eight total wins during the 2025 season.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Eagles Split Games With The Neal Eagles
November 14, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles hosted the Eagles of W.S. Neal Thursday night in Walnut Hill.
The EWMS boys earned a win, while the girls fell.
Ernest Ward will close out their season on November 20 at Brewton Middle School.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
SEC Recognizes Five Escambia County Teachers
November 13, 2025
The Southeastern Conference recognized five Escambia County teachers during the championship game of the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Ashton-Brosnaham Park.
- Brandi Ziglar, Lipscomb Elementary, fourth year of teaching
- Amanda Byers, McArthur Elementary, 13th year of teaching
- Jazmine Benson, Ferry Pass Elementary, 8th year of teaching
- Kenneth Atklinson, Beulah Middle School, 21st year of teaching
- Gena Keszthelyi, Longleaf Elementary, 40th year of teaching
Each teacher will receive a $500 DonorsChoose gift card to fund projects, to assist them with teaching and benefit their students.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Vanderbilt Wins Intense PK Shootout Against LSU For SEC Tourney Title (With Gallery)
November 10, 2025
Vanderbilt on the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship Sunday afternoon at Ashton Brosnaham Park in North Escambia, the fourth year the tournament has been held at the Escambia County park.
Senior Vivian Akyirem scored the equalizing goal, graduate Sara Wojdelko delivered a highlight performance, and No. 8 ranked Vanderbilt downed No. 25 LSU 8-7 in a three-hour long penalty kick thriller to win the SEC Tournament championship on Sunday at the Brosnaham Soccer Complex.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“This match tells you everything you need to know about our team,” said head coach Darren Ambrose. “We were challenged by an LSU team that was incredibly organized and came to play. They challenged our character and a little bit of our belief in ourselves. I think of words like ‘grit’ that we use all the time, especially down a goal: we defined that today.”
It is the fourth SEC Tournament title in program history, and the second in six seasons for Vanderbilt under Ambrose after winning in 2020.
Vanderbilt (15-3-2) fell behind early after LSU (13-5-4) scored in the 25th minute off the foot of Gabbi Ceballos. It was just the third time all season the Dores conceded the opening goal to an opposing team.
The Tigers remained in the lead at the halftime break, taking a 6-3 shot advantage into the locker room. Vanderbilt generated multiple opportunities to begin the second half, coming within inches of evening the score in the 52nd minute after a shot from senior Maci Teater was saved at the goal line.
With the clock continuing to dwindle, Vanderbilt broke through in the 69th minute. A free kick from junior Courtney Jones was sent directly at LSU keeper Audur Scheving, deflected back to the box, and rebounded into the net by Akyirem. It was just the third goal of the season for the senior midfielder.
Both teams went back and forth in a second half that produced four total yellow cards combined. And despite multiple threatening shots from either side, the score remained at 1-1 as time expired, sending the match to extra time. After overtime and double overtime were not enough to separate the two, the match came down to penalty kicks.
Vanderbilt entered the contest having taken one penalty kick all season. And after scoring on two of the first four kicks, the Dores sat on the brink of defeat with their hopes resting on Wojdelko. As she has done throughout her entire career, the 2025 SEC Goalkeeper of the Year delivered for her team, making a diving save on a shot from Gadea Blanco González to the right side of the goal. Junior Sydney Watts followed by converting on Vandy’s final penalty kick to keep the team alive. Morgan Witz stepped to the ball with a chance to win the match, sending a strong strike to the left side. Wojdelko fully extended on yet another dive, redirecting the ball off the post before jumping on top of the ball at the goal line to complete the save.
After each side drilled four penalty kicks each, sophomore Mary Beth McLaughlin added to the score to give Vanderbilt an 8-7 advantage. And with another make-or-break kick on the line, Wojdelko sealed it for the Dores, stopping a shot from Jazmin Ferguson to clinch the match win.
“If you watched the Florida State match from last year, [Wojdelko] did the same thing,” Ambrose said. “We said before we went out for penalties ‘We’ve got Wojo, they don’t.’ And that was all we needed.”
“Tactically, this was not the game we wanted,” Ambrose continued. “But this was not about tactics anymore; this was about our desire to win. We were on a mission here, and we were not leaving without a trophy.”
It is the first time since 2018 that an SEC Championship match has gone to penalty kicks and the sixth overall for the Dores in their SEC Tournament history. The victory is the eighth straight for Vanderbilt, ending LSU’s 10-match streak.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Four Dores were selected to the SEC all-tournament team: Watts, Wojdelko, Jones and freshman Olivia Stafford. Jones also finished as the tournament’s MVP, joining Myra Konte from 2020 as the only players in program history to receive the honor.
Vanderbilt and LSU now turns their focus to the NCAA Tournament selection show.
NorthEscambia.com photos, and courtesy photos from the SEC and Vanderbilt, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Riley Brooks Signs With Coastal Alabama
November 8, 2025
Northview High School senior Riley Brooks signed Friday to play softball at Coastal Alabama Community College.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
