Armwood Ends Tate’s State Dreams (With Gallery)
December 5, 2015
During the 2011 and 2012 seasons, the Tate High School Aggies amassed a dismal 1-19 record. During the past three seasons, the Aggies have lost just three games per season, one of which was a final four appearance Friday night against No. 1 ranked Armwood High School. And throughout it all, the Aggie Nation has been there to support their team.
Friday night was no different as countless Aggie fans made the 470 miles trip and packed the stands in Seffner, near Tampa, hoping this would be the year for a state title. But in the end, Armwood topped Tate 53-19 in the state 6A semi-finals.
Just a minute and a half and three plays into the game, Tate’s Monty Brown intercepted a Hawk pass and ran it in 24 yards to give the Aggies an early 7-0 lead.
But it was just downhill from there for the Aggies. Armwood evened it up at 7-7 on their next drive, and the Hawks added another four touchdowns in the second quarter for a 36-7 half time lead.
In the second half, senior Dee Thompson was in for a short touchdown for the Aggies with 6:00 on the clock in the third, and Sawyer Smith found Reginald Payne for a 55-yard touchdown with about a minute in the game. In the end, Armwood topped Tate 53-19.
The Armwood Hawks advance to the state 6A championship game next Saturday afternoon in Orlando against Miami central.
NorthEscambia.com will be publishing additional photo galleries from the game by Monday.
Pictured top: An Armwood player consoles Tate’s Dee Thompson on the field following Armwood’s victory Friday Night. Picture inset and below: Armwood defeated Tate in the state semi-finals Friday night near Tampa. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Work Out At Florida State
December 4, 2015
The Tate Aggies worked out at Florida State University’s indoor facilities Thursday on their way to Tampa. Photos by Tina Decoux for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Head To Tampa For State Semi-Final Game (With Photo Gallery)
December 4, 2015
The Tate Aggies departed Cantonment Thursday morning bound for the state 6A semi-final game against Armwood Friday night.
The Aggies started their day with a hearty breakfast provided by Gonzalez United Methodist Church, and then departed the school in grand style following an Aggie Sprit Walk through the student body Thursday morning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The team stopped at Florida State University for a full practice (FSU photos) before continuing to Tampa for the night. The total mileage from Tate to Armwood is about 470 miles.
The Tate Aggies will face Armwood High School in Seffner, FL, with a 7:30 Eastern kickoff. Gates open at 5:30 Easter. Parking is $2, and admission id $9 with no passes.
For those that not able to make the trip, a viewing party will be held at the school beginning at 6:30 p.m. A live video stream will be available for $10 at TateFootballLive.com, and NorthEscambia.com will have live updates on our Facebook page (click here) and @northescambia on Twitter.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies departed the school this morning on their way to the Tampa area. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Parker Named West Florida Volleyball MVP, Wall Of Fame Member
December 3, 2015
Brianna Parker of Walnut Hill has been named as West Florida High School’s Most Valuable varsity volleyball player, and she has been named to the school’s Volleyball Wall of Fame. Parker was ace leader for the Jaguars with 46, kill leader with 121 (35.2%), and block leader with 92. She was also named to the 9th Annual Subway High School All-Star Volleyball team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Mini Cheerleader Camp Begins Monday
November 29, 2015
The Northview High School Cheerleaders will hold a mini-cheerleader camp this Monday and Tuesday from 3:30-5:30 in the school gym.
The camp is $15. Girls may wear the mini-cheerleader shirts from football season or any white shirt. They will cheer with the Northview cheerleaders during the December 3 “white out” basketball games as Northview hosts Jay.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Aggies Beat Niceville To Advance To State Semi-Final Game
November 28, 2015
Every Aggie fan knew in their heart Friday that Tate was going on to state, but the win was not without a few chest pains in the fourth quarter. In the end, the Tate High School Aggies defeated the Niceville Eagles 21-20 for the 6A Regional 1 championship.
The Aggies took an early lead, just 14 seconds into the game, on the first play from scrimmage as Alondo Thompkins scored on an 80-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Sawyer Smith found Reginald Payne for a 58 yard gain, setting up a two-yard touchdown run by Smith with 10:17 to go in the second quarter. And also in the second quarter, Smith hit Jake Henry for a 66-yard touchdown. The Aggies were up a comfortable 21-0 over a Niceville team that has outscored Tate 140-48 in their past five outings.
Heading into the third quarter the Aggies were up 21-0. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Aggies were up 21-0. But it’s not over until it’s over, as Niceville closed the score to within three points. at 21-18.
With 10 second left on the clock, the Aggies took the unusual move of purposely scoring a safety for the Eagles after Tate was unable to advance beyond their own 10 yard line. That move ran the clock down to five seconds…just enough time for a kickoff.
But after a bunch of Niceville laterals, and a sea of flags, the Aggies were forced to kick off again for an un-timed down. Aggie fans could breathe again…and start making travel plans.
The Tate Aggies (10-2) advance to play the Armwood Hawks in Seffner, near Tampa, next Friday night in the state semi-finals, just one game away from a state championship game in Orlando.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Branden Fryman Signs With Samford University
November 25, 2015
Tate High School senior Branden Fryman signed a letter of intent Tuesday to play baseball for Samford University in Birmingham. Fryman hit .400 last year as a junior. The Aggies shortstop is the son of Travis Fryman who spent 12 years in the majors with the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, and he was named an all-star five times. Photos courtesy Tate Baseball for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Varsity Cheerleaders Win Second Weekend Competition
November 22, 2015
For the second weekend in the row, the Tate High School Varsity cheerleaders won a competition Saturday. The cheerleaders came in first at the Cheering for a Clause Cheer Competition held at West Florida High School. Photo by Karen Potter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Pine Forest To Advance In Playoffs (With Photo Gallery)
November 21, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies continued their march to state Friday night with a 31-7 win over the Pine Forest Eagles in the Region 1-6A semifinals.
In the regular season, Pine Forest claimed the District 1-6A crown in a game that was tied up 28-all headed into the fourth only to see the Eagles surge to a 47-28 win.
But the tables were turned Friday night.
“The defense is playing great right now, and on offense we ran the football,” Tate head coach Jay Lindsey said. “Biggest thing is we played a physical football game; that is the thing you want in the playoffs. You want to get better toward the end of the year, and we are playing our best football. We are getting better week to week, and that’s exactly what we want to do.”
The Aggies took a quick 7-0 lead with 5:55 to go in the first quarter with quarterback Sawyer Smith taking it into the end zone. The just over two minutes later, after a 50-yard gain by Smith, Dee Thompson was around the outside for a touchdown and a 14-0 Aggie lead.
Toss in a Tate field goal with 11:05 in the second, and the Tate Aggies were up 17-0.
Then, with 5:25 in the half, Tate increased their lead to 24-0 with a 20-yard touchdown run from Thompson. The game stood at 24-0 headed into the half.
With 2:43 in the third, the Aggies added one more touchdown on a 15-yard run from Aldondo Thompkins, coming off a 44-yard pass to Madison Lockman.
The Tate Aggies (9-2) will travel to Niceville next Friday night.
During the regular season, Niceville beat Tate 31-28. But for Lindsey, the Region 1-6A final next week is not going to be about revenge.
“It’s the playoffs right now; it’s do or die,” Lindsey said. “It has nothing to do with who beat who in the regular season. It’s just one game at the time.
“We are just focused on us and being the best team that Tate High School can possibly be,” he said.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Playoff Finals
November 21, 2015
Here are final scores from playoff games around the North Escambia area tonight:
- Tate 31, Pine Forest 7 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- GW Long 35, Flomaton 21
- Hillcrest 25, T.R. Miller 22
- Baker 48. Vernon 20
- Niceville 36, Choctaw 21
File photo.