Tate Hosts District Special Olympics (With Photo Gallery)
March 28, 2015
The 19th Annual Escambia County School District’s Special Olympics Spring Games were held Friday at Tate High School with over 500 student athletes. Over 600 Tate student volunteers assisted as “buddies” and event workers.
The event began with Special Olympic athletes running with the Special Olympics Torch around the track. There will was also an Olympic Village with plenty of fun and games, and even a petting zoo, for the athletes to enjoy after they completed their track and field events.
Athletes received the traditional gold, silver and bronze medals for top finishes, plus a participation medal for all athletes.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Tops Central; NHS Over Neal; Tate Beats Monroe; Tate Over Pines
March 28, 2015
Northview 13, Central 6
Northview 6, W.S. Neal 1 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs beat Central Friday night 13-6. Thomas Moore had a home run for the Chiefs, along with three RBI’s as he went 2-5 at the plate for the Chiefs.Quentin Sampson was 2-5 with a RBI; Brian Cantrell 2-5; Brett Weeks 2-5 with a RBI; Roman Manning was 2-4 with two RBIs; and Aaron McDonals was 1-5 with a RBI. McDonald pitched the win for the Chiefs allowing five hits and five runs, two errors and three strike outs. The varsity Chiefs will travel to PCA on March 31; the JV will travel to Tate on April 2.
Tate 7, Monroe 0
Trace Penton pitched the win as the Tate Aggies beat Monroe 7-0. Sawyer Smith was 2-2 with a run and RBI; Mark Miller was 2-4; Stephen Harris was 1-2 with two runs; Hunter Worley was 1-3 with a run and double; and Josh Kea was 1-1 wih two runs, two RBIs and two SB.
Kississimee Klassic
Tate 2, Pembroke Pines 1
Pictured: Northview versus Central. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Jay Lindsey Named Tate Interim Head Football Coach
March 27, 2015
Jay Lindsey has been named the interim football coach at Tate High School.
He will hold the position through the spring as Tate follows school district policies in advertising the job, according to Tate Principal Rick Shackle.
Lindsey was offensive coordinator for the Aggies last season. He has nine years coaching experience, including his time at Tate and years at Pace High school.
Lindsey’s appointment follows the resignation of Ronnie Douglas, who stepped down to spend more time on his car wash business ventures.
Jay Tops Northview; Tate Wins In Kissimmee Klassic
March 27, 2015
Jay 4, Northview 4
The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs 7-4 in a game that was called early due to rain. For the Lady Chiefs, it was the final game of the regular season before the district tournament that begins April 13 in Freeport. The Lady Royals (11-5) will host Holmes County Monday at 6 p.m.
Tate 10, Harmony 2
The Tate Lady Aggies topped the Harmony Longhorns 10-2 Thursday night in the first day of the Kissimmee Klassic. The Aggies scored at least one in every inning. Tori Perkins pitched the win, allowing five hits, two runs and striking out nine. Casey McCrackin 1-4, Savannah Rowell 1-4, Tori Perkins 2-4, Elizabeth Werdann 1-2, Lauren Brennan 1-2, Savannah Ullrich 1-3, Rachel Wright 1-4, Samantha Burks 1-3, Kristin Quina 1-1.
Pictured: Jay at Northview Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Downs NHS JV; Varsity Aggies Fall To Overton
March 27, 2015
Tate 6, Northview 1 (Freshmen/JV)
The freshmen Tate Aggies defeated the JV Northview Chiefs 6-1 Thursday night in Bratt. The JV Chiefs will travel to W.S. Neal Friday for a doubleheader beginning at 4:00. The freshmen Aggies will play at Milton Monday at 4:30.
Overton, TN 8, Tate 6
Overton, TN at Tate (JV) Canceled
Tate lost to Overton, TN, Thursday night in Cantonment 8-6. Branden Fryman 2-4, R, 2B, RBI; Cole Halfacre 2-4, 2 2B; Jacob Saulnier 2-3, 2 2B; Mark Miller 1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, Trace Penton 1-2
The JV Aggies will travel to Milton on Monday for a 7 p.m., while the varsity Aggies. The varsity Aggies are schedule for tournament play April 1-April 4 in Rock Hill, SC.
Pictured: Junior varsity action from Tate at Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
High School Sports Group Could Face Overhaul, Elimination
March 27, 2015
A measure overhauling the Florida High School Athletic Association — and opening the door to the group possibly being replaced in two years — was approved Thursday by the House Education Committee on a nearly party-line vote.
Members of the panel voted to move the measure (PCB EDC 15-02) ahead on a 12-5 vote, with Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, joining Republicans in support. Democrats said they were worried about some provisions in the bill, including one that would allow the education commissioner to designate another organization to oversee high-school sports in 2017.
Some also worried that parts of the proposal could open the door to more recruiting of students to switch high schools, though that is technically illegal and would remain so under the bill.
The legislation comes amid years of tension between some lawmakers, particularly in the House, and the association. The FHSAA doesn’t support the proposal, but representatives said the association backs most of the provisions outside of the one that could lead to it being replaced.
“It’s long past the time to limit the power of a very large, protectionist organization and place our priorities with the students,” said Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City. “I only wish it had happened of the association’s own volition, and not (because FHSAA) had to be forced to change.”
A similar Senate measure (SB 1480) hasn’t yet been scheduled for a hearing.
The House proposal would overhaul the organization’s governance, setting up a 16-member board to oversee the association. It would also require a third-party review for students suspected of being ineligible and allow students to continue to play while their eligibility is reviewed, though games could be forfeited if the student is later ruled ineligible.
High schools would also be allowed to join FHSAA for some sports, but not in others — particularly football.
But much of the opposition is driven by the provision requiring the education commissioner, with the backing of the State Board of Education, to make a decision in 2017 on whether to keep the association or replace it. The bill also would set up a review of the organization every three years.
The commissioner could technically replace the association under current law, but there is no requirement for a review to be done regularly or by a certain date.
“We think that that is rather arbitrary and that, as a representative democracy, which this association is, if it’s truly violating people’s rights and not looking out for the best interests of our athletes, then FHSAA should be removed,” said Juhan Mixon, representing the association. “But we think that that should come back to this Legislature, and not be put in the legislation at this time.”
Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura, said the vagueness of the process lacked transparency.
“At a minimum, we ought to be saying what the criteria are, what these people need to do,” Geller said.
But Rep. Manny Diaz Jr., a Hialeah Republican offering the proposal, said the provision would actually give the association a “two-year buffer” to make necessary changes.
“At the end of the day, I do believe that they are in the strongest position, that they have the experience and they will continue to do this,” Diaz told reporters after the hearing.
Stuart Weiss, president of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference, said the FHSAA had changed in recent years precisely because of the threat of legislation. Schools in Weiss’ organization play football separately from the association, but still have to be members and have to honor the association’s rules.
“You can’t give a quasi-monopoly to an organization, not oversee (it) and see what they do,” Weiss said.
Former Escambia Coach Willie Spears Named As 1A Vernon Coach
March 27, 2015
The District 2 Class 1A Vernon Yellow Jackets have a new head football coach — Willie Spears, former Escambia High School head coach.
The Northview Chiefs’ dreams of a second state championship were stopped cold in round one of the playoffs last November in Vernon. The Yellow Jackets beat the Chiefs 36-19 in the Region 1-1A football semifinal.
The Chiefs are in District 1, Class 1A with Baker and Jay. Vernon is in District 2 with Cottondale, Graceville, Holmes County, Sneads and Wewahitchka. In the state playoff series, the two districts meet in a regional semifinal game.
Tate Aggies Release Football Schedule
March 25, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies have released a tentative 2015 football schedule. Game times will be announced at a later date:
JV Win For Tate; JV Loss For NHS; Catholic Over NHS In Nine
March 24, 2015
West Florida 4, Northview 3 (JV)
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs in junior varsity action Monday afternoon. The Chiefs will travel to Holmes County on Tuesday; the junior varsity plays at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:30.
Tate 11, Sheffield 1 (JV)
Tate 12, Sheffield 1 (JV)
The Tate Aggies junior varsity took both games of a double header against Sheffield Monday night. Tate’s 9th grade team hosts Navarre tonight at 6:00.
SOFTBALL
Catholic 12, Northview 11 (9 innings)
Catholic got past Northview Monday in Pensacola 12-11 in nine innings. Hitters for Northview included Hannah Ging who was 3-3 and Penny Banda who was 3-4. The Chiefs will host Jay on Thursday; junior varsity at 4:00, varsity at 6:00.
Pictured: Northview’s junior varsity at West Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Molino Ballpark (With Photo Gallery)
March 22, 2015
Saturday was Opening Day for Molino Recreation Association and the Molino Ballpark.
For more photos from select games, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
