Subway High School All-Star Soccer Rosters Announced

February 14, 2013

The Pensacola Sports Association has announced the rosters for the Subway High School All-Star Soccer Game on Thursday, February 21 at Athe shton Brosnaham Complex. The girls game, which features seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties, will begin at 5 p.m. with the boy’s game immediately following.

The coaching staff for the Boys West Team, which includes all Escambia County high schools, will be led by the head coach from East Hill Christian School, Marvin Denney. Breck Smith, the coach for Catholic High School, will coach the Girls West Team. Coaches from the other county high schools will assist Denney and Smith with their game plans. The East Girls coach, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties, will be coached by Danielle Phillips from Crestview High School. The boys coach for the East team will be Rigo Hernandez from Milton High School. Both coaches will be assisted by the other head coaches from the two-county area high schools.

Tickets to the game are $7 and $5 with a canned good. The PSA is teaming with Manna Food Bank for a canned good drive and encouraging everyone to help families by bringing a canned good item. Academy Sports + Outdoors will be having a contest for two lucky fans to win up to $200 in Academy gift cards.

Final game rosters are subject to change.

(North Escambia area players are in bold.)

West Team Boys: Devin Denney, Tucker Ward, and CJ Kennamore from East Hill, Peyton Barrios, Nick Brockmon, and Daniel Garcia from Escambia, Bradley Lynn, and Brandon May from Pine Forest, Juan Pelaez, Jack Pouchert, Nathan Croney, Kegan Haag, and Derek Brown from Catholic, Ian Robinson and Allan Campbell from Washington, Kyle Brown, Jalen Benson and Sudip Bagui from Pensacola High, Caymen Barlow, Devin Blackwell and Luke Jackson from West Florida, and Austin Stacey from Tate.

West Team Girls: Kayla Cayson from East Hill, Madison Leonard, and Ashton Mayne from Tate, Jordan King, LaShelle Lett, and Rachel Moore from Washington, April Westmark, Tori Bergosh, Victoria Marsh, Ashley Krochi and Elizabeth Dennis from Pensacola High, Lauren Hughes, and Miriam Duckworth from West Florida, Alexis Johnson from Escambia, Jeania Suyat from Pine Forest, and Katie Richmond, Laura Inclan, Sarah Boles, Bethany Balette, Meghan Morand, Caitlin Sacco, and Emily Ioakim from Catholic.

East Team Boys: Jeffrey Ranson, and Austin Walker from Milton, Drew Kirkpatrick, and Dillon McArthur from Rocky Bayou, Jeremy Born, Austin Smith, Chris Rahn, and Tyler Tarpley from Crestview, Conner D’Amico from Niceville, Ryan Olson, Brendan White, and Jordan Supra from Navarre, Hayden Gilmore from Pace, Trapper Chechoek, Adam Cahill, Yunnis Harris, and Derek Castelia from Choctawhatchee, Sam Hoskins, Ben Hoskins, Thomas Fitzgerald, and Luke Niles from Gulf Breeze, and David Diaz from Fort Walton Beach.

East Team Girls: Morgan Littlewood, and Hayley Naker from Navarre, Eleana Colvin, Kristy Gash, and Alex Taylor from Pace, Allison Proctor, Korrie Abernathy, and Rachel Carter from Gulf Breeze, Sydney Morgan , and Allison Hoyland from Milton, Ashley Richbourg, Paige Goodrich, Ashily Sanchez, and Mia Olsavsky from Crestview, Melissa Early from Fort Walton Beach, Kaitlyn Brown, Savannah Boswell, Miranda O’Neil, and Elana Pete from Niceville, Ashley Quachenbush, and Courtney Peters from Choctawhatchee, and Kelly sambenedetto from Rocky Bayou.

Tate’s Lorenzo Long Signs With Wofford University

February 14, 2013

Tate High School all-star running back Lorenzo Long signed a scholarship last week to play for Wofford University in South Carolina.  Long holds the Tate Aggie career record with 3,227 rushing yards. During his senior season, Long had 183 carries for 1,175 yards and 11 touchdowns. Pictured are  Lorenzo Long (center) and his parents, Lara and Alandus Long; and (standing, L-R) Athletic Director David Venettozzi and Head Football Coach Ronnie Douglas. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Area Champ Flomaton Lady Canes Advance To Sub-Regionals

February 13, 2013

The Flomaton Lady Hurricanes have won their fourth consecutive Class 2A Area 1 Championship by beating Leroy 51-44.

Leading the Canes were Dezeray Wesley, with 15 points, 9 rebounds; Hannah Fillmore  14 points , 5 rebounds, 5 steals; Jocelyn Wiggins, 13 points, 10 rebounds; Aleiha Emmons with five points; and  Mercedes Butler with 4 points and 7 rebounds.

The Flomaton Lady Hurricanes advance to the Sub-regionals at home Thursday night at 7:00 versus Zion Chapel.

Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

FHSAA Approves New Age Limit Rule

February 11, 2013

The Florida High School Athletic Association Representative Assembly has adopted a proposal that will change the age limit for student athletes. The FHSAA voted to change the age restriction from 19 years and 9 months to 19 years.

Previously, the rule stated that a student may participate at the high school level until reaching the age limit of 19 years and 9 months old if the student had not exceeded their four-year limit of eligibility. The new limitation states that a “student who reaches the age of 19 on or after September 1st, and who has not exceeded his/her four-year limit of eligibility, may participate in interscholastic athletics during that school year”.

The amended bylaw will go into effect on July 1, 2014, for the 2014-15 school year, with 2013-14 serving as a notice period. Florida was the only state, before this week, to have an age limit that exceeded 19 years of age. Student athletes will still have the opportunity to appeal if there are extenuating circumstances.

Northview High School linebacker Roderick Woods aged out this past football season, hitting 19 years and 9 months in October. That left him sitting out the last three regular season games, plus the Chief’s entire state championship run. Under the new rule, Woods would not have been eligible for any games last season.

Proponents also said the rule will stop athletes who age out in their home state, such as Alabama, and transfer to Florida where they were eligible to play for another nine months.

Coed Softball Tourney Next Weekend, Entry Fee Reduced

February 10, 2013

The Northview High School Diamond Club will hold a softball tournament next weekend, and the entry fee has been reduced.

The coed tournament will be held Saturday, February 16 at the Northwest Escambia ballpark. The entry fee has been reduced to $200 per team. Three females must play at all times.

To register, call Amy Holland at (850) 516-8400. Proceeds benefit the Northview High School baseball team.

Alabama Details Extended February Deer Season Map

February 10, 2013

A new region is proposed in southwest Alabama where deer season would be extended into February.

A map was released Saturday in Montgomery by Conservation Commissioner N. Gunter Guy Jr. detailing the area in which deer season would be extended from January 31 to February 10. The season would include a 10 day gun season closure in December, but would allow hunting during a late-season rut when deer are more active.

The proposed region includes 11 counties, including Escambia, Baldwin, Mobile and Monroe.

The extended season would apply only to hunters using guns; the bow hunting season would remain October 15 until February 10.

The plan must now be approved by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. February 2013 is not included in the plan; deer season ended January 31, 2013, in Southwest Alabama.

Northview, Jay Out Of District 2-1A Tourney

February 9, 2013

Both the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals saw their seasons come to an end Friday with losses in the District 2-1A Boys Basketball semifinal round in Jay.

Holmes County 77, Northview 63

Northview lost a hard fought battle with Holmes County, 77-63.

For Northview, it was a battle against the star of the Blue Devils team — 6-foot-10 Chris Walker, a University of Florida signee that has been ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect in the country.  Robinson scored 42 on the night, just ahead of Northview junior guard Neino Robinson with 41 points.

The Blue Devils jumped out to a 18-8 lead at the end of one and held a 39-25 advantage at the half. By halftime, Robinson had scored 15 of the Chiefs’ 25 points. With about four minutes to go, a Chiefs free throw from Robinson tied it up 61-61, but Holmes County quickly recovered for the win.

Chipley 65, Jay 34

Also in Jay Friday night, Chipley took command early to beat the Jay Royals 65-34.

Bonifay and Chipley will play at 7 p.m. Saturday for the District 2-1A  championship.

Pictured top and top inset: Northview lost to Holmes County Friday night in Jay. Pictured bottom inset:  Jay was defeated by Chipley. Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Pine Forest Softball Drops Home Opener

February 8, 2013

The Pine Forest varsity softball team couldn’t get its bats going and struggled defensively Thursday night when the Lady Eagles lost their home opener, 14-1, to Choctawhatchee in five innings.

Junior right-hander Janessa Landas struck out three and allowed only one walk, but Choctaw’s bats were hot. The Indians connected for 15 hits, including nine for extra bases, and scored in every inning but the third. Pine Forest’s defense let Landas down, committing four errors that led to six runs.

Sophomore Rebecca Rudd went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run for Pine Forest (1-1) and is hitting .600 for the season. Landas went 1-for-2 with a walk, senior Kellie Payne had a single and junior Alexis Gardner singled and drove in the Eagles’ only run.

Pine Forest is off until Tuesday, when they play host to Gulf Breeze at 6:30 p.m.

The Lady Eagles’ junior varsity improved to 2-0 as they beat Choctaw 9-1. Sophomore Brooke Lauter pitched a complete game for the victory.

Tate Cheerleaders Take Second Best In The State

February 8, 2013

The Tate High School Varsity Cheerleaders took second best in the state during the recent FHSAA State Cheerleading Competition in Kissimmee.

After competing in the preliminary round against 14 teams, Tate advanced to final four before taking the title of state runner-up. This was highest finish in the five years of competing at the FHSAA state compeition. The team trained for the event since tryouts in April 2012and began working on the competition routine in September.

The Tate Varsity Cheerleaders are coached by Andrea Howey, who has been coaching the varsity program since 2009. Members of the varsity team are: Sarah Al-Qahtani, Sarah Baxter, Lauren Chavers, Kaylee Coots, Katie Cutting, Brooke Fowler, Ashley Gozalka, Corissa Hammer, DeAnna Jernigan, Kirstyn Johnson, Jordan McGowan, Lauren McKinnon, Shelby Miller, Maranda Milstead, Alie Phillips and Brooke Vincent.

Pictured: The Tate High School Varsity cheerleaders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Area Football Stars Commit On National Signing Day

February 7, 2013

At Northview High School on Wednesday’s National Signing Day, Neiko Robinson signed a letter of intent with the Penn State Nittany Lions, and Blake McCall signed with Jackson State University.

“It’s exciting. I’m just ready to play now,” Robinson said. While Penn State is banned from bowl games for four years following a child  abuse scandal, Robinson said he never wavered in his commitment to the Nittany Lions.

“”To me, the football program didn’t do anything wrong…it was a criminal matter,” he said. “Playing in front of 110,000 people, that’s a bowl game in itself.”

Walking into a huge stadium also helped seal the deal between McCall and the Jackson State Tigers in Jackson, Miss.  “When I walked into the stadium — 65,ooo — I knew I wanted to play there,” McCall said. “It feels amazing; I am really and truly blessed to go to this school.”

Watching McCall and Robinson sign with large schools was a shining moment for Northview High Head Coach Sid Wheatley.

“We want to continue having great success here, and turn out student athletes to the next level. They are going to go and get and education, and that’s very important,” Wheatley told McCall and Robinson’s teammates as they watched the ceremony in the school theater.

Here’s a look at some of the other  area commitments made  Wednesday on National Signing Day:

Tate High

Tate High School running back Lorenzo Long signed Tuesday morning with the Division I-AA Wofford Terriers. Long holds the Tate Aggie career record with 3,227 rushing yards. During his senior season, Long had 183 carries for 1,175 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Pensacola High

Defensive back Blake Norwood of Cantonment to East Carolina.
Black Norwood to East Carolina.

West Florida High

Defensive end Nate Crawford to Missouri.
Cornerback Demetrius Smith to  Georgia Military Academy.

Pine Forest High

Defensive end DeMarcus Glover to Western Kentucky.
Running back Rashaad Lee to Florida Atlantic.
Jordarius Gardner to Butler Community College in Kansas.

Pictured top: Neiko Robinson (left) reacts Tuesday afternoon to applause after signing his letter of intent with Penn State as Blake McCall (right) looks on and prepares to sign with Jackson State University. Pictured below: (front, L-R) Neiko Robinson’s aunt Tina Hicks, father Anthony Robinson, Neiko Robinson, Black McCall, McCall’s mother Kristi Crawford, (back) Northview Athletic Director Gary Mattes, Head Coach Sid Wheatley, and Coach Derek Marshman NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

« Previous PageNext Page »