Locals Performing During Capital One Bowl Halftime
December 31, 2012
A group of local majorettes will be performing during the halftime of Tuesday’s Capital One Bowl in Orlando.
Katilyn Abbott, a majorette at Northview High School, attended a summer camp at the University of South Alabama where she won first place in “Outstanding Majorette Solo”, “Grand Champion Majorette”, and the “All-Star Performer Award”. With the All-Star Performer award, she received personal invitations to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando and the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
She picked the Capital One Bowl where she will be joined on the field at halftime by four other members of the local Twirl Time Group – Dana Hursh, Maggie Thomas, Julie Hester and Valen Shelly. The group traveled to Orlando last week along with former Twirl Time student Mallorie Beachy and Twirl Time instructor Angie Shelly.
The Capital One Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Nebraska Cornhuskers will air locally at noon Tuesday on WEAR 3 from the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Pictured top: Previous Twirl Time student Mallorie Beachy, FSU majorette Maggie Thomas, home school student Dana Hursh, Northview majorette Kaitlyn Abbott, Northview majorette Julie Hester, Huxford Elementary student Valen Shelly and Twirl Time instructor Angie Shelly. Pictured: The group at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Mourns NWE, Ernest Ward Volunteer Charles Williams
December 26, 2012
Charles Williams, a former North Escambia Person of the Year, passed away Christmas day.
Williams was an instrumental and driving force behind sports programs for countless youth at Ernest Ward Middle School and the Northwest Escambia leagues. For funeral arrangements, click here.
Here is an earlier story about Mr. Charles Williams being named a North Escambia Person of the Year:
Charles Williams is one of those behind the scenes people that makes the world go round — at least the world of youth sports in Walnut Hill.
From the Ernest Ward Middle School Sports Boosters to Northwest Escambia Football, Williams is always hard at work to make sure the area’s children have the opportunity to take part in sports.
He is sometimes the man on the public address system at NWE and Ernest Ward Middle School football games, but he is always the man behind the scenes. From mowing the grass to working in the concession stand, he’s the model volunteer.
As president of the EWMS Sports Boosters, Williams is quick to point out that the group works to support every boy’s and girl’s sport at the school, not just the county’s only middle school football team. Williams and his army of volunteers make sure that every player of every sport is appreciated, and that every player is fed an appropriate meal or snack before every game.
“I just don’t know what we would do without Charles,” EWMS Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said at a school sports banquet before presenting Williams with a small token of the school’s appreciation.
Williams accepted the gift quietly and humbly — that’s just the kind of man he is. And hundreds, if not thousands, of youth would tend to agree — he’s just one of those people that influences society quietly, one child a time.
“He’s a true hero,” Perry said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
FHSAA Announces New Football Districts – Big Changes For Tate, Catholic
December 22, 2012
Friday, Florida High School Athletic Association released tentative football classifications and districts for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years.
The proposed classifications mean a big change for Tate, big miles for Catholic and the same big dreams of a state championship for Northview.
Four schools — Tate, Crestview, Navarre and Niceville — will form a new District 1-7A. The six other big schools in the area — Escambia, Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington — will remain in 6A.
A growing Catholic High will have some serious road trips with a move to 1-3A, a district that includes only schools in the Jacksonville area. The Crusaders can appeal to move up to 4A with schools in Tallahassee, Marianna and DeFuniak Springs. Or Catholic can appeal to jump into 1-5A with West Florida, Gulf Breeze and three Panama City area schools.
Meanwhile, District 1-1A remains the same for the next couple of years, with the state champion Northview Chiefs, Jay, Baker and Freeport.
The district announcements won’t become final until after a January 18 appeals deadline passes.
District 1-7A
- Tate
- Crestview
- Navarre
- Niceville
District 1-6A
- Escambia
- Milton
- Pace
- Pensacola High
- Pine Forest
- Washington
District 1-5A
- West Florida
- Gulf Breeze
- Panama City Arnold
- Panama City Bay
- Panama City Rutherford
District 1-3A
- Catholic
- Jacksonville Bishop Snyder
- Jacksonville Episcopal
- Jacksonville Providence
- Jacksonville Trinity Christian
- St. Augustine St. Joseph
District 1-1A
- Northview
- Jay
- Baker
- Freeport
New Chumuckla Springs Boat Ramp Set To Open
December 21, 2012
The new Chumuckla Springs Boat Ramp located at 10501 Chumuckla Springs Boat Ramp Road will open to the public on Monday, December 31 at 1 p.m.. The new facility replaces the current Sandy Landing Boat Ramp, which is privately owned but maintained by the county and open to the public through a license agreement. A ribbon cutting will be scheduled at a later date.
The project took approximately 10 months to complete and included over nine acres of clearing and grubbing, one-half mile of new paved road construction, over one-half mile of paved ditches, four stormwater retention ponds, over 7,000 square yards of compacted rock parking and driving areas and extensive erosion controls. The project was completed entirely in-house with Santa Rosa County engineering and public works staff.
In addition to being open year round, the new location, often referred to as Mineral Springs by locals, will have several advantages over the Sandy Landing Boat Ramp including more favorable currents for launching or loading small fishing boats and the ability to launch boats during low river tides. Features of the Chumuckla Springs Boat Ramp include a large gravel parking area which will accommodate up to 30 trucks with trailers and 20 cars or pick-ups.
The boat ramp allows for the launching of two boats side by side with appropriate loading and staging areas. Construction activities will continue into January to complete a few remaining work items. The completed project cost will be approximately $300,000 which is being funded by boater registration funds and includes the purchase of 19 acres.
Chiefs Celebrate State Championship
December 16, 2012
Northview fans gathered at the school Saturday night to celebrate the Northview Chiefs Class 1A state football championship.
Numerous local businesses and organizations were presented with certificates of appreciation for their roles in helping the Chiefs get to Orlando for the state championship game. And the Chiefs were presented with several accolades, including a copy of the Congressional Record where the Chiefs were honored on the floor of the U.S. House and a flag that flew over the White House in their honors. The Chiefs were also treated to a steak dinner.
Fans were given a chance to tour the school and see signs and posters honoring the Chiefs, and team members autographed state championship t-shirts for supporters.
The event ended with a full replay of the state championship game on a giant inflatable screen in the school gym.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Beats East In All-Star Game; Northview’s Woods Named MVP
December 15, 2012
The West defeated the East 15-6 in the 9th Annual Subway High School All-Star football game on a defense powered by a Northview Chief.
The West took the lead near the half on a 96-yard touchdown run from Escambia’s T.J. Myers, 7-0 West. The East scored in the fourth, cutting the West lead to 7-6. The West scored again with under a minute to go with a 30-yard TD run from Tate’s Lorenzo Long. Pensacola High’s Blake Norwood found fellow PHS Tiger Jonathon Bennett with the two pointer to seal the 15-6 West win.
Northview’s Roderick Woods was named the West defensive MVP with a game leading 13 tackles, and Trebian Suggs of Pine Forest was named West offensive MVP.
It was a bit of sweet redemption for Woods, who was forced to sit out the last three regular season games and entire Chiefs run to a state title due to reaching the FHSAA age limit.
Pictured: Northview’s Roderick Woods in Orlando with the Class 1A state championship trophy. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Neino Robinson Scores 58 Points; Northview Over Freeport, Jay Beats Baker
December 15, 2012
Here’s a look at high school basketball action from Friday:
Northview 91 Freeport 68
Northview’s Neino Robinson added an outstanding 58 points Friday night as the Chiefs demolished Freeport 91-68 in Freeport. Cameron Newsome added 11 for the Chiefs. Devon Cottrell contributed 5, Kevin Barrow, Jeffery Taylor and Travell McWilliams had two each. Trent Howard scored eight for the Chiefs. The Chiefs will be at Jay on Monday as the Jay Christmas Tournament gets underway.
Jay 41 Baker 39
The Jay Royals defeated the Baker Gators Friday 41-39. Taylor Kelley had 13, Evric Trevino added 10 and Marshall Thomas scored eight to lead the Royals. Jay will host Northview, Pensacola Christian and Central in a Christmas tournament beginning Monday.
Northview 57 Freeport 43 (Girls)
In girls action Friday in Freeport, the Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Laday Gators of Freeport 57-43.
Chiefs Week: Northview Cheerleaders
December 15, 2012
The Northview High School cheerleaders were there in the Citrus Bowl last weekend, cheering on the Northview Chiefs as they won the Class 1A state championship.
For a photo gallery, click here.
It’s Chief’s Week on NorthEscambia.com — we will continue our look back at Northview’s Class 1A state championship win through the weekend. Coming up tomorrow, more of our hundreds of photos from the Citrus Bowl.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured: The Northview High School cheerleaders in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Week: What Does It Take To Win State? (With Video)
December 14, 2012
For the Northview Chiefs, winning a state championship last Friday night was the culmination of months of work and conditioning that began back during the summer.
The video below,. produced by Northview Football, takes a look at the Chiefs during their off season start toward the ultimate goal of a state title.
Chiefs Week: Band, Color Guard, Dance Team Support Team
December 14, 2012
When the Northview Chiefs defeated Trenton last Friday night for the Class 1A championship, the Tribal Beat Band, dance team and color guard were there supporting their team.
For a photo gallery, click here.
It’s Chief’s Week on NorthEscambia.com — we will continue our look back at Northview’s Class 1A state championship win through the weekend. Coming up tomorrow, more of our hundreds of photos from the Citrus Bowl.
