Tate’s Amy Waters Signs With UAB Softball
November 25, 2012
Amy Waters, a senior at Tate High School, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball for the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Waters started on the varsity softball team at Tate in grades 9-11. She has a .443 batting average during her junior season, along with 19 RBI’s, 18 doubles and three home runs.
She has played with the Mobile Thrillers and High Intensity travel ball teams for the past several years. During the last two years, she helped the Thrillers qualify for the ASA-A national tournament. In 2012, they finished first in the Alabama 18U ASA-A state tournament and fifth in the ASA-A national tournament.
Waters also played on the golf team at Tate her sophomore and junior years. She is also a member of Interact and FCA.
Pictured: Tate senior Amy Waters signs a letter of intent with the University of Alabama at Birmingham as her parents, Kirk and Cindy Waters, and her brother, Jace Waters, look on. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Freeport For Regional Championship (With Photo Gallery)
November 24, 2012
The Northview’s road to Orlando continued Friday night with a 34-28 overtime win against the Freeport Bulldogs for the Chief’s third consecutive Region 1-1A championship.
The second meeting of the season between the teams was a whole new ballgame the second time around for the Chiefs. Earlier in the season, Northview crushed the Bulldogs 42-0 in Freeport. All week, Northview Coach Sid Wheatley preached that his players should just totally forget about that big win because Freeport was headed to Bratt for vengeance.
“We talked about it all week…that you could throw the 42-0 out the window because it was not going to have any bearing on this game tonight,” Wheatley said. “That (42-0) was not indicative of how Freeport normally plays us. I think they kind really carried a chip in on their shoulders.”
For a game action photo gallery, click here. (Band, dance team, cheerleader and additional photos will be published Monday.)
Freeport was first on the scoreboard after Northview fumbled the ball away at the 11-yard line. And Freeport scored again on a Northview fumble; this time at the one-yard line, 14-0.
A La’Mikal Kyles touchdown narrowed the gap to 14-7, Freeport’s favor. Then Neino Robinson scored on a 40 yard punt return to tie it up 14-14 headed into the half.
Kyles scored again in the third on a 10-yard pass from QB Kevin Vaughan, 21-14 Northview. Freeport then tied it up 21-21 with a 42-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs went again 28-21 with about six minutes to go in the game.
The Chiefs tied it up at 28-28 with a four-yard Vaughan to Cameron Newsome touchdown pass.
In overtime, Freeport scored on their first place, but it was called back for holding the backfield. The Bulldogs were unable to convert their remaining three downs to the scoreboard. A Kyles touchdown kicked off the fireworks and sealed the 34-28 Northview win.
“We pulled it off in overtime. It was a lot of character, a lot of resolve by out kids,” Wheatley said.
Kyles finished the night with three touchdowns, and 121 yards. Quarterback Vaughan completed 17 of 27 with 136 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
“I thought Kevin Vaughan ran the football well for us; he had a couple of big runs,” he said. “I thought the kid showed a lot of character, coming back when he could have gone into a shell.”
Next Friday, the Chiefs will be one the road in the state semifinals against Liberty County in Bristol. The winner advanced to the state championship game the following week in Orlando.
“It only gets tougher. There’s no doubt,” Wheatley said. “We are going to have to step it up next week.
For a game action photo gallery, click here. (Band, dance team, cheerleader and additional photos will be published Monday.)
Pictured top: Northview quarterback Kevin Vaughan gains yardage for the Chiefs Friday night in Bratt. Picture top inset: Neino Robinson reaches for a pass. Pictured bottom inset: La’Mikal Kyles catches a pass. Pictured below: The Chiefs celebrate a regional championship. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Auburn Fans Rule In High School Fundraiser
November 24, 2012
Auburn fans dominated in a recent fundraiser held at Northview High School. The Student Government Association held a “Cash of the Rivals” fundraiser in which Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Florida State fans competed to see which team was tops at Northview. The students cast votes costing 10 cents each for the their favorite team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Looks For Regional Win Over Freeport (With Admission, Noisemaker Info)
November 23, 2012
The Northview Chiefs will play tonight for their third straight regional title tonight in Bratt.
The Chiefs (8-3, 3-0) will host the Freeport Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. in Bratt in what will be Northview’s final home game of the season. With a win, the Chiefs will advance next Friday night to the state semifinals on the road against the winner of tonight’s Blountstown (7-4, 3-1) at Liberty County (9-2, 4-0) game.
For the Chiefs, it’s the third consecutive playoff appearance under head coach Sid Wheatley. The previous two trips along the state series came to an end at the state semifinal level, just one game short of a state championship game in Orlando.
The Chiefs have been nothing short of dominating in 1A play this year. Ranked No. 4 in the state, Northview has destroyed all 1A opponents this season by an average of five touchdowns. Last week, Northview whipped Cottondale in the regional seminfinals, 57-6. Their only losses have come at the hands of much larger schools with strong programs — Class 5A West Florida (10-1), Class 5A Gulf Breeze (7-4) and Class 4A Marianna (8-2).
The Freeport Bulldogs are are 6-5 overall, 2-1 in 1A play. Their only loss was 42-0 at the hands of the Chiefs back in October.
Last year, the Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 43-13 in Bratt in the regional finals.
Tonight’s Game: Admission Info
Northview hosts Freeport, 7:30 p.m. in Bratt. Admission is $8 (set by the FHSAA, not the school). There are no student discounts, no elementary discounts, no free admission for employees and no passes. Donations accepted for parking.
From The Quarterback Club
“The Northview Quarterback Club would like to remind Chiefs fans that Friday night’s regional championship will be the final home game of the season, regardless of outcome. Fans are encouraged to come out and show your support by bringing your noisemakers, signs, and most of all, your enthusiasm. We would like to duplicate the atmosphere we had at the state semi-final game last year against Chipley. Come out and support your Northview Chiefs and remember to get especially loud when you hear “the bells”. Go Chiefs!”
Pictured top: Action earlier this season as the Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 42-0 in Freeport. Pictured below: Action from last year’s regional final in which Northview beat Freeport 43-13. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
All Americans: Local Cheerleaders Take Part In Walt Disney Thanksgiving Parade
November 23, 2012
Three North Escambia cheerleaders were among 1,800 chosen to take part in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Parade.
Brandy Wooten from Ernest Ward Middle School, Jadlyn Agerton from Northview High School and Danielle Robinson from Northview, marched through the Magic Kingdom in Orlando Thursday during the annual event. Three Jay High School cheerleaders — Alaina Smith, Leslie Kinder and Launa Burkhead – also took part in Thursday’s parade.
The girls were chosen this past summer at Auburn University by the Universal Cheerleader Association to represent their schools and Florida as All American Cheerleaders. They spent the last week at Walt Disney World preparing for the event.
“The best part of this experience was representing my school, making new friends and memories,” Agerton said Thursday. And Robinson said she enjoyed “spending time with girls from across the nation and representing our NHS cheerleaders.”
Pictured top: Local cheerleaders taking part in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday were (L-R) Jadlyn Agerton from Northview, Brandy Wooten from Ernest Ward and Danielle Robinson from Northview. Pictured inset: Robinson and Agerton pose at the Magic Kingdom. Pictured below: All American Cheerleaders from Florida, including Jadlyn Agerton from Northview (fourth from left, bottom row), Brandy Wooten from Ernest Ward (third from left, second row) and Danielle Robinson (second from right, second row). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deer Gun Season Open
November 22, 2012
Deer gun season opened Thursday in Northwest Florida — for a few days.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
Antlered deer may be taken Thursday to Sunday, November 22-25, by all legal centerfire rifles and pistols, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows and bows. Deer gun season reopens December 8 to February 17. Antlerless deer may be taken only December 26 to January 1.
Antlered deer my be taken only by crossbow or bow November 26-30, and only by muzzleloader, crossbow or bow December 1-7 and February 18-24.
A hunting license is required in Florida. A license for a resident is $17.50 per year. A non- resident can choose between a 10-day license for $46.50 or a one year license for $151.50. Everyone deer hunting must also have a $5 deer permit.
A hunting safety course is required for those born on or after June 1, 1975.
Tate Fires Head Coach
November 20, 2012
Tate High School head football coach Brad Naggatz has reportedly been fired after his first season at the 6A school.
Naggatz was 1-8 with the Aggies, winning only the last game of the season against Washington. The win snapped a 20-game losing streak; the last previous win for the Aggies was in October 2010.
Naggatz had been at Tate since 2006 where he has served as both offensive and defensive coordinator. He previously worked as offensive coordinator for Pensacola High School, and head coach at Catholic High School for about a decade.
Naggatz replaced Ed Rigby who had been at Tate for six seasons before leaving in January.
Local Volleyball Players Named To All-Star Team
November 20, 2012
The 2012 Subway High School Volleyball game will be played tonight, featuring several local players. The game will take place at UWF beginning at 6 p.m.
WEST GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS
Head Coach: Giulio Simonelli, Catholic
Ashley Griffits – PCA
Kara Heintzelman – West Florida
Kaitlin Johnson – West Florida
Alexis Lugo – Escambia
Brianne Kuhnhausen – Escambia
Kimlyn Bethea – Escambia
Misty Doran – Northview
Shelley Mothershed – Northview
Erin Smithies – Washington
Brooke White – Tate
Jordan Barnette – Tate
Heather Thomason – Tate
Julian Laird – Catholic
Courtney Deason – Catholic
Hana Flurry – Catholic
Aleecia Ybarra – Pine Forest
Lamia Miller – Pine Forest
Sara Goolsby – East Hill
Maia Nguyen – Pensacola
EAST GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS
Head Coach: Nicole Adarme, Choctaw
Haley Meeks – Laurel Hill
Haleigh Hollinhead – Crestview
Olivia Wright – Jay
Krisena Gall – Milton
Kayla Carr – Niceville
Kimy Sarra – Niceville
Katie Wickery – Baker
Sarah Elizabeth Harrell – Pace
Taylor Campbell – Choctaw
Ashley Quackenbush – Choctaw
Allison Freer – Navarre
Kelly Barrett – Navarre
Caitlin Chapman – Gulf Breeze
Ally Hurd – Gulf Breeze
Brittney Forsythe – Central
Rachel Dehlinger – FWB
Jennifer Bazlyak – FWB
Rachel Mosley – Rocky Bayou
Former Flomaton High Coach Passes Away
November 20, 2012
A former Flomaton High School coach passed away on Saturday.
Donald “Don” Thornton, 65, was a 1965 graduate of Sulligent High School and a 1969 graduate of Livingston University. He coached and taught at Kennedy High School, Carrollton High School, and Millry High School. For the next 18 years, he moved into the insurance business, but his passion for coaching continued, leading him back to the field in 1992 at T.W. Martin High School.
He then moved to Flomaton High School in 1994 and taught and coached there until his retirement in 2007 when he moved to his hometown of Vernon, Ala.
Thornton became a volunteer coach for the Lamar County High School Bulldogs from 2008 to the present season. He also served on the Vernon City Council.
Funeral services were scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Marathon Runners Raise $10K For Wounded Warrier Project
November 19, 2012
Over six months ago, Brad King and Alan Moses began training for the Pensacola Marathon as an effort to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. They did not run in normal running attire, rather they ran the 26.2 marathon while wearing a 50 lb. ruck sack and military boots. The pair received donations totaling over $9,000 for their effort at the 2012 Pensacola Marathon.
The Pensacola Marathon and Pensacola Sports Association has announced it will donate $1,000 to their effort, pushing them over the $10,000 threshold.
“What these young men did was nothing short of remarkable,” commented Ray Palmer, executive director of the Pensacola Sports Association, the management organization of the Pensacola Marathon. “The event saw record growth this year and this was one aspect of the race, I believe, that contributed to the success. This is our small way of saying thank you and congratulations to these guys for what they did.”
The Pensacola Marathon, a Boston Marathon Qualifier, saw a record field of more than 1,900 entrants for the race.
Additional on-course support for King and Moses came in the form of the Phat Girlz, a local Pensacola women’s running group. Members from the club each “sponsored” a mile in which they ran a similar weighted pack alongside both men.
The pair plans to continue to run various events and challenges to raise the awareness and funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. Their goal is to reach $30,000.
People can continue to contribute to the fundraiser by visiting the events website at www.marathonpensacola.com or by e-mailing Brad King at bradwick.king@yahoo.com.
Pictured top: Charlie Sherrill, PSA President Brad King, Alan Moses and Ray Palmer. Pictured inset: Brad King and Alan Moses. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.