Auburn Coach Gene Chizik Visits Local Recruit, Tiger Fans
January 14, 2012
Auburn Tiger head football coach Gene Chizik paid a visit to Escambia County High School in Atmore Friday morning to visit with a small group of fans and a future Tiger defensive tackle.
Escambia County Blue Devil Tyler Nero has verbally committed to play at Auburn this fall. He chose Auburn over Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky and others, according to Rivals.com.
Chizik led the Auburn Tigers to the 2010 BCS National Championship.
Pictured top: Auburn Tigers Head Coach Gene Chizik with Tyler Nero. Pictured inset: Chizik with Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Perry. Pictured below: Chizik with Auburn fan Toby Weaver of Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos by Edie Jackson, click to enlarge.
Alabama’s Trent Richardson Going Pro, Entering NFL Draft
January 12, 2012
Alabama’s Trent Richardson is leaving the Crimson Tide and entering the NFL Draft.
Richardson made the announcement Thursday afternoon on ESPN. The Heisman Trophy finalist is projected to be a Top 10 pick in the NFL draft after a record setting year at Alabama. He had 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns during the regular season, a Crimson Tide record.
Richardson is a graduate of Escambia High School in Pensacola.
Crimson Tide Wins 14th National Championship, 21-0, Over LSU
January 10, 2012
A staunch defensive effort, combined with a record-setting night from kicker Jeremy Shelley, propelled the University of Alabama football team to its 14th national championship with a 21-0 victory over LSU Monday night in the BCS National Championship Game.
The Crimson Tide’s defense held LSU to just 92 total yards and five first downs as Defensive Player of the Game Courtney Upshaw and Jerrell Harris each had seven tackles. As a unit, the defense had 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception.
“I think it’s a great team win,” UA head coach Nick Saban said. “Our offense controlled the tempo of this game. We did a great job on special teams. It was just a great team win for every guy here, every fan that we have, every supporter of this program. This is great for Alabama.”
Fifteen of UA’s 21 points came from the leg of kicker Jeremy Shelley, who converted on a bowl-record five field goals from 23, 34, 41, 35 and a career-long 44 yards. The defense provided the offense with excellent field position all evening and quarterback AJ McCarron did a masterful job under center completing 23-of-34 passes for 234 yards to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors.
“We knew that he [McCarron] was going to have to play well because we knew that we were going to throw the ball,” Saban said of his quarterback. “He showed great leadership and poise in making good decisions.”
Thanks to Shelley, the Tide carried a 15-0 lead into the final quarter when LSU mounted its first legitimate charge after being held to just 55 yards in the previous three quarters. Upon crossing midfield for the first time all game, the drive stalled and left the Tigers facing 4th and 18 to gain on the UA 40. The Tide defense came through again as Dont’a Hightower sacked LSU’s Jordan Jefferson and knocked the ball loose at the 50-yard line. Nick Gentry fell on the fumble to end the drive and set the UA offense up at midfield with 6:15 left in the contest.
Four plays later, Pensacola’s Trent Richardson (pictured left) raced 34 yards for the first touchdown of the game and the Heisman Trophy semifinalist finished with 96 yards on 20 carries and 107 all-purpose yards.
Alabama put up the first points of the game when Shelley capped off a five-play, 20-yard drive with a 23-yard field goal with five minutes left in the first quarter. Shelley would come up big for the Tide on two more occasions in the first half, connecting from 34 and 41 yards to give Alabama a 9-0 lead at the break.
Alabama held LSU to one first down throughout the first half, while collecting 13 of its own. The Tide also collected 156 total yards compared to the Tigers’ 26 total yards in the first 30 minutes.
The title is the Tide’s 14th in program history adding to the national championships won in 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009 and 2011. The Crimson Tide finished the 2011 season with a 12-1 record. The combined record of UA’s 14 national championship teams stands at 157-7-2.
Pictured top: Alabama Coach Nick Saban celebrates the BCS National Championship Monday night in New Orleans. Pictured top inset: AJ McCarron was named the BCS National Championship Game Offensive Player of the Game. Pictured bottom inset: Escambia High School graduate Trent Richardson scored the only touchdown in the game for the Tide. Photos by Kent Gidley, University of Alabama, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Article courtesy the University of Alabama.
Locals Run Disney Marathon; Jay’s Dobson Finishes 29th
January 9, 2012
Several North Escambia area residents took part in the annual Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon, including past winner Matt Dobson of Jay.
Dobson, who won the 2004 marathon, finished in 29th place in the 2012 event with a time of 2:49:50. The 42-year old was fourth overall in his division. The top finisher in the race was Costa Fredison of Brazil with a time of 2:19:02.
In the half marathon, Wayne Peacock of Cantonment finished 85th in his division with a time of 2:53:04.
Other North Escambia area runner results were:
Walt Disney World Marathon
13478 Finishers
Matthew Dobson, Jay, 2:49:50 (29th overall, 4 in division)
Dana Stumfall, Cantonment, 5:41:33
Darlene Dickey, Molino, 5:52:21
Wayne Peacock, Cantonment, 6:01:08
Amy Bodie, Cantonment, 6:06:55
Pam Stafford, Cantonment, 6:06:55
Vicki Sue Merry, Cantonment, 6:26:25
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
22421 finishers
D. Garrett Smith, Cantonment, 2:14:48
Pam Stafford, Cantonment, 2:35:41
Mike Bodie, Cantonment, 2:42:09
Sharon Peacock, Cantonment, 2:53:04
Wayne Peacock, Cantonment, 2:53:04 (85th men 65-69)
Vicki Sue Merry, Cantonment, 3:05:33
Wayne Boulanger, Cantonment, 3:20:36
Kathy Boulanger, Cantonment, 3:20:36
McDavid Senior Named All-Star MVP
January 8, 2012
A local football player was named offensive MVP in an all-star football game Saturday night in Louisiana.
Dak Sims, a senior at Pensacola High School that lives in McDavid, was named Offensive Line MVP for the East team in Max Emfinger’s 8th annual All-American Bowl Game Classic at A.W. Mumford Stadium on the campus of Southern University in Baton Rouge. His PHS teammate, Demarius Travis, was named Defensive Line MVP for the East defense.
Sims’ East team lost to the West team, 21-20.
Emfinger, a former scout for the Dallas Cowboys, puts on the game each each to spotlight players to college recruiters.
Girls Weightlifting: Jay Over Northview
January 7, 2012
Jay High School defeated Northview High School in a girl’s weightlifting meet in Jay.
Jay’s Royals finished with 37 points, while Northview’s Chiefs had 32 points.
Weight category winners, including scores with combined bench press and jerk weights, were as follows:
101
- Kasie Braun, Northview, 120
110
- Lakelynn Parker , Northview, 155
129
- Ashlynn Geck , Jay, 175
- Shelby Edwards , Jay, 165
- Tierra Floyd , Northview, 160
139
- Misty Doran , Northview, 210
- Matti Holt , Jay, 140
- Kim Gunn , Jay, 145
154
- Liza Eddings , Jay, 180
- Holley Fugatt , Jay, 180
- Brittany Thompson, Northview, 155
169
- Keyth Grice, Northview, 150
- Sunny Gilmore , Jay, 150
183
- Alisha Grice 145
- Sydney Lowery , Jay, 145
199
- McKenzie Nassar , Northview, 190
- Kaylen Blair, Jay, 160
Unlimited
- Brianna Hawthorne, Jay, 225
- Cheyenne Mack , Jay, 160
SEC Releases 2012 Schedules
December 29, 2011
The 2012 Southeastern Conference football game schedules were released Wednesday, including the addition of Texas A&M and Missouri.
Scheduled are as follows:
ALABAMA
Sept. 15: at Arkansas
Sept. 29: OLE MISS
Oct. 13: at Missouri
Oct. 20: at Tennessee
Oct. 27: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 3: at LSU
Nov. 10: TEXAS A&M
Nov. 24: AUBURN
ARKANSAS
Sept. 15: ALABAMA
Sept. 29: vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 6: at Auburn
Oct. 13: KENTUCKY
Oct. 27: OLE MISS
Nov. 10: at South Carolina
Nov. 17: at Mississippi State
Nov. 24: LSU
AUBURN
Sept. 8: at Mississippi State
Sept. 22: LSU
Oct. 6: ARKANSAS
Oct. 13: at Ole Miss
Oct. 20: at Vanderbilt
Oct. 27: TEXAS A&M
Nov. 10: GEORGIA
Nov. 24: at Alabama
FLORIDA
Sept. 8: at Texas A&M
Sept. 15: at Tennessee
Sept. 22: KENTUCKY
Oct. 6: LSU
Oct. 13: at Vanderbilt
Oct. 20: SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 27: vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)
Nov. 3: MISSOURI
GEORGIA
Sept. 8: at Missouri
Sept. 22: VANDERBILT
Sept. 29: TENNESSEE
Oct. 6: at South Carolina
Oct. 20: at Kentucky
Oct. 27: vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
Nov. 3: OLE MISS
Nov. 10: at Auburn
KENTUCKY
Sept. 22: at Florida
Sept. 29: SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 6: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Oct. 13: at Arkansas
Oct. 20: GEORGIA
Oct. 27: at Missouri
Nov. 3: VANDERBILT
Nov. 24: at Tennessee
LSU
Sept. 22: at Auburn
Oct. 6: at Florida
Oct. 13: SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 20: at Texas A&M
Nov. 3: ALABAMA
Nov. 10: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 17: OLE MISS
Nov. 24: at Arkansas
OLE MISS
Sept. 29: at Alabama
Oct. 6: TEXAS A&M
Oct. 13: AUBURN
Oct. 27: at Arkansas
Nov. 3: at Georgia
Nov. 10: VANDERBILT
Nov. 17: at LSU
Nov. 24: MISSISSIPPI STATE
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 8: AUBURN
Oct. 6: at Kentucky
Oct. 13: TENNESSEE
Oct. 27: at Alabama
Nov. 3: TEXAS A&M
Nov. 10: at LSU
Nov. 17: ARKANSAS
Nov. 24: at Ole Miss
MISSOURI
Sept. 8: GEORGIA
Sept. 22: at South Carolina
Oct. 6: VANDERBILT
Oct. 13: ALABAMA
Oct. 27: KENTUCKY
Nov. 3: at Florida
Nov. 10: at Tennessee
Nov. 24: at Texas A&M
SOUTH CAROLINA
Aug. 30: at Vanderbilt
Sept. 22: MISSOURI
Sept. 29: at Kentucky
Oct. 6: GEORGIA
Oct. 13: at LSU
Oct. 20: at Florida
Oct. 27: TENNESSEE
Nov. 10: ARKANSAS
TENNESSEE
Sept. 15: FLORIDA
Sept. 29: at Georgia
Oct. 13: at Mississippi State
Oct. 20: ALABAMA
Oct. 27: at South Carolina
Nov. 10: MISSOURI
Nov. 17: at Vanderbilt
Nov. 24: KENTUCKY
TEXAS A&M
Sept. 8: FLORIDA
Sept. 29: vs. Arkansas
Oct. 6: at Ole Miss
Oct. 20: LSU
Oct. 27: at Auburn
Nov. 3: at Mississippi State
Nov. 10: at Alabama
Nov. 24: MISSOURI
VANDERBILT
Aug. 30: SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 22: at Georgia
Oct. 6: at Missouri
Oct. 13: FLORIDA
Oct. 20: AUBURN
Nov. 3: at Kentucky
Nov. 10: at Ole Miss
Nov. 17: TENNESSEE
Jay Competition Cheerleaders Place 3rd In Regionals
December 21, 2011
The Jay High School Competition Cheerleaders recently placed third in the FHSAA Region 1 competition in Orange Park
Jay was only nine points away from the first place defending state champions. There were 14 total teams in the competition. The JHS Competition team will advance to the FHSAA state series in Orlando during the first week of February with coaches Junia Fischer and Mindy Jordan.
Pictured: Members of the Jay High School Competition Cheerleading Team are: (L-R, back) Kendra Wells, Alisha Roberts, Brittani Ashworth, Kayla Flowers, Meredith Owens, Crystal Brown, Jody Paramore, Carly Owens, Hannah Roberts, Abby Raney, Sha Kinder, Tori Reid, Tessa Hendricks, Katy Bodiford, Kaitlyn Aguirre, Morgin Mitchem and (L-R, front) alternates Makenzie Bray, Brittany Tegenkamp, and Brook Tegenkamp. Submitted photo by Jania Fischer for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
East Beats West In All Star Game Called Early After Fight
December 17, 2011
A battle between all-stars from a three county region ended with a bit of a brawl Friday night and the last four minutes of the Subway High School All-Star Series football game canceled.
After a touchdown and extra point attempt by the East team from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, there was shoving, pushing and a few punches between the East and West teams. The incident reportedly stemmed from an end zone celebration by the East team after a touchdown — a practice that’s forbidden during the regular season but accepted and promoted by the organizers of the All-Star game.
In the end, the East beat the West 27-14. The East has won the game four of the last five years.
For the West, Northview High School quarterback hit Shaquille Purifoy of Pine Forest for a touchdown. Sheets also threw a another touchdown pass to Eddie Matthews of Catholic High.
The West All-Star Team, representing Escambia County, included several North Escambia area players: Northview’s Brandon Sheets, Montaio Mitchell, Sean Knight, Brian Ross, and Austin Albritton; Tate’s Scott Ryals, Jacob Lasky, Cameron Covington and Hagan Mancuso;West Florida’s Kyle Faxlanger, Jalen Jones, Joe Jackson, Antwon Carter, Jorgen Stolsig, Jake Morris and Coach Harry Lees; and Pensacola High’s Dak Sims who lives in McDavid.
The East All-Star Team, representing Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, included local players Sammy Jones and Haden McCaskill from Jay High.
Escambia Academy Head Coach Gibson Resigns
December 17, 2011
Escambia Academy’s Heath Gibson resigned Friday as head coach and athletic director.
Gibson had led the Cougars to a couple of Alabama Independent School Association semifinal games and was named AISA Coach of Year in 2009 after recovering from an 0-11 season the in 2008.
Gibson was head coach for the EA Cougars for nine seasons.