Flomaton Grad Celebrating Alabama State Football Championship
December 2, 2011
The Flomaton Hurricanes may have fallen short of a state championship this season, but a Flomaton graduate is celebrating a state football championship of his own.
Flomaton High School graduate Patrick Henderson has coached at Handley High School in Roanoke, Ala., for the past 11 years. Thursday, his Handley Tigers rallied from a 14-7 deficit late in the fourth quarter Thursday to claim the school’s first Alabama Class 3A football title.
Handley scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes and turned away a Madison Academy threat from the Tigers’ 12-yard line in the final seconds to capture a 20-14 victory.
“It was a roller coaster of a ride of a fourth quarter,” Handley said Thursday night. “I am just so proud of our kids, coaches, and fans.”
Henderson coaches wide receivers and corner backs at Handley, and he also edits team video. He and his wife, Robyn, have two children, Finley and Sophie Kate.
Pictured top: Celebrating an Alabama Class 3A championship Thursday are Handley High’s Logan Cofield, Flomaton graduate Patrick Henderson, quarterback Tre Kyles, running back Breyon Deberry and offensive coordinator Ron Watters. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Quarterback Suspension Appeal Denied By FHSAA
December 1, 2011
Northview High School quarterback Brandon Sheets’ suspension will stand, and he will be ineligible to play in Friday night’s state semifinal game against Chipley.
According to Principal Gayle Weaver, the school was notified of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s decision late Thursday morning. She said that the FHSAA determined that “both acts were perceived as taunting”. She said the school was working to determine if the suspension is one game as believed by the coaches and if Sheets would be eligible to play in the state championship game on December 9 in Orlando if Northview defeats Chipley Friday night.
Sheets, a senior, was flagged twice in last Friday night’s regional win over Freeport for what the officials said amounted to taunting.
The first flag came after a touchdown when Sheets stopped just across the goal line and dropped the ball near a Freeport defender (see video below). The second flag came on the next play. As a referee was explaining the flag to coach Sid Wheatley on the Chiefs’ sideline, Sheets ran back on the field to run the extra point play. That’s when Sheets allegedly mocked a referee by looking at him and clapping.
Junior Kevin Vaughan will step up as starting quarterback for the Chiefs Friday night against Chipley.
“I hope everyone rallies around the Chiefs Friday night as they go out there and win,” Weaver said.
Pictured top: Northview QB Brandon Sheets (#8, far right) runs the ball in for a touchdown that led to him being flagged for taunting last Friday night against Freeport. Pictured inset: A referee explains the flag to Northview Coach Sid Wheatley. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Basketball Games Canceled
November 29, 2011
Tuesday’s scheduled basketball games between the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals were canceled — including both boys and girls varsity and junior varsity games — as the Chiefs prepare for football playoff action Friday night.
The games are expected to be rescheduled.
Name The Northview Mascot; Order T-shirts; Pep Rally For Thursday
November 29, 2011
The Northview Chiefs will hold a community pep rally Thursday night, and the Chiefs are also looking for an official name for the school’s mascot.
Ashton Gibbs has served as the school’s mascot this year; however, the mascot character has never been given an official name. Name suggestions should be sent to TJohnson5@escambia.k12.fl.us. The name will be announced as early as Thursday or Friday.
Northview High School is selling t-shirts in advance of the pep rally. The shirts will feature a team photo of the Northview Chiefs. Shirts can be pre-ordered by Wednesday for $10.70 by calling Teresa Johnson at (850) 327-6681 ext. 225.
The pep rally will take place from 6-6:30 p.m. Thursday in the school gym featuring the cheerleaders, dance team, mascot, band, color guard, majorettes and the 2011 Northview varsity Chiefs. Prior to the pep rally, varsity players will sign 2011 Northview Chiefs t-shirts. Those that purchased a t-shirt on may pick up the shirt and have it signed between 5-5:30 p.m. in the gym.
Noise makers are encouraged at both the pep rally and Friday night’s semifinal game against Chipley. Air horns and glass containers are not permitted.
Pre-sale tickets will be available Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the school. All tickets are $9 as set by the FHSAA.
Pictured: Ashton Gibbs as Northview’s yet to be named mascot at last Friday night’s game against Freeport. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Prepares For State Semifinal Game With Chipley
November 28, 2011
It’s only the second trip ever to the Class 1A state semifinal as the Northview Chiefs will be looking for a little redemption Friday night against Chipley.
The Chipley Tigers beat the Chiefs 34-27 in the second game of the regular season, knocking Northview out of No. 1 spot in the state poll for Class 1A. In the final regular season poll of the year, Chipley finished at No. 4, while the Chiefs were No. 5.
That loss to Chipley was a dose of reality for the Chiefs, according to coach Sid Wheatley.
“We have been through some battles now, and I think we are ready for that (another chance at Chipley),” Wheatley said.
The Chiefs (8-3) will have the home field advantage Friday night at 7:30 in Bratt as they host Chipley (10-2). Admission is $9 with no passes.
The winner of the Northview vs. Chipley semifinal match will face the winner of Friday night’s Jefferson County (7-5) vs. Union County (11-0) game in the state championship game on December 9 in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.
For details and photos from last Friday night’s Northview defeat of Freeport, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs defeated Freeport for the regional crown Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Freeport For Regional Title
November 26, 2011
The Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 43-13 for the school’s second in a row Class 1A Region 1 championship.
“I can’t put into words how much these kids have worked and what they have been able to achieve,” Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley said, “Just an awesome win by those men right there. I’m very proud of every one of them.”
- For a photo gallery with action from the game, click here.
- For a photo gallery with the cheerleaders, click here.
- For a photo gallery with the band and dance team, click here.
The win puts the Chiefs (9-3) back in action next Friday night at home in Bratt in the the state semifinals. They will take on Chipley (10-2), a team that beat the Chiefs 34-27 on a game of turnovers back on September 16.
“We have been through some battles now, and I think we are ready for that (another chance at Chipley),” Wheatley said.
Friday night’s matchup against Freeport saw five Chiefs scores touchdowns and a defense that produced nine quarterback sacks.
“Our defense was outstanding tonight,” Wheatley said. “We had some big plays defensively…the defense was solid tonight.”
The game produced double-double unsportsmanlike penalties. The first double unsportsmanlike conduct was called on Freeport Coach Jim Anderson after a Chiefs’ touchdown. The second double unsportsmanlike conduct was called on Chiefs’ quarterback Brandon Sheets after a 6-yard touchdown run. Officials said he was clapping and taunting.
“There were two unsportsmanlikes called,” Wheatley said. “As far as anything else goes, I don’t know what to tell you.” Wheatley added that he believed Sheets was only disqualified from the remainder of the Freeport game, leaving him eligible to play against Chipley next week.
Northview 43, Freeport 13 Summary
The Chiefs opened first quarter scoring at 2:28 with a 4-yard run from junior LaMikal Kyles and a good Kevin Vaughan kick for a 7-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the Chiefs scored twice. At 7:49, Dalton Daniel scored a touchdown on a 5-yard Brandon Sheets pass. A good Vaughan kick, 14-0. With 1:43 in the half, Sean Knight returned a Freeport fumbled 56 yards for another Chief touchdown. After a blocked kick, Northview held a 20-0 lead headed into the half.
Freeport scored in the second half on a 10-yard pass, followed by a 16-yard touchdown run for the Chiefs by Roderick Woods and a 6-yard TD run from Sheets. Montaio Mitchell was in for a two point conversion. Freeport struck again with 1:58 to go in the third on a 43-yard touchdown pass.
In the fourth, Northview scored on a 1-yard run from Vaughan to seal a 43-13 victory.
Chipley defeated Holmes County 27-6 Friday night to earn a trip to Bratt to take on Northview in the state semis at 7:30 next Friday, December 2.
- For a photo gallery with action from the game, click here.
- For a photo gallery with the cheerleaders, click here.
- For a photo gallery with the band and dance team, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Holds Pep Rally
November 23, 2011
Northview High School students showed their team pride Tuesday with a pep rally as the Chiefs prepare for the Class 1A regional finals at 7:30 Friday night in Bratt against Freeport.
For a photo gallery, including “special guest” male cheerleaders, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs held a pep rally Tuesday afternoon in advance of the regional finals Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore’s Linam Makes 1st Team Capital One Team, Nominated Academic All American
November 23, 2011
Former Atmore resident Josh Linam, senior linebacker for the University of Central Florida Knights, has received a spot on the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District First Team. By being voted onto the First Team, Linam will now be included on the Capital One Academic All-America ballot which will be voted upon beginning this week.
Linam is currently majoring in sports and fitness and holds a cumulative grade-point average of 3.36
Prior to his junior season, Linam was used off the bench in 24 games as he racked up 21 tackles from 2008-09. However in 2010 he broke out and started every game as middle linebacker, guiding UCF to a Conference USA title and an AutoZone Liberty Bowl victory over Georgia. Linam completed the year with 78 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, an interception and a sack.
Now as a senior in 2011, Linam has amassed 42 tackles to rank third on the team, has 6.0 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles while starting eight games.
Molino’s Lady Astros Win Fall Finale
November 22, 2011
The Molino Lady Astros won the USSAA Fall Finale 18U Open this past weekend.
“Playing is the last tournament of the season, we wanted to get to finals,” said Coach Donnie Nicholson . “We did and won the championship.”
The Lady Astros were the No. 1 seed headed into the championship game with the Elite Lady Sox from Dothan. The Lady Astros went ahead in the second inning with a 2-run home run from Jessica Briggs. Another 2-run home run Korina Rosario sealed the championship with a 4-3 win for Molino’s Lady Astros.
“Our defense and offense were excellent,” Nicholson said.
The Lady Astros were led on the mound by Jessica Briggs from West Florida High, Megan Green from Pace High, and Heather Thompson from Tate High. The team’s batting average was .463.
Pictured: Members of the Molino Lady Astros are: Ashley Richerson, Nikki Cody, Meagen Green, Jessica Briggs, Kayla Rosario, Korina Rosario, Piehden Courtney, Heather Thompson, Gracie Kilcrease, Amber Peebles, Jordan Barnette and Ronni Renfroe. Not Pictured Are Brook White, Dallas Dickerson and Emily Vasquez. The team is coached by Donnie Nicholson, Ed Courtney and Nick Rosario. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: NWE Mini Cheerleaders Place Third In First Ever Competition
November 21, 2011
The Northwest Escambia Mini Might cheerleaders took third place in a recent Gulf Coast Youth Sports Alliance Cheerleading Competition held in Milton. It was the team’s first-ever trip to a competition.
Pictured: The Northwest Escambia Mini Might cheerleaders took third place in a recent competition. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.