Photo Gallery: Hurricane Football
September 13, 2009
Southern Choctaw beat the Flomaton Hurricanes Friday night, 25-14. It was the first loss of the season for the Canes, now 2-1-0. Both of the Hurricanes’ touchdowns came from Ryheem Davis. Flomaton will host 2A’s top team Leroy next week.
For more photos, click here for a gallery and then visit mikenewtonphotography.
Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click toe enlarge.23
Pelicans Force Championship-Deciding Fifth Game with 7-2 Victory
September 13, 2009
The Pelicans and Saltdogs will play the deciding game five of the American Association Championship Series Sunday at 4:05 p.m. after Pensacola topped Lincoln 7-2 Saturday night. The Saltdogs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but Pensacola closed within one after the fifth, and scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth. Both starting pitchers were fantastic, as Pensacola’s Dane DeValk and Lincoln’s Jarrett Gardner combined to allow just four runs while striking out 14.
The Saltdogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Rafael Alvarez doubled and scored on a single by Gavin Dickey. Lincoln added another run when Shawn McGill hit a solo homer in the top of the fifth.
The Pelicans would close the gap to one in the bottom of the fifth inning when Marcos Rodriguez broke up Gardner’s no-hitter with a triple. Dallas Christison hit a bloop single to right field, plating Rodriguez and cutting Lincoln’s lead to 2-1.
Pensacola rallied in the last of the eighth to force a game five. Palmisano singled with one out, and Darby singled as well. Kevin Reynolds hit Palmisano in with a base hit to tie the game and move Darby to third, and Jason Diaz put a bunt down that moved Darby 90 feet to provide the winning run. Four more Pelicans would score as Antoin Gray was intentionally walked and Marshall McDougall hit a two RBI double to score Reynolds and Diaz. Rodriguez was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Burch walked to force home Gray. McDougall scored from third when Dallas Christison hit a sacrifice fly to left to give the Pelicans a 7-2 lead.
Dane DeValk pitched seven innings for Pensacola, yielding two runs on three hits. Devalk struck out a season-high nine batters without allowing a walk. Ron Hill allowed only a hit in the eighth inning, striking out one, and though Hunter Davis gave up a hit and a walk in the ninth inning, no runs would score and the Pelicans will compete for the championship Sunday.
Tickets to Sunday’s 4:05 p.m. deciding game five are available now online at www.pensacolapelicans.com, via phone at (850) 934-8444, or in person at the Pelicans Box Office, open at 3 p.m. at Pelican Park on the campus of the University of West Florida. Tickets start at just $9.
Online Audio: Listen To Entire Northview Vs. South Walton Game
September 13, 2009
Northview Chiefs fans can now listen to entire Northview football games here on NorthEscambia.com — the new official voice of the Northview High School Chiefs.
Join us each Sunday for a complete game playback from the Northview Chiefs. You will be able to listen to each game online, or even download the game to your MP3 player and take it with you.
The audio from Friday night’s game against South Walton should play automatically on this page. If it does not, click the play icon below.
To download the entire game (MP3 format) for your iPod or other MP3 player, click here.
NorthEscambia.com needs sponsors to make this broadcast possible each week. Email news@northescambia.com for more information.
In order to listen online, do not close this page or window. You can continue surfing the net while you listen by opening a new browser window. You can pause the audio or change the volume using the controls below the photo.
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© 2009 NorthEscambia.com
Jay Royals Slam Holmes County 28-7
September 12, 2009
The Jay Royals opened their football season in big way Friday night, slamming Holmes County 28-7.
The Royals were three for three inside the three — three times the Blue Devils were inside the three ,and three times the Royals defense prevented them from scoring.
On their opening drive, the Royals were on the board after a Steven Brabham quarterback keeper. Brabham scored again in the second quarter. Both kicks were good, the Royals were up 14-0 in Bonifay.
With about three minutes to go in the half, Holmes County scored on a 24-yard touchdown pass.
In the third, the Royals’ Rush Hendricks rushed 56 yards to the one. A dive into the end zone from Hendricks and a good kick put the Royals on top 21-7 with about nine minutes in the third.
With 4:25 in the half, QB Brabham had a 56-yard TD pass to Hunter Boutwell for another half dozen. The kick was good, as the Jay Royals beat Holmes County 28-7.
Pensacola High Beats Tate
September 12, 2009
Tate High School lost to Pensacola High Friday night in close ballgame, 7-0.
The first three quarters were scoreless. A 12-yard pass with 7:23 to go in the game from Jalen Spencer to David Giannotti put Pensacola High on the board. A good kick, and the PHS was up 7-0.
Tate will be on the road to Satsuma, Ala., next week.
Costly Turnovers: Seahawks Down NHS 14-6
September 12, 2009
The Northview Chiefs were doomed by a series of mistakes in a 14-6 loss to South Walton Friday night in Bratt.
The Chiefs’ turnovers included a fumble at the five and a Seahawks interception on the six. The Seahawks held the Chiefs to just 157 yards on the night.
“It was a hard fought game,” Sid Wheatley said after his first ever lost as the Chiefs’ head coach.”We committed too many mistakes, offensively and defensively.”
At practice next week, Wheatley said it will be back to the fundamentals for Northview.
“We’ve got to secure the football and take advantage of our opportunities because they only come along ever so often.”
“We will be better defensively; we will be better offensively,” Wheatley said. “We are going to eliminate our mistakes.
NorthEscambia.com will post the complete game audio and a highlight video Sunday morning.
The Chiefs received the kickoff, with Dustin Yuhasz receiving deep at about the three yard line. Yuhasz returned to the 37 where he stepped out of bounds. From a tight wing formation, Lowery handed off to Jeremy Jackson for a gain of two. At second and eight on the 40, Yuhasz picked up couple to the 42. On the third down, Yuhasz went around the side for fourth and four. Austin Reid punted for with a bounce and roll in the end zone to end the Chief first drive of the night.
The Seahawks were in control at their own 20. Levi Giddeons on the stop for the Chiefs, with the Seahawks picking up a couple. On the next play, the Seahawks picked up first down at the 38. South Walton passed into Chief territory down to the 48 for a first down. They picked up a few yards, but punted away to NHS.
Chief’s were at first and 10 on their own 23 yard line with 6:30 in the first. Jeremy Jackson gained serious ground the right side to the Seahawk 42. First and 10 for the Chiefs, Lowery handed off to Yuhasz with a sweep to the left for a gain of nine. Ka’Daris Grice gained a little ground for a first down for the Chiefs at the 31.
A Lowery pass to Grice was incomplete, bouncing out of Grice’s arms. A fumble between Lowery and Yuhasz, and the Seahawks recovered at their 31 for the first turnover of the night. South Walton drove for a dozen on two plays for a first down at the 41. SWHS picked up another first down. A chop block call drove South Walton back to 32 for second and 22. A Lonnie Gardner stop allowed just a one yard gain on the next play. An equipment violation drove the Seahawks back again, to third and 26 with about two and a half in the first.
The Seahawks picked up 16 on the next down and punted it away. A Sheets return, minus a little penalty yardage, put the Chiefs at first and 10 from the 33 with 1:23 in the first quarter. Jackson picked up two. Yuhasz picked up a couple for third and six. The Chiefs ended the first quarter at fourth and two.
A series of Seahawks drives gave them the first touchdown of the night 6:39. A good kick, and South Walton was on top, 7-0.
Freshman La’Mikal Kyles took the kick at the 20 for Northview and headed up the side all the way to Seahawks’s 25 for a gain of 55. Lowery to Grice, Grice up the middle for a gain of four. A Lowery pitch to Jackson put the Chiefs at the 16 for third and a short two. Yuhasz, behind the blocking of John Sellars, picked up a first down at the 12 with 4:55 in the half. A pass to Jackson was incomplete. Jackson redeemed himself on the next play, down to inside the one. A false start penalty put the Chiefs at first and six. A Lowery pass to Yuhasz picked up a yard. The Chiefs fumbled on the next down, and the Seahawks recovered on the five.
With a 1:52 in the half, the Seahawks fumbled, and junior Austin Arrington recovered to the 15 yard line for a Chiefs first and 10. Yuhasz got the ball, handed off to Jackson to the four. A holding penalty put the Chiefs back to the 18. Yuhasz lost about four on the next play. Lowery stumbled and tripped on the next play to put the Chiefs back to the 26 for third and 20.
Lowery passed into the arms of Yuhasz in the end zone, but he he could not hold onto the pigskin. Fourth down for the Chiefs, a Lowery pass was intercepted by the Seahawks with 2.3 seconds in the half for the third Chiefs’ turnover. The second half ended, South Walton up 7-0.
The Seahawks marched to third and three at the three 3:55 in the third. The Seahawks were in on their first possession of the second half. The extra point was good, and the Seahawks were up 14-0 with 3:46 in the third.
With 45 seconds in the third, the Chiefs had marched to third and one at the 16. A pitch to Kyles and the freshman wonder was off to the seven with 39.4 seconds in the third. Kyles took the ball up the right side for a gain of about a yard to the five to end the third quarter at 14-0.
Brandon Sheets was at the quarterback position for the the first play of the fourth. From second and five, Shakel Holmes was in for the Chief’s only TD on the night. A missed kick, and the Chiefs were behind 14-6 with 11:54 to go in the ballgame.
And that’s where the game ended, the South Walton Seahawks over the Northview Chiefs 14-6.
Sunday morning, we will have complete game audio and a highlight video from tonight’s game.
The Chiefs are off next Friday night and return to action on September 25 on the road in Bozeman.
Picture top: Dustin Yuhasz (#4) on the carry for the Northview Chiefs flanked by Ka’Daris Grice (#3) and Brad Lowery (#12) Friday night in Bratt. Pictured insets: More action from the Northview Chiefs versus South Walton Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton, Escambia Academy Lose; ECHS Wins
September 12, 2009
Southern Choctaw 25 Flomaton 14
Southern Choctaw beat the Flomaton Hurricanes Friday night, 25-14. It was the first loss of the season for the Canes, now 2-1-0.
Both of the Hurricanes’ touchdowns came from Ryheem Davis. Flomaton will host 2A’s top team Leroy next week.
Escambia County 33 Faith Academy 12
The Escambia County High School Blue Devils put 33 consecutive points on the scoreboard in their 33-12 victory over Faith Academy Friday night. Rico Stallworth led the Blue Devils with three touchdowns and 144 yards on 18 carries. Nico Williams had 15 carries for 114 yards for ECHS.
Southern Academy 23 Escambia Academy 6
The Escambia Academy Cougars lost to Southern Academy 23 – 6 on Friday night in Greensboro, AL. The only score for the Cougars came on a 70 yard run from scrimmage by Jaylen Henry.
The Cougars (2-2) next game is Friday night in Canoe.
Northview Chiefs Versus South Walton Seahawks Preview
September 11, 2009
The Northview Chiefs are looking for their second win of the season and the first district win with a victory over the South Walton Seahawks tonight.
Last week, the Chiefs scored a big win 34-16 over the Graceville Tigers. Graceville star Leron Hoover, a 230 pound running back that had 1,200 yards last year, managed to score twice and get a two-point conversion against the Chiefs. But the Chiefs, who were 2-8 last season, dominated Graceville, a team that was 8-3 and in the regional playoffs last year.
The game was plagued with turnovers for both teams, who started the thunderstorm delayed game on a soaked field. Regardless of the wet field, Wheatley said his team has got to cut down turnovers.
“We’ve got to eliminate that; in a close ballgame, that could mean a difference,” Wheatley said. Ball security was to be a big focus of practice this week. “You want them to fight for every yard they can get,” he said.
Friday night’s win over Graceville was a confidence booster for the Chiefs, first-year coach Wheatley said, after a tough scene last year.
“I felt like it was key to get off to a good start, give the kids some confidence coming off a tough year last year, and we succeeded in doing that,” he said.
The South Walton Seahawks offense was strong last week as they easily beat Franklin County 37-6. They were coming off a preseason loss to the Wewahitchka Gators in a kickoff classic.
The man to watch for the Seahawks Friday night will be Jay Gatto, who had two touchdowns and 156 yards for South Walton last week. For the defense, the Chiefs may have to work to get past D.J. Stiedel who led South Walton with a dozen tackles a week ago.
Last week, the Chiefs gained 381 yards, with 355 of those on the ground. Dustin Yuhasz had 50 yards on the Chief’s first possession last week of the game. Overall, Yuhaszhad 159 yards on 15 carries and two TDs.
The Chiefs and Seahawks will kick off at 7 p.m. in Bratt at Northview High School.
Pictured top: Dustin Yuhasz gains yardage last Friday night for the Northview Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Versus Catholic Volleyball
September 11, 2009
Both varsity and junior varsity Northview Chiefs lost to the Catholic Crusaders on the volleyball court Thursday in Bratt.
Catholic Defeated Northview – Varsity
15-25, 15-25, 12-25
Junior Shawna Montgomery lead the Chiefs with two kills, two aces, one block and three assists. Senior Caitlin Hall had seven assists, one ace, three blocks and a pair of kills. Sophomore Raylin Spence a kill, an ace and a block. Senior Angela Rodriguez had two kills, one assist and one block.
Northview is now 2-3 overall, 0-2 in District 1-2A.
Catholic Defeated Northview – JV
14-25, 8-25
Sophomore Cheyanne Garnett had two aces for the Chiefs, and freshman Morgan Payne had one kill, one ace and a single dig.
Click here for a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the varsity game.
Pictured: Northview’s Angela Rodriguez, right, prepares to receive a serve Thursday night against Catholic while Caitlin Hall (left) watches. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Army Airborne To Deliver Northview Game Ball From Blackhawk Helicopters
September 10, 2009
The game ball for one of this year’s Northview High School football games will be delivered by Army Airborne from Blackhawk helicopters.
The United States Army’s parachute demonstration team the Silver Wings from Ft. Benning, Georgia, will deliver the game ball to Northview’s Senior Night on October 30.
SFC Bobby Ewing, an Army recruiter in Pensacola, said that two to four members of the Silver Wings are scheduled to jump from two Blackhawk helicopters at least 5,000 feet over the Northview stadium. They will bring down a United States flag, a POW/MIA flag, an Army flag and the official game ball. One jumper will land on the 50-yard line to deliver the game ball for the game against Sneads.
“It will be exciting, and a great way to begin Senior Night,” Northview Principal Gayle Weaver said.
The helicopters will not land at Northview — they will fly in and fly out, Ewing said. The Blackhawk helicopters will either fly directly from a location such as Pensacola NAS, the Pensacola Airport or Ft. Benning, he said. A ground crew will drive the Silver Wings jumpers back to Ft. Benning.
“Their mission will to be to deliver the game ball, get their gear and move out of the way for the game and Senior Night,” he said.
The Silver Wings’ mission is to perform live aerial demonstrations in support of the United States Army, and Ft. Benning public relations and recruiting.
The Silver Wings is comprised of Soldiers from throughout the Fort Benning airborne community. They have diverse backgrounds and various military specialties. The average age is 33 years old and the average number of free fall jumps range between 200-2500 per team member. The team represents the professionalism and dedication of the specially trained Soldiers that are products of the United States Army Infantry Center and Schools, to include Airborne, Pathfinders, and the Army elite Rangers.
Photos courtesy U.S. Army for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.