Ransom Middle School Cheerleaders Take Second In The Nation
February 9, 2026
The Ransom Middle School Cheerleaders finished second in the nation over the weekend.
Ransom took second in the Large Junior High Intermediate division at UCA Nationals, the newest intermediate division.
It was the first trip to Nationals for Ransom Cheer in 13 years. Coaches are China Purifoy and Brittany Settle.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders Place In The Top 10 Nationally; JV Ranks Top 5
February 9, 2026
The Tate High School Aggie varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders finished among the top squads in the country this weekend in Orlando.
The varsity Aggies finished in 10th place out of 113 teams at the UCA High School Nationals.
“These athletes put in countless hours of practice, early mornings and late nights, endless lifting sessions, and showed up week after week on the sidelines at football and basketball games, always bringing energy and pride to Tate,” Coach Morgan Norwood said. “Their dedication, discipline, and teamwork never wavered—and it showed on the national stage.”
The junior varsity Aggie cheerleaders earned fifth place in the nation.
Pictured top: The varsity Tate Aggie cheerleaders at nationals. Pictured below: The JV squad. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Finish Season as 6A District 1 Runner-Up
February 8, 2026
The Tate Aggies took the runner-up spot in 6A District 1 with a 72-55 loss to the Milton Panthers on Saturday night in Milton.
It was a season-ender for the Aggies, with a 16-11 recordnwhile the Panthers (24-3) advance to regionals.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ice Flyers Fall To Knoxville Ice Bears
February 8, 2026
The Ice Flyers fell 2-1 to the Knoxville Ice Bears in overtime on Saturday night at the Hangar in front of 6,253 fans.
The game remained scoreless through the first period, with both goaltenders keeping things tight. Knoxville broke through in the second period when Carson Vance scored to give the Ice Bears a 1-0 lead. The Ice Flyers battled back, and the deadlock finally broke in the final minutes of the third period when Sam Rhodes tied things up, rejuvenating the crowd and breathing some life into the home team.
The game would go on to overtime, where Cam Gaudette ended up with another costly penalty with a holding call that set up Knoxville’s Tim Kent for a powerplay goal, giving the Ice Bears a 2-1 victory.
The Ice Flyers now head to Knoxville for another set of games before coming home for Lilo and Stitch Night on Sunday, February 15.
Ice Flyers Fall By One To Knoxville, Rematch Saturday Night
February 7, 2026
The Ice Flyers fell 1-0 to the Knoxville Ice Bears on Adult Jersey Giveaway Night at the Hangar.
The first period was evenly matched and remained scoreless, with the Ice Flyers outshooting the Ice Bears 13-9. Knoxville’s Stephan Mundinger and the Ice Flyers’ netminder Billy Gerard IV both made their fair share of saves in the opening frame.
The Ice Bears broke the scoreless deadlock in the second period when Jimmy Soper found the back of the net, giving Knoxville a 1-0 lead. They held that advantage for the remainder of the period.
Despite a late third-period powerplay opportunity, the Ice Flyers were unable to tie things up. The team will regroup for Saturday’s rematch against the Ice Bears.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Win District Semi, Head To Finals Saturday Night
February 6, 2026
The Tate Aggies beat the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 66-54 Thursday night in the 6A District 1 semifinals at Tate High School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Also on Thursday night, the Milton Panthers defeated the Niceville Eagles 68-42.
The No. 2 seed Aggies will travel to No. 1 Milton on Saturday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Allie Penton, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Pace In District Quarterfinal; Northview Chiefs Fall To Central
February 4, 2026
District quarterfinal action Tuesday night was the end of the road for the Northview Chiefs, while the Tate Aggies are battling forward.
In 6A District 1, the No. 2 Tate Aggies beat the No. 7 Pace Patriots 62-42 Tuesday night at Tate. Up next, the Tate Aggies will host No. 6 seed Gulf Breeze in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Thursday in Tate’s Fryman Gym.
In Rural Class District 1 quarterfinals, the Central Jaguars beat Northview 72-35 at Central, ending the season for the Chiefs.
NorthEscambia.com file image.
Anderson Leads Tate Boys Tennis To Season-Opening Win Over Choctaw
February 4, 2026
The Tate High School boys tennis team opened the season with a 4-3 district win over Choctawhatchee in Fort Walton Beach.
Newcomer Noah Anderson, a junior, led the way with singles and doubles wins.
Up next, Aggies tennis will travel to face the West Florida Jaguars on Thursday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Baseball Scoreboard
February 4, 2026
Here are Tuesday night preseason high school baseball scores:
Fort Walton Beach 8, Northview 4
The Fort Walton Beach Vikings defeated the Northview Chiefs 8–4 in Crestview.
Jack Boutwell opened on the mound for the Chiefs, giving up five hits and six runs (two earned) in one and two-thirds innings while striking out one and walking three.
Jackson Bridges, Taylor Curtis, Dane King, Jase Portwood, and Grayden Sheffield each had one hit for Northview. Grayson Burns and Sheffield each had an RBI for NHS.
West Florida 6, Tate 1
The West Florida Jaguars downed the Tate Aggies 6–1.
Bryton McLellan opened for Tate on the mound, giving up six hits and six runs (one earned) in two innings, striking out three while walking one. Logan Kimmons went three in relief, surrendering one hit and no runs as he struck out seven and walked one.
At the plate for the Aggies, Cal Foxworth went 1-for-1 with a sacrifice fly for an RBI. Nathan Connors, Griffin Cook, and Kaden Posta each added a hit for Tate.
On Thursday, the Tate Aggies will take on the Catholic Crusaders at 4:00 p.m. at West Florida.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Postseason Ends For Tate And Northview Girls Basketball
February 3, 2026
Postseason hopes came to an end on Monday night for both the Tate and Northview girls basketball teams with district tournament losses.
In 6A District 1, No. 2 Niceville defeated the No. 7 Tate Lady Aggies 74-14. Up next, No. 1 Navarre will play No. 4 Crestview, and Niceville will take on No. 3 Milton.
In Rural Class District 1, No. 3 Laurel Hill beat No. 6 Northview 78-15 in Bratt. On Wednesday, No. 1 Jay will take on No. 5 Baker, and Laurel Hill advances to play No. 2 Paxton.
Pictured: Northview traveled to Tate earlier this season, with Tate winnin 56-20. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
