QB Odom Gets Four Defensive Interceptions As Northview Beats Bozeman 27-21 In Regional Quarterfinal
November 13, 2021
Number four, four interceptions including a pick six. It was a pretty incredible Friday night, especially for a junior quarterback that also had an offensive touchdown as the Northview Chiefs beat the Bozeman Bucks 27-21 in Bratt.
Northview quarterback Kaden Odom slipped onto defense Friday night — something he’s done only a few times this year.
With just seconds to go in the game and Bozeman in the red zone, Odom intercepted a Bozeman pass to seal the win as Northview’s Jon Michael Ward held the pressure on the Bucks.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“I knew I had to make a play one way or another, but I seen the ball tipped,” Odom said. “I knew if I if I picked it right, it was over with. So I tried to make a big time play, and we come out on top.”
“Our defense stepped up made some huge plays tonight, thanks to this guy (Odom),” Summerford said. “You know, quarterback, cornerback, it doesn’t matter. He’s gonna make plays, and he’s a good great playmaker for us. Came up big four times tonight. I mean, huge because I think if we don’t have one of those picks maybe this game goes different way.”
Odom was quick to give credit to the support of the community, the crowd and his teammates.
“I can’t do without these boys though, these boys,” he said. “We come to work every single week, and we lay it all on the line. We’ve got a great coaching staff and we’re ready for next week.”
Northview’s Jamarkus Jefferson, also a junior, finished the night with somewhere north of 150 yards, Summerford estimated, and two touchdowns.
“You’ve got to either run the football, or you’ve got to pass the football,” Summerford said. “With him (Jefferson) in the backfield, it’s a no brainer for us. We’re going to try to run it all that we can.”
The Northview Chiefs (6-4) will travel next Friday night in the regional semifinals to take on the top ranked Baker Gators (6-2).
“Oh, I’m ready. That’s the one we wanted. That’s the one we want,” Odom said about Baker. “We can have fun over weekend, celebrate. But come Monday, we’ve got to work. We’ve got to work. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
In September, Baker defeated Northview 43-42 in overtime.
Summerford said that will be a learning experience for the Chiefs as they look for the little ways they could have played better in that close loss.
“It’s all those things we learned the first time about them,” he said. “Then we’ll throw in some new wrinkles.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Advances To State Championship Game – For The Sixth Straight Time
November 13, 2021
The Escambia Academy Cougars are headed to the AISA-AA state championship game — for the sixth straight time.
The Cougars beat defending state champion Chambers Academy 37-13 Friday night in the state semifinals on the road in Lafayette, Alabama.
The No. 2 ranked EA Cougars will take on No.1 Autauga Academy at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.
Escambia Academy beat Autauga for the state title in 2017, but lost to Autauga in 2018 and 2019.
Photos: Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Playoff Finals
November 13, 2021
Here are Friday night high school football playoff scores from around the North Escambia are:
FLORIDA
Class 1A, Region 1
(4) Northview 27, Bozeman 21 [Story, photo gallery...]
(3) Holmes County 19, (6) Freeport 17
Class 6A, Region 1
(1) Pine Forest 26, (8) Rickards 7
(2) Mosley 52, (7) Gulf Breeze 35
Class 5A, Region 1
(5) West Florida 35, (4) North Marion 14
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 37. Chambers Academy 13 [Story, photos..]
- T.R. Miller 35, Opp 14
West Florida’s Bentley Van Pelt Competing In 2A State Golf Tourney
November 12, 2021
West Florida High School’s Bentley Van Pelt of Walnut Hill is competing in the state golf tournament this weekend.
Van Pelt qualified as an individual by finishing second in the Region 1-2A meet at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. The West Florida sophomore shot a 75, three shots behind Bishop Kenny’s Cody Tucker.
Pictured: Bentley Van Pelt and (below) Coach Justin Richardson. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Lanie Brown Signs With Limestone University’s Acrobatics And Tumbling Team
November 11, 2021
Tate High School senior Lanie Brown signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday afternoon to attend Limestone University.
Brown will be a member of the Limestone University Acrobatics and Tumbling Team. Acrobatics and tumbling is an emerging NCAA Division 1, 2, and 3 sport. It incorporates gymnastics, competitive cheerleading, and weightlifting into a sport of strength and precision.
She has been offered both athletic and academic scholarships at the Gaffney, South Caroline, university.
At Tate, Brown is a member of the varsity cheerleading team, varsity weightlifting team. She holds a 3.91 GPA, is senior class president and founded the Tate High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Jalia Lassiter Signs With Ole Miss Softball
November 11, 2021
Flomaton High School three-sport athlete Jalia Lassiter signed a National Letter of Intent Wednesday to play softball at the University of Mississippi.
“If she wanted to she could have just as easily signed to play basketball or volleyball, but she has chosen softball and is signing with an SEC school,” Flomaton Principal George Brown said.
FHS volleyball coach and former softball coach Jacqi Hammond, said, “I was there when you were born, I knew this would happen one day.”
Jalia’s mother Cassie was also a three-sport star for the Hurricanes and a member of the 2005 state championship softball team coached by Scott and Jacqi Hammond.
Pictured: : Flomaton High School’s Jalia Lassiter signs National Letter of Intent Wednesday to play soft ball at Old Miss. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Chiefs Band, Cheerleaders
November 8, 2021
The Northview Chiefs defeated Arnold Friday night in Bratt.
For a bonus photo gallery with the band and cheerleaders, click or tap here.
For an action photo gallery, click or tap here.
And click here for a game summary.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs To Open Playoffs At Home Against The Bozeman Bucks
November 8, 2021
The Northview Chiefs will host the first round of the 1A playoffs at home.
The Bozeman Bucks (6-4) will be at the Northview Chiefs (5-4) in the regional quarterfinal Friday night in Bratt. The winner will face Baker (6-2) on November 19.
In Region 1-1A, end of season rankings were as follows:
The top six teams earned a playoff berth, with the top two getting a first week bye.
In Class 1A, playoff spots are not determined by district wins; it’s the Rating Percentage Index (RPI). RPI rankings are based upon a mathematical formula based upon a team’s current record, current Winning Percentage (WP), Opponents Winning Percentage (OWP), and their Opponent’s Winning Percentage (OOWP).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
No. 4 UWF Crushes No. 21 West Alabama, 47-7
November 7, 2021
The fourth-ranked UWF football team scored on five of its first six possessions and the defense didn’t allow any points in a 47-7 throttling of 21st-ranked West Alabama at Tiger Stadium Saturday.
UWF (8-1, 5-1 Gulf South) won its tenth-consecutive road game and completed regular-season road play at 6-0, joining Shepherd as the only teams in Division II to go 6-0 on the road thus far.
Austin Reed threw for 403 yards, eclipsing the 300-yard mark for the fourth-consecutive game, and hit David Durden and Ka’Ron Ashley for two touchdowns each.
Ashley had 125 yards and Durden had 105 yards receiving, making them the fifth set of UWF teammates to go for 100 yards in the same game in program history.
Shomari Mason continued to churn out yards in big chunks averaging 13.2 yards per carry on his way to 66 yards on five rushes. Anthony Johnson, Jr. also had a strong game with 59 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.
Griffin Cerra made two field goals and five point after touchdowns for 11 points.
But for all of the offense, the UWF defense built off last week’s second-half shutout at Mississippi College, not giving up an offensive score to the Tigers while forcing them into eight punts, two turnovers and a turnover on downs. The Tigers’ lone score came on a 71-yard fumble return midway through the fourth quarter.
D’Anthony Bell had a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown, six tackles and one for a loss. Shea Campbell was credited with a team-high seven stops, while De’Marco Artis spent a lot of time in the Tiger backfield with a sack and a forced fumble. The Argonauts sacked Jack McDaniels five times.
UWF had 562 yards of total offense, a week after putting up 641. The 403 passing yards on Saturday are a season high and the seventh-most in UWF history.
McDaniels completed 32 passes for 238 yards. The Tigers managed just 35 yards rushing.
UWF held UWA without an offensive touchdown for the first time since 2012.
The victory sets up one of the most anticipated games of the season next week when No. 2 Valdosta State (9-0, 6-0) comes to Pensacola and Blue Wahoos Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by going online to GoArgos.com/footballtickets.
Photos: Morgan Givens/UWF on NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Gets 49-27 Win Over 5A Arnold; Playoff Bound Next Week (With Gallery)
November 6, 2021
The 1A Northview Chiefs beat 5A Arnold of Panama City Beach 49-27 Friday night in Bratt to close out senior night and the regular season.
The teams battled to a 21-21 tie at end of two, but Northview powered back in the second half outscoring the Marlins 28-6.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
“Truthfully, you can’t complain about our offense first half, but I go on to them about defense,” Northview head football coach Wes Summerford said. “I tried to light a fire under them, and it got them going in the second half.”
The Chiefs move into the 1A playoffs next Friday night. The opponent and location won’t be known until Sunday afternoon.
In Class 1A, playoff spots are not determined by district wins; it’s the Rating Percentage Index (RPI). RPI rankings are based upon a mathematical formula based upon a team’s current record, current Winning Percentage (WP), Opponents Winning Percentage (OWP), and their Opponent’s Winning Percentage (OOWP). Basically, beat better teams and rank higher.
The top two teams, which Northview won’t be, will have a bye next week. The bottom four will be in action.
The likely scenario, Summerford believes, has Northview at home against Bozeman or Freeport, but until Sunday’s FHSAA announcement a road trip can’t be ruled out.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here. Look for cheerleaders, band and fan photos to be posted by Monday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
