Wahoos Recognize PE Teachers, Including North Escambia Adapted PE Teacher
August 18, 2019
Recently, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos recognized all Escambia County School District physical education teachers for what they do day in and day out to keep youth healthy and for their implementation of the USA Baseball Fun at Bat program in the elementary schools.
Additionally, ECSD state award recipients from SHAPE Florida (Society of Health & Physical Education) got to throw out the first pitch .
State program award winners include Lisa Moss and Ian Waldron from Ferry Pass Elementary School for 19-20 SHAPE Florida Elementary PE Program of the Year and Jessica Wolford for being the 19-20 SHAPE Florida Adapted PE Teacher of the Year. Wolford serves Bratt Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle School, Northview High School and Kingsfield Elementary.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kickoff Classic Wins For Tate, Northview (With Scoreboard, Photo Gallery)
August 17, 2019
Area high school football teams were back under the Friday night lights for kickoff classics. Here are scores from the North Escambia area:
Tate 13, Pace 7
The Tate Aggies beat the Pace Patriots 13-7 in a kickoff classic at Pace.
Kesean Williams had honor of the the first score of the season for the Aggies for a 7-0 lead. With the game tied 7-7, sophomore quarterback Dalton Biggs found Cody Brown on a Hail Mary pass for the game winning touchdown.
The Aggies will swing into the regular season Friday night at 7:00 as they host Pensacola High School in Pete Gindl Stadium.
FOR A TATE AT PACE PHOTO GALLERY, CLICK HERE.
Pace 14, Tate 0 (JV)
Pace 8, Tate 0 (Freshmen)
Northview 7, Baker 0
The Northview Chiefs beat Baker 7-6 Friday night in Baker. The Chiefs will open the regular season Friday night at home against Lighthouse Christian. It’s also senior night for Northview; the Chiefs only have three home games this season.
Baker 16, Northview (JV)
Baker 8, Ernest Ward Eagles 0
West Florida 7, Navarre 7
Escambia 27, Pensacola High 0
Gulf Breeze 14, Choctaw 0
Catholic 19, Washington 14 (Thursday)
Pictured: The Tate Aggies defeated the Pace Patriots Friday night in Pace. NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Tate Helmets Sporting New Logo Decals For Friday Night’s Kickoff Classic
August 15, 2019
The Tate Aggies will be sporting helmets with fresh new logo decals under the Friday night lights this season.
Robin Foster, Kevin Wilson and Shannon Wilson worked to place the new decals on the helmets before the start of the season.
The Aggies head to Pace Friday night for a kickoff classic game against the Pace Patriots.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fans Meet The Northview Chiefs (With Photo Gallery)
August 14, 2019
Fans had a chance to meet the Northview Chiefs Thursday evening.
They were introduced to this year’s junior varsity football team and cheerleaders, varsity football team and cheerleaders, the Tribal Beat Band, the volleyball team, the Ernest Ward Middle School football team and local youth teams and cheerleaders.
The Chiefs travel to Baker Friday for a preseason Kickoff Classic at 7 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties
August 13, 2019
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in August. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The locations and times are:
Escambia County
Aug. 22 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m)
Langley Bell 4-H Center
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
Aug. 15 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Avalon Middle School
5445 King Arthur’s Way in Milton
Aug. 21 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Aug. 28 (6 to 10 p.m.) & Aug. 31 (7 to 10 a.m.)
Santa Rosa County Extension Services
6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton
Blue Wahoos Renovate Field At Bradberry Park In Walnut Hill
August 12, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos renovated a youth baseball field at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill
“I would say we have done pretty well, considering everything,” said Dustin Hannah, the Blue Wahoos head groundskeeper, who led an effort of a dozen co-workers of men and women, all of whom novices in baseball field repair.
Hannah’s direction, his patience, helped make the group effort so much easier.
Since the Blue Wahoos’ inaugural 2012 season, the team has made it a community service priority to each year help renovate a youth baseball field within the Escambia or Santa Rosa County area.
The day is chosen during a break in the home schedule. The field is chosen through nomination of youth baseball organizations providing a video, or photos of why a particular field needs help. The process is vetted through an on-site visit before a venue is chosen.
“It’s all part of us giving back to our community,” said Donna Kirby, the Blue Wahoos vice president of operations. “The first year (2012) we did a field in Pensacola near downtown and we’ve then gone throughout the area. Last year, we did a field in Century.
“In a way, it’s kind of our payback to the sport. These are little kids now who are playing baseball on these fields. And who knows if they will grow up continuing to play baseball, and there’s always that chance one of them can become a professional player and maybe play in Blue Wahoos Stadium.”
The field upgraded is used by the Cal Ripken-Babe Youth Baseball league, which has kids from Walnut Hill and nearby Bratt playing in various age groups.
“Any type of help for non-profits like ours is welcomed, especially with ballfields,” said Bonnie Maughon, board member with the league, whose son, Walker is a Tee-Ball player. “The income you get to run the games is all that you have. Any extra help you receive is a real blessing.”
The Blue Wahoos staff, which included Kirby and team president Jonathan Griffith all pitched in to help during two different work shifts.
“It’s just a big group effort to at least get it to where we’re at right now,” said Anna Striano, the Blue Wahoos merchandise manager who coordinated the community service project, during a lunch break. “And you want to leave it better than you found it.”
Hannah transported a small trailer with hand tools and power tools he uses on Admiral Fetterman Field at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“We had a lot of grass to take out in the infield area, but I think we’re good,” he said. “These (youth league) fields, it’s not as in-depth work than it would be on a professional field.”
Maughon said she was scrolling Facebook when she saw the Blue Wahoos notice reaching out to youth leagues for nominations on field renovation. Striano started the process in June, then chose Bradberry Park in late July.
“I was really looking for ways to get help,” Maughon said. “We’re very thankful to be chosen. It’s very special. The fields are maintained by volunteers and it’s not easy.
“This year our president said we have enough kids for three T-Ball teams, but we needed one more volunteer coach to do it. And my husband stepped up.”
Hannah will follow up with the league’s director with tips on how to maintain the fields. It’s been done each year with various other fields the Blue Wahoos have helped to renovate.
It’s part of the team’s mission statement to improve the quality of life in Pensacola and the surrounding area. The field renovation was another way to help make that happen.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Hold Chowdown; Announce Crimson And Blue Bowl
August 9, 2019
Over 300 people attended the Tate Football Chowdown Thursday night.
Football players and their families enjoyed a meal provided by the Church of Christ at Milestone as head coach Jay Lindsey previewed the upcoming season.
The Crimson and Blue Bowl was announced for October 5. It will be a big rivalry game between the Cantonment Cowboys and the Ensley Chiefs in Pete Gindl Stadium.
It was also announced that “53″ Aggie Strong shirts honoring Sean Banks will be sold in the Aggie Shack during games. Proceeds will benefit a football scholarship.
Pictures: Scenes from the Tate Aggie Chowdown Thursday night. Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Boom Night’ – Midnight Practice Gets Northview Players Fired Up For Football Season
August 3, 2019
Are you ready for some football?
At 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the stadium lights were on and the excitement of the upcoming football season was definitely in the humid air as the Northview Chiefs hit the wet grass of Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
Welcome to “Boom Night”, Chiefs style.
Saturday was the first legal day for contact and full gear under FHSAA rules. And Northview Coach Derek Marshman was wasting no time.
It’s only a couple of weeks before preseason games in Florida.
For a “Boom Night” photo gallery, click here.
Coming up next week on NorthEscambia.com, we’ll introduce you to the captains of the 2019 Northview Chiefs, and we’ll learn what Marshman had to say after Boom Night about the upcoming season.
The Chiefs hit the road August 16 for a kickoff classic game at Baker. They will be at home to open the regular season on August 23 against Lighthouse Christian.
Down the road in Cantonment, the Tate Aggies travel to Pace on August 16 for a kickoff classic before Pensacola High visits Pete Gindl Stadium on on August 23.
Pictured: “Midnight Madness” — the season’s first full contact practice that began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s 3A Back Of The Year Da’Quan Johnson Commits To Troy
August 3, 2019
Flomaton High School senior Da’Quane Johnson announced Friday on social media that he has committed to the Troy Trojans as a safety.
Johnson led the Flomaton Hurricanes to the 3A station championship last season, playing mostly quarterback. He was named Alabama’s 3A Back of the Year.
“First, I would like to thank GOD for giving me the ability to play this sport! Without him I wouldn’t have the blessing I have now,” Johnson said in his announcement. “I also want to thank my head coach for helping me through this process and for being a great male figure in my life! From taking me to camps, making sure I’m accountable for anything I do, and for teaching me how to be a better man! Also a big thank you to all the coaches that believed in me to play at the next level, but at the end it comes down to One school that I feel like I can be the best I possibly can be and that is at Troy University.”
Last season for Flomaton, he completed 93-of-177 passes for 1,965 yards and 23 TDs. He rushed for 2,411 yards and 30 TDs on 304 carries, according to AL.com. In the championship game against Piedmont, Johnson carried the ball 43 times — a Super 7 record — and was named MVP. He also made 37 tackles on defense last season and had four interceptions.
Flomaton Coach Doug Vickery said Johnson picked Troy over South Alabama, Southern Miss, UAB, Tulane, Army, Florida Atlantic and others.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Wahoos Stop The Jumbo Shrimp 1-0
July 31, 2019
On a night when Jacksonville’s stadium was virtually empty, the scoreboard was filled with zeroes, the Blue Wahoos reversed the previous game’s storyline with their 1-0 win against the Jumbo Shrimp.
Only two fans, Josh Ribeiro Sr. and his son Josh Ribeiro Jr., watched the game in a special partnership with Dreams Come True of Jacksonville. It is a wish granting organization and the wish Josh Ribeiro Jr. wanted.
Like any other game, The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville was staffed with concessions, food and drink vendors walking the ballpark, team promotion staff and the press box.
But only the Ribeiros were in the stands.
The official attendance was listed at 2 in the recorded box score, setting a Southern League all-time record. In this case, however, it was by design.
The special game experience, entitled “Literal 2 For Tuesday,” was sponsored by Community First Credit Union of Jacksonville and the Dreams Come True foundation.
The Blue Wahoos’ win, one night after a 1-0 loss, clinched the team’s first road series win since May 15 when the Blue Wahoos won three of five games against the Chattanooga Lookouts, now the Cincinnati Reds affiliate. The Blue Wahoos (57-51 overall) and Jumbo Shrimp (50-58) conclude their series Wednesday night.
The Ribeiros watched both teams’ pitching staffs dominate for a second consecutive night.
The Blue Wahoos’ Edwar Colina, making his third start since being promoted from Advance-A Fort Myers Miracle on July 11, had his second consecutive outing without allowing a run.
Colina (2-0) worked 5.2 innings, giving up just three hits, one walk and striking out seven batters to earn a second straight win. He’s now pitched 12.2 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 1.08.
Colina was followed by relievers Gabriel Moya, who earned his second hold, and Alex Phillips, who picked up his third save. The duo combined for 3.1 perfect innings, facing the minimum 10 batters.
Moya struck out former Blue Wahoos star Lewin Diaz to end the sixth inning with Jacksonville’s Anfernee Seymour stranded at third base.
Diaz, traded Saturday to the Miami Marlins organization in a deal that sent Marlins’ veteran major league reliever Sergio Romo to the Minnesota Twins, continued to struggle since switching dugouts in Jacksonville. Diaz went 0-for-4 and has not had a hit since joining the Jumbo Shrimp.
In the ninth inning, Phillips struck out Diaz for the game’s final out.
The game’s only run was provided by Blue Wahoos’ first baseman Ryan Costello, who smashed a one-out, solo homer in the fifth inning. The Blue Wahoos were held to four hits, Jacksonville had three in an identical box score reversal from Monday’s game.
Trevor Larnach, Jimmy Kerrigan and Jordan Gore had the Blue Wahoos’ other three hits, all singles.
The Jumbo Shrimp received outstanding games from starter Kolton Mahoney (4-1), who went six complete innings, allowing the three hits, three walks and striking out four, along with relievers Jordan Guerrero and Chad Smith, who allowed just one hit, one walk in the last three innings.
The Blue Wahoos win, coupled by the Biloxi Shuckers’ loss Tuesday, moved Pensacola (19-19 second half) to within four games in the second half chase in the South Division. The Blue Wahoos lead the Mississippi Braves by 4.5 games in the overall standings for second-best record.
If Biloxi wins both half-season division crowns, the second-best team makes the playoffs.
The Blue Wahoos will open a five-game homestand Thursday against the Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox affiliate, who are battling for the North Division title, trailing the Montgomery Biscuits.