Granat Returns To Tate As Pitching Coach
December 18, 2017
James Granat has bee named the new pitching coach for the Tate High School Aggies baseball team. He is a 2013 Tate High School graduate. He won a JUCO national championship with Florida State in 2015 and completed his career at UWF, before assisting with the PSC Baseball program. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to to enlarge.
UWF’s Dream Season Comes To An End in National Title Game
December 17, 2017
UWF saw its amazing postseason run come to an end in a place few envisioned when the season kicked off in early September. The Argonauts finished as the Division II National Runner Up following a 37-27 loss to No. 8 Texas A&MCommerce in the championship game at Children’s Mercy Park.
UWF (11-4) grabbed the attention of the nation with its postseason run that saw it reach the title game in just its second season of competition – and its 26th all-time game.
But on Saturday night, the winners of Super Regional 2 were unable to contain the Lions and Harlon Hill Trophy winner Luis Perez. He had 323 yards on 23-of-30 passing with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
A&M Commerce (14-1) had 477 yards of total offense and never trailed, leading by as many as 17 midway through the fourth quarter.
“First off, congratulations to A&M Commerce on a fantastic game,” UWF head coach Pete Shinnick said. “They had an amazing year, really played one heck of a game, well deserving of today’s win. Extremely proud today of our guys. Just how they’ve continued to fight and continued to play, throughout the course of the whole season.
“These guy have worked extremely hard to put a second year program in the National Championship. Our offensive line coach, Steve Sauliner said, ‘You know if we would have lost to West Georgia, people would have patted us on the back and said nice job for going 6-4 in your second season.’ From that point we put ourselves into the national championship.
For UWF, Mike Beaudry was 22-of-48 for 252 yards with a touchdown and interception. He was also sacked five times. The redshirt freshman ended the season with 3,215 passing yards and 29 touchdowns – both UWF single-season highs.
Antoine Griffin led all players with 112 yards on eight receptions, in addition to his first career interception on a Lion fake punt in the first quarter.
The Argos got the ball at midfield following the turnover and tied the game at 7-7 ten plays later on a Chris Schwarz 1-yard run. But the momentum swung back to TAMU-C when Reggie Kincade returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a lead they never relinquished.
The Lions stretched their lead to 20-7 with a pair of Kristov Martinez field goals before the Argos ended the half with one of their patented end of half drives. This was a 10-play, 77-yard march in 2:54 that ended with a 20-yard Beaudry-to-Griffin connection, pulling the Blue and Green within 20-14 at the intermission. It was the 11th time in 15 games to score before the buzzer.
UWF’s Johnathan Coleman came up big with a forced fumble that Austin Dukes returned to the five. The Argos moved to the one on two rushes before a sack had them settle for a 27-yard Austin Williams field goal.
Commerce converted a pair of third down plays on its next possession that stretched the lead to 27-17, before another Williams field goal – this one from 47 yards – made it a 27-20 contest.
The Lions got another quick score, going 61 yards in four plays late in the third and a Martinez 19-yard field goal with 7:41 left in the game to lead 37-20.
The Argonauts cut it to 37-27 on Schwarz’s second score with 4:45 on the clock. They got the ball one more time and moved it to near midfield but turned the ball over on downs as the Lions were able to get one first down and run out the clock.
The Argonauts had 276 yards of offense and a season-low 24 net rushing yards. Coleman had a game-high 14 tackles for his third double-digit effort in the last five games.
The future is definitely bright for the third year of the program in 2018. UWF’s starters for the majority of the playoff run had just three seniors on defense, one on offense and zero among the specialists.
Photos courtesy UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Cheerleaders Win Cheer Nation Competition
December 17, 2017
More Than A Dream: Northview Grad Very First To Sign With UWF Argos
December 16, 2017
The University of West Florida Argo football team fell in the national championship game on Saturday. Not a bad way at all to cap just the second ever season for the team..
Editor’s note: This story was originally published prior to the national championship game.
And for Northview High School graduate Blake McCall, the game marks the end of a three year dream. McCall made history in December 2014 as the very first student athlete to sign with the new University of West Florida football team during the NCAA midyear transfer signing period.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable to be here,” McCall told NorthEscambia.com from Kansas City, KS, Friday afternoon, just over 24 hours ahead of kickoff of the NCAA Division II National Championship game against Texas A&M-Commerce. “I’m not sure anybody really thought we’d be here right now; it’s taken some of us by surprise.”
“I knew we would do well; it’s just unreal,” the UWF senior remarked.
Putting it all on the line in a championship game is not new to McCall. It wasn’t the national stage, but a first-ever state title for the Northview Chiefs in 2012.
McCall helped lead Northview to an 11-3 overall record and a 4-0 district record as a senior. Northview averaged 42.9 points per game and took the Florida Class 1A state championship with a 42-21 win over Trenton High School during his senior year. McCall was a three-year starter and played all five positions in the offensive line.
“That was a crazy senior year,” said Mccall, who grew up in Bratt about a mile away from Northview. “I keep telling the guys now about being in a championship game, even though it was on a smaller scale.”
In 2013, he redshirted during his freshman year at Division I Jackson State. And during the 2014 season, he saw playing time as a redshirt freshman at Jackson State. On the offensive line, McCall helped lead the team to 25.8 points and 376.1 total yards per game.
Then he met a coach named Pete Shinnick who was working to build a brand new team at the University of West Florida.
“He is one of the most genuine guys I ever met. He was selling a new team when he recruited me, and I have learned that he does what he says,” McCall said.
Perhaps partially due to the inspiration instilled by Shinnick, McCall hopes to coach college football when he graduates.
But in the here and now, he knows that folks back home in Bratt and North Escambia will be rooting for their hometown boy as they watch the game on ESPN2 beginning at 5:00. (The game is also available on the WatchESPN app.)
“I love that community,” he said. “I have received so many Facebook messages and texts from people back home. It means a lot.”
Now, he’s focused on Saturday evening as the DII national championship game kicks off.
“Knowing that you are here in the national championship game will take your breath away,” McCall said as he nears his final football game. “Man what a way to go out. It’s surreal.”
Pictured top: Blake McCall, John Williamson and Devin Gibson at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS — site of today’s NCAA Division II National Championship. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Bloodworth Signs With Southern Union
December 13, 2017
Tate High School’s Ethan Bloodworth has signed to play baseball for Southern Union State Community College in East Alabama. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
HS Basketball: Jay Sweeps Northview
December 12, 2017
In high school basketball action, Jay swept four games across the board against Northview Monday in Bratt.
BOYS
Jay 42, Northview 38
Jay 38, Northview 22 (JV)
GIRLS
Jay 46, Northview 23
Jay 43, Northview 3
Both varsity teams will take part in the Jay Christmas Tournament later this week.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Madisen Nelson Commits To Pensacola State
December 12, 2017
Tate High School senior Madisen Nelson has signed her commitment to play softball at Pensacola State College. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl To Hold Baseball Clinic In Molino
December 11, 2017
A baseball clinic with Caleb Gindl will be held on Saturday, December 16 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Don Sutton Ballpark in Molino.
The clinic for ages 7-13 will cover hitting, base running, in-fielding, pitching and outfield skills. Registration is $40 the day of the event (registration opens at 7:30 a.m.).
Gindl was selected in the fifth found of the Major League Baseball Draft in 2007. He has played for affiliates of the Milwaulkee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox, and currently plays for the San Francisco organization. Gindl has prior Major League experience with the Milwaukee Brewers. He batted .242 with five home runs and 14 RBI for Milwaukee in 2013, hitting a walkoff home run against the Miami Marlins.
For more information, call (850) 712-6206 or (850) 572-9484.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Honor Cheerleaders, Football Players
December 11, 2017
The Northview Chiefs honored their football players and cheerleaders at a recent banquet.
The following awards were presented:
Football
- Top Newcomer: Johnny Windham
- Highest Academic Achiever: Seth Killam
- Most Outstanding Wide Receiver: Tim Bush
- Most Outstanding Defensive Back: Seth Killam
- Most Outstanding Offensive Back: Trent Peebles
- Most Outstanding Linebacker: Lance McLaughlin
- Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Justin Helton
- Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Jason Fischer
- Chief Award: Hunter Spence
- Most Valuable Defensive Player: Lance McLaughlin
- Most Valuable Offensive Player: Jayden Jackson
Varsity Cheerleaders
- Senior Awards. Anna Nelson, Bailee Hinote, Celeste North
- Team Player – Celeste North
- Best All Around – Madison Sherouse
- Dependability Award – Gabrielle Kline
- Strength of Character – Shelby Bashore
- Most Improved – Karlee Criswell
- Most Spirit – Cloe Smith
- Most Determined – Madicyn Bell
- Best Showmanship – Olivia Seals
- Coach’s Award – Dalton Hamilton (mascot)
JV Cheerleaders
- Team Player – Briana White Spruill
- Coach’s Award – Abigail Nelson
Photos By Genia Bashore for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FCA Challenger Awards Presented To Area Football Players
December 7, 2017
Area high school football players were honored Monday and Tuesday nights at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Challenger Award Banquet.
One Challenger Award is presented per team, chosen by a secret ballot with all players voting. The player must exemplify Christian values, sportsmanship and academic achievement.
Monday Night Winners (pictured above)
- Jason Fischer – Northview High
- Trae Melton -Tate High
- Connor McLemore – West Florida High
- Kwadetrius Fountain – Pine Forest High
- Caleb Ward – Washington High
- Isaiah Boyle – Escambia High
- De’Andre Thurman – Pensacola High
- Luke Selogy – Gulf Breeze High
- Patrick Richardson – Catholic High
Tuesday Night Winners (pictured below)
- Patrick McGhee – Escambia Academy
- Logan Hanks – Flomaton High
- Eric Godfrey – Jay High School
- Todd Watson – T.R. Miller High
- Justin Campbell — Milton High
- Sam Faulknet – Pace high
- Mike Beaudry – University of West Florida
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
