UWF To Play Football At Maritime Park
September 19, 2013
The University of West Florida has reached an agreement to play football home games at the Community Maritime Park beginning in 2016. Home of the Blue Wahoos, the Maritime Park Stadium seats 5,100.
“This further strengthens the community’s ties to UWF by bringing these exciting games downtown to the Maritime Park Stadium,” said CMPA Chairman Collier Merrill. “The CMPA promised and delivered an award winning facility that can host multiple types of events. Our hope is that UWF football at the Maritime Park Stadium continues the excitement we see downtown during the baseball season into the late summer and fall.”
Earlier this month, UWF President Judy Bense announced that UWF football will host its inaugural season in the fall of 2016. The addition of a football program is one part of the University’s larger goal to enhance student life, attract more students from across the state and region and increase student retention, provide a more vibrant campus experience for students and alumni, increase school spirit, and expand sponsorship and other fundraising opportunities.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to play college football in such a beautiful setting as the Maritime Park Stadium,” said UWF President Judy Bense. “We sincerely appreciate the partnership with Quint and Rishy Studer, The Blue Wahoos, the CMPA and the City of Pensacola. Together we are adding vibrancy to the university and community, and building affinities that will last a lifetime.”
UWF will hire a head football coach in Spring 2014, who will start recruiting the first football student-athletes that fall. The inaugural recruiting class will be enrolled in Fall 2015 and begin practices and scrimmages in preparation for the inaugural season in Fall 2016.
UWF’s long-term plan is for the team to play in a stadium built on campus, as described in the athletics facilities master plan. The athletics facilities master plan also calls for additional on campus practice facilities for the football team.
Pictured: A conceptual rendering of UWF football at the Maritime Park Stadium.
Northview, Pleasant Home, Flomaton Dig Pink For Cancer Awareness
September 17, 2013
Northview, Flomaton and Pleasant Home high school meet in a Dig Pink volleyball tri-match Monday afternoon at Flomaton High School.
Dig Pink is an organization raising awareness and funds for cancer through volleyball.
Junior Varsity
Flomaton beat Northview 26-24, 22-25, 15-10
Pleasant Home defeated Northview 25-8, 25-7
Varsity
Northview beat Flomaton 25-13, 25-19. Tiffani Pritchett had two aces, one kill and one dig for Northview, and Danielle Steadham had three aces, one kill, two blocks and four digs.
Northview defeated Pleasant Home 25-8, 21-25, 15-7. Lana Clayton had six kills and five digs for the Chiefs, and Lily Townson had 11 assistsand six digs for Northview.
Northview will be at home Thursday against Baldwin County, junior varsity at 4:30 and the varsity at 5:30 p.m.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northwest Escambia Takes Four From Poarch Warriors
September 17, 2013
The Northwest Escambia Eagles swept four games from the Poarch Warrios on Saturday in Walnut Hill.
Freshmen 21, Poarch 20
Zyonne Wesley scored three touchdowns, and Liam Hatcher added three extra point after attempts for NWE. Wesley tackled Poarch’s Blayze Thomas at the one-yard line and forced the fumble after a 60-yard run. NWE’s Jackson Bridges recovered the fumble. Poarch scored late to make it a one point game and Jackson Simmons and Bridges were on the stop that prevented Poarch’s extra point and avoided a tie game.
Sophomores 32, Poarch 0
Juniors 39, Poarch 0
Jayden Jackson scored three touchdowns, including one he stripped from a Poarch Player. Jaheem Durant (pictured left) ran for a NWE touchdown, and he also intercepted a Poarch pass and ran it in from 60 plus yards out for a TD. Jaden Cunningham scored touchdown, scored on three extra point attempts and ran for more than 85 yards. The NWE Junior’s defense only gave up one down during the entire game.
Seniors 36, Poarch 19
Seth Killam complete 7 of 11 passes for over 100 yards, two touchdown passes to Tanner Deese and also added a rushing touchdown for Northwest Escambia. Keaton Solmonson had over 100 yards rushing and a touchdown, Trent Kite had 100 plus yards rushing, and Aunterio Minor racked up almost 50 yards rushing and scored a touchdown. Minor also recorded a big defensive play with multiple tackles for a loss. Killam was also 3-5 on field goals.
Pictured top: Aiden Broadhead gains yardage for the Sophomores. Pictured inset: Jaheem Durant ran for a NWE Juniors touchdown. Pictured below: Travis Scott (#5) brings down a Poarch Warrior for the Sophomores. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Standings, Upcoming Schedule
September 16, 2013
Here is a district by district look at last Friday night’s high school football scores and this week’s schedule. District play begins this Friday night for 5A and 6A teams, while 1A and 7A teams in the area either have an off week or will not play district games.
This Week’s HS Football Schedule
September 15, 2013
Here’s a look at this week’s high school football schedules for teams around the area:
FLORIDA
Thursday
- *Catholic at Bay, 7 p.m.
Friday
- *West Florida at Mosley, 7 p.m.
- West Gadsden at Tate, 7:30 p.m.
- *Escambia at Pine Forest, 7:30 p.m.
- *Washington at Pace, 7:30 p.m.
- *Milton at PHS, 7:30 p.m.
- Crestview at Navarre, 7:30 p.m.
- OPEN: Northview, Jay, Gulf Breeze
* denotes district games
ALABAMA
- UMS Wright at Escambia County (Atmore)
- Sparta at Escambia Academy
- Mobile Christian at Flomaton
- Bayside Academy at T.R. Miller
- W.S. Neal at Southside
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Turnaround: Back To Back Wins
September 14, 2013
Coming off a historic first time in 20 years win last week over Pensacola, the Tate Aggies were achieved their goal back to back wins Friday night 35-21 over Panama City Bay.
Just two wins in a season has been a big challenge for the Aggies; they last won two games in 2010 with a 3-7 season record. Panama City Bay came in with a 2-0 record and was looking forward to going home with another win.
The Aggies’ first score cam on a 2-yard run from Lavontia Samuel, followed by a 17-yard touchdown pass from Sawyer Smith to Deontia Nicholson. Tate held the lead 12-7 at the half.
Tate open the second half with a 68-yard quarterback keeper TD run from Sawyer Smith on the first play from scrimmage. Smith scored again later in the quarter on a 19-yard run play. Tate allowed a interception for a touchdown and two blocked punts letting Bay stay in the game. Tate still held the lead at the end of the third, 28-21.
The only score in the fourth belonged to Tate on another run from 2-yards out by QB Smith. Tate was able to control the ball for much of the fourth quarter running out the clock for their 35-21 win.
Tate faces West Gadsden next Friday night for homecoming at Pete Gindl Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
Pictured above: Tate beat Panama City Bay Friday night in Cantonment. Pictured below: Coach Ronnie Douglas huddles with the team between plays. Photos by Kaleigh Blackmon and Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chipley Downs The Chiefs
September 14, 2013
The defending 1A state champion Northview Chiefs have next week off, and they’ll need it to recover, rethink and regroup after a Friday night’s 47-18 loss to the Chipley Tigers.
“We were up 18-13 in the second quarter and they just took away our momentum,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. Chipley outscored the Chiefs by 14-0 in the third quarter and another 12-0 in the second quarter.
The Chiefs were plagued by mistakes, including an unusual number of bad snaps from the line of scrimmage, throughout Friday night’s road game in Chipley.
“We blew a lot of snaps…I think it was 12 times we just about threw the ball over the quarterback’s head,” Wheatley said. “We probably lost 150 yards just from bad snaps.”
Friday night just wasn’t the expected performance from what was this season’s No. 1 ranked 1A team.
“We have just got to stress the fundamentals of football, and take this loss to develop some mental aggression in the minds of the offensive line. They’ve got to understand how they should feel with they self-inflict a loss like tonight and make sure it never happens again.”
The Chipley Tigers were first on the scoreboard Friday night with a touchdown at the 8:15 mark in the first quarter. By the end of the first, the Tigers sat at first and goal on the four-yard line, going in for a touchdown and 13-0 lead early in the second. The Chiefs answered with a touchdown and a missed extra point attempt, 13-6 Chipley.
With about five minutes in the half, the Chiefs scored on a 40-yard TD pass to Brannon Freeman, cutting their deficit to 13-12. With 3:18 to go before the half, Neino Robinson scored on a 25-yard touchdown run, putting Northview up 18-13. And that was to be the final score of the night for Northview.
Chipley returned the kickoff for a touchdown to take a 21-18 lead at the half.
Freeman and Ladarius Thomas had about 75 yards each Friday night for the Chiefs. In addition to throwing for two touchdowns, quarterback Dalton Tullis had about 237 yards in the air for Northview. Robison had 77 yard on six catches along with his touchdown.
After an open week, the Northview Chiefs will host Choctawhatchee on September 27 before beginning district play in Jay on October 4.
Photos by Amy Holland and Bethany Reynolds for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Homecoming Win Pushes Jay Royals To 3-0
September 14, 2013
The Jay Royals celebrated a happy Homecoming Friday night as they beat Vernon 13-0. They Royals are riding an early season winnings streak at 3-0.
After a scoreless first quarter, Tate Upton was in from one yard out for the Royals with 6:06 in the half. With a good kick from Dakota Smith, the Royals held a 7-0 advantage. The Royals scored again early in the third with an 85-yard kickoff return by Victor Mishoe.
The Royals have an open date next week before traveling to Flomaton on Friday, September 27.
Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Seasons Of Hope Banquet To Benefit Terminally Ill, Injured Warriors
September 13, 2013
Seasons of Hope will hold their Second Annual Benefit Bandquet fundraiser later in just over a week.
Seasons of Hope provides positive outdoor hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities for the terminally ill, the physically challenged and members of the Armed Forces injured in the line of duty. The excursions are provided at little or no cost.
The benefit banquet will be held Saturday, September 21 at 5 p.m. at SS Dixon Intermediate School at 5540 Education Drive in Pace. In addition to the meal, there will be a silent auction. Guest speaker will be Brad Clay of Final Descent Outdoors. Tickets are $10 each.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.seasonsofhopeinc.org or call Bryen Ballard at (850) 232-0592.
Northview Beats Central
September 11, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs JV and varsity teams beat the Central Jaguars in straight sets Tuesday evening.
In junior varsity action, Northview beat Central 25-18, 25-22.
Dimonique Brown had two aces and one kill for the Chiefs, while Mallory Merchant recorded four aces.
In varsity action, Northview swept three from Central, 25-16, 25-15, 27-25.
Danielle Steadham had four aces, three kills and six blocks for Northview, and Kyndall Hall had four aces and two assists.
The Lady Chiefs will head across the river to take on the Lady Royals of Jay High School on Thursday. The junior varsity plays at 5:00 and the varsity takes the court at 6 p.m. in a district game.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Northview’s varsity swept three sets from Central Tuesday in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
