NWE Eagles Soar In Preseason Action
August 27, 2013
The Northwest Escambia Eagles had a mostly winning day Saturday in preseason youth football jamborees at W.S. Neal in East Brewton.
The NWE Freshmen (ages 4-6) lost 13-7 to Poarch and Beat Baker 27-0. Kaden Dove, Zyonne Wesley, Liam Hatcher and Jackson Simmons all scored. The team had about 170 yards rushing against Baker, and Wesley contributed a 35-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
The NWE Sophomores (ages 7-8) beat host W.S. Neal 16-0. Kaden Odom scores two touchdowns and Nolin Godwin scored a couple of two-point conversions. In their second scrimmage of the day, the NWE’s 7-8 year olds beaet Baker 6-0. Kaden Odom scored the only touchdown for NWE, and the two-point conversion was stopped short.
The Northwest Escambia Juniors (ages 9-10) beat Poarch 16-0. The Eagles defense held Poarch to negative yardage, with NWE touchdowns fromJayden Jackson and Jaheem Durant. Jackson and Durant each scored a two point conversion. The Juniors also beat Baker 16-0. Jackson stripped the ball from Baker and returned it for an Eagles touchdown. Jaheem Durant and Jaden Cunningham also added a TD. Jaden Cunningham completed a pass to Dariontae Richardson for a two-point conversion and Michael Merchant added a two-point conversion on a quarterback sneak.
The Eagles Seniors (ages 11-12) lost to W.S. Neal 6-0. Trent Kite had a touchdown called back against Neal. And the NWE Seniors beat Baker 22-0 with one touchdown from Kite and two TD’s from Seth Killam. Killam was 2-3 on extra point kicks.
During the preseason events at W.S. Neal, each team played two 20 minutes games with running clocks.
NWE will travel to Baker High Saturday, with the Freshmen getting the action started at 2 p.m., followed by the Sophomores at 3:30, Juniors and 5:00 and the Seniors at 7:00.
Pictured top: Michael Merchant (#15) scores for the Juniors. Pictured below: Kaden Dove adds a touchdown for the NWE Freshmen. Pictured inset: The NWE Seniors celebrate their victory over Baker. Pictured bottom: The NWE Sophomore cheerleaders. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Stun Barons With 5-Run 8th Inning
August 25, 2013
Down by four runs headed to the last of the eighth inning, the Penascola Blue Wahoos erupted for an improbable five-run comeback to knock off the Birmingham Barons 5-4 in front of the 28th sellout crowd of the year at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The win proved to be crucial as the Wahoos gained a game on first place Jacksonville, who was no-hit on Saturday. Pensacola now sits three games out of first with eight games to go.
The Wahoos offense scattered seven hits in the first seven frames before finally breaking through against reliever Kevin Vance (L, 2-6) in the eighth inning. Ryan LaMarre started things off with a triple to right-center and scored two batters later on a single from Yorman Rodriguez. Mike Costanzo followed with an RBI double to make it 4-2 before Vance hit Tucker Barnhart and was pulled from the game.
Jarrett Casey entered for Birmingham and fired four straight balls to Travis Mattair to force in a run before walking Devin Lohman to tie the game at four. Corey Wimberly became the first out of the inning, but it was a productive run as his sacrifice fly to left scored Barnhart to give Pensacola their first lead of the game at 5-4.
Trevor Bell (S, 17) came on in the ninth for Pensacola and mowed down the Barons in order to pick up his franchise record 17th save of the year, moving the Wahoos to within three games of first place.
The epic comeback made a winner of Chris Manno (W, 4-3) who struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning. Daniel Renken got the start for Pensacola and posted a quality start, allowing three runs on eight hits in six innings.
Birmingham jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Renken in the third inning on a Trayce Thompson RBI infield single while another run scored on a throwing error by Lohman. In the sixth, Keenyn Walker drove home David Herbek with a single to make it 3-0 before Brandon Jacobs added a fourth run in the seventh on another infield single.
Barons starter Scott Carroll kept the Wahoos at bay through his five innings, allowing just five hits to go along with four strikeouts and a walk.
Winners of seven of their last eight, Pensacola will look to continue its playoff push on Sunday at 4 p.m. Jon Moscot (2-1, 4.95) gets the ball for the Wahoos against the Barons’ Chris Beck (0-2, 5.54)
1A Champ Chiefs Compete Tough Against 5A Bay In Tied Preseason Game (With Gallery)
August 24, 2013
The Northview Chiefs walked away from a preseason classic game Friday night with a tie on the scoreboard against Panama City Bay, but it might as well have been a win for the defending Class 1A state champions.
“I like the way we competed tonight,” Northview coach Sid Wheatley said about how the Chiefs handled the much larger 5A Bay Tornadoes. “”As a confidence standpoint, I know they’ve got to feel good coming out of here, at least score-wise, and the way we did compete. It has to instill some confidence.”
The first half of the game in Bratt was a varsity on varsity scrimmage that ended in a 0-0 tie. Despite the score, the varsity teams showed a depth that impress Wheatley, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
“I love the way the defense competed. They bent at times, but they didn’t break. They played hard,” he said. “”Offensively, we’ve got to go to work on our mistakes. We were able to make plays at times, but the thing was it was third and 28.”
But overall, Wheatley saw the great potential within his Chiefs.
“Those guys, they are going to be OK,” he said. “Physically, I think we have a chance to be pretty good up front. It’s just a maturation process. They are going to be better Tuesday, and better the following Tuesday. But they’ve got to kind of grow into that role. And mentally, that’s a big part of it right now.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
For cheerleaders, mini-cheerleaders, band, dance team and NJROTC photos, click here.
The second half of the game was scheduled to be junior varsity and reserves only. But 5A Bay rolled on with varsity starters against much younger, smaller and less experienced JV and reserve Chiefs.
“They competed; they played tough,” Wheatley said of his JV and reserves, stacked up against a much larger Bay that continued to play starters in the second half. “They just got after them.”
Northview freshman quarterback Luke Ward, moving up from an almost perfect season last year at Ernest Ward Middle, led a late Chiefs drive to tie the game. At third and goal, he found junior Hunter Sherouse for a two-yard touchdown with 37.3 seconds on the clock. With the score tied 6-6, the extra point kick by the Chiefs was no good.
Then the Chiefs were able to set up a 30-yard field goal as time expired, but the kick was far wide to the left as the clock rolled to zeros.
“It was a little drama there at the end,” Wheatley said with a laugh.
Next week, the Chiefs will look at Friday night’s film, looking for the areas that need improvement. “We have inexperienced guys; hopefully we are going to be able to look at the film and correct those mistakes,” he said.
The Chiefs will host Bozeman next Friday night at 7:00 in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For cheerleaders, mini-cheerleaders, band, dance team and NJROTC photos, click here.
Pictured top: Northview senior Neino Robinson breaks away from a host of Panama City Bay defenders Friday night in Bratt. Pictured top inset: Northview quarterback Daulton Tullis gains yardage for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom inset: Northview coach Sid Wheatly watches his Chiefs under the Friday night lights. Pictured below: A Bay Tornado pass was too long, almost resulting in a Chiefs interception. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baker Downs Jay (With Photo Gallery)
August 24, 2013
The Jay Royals lost a trio of preseason matchups Friday night to the Baker Gators.
The Royals and Gators will meet again on October 18 in a regular season district game. Meanwhile, the varsity Jay Royals will begin their regular season with a non-district game next Friday night, August 30 at Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile. The Royals will play their first home game of the regular season on the following Friday, September 6 as they host Rocky Bayou.
For a photo gallery from Friday night’s action, click here.
Pictured: Jay and Baker met Friday night in preseason classic game. Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Blow Past Barons 6-2
August 24, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos used a trio of two-run innings to dispatch the Birmingham Barons 6-2 on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of the 27th sellout crowd of the season. Despite the win, the Wahoos stayed four games behind first place Jacksonville who also won on Friday.
Pensacola got things going early against Birmingham starter Scott Snodgress, loading the bases in the first, but coming away with no runs. An inning later, though, the Wahoos tagged Snodgress for a pair of tallies on a two-run single from Ryan LaMarre to make it 2-0.
After Birmingham countered with two runs of their own on a Cody Puckett two-run single in the top of the third, Pensacola regained its two-run advantage in the last of the third. Travis Mattair drove home Tucker Barnhart to make it 3-2 while Ray Chang singled home Devin Lohman three batters later to make it 4-2.
Pensacola added to its lead in the fifth inning against reliever Nestor Molina with RBI singles from Brandon Short and Chang, making it 6-2. The offense came in support of Carlos Contreras (W, 3-2) who worked his way through five innings while allowing two runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Michael Lorenzen, Parker Frazier and Jamie Walczak combined to pitch four shutout frames to shut the door on the Barons.
Snodgress (L, 11-10) fell for the third straight time, failing to make it past the fourth inning. The southpaw allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in four innings.
The Wahoos will look to make it two in a row over the Barons on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. Daniel Renken (6-8, 3.62) will start for Pensacola while Birmingham will give the ball to Scott Carroll (0-2, 6.35). It’s the final Fireworks Saturday of the season presented by Andrews Institute. The Wahoos will be wearing special blue camo jerseys which will be auctioned off throughout the game.
Tate Aggies Beat Gulf Breeze Dolphins
August 23, 2013
The Tate High School Aggies won a tw0-quarter varsity preseason game 25-7 over Gulf Breeze Thursday night.
The Aggies held a 7-0 lead in the first of two quarters of the preseason classic at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment with a 10-yard touchdown run from Tay Samuel.
In the second quarter, the Dolphins tied it up 7-7 on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Tate answered with a 69-yard touchdown run with 8:39 left from quarterback Sawyer Smith, 14-7 Aggies. Then, with 2:47 left on the clock, Samuel was in on a 60-yard interception return for another Aggie touchdown, 22-7. With a field goal late in the game, the Aggies went on to a 25-7 win.
The Tate Aggies will open regular season play under the leadership of new coach Ronnie Douglas in Class 7A on Friday, August 30 at 7:30 as they take on the West Florida High Jaguars at Woodham Middle School.
In a two-quarter junior varsity game, Tate also beat Gulf Breeze 7-0 Thursday.
For more varsity action photos, click here.
For junior varsity and band photos, click here.
Pictured: Tate High School’s preseason opener against Gulf Breeze ended with varsity and JV wins for the Aggies. Top photo: Tate quarterback Sawyer Smith returns an interception for a 60-yard touchdown. Photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Jaguars Beat The Escambia Gators 35-0
August 23, 2013
The West Florida Jaguars beat the Escambia Gators 35-0 in a preseason classic game Thursday night.
The Jags were first on the scoreboard with a 17-yard touchdown catch by Ty Peasant from QB Joe Baker. The Jags upped their lead to 14-0 on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Baker to Lawrence Lee.
With 2:47 to go in the third quarter Chris Mitchell was in for West Florida with a 25-yard touchdown catch from Baker, 21-0 Jags.
West Florida went on to win with a one-yard quarterback keeper from Baker and a 40-yard touchdown catch by Kevin Lewis.
The West Florida Jaguars will open their regular season on Friday, August 30 as they host the Tate Aggies at Woodham Middle School.
NHS Lady Chiefs Sweep Volleyball Preseason Classic
August 23, 2013
The Northview Chiefs swept a varsity volleyball Preseason Classic at the school in Bratt Thursday evening.
The Chiefs beat Central 25-10, 25-19. Lana Clayton had three aces, eight kills; Tiffani Pritchett had five aces, three kills and two digs.
The Northview Chiefs also beat the Jay Royals 25-16, 8-25, 15-9. Lily Townson had two aces and a dozen assists; Danielle Steadham recorded one ace and six kills.
The Lady Chiefs will open their regular season Monday at 5 p.m. as they host Holmes County.
Pictured top: Members of the varsity Lady Chiefs are: (front, L-R) Hanna Ging (9 Soph), Lily Townson (10 Sr), Tiffani Pritchett (2 Sr), (middle row) Shelby Nielsen (4, Sr), Mallory Wiggins (12, Sr), Rebecca Grim (5, Sr), Penny Banda (13, Jr), (back row) Lana Clayton (6, Sr), E’Layzha Bates (8, Jr), Danielle Steadham (7, Sr), Kyndall Hall (14, Jr). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Stars Snap Wahoos Winning Streak
August 23, 2013
Hector Gomez scored on a wild pitch in the last of the seventh inning, boosting the Huntsville Stars to a 2-1 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville, Ala. The setback ended Pensacola’s five-game winning streak and also put the Wahoos four games behind first place Jacksonville with just 10 games left in the season.
Gomez created the game-winning run on his own in the last of the seventh inning. With the game tied 1-1, Gomez singled off Pensacola reliever Loek Van Mil (L, 0-9), advanced to second on sac bunt, moved to third on a fly out to right field before scampering home on a wild pitch with two outs, which proved to be enough for the Stars.
Huntsville jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning against the Wahoos’ Robert Stephenson. Eric Patterson singled to right and advanced to second on an error by Yorman Rodriguez, who mishandled the ball in right field. Jason Rogers then drove Patterson home with a single to put the Stars on top.
Stephenson battled his control throughout his outing, but bounced back to strike out five of the final six batters he faced in the contest, including three straight with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. The Reds top pitching prospect gave up only an unearned run in five innings, striking out eight and walking three.
Brooks Hall was nearly unhittable for Huntsville, limiting Pensacola to three hits over five frames to along with five strikeouts. He was lifted to start the sixth and the Wahoos immediately took advantage as Ryan LaMarre tripled against Eric Marzec and came around to score on a Mike Costanzo single, knotting the game at one.
Arcenio Leon (W, 2-7) faced one batter in the top of the seventh to pick up the win for the Stars. Casey Medlen (S, 12) pitched a perfect ninth to close the door on Pensacola.
The Wahoos now return home for their final homestand of the season, a five-game set with the Birmingham Barons. Carlos Contreras (2-2, 2.81) gets the ball for Pensacola against Birmingham’s Scott Snodgress (11-9, 4.44) with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday night.
Wahoos Edge Stars In 11 For Fifth Straight Win
August 22, 2013
Pensacola claimed their fifth straight win by sneaking past the Huntsville Stars 1-0 in 11 innings on Wednesday afternoon at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville.
Ryan LaMarre scored on a wild pitch from David Goforth (L, 4-3) with two outs in the top of the 11th for the game winning run. He singled to start the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and moved up to third on a groundout allowing him to score when the pitch to Yorman Rodriguez got away.
Both teams had opportunities to score earlier in the game. Corey Wimberly was thrown out at home in the third inning when he tried to score on a throw to first base behind LaMarre who had just singled. That was the second out of the inning, but LaMarre was stranded at second. Huntsville looked like they had a run in the seventh, on what seemed to be a sacrifice fly. With the bases loaded and one out, Hector Gomez flew out to LaMarre in deep left-center field, appearing to score Jason Rogers from third, but the throw to third was in time to get Shawn Zarraga trying to advance from second, and the plate umpire ruled that the out at third was before Rogers crossed home from third base.
Both starting pitchers were outstanding. For Pensacola, Josh Smith fired 6.1 shutout innings with four strikeouts and only one walk in a no decision. Ariel Pena also took a no decision for Huntsville. He worked seven scoreless with eight strikeouts. The Blue Wahoos bullpen preserved the shutout between 2.2 innings from Jaime Walczak, a scoreless 10th inning from Drew Hayes (W, 4-3) and a scoreless 11th from Trevor Bell (S, 16).
Hayes earned the win two strikeouts in the 10th before Bell tied a Blue Wahoos record with his 16th save of the season. The Wahoos closer worked around a two-out single to match Justin Freeman’s record of 16 saves from 2012. The 11th was Goforth’s only inning of work in the losing effort.
The Blue Wahoos will keep an eye on the Jacksonville-Chattanooga game in Chattanooga, Tenn. later Wednesday night. With a Suns loss, Pensacola will only be 3.5 games out of first place.
The Blue Wahoos will go for the series sweep on Thursday night in Huntsville. Pensacola will turn to RHP Robert Stephenson (0-1, 3.00) for his second Double-A start against RHP Books Hall (2-4, 4.53). First pitch is slated for 6:43 p.m. in Huntsville.