Area Football Stars Commit On National Signing Day
February 7, 2013
At Northview High School on Wednesday’s National Signing Day, Neiko Robinson signed a letter of intent with the Penn State Nittany Lions, and Blake McCall signed with Jackson State University.
“It’s exciting. I’m just ready to play now,” Robinson said. While Penn State is banned from bowl games for four years following a child abuse scandal, Robinson said he never wavered in his commitment to the Nittany Lions.
“”To me, the football program didn’t do anything wrong…it was a criminal matter,” he said. “Playing in front of 110,000 people, that’s a bowl game in itself.”
Walking into a huge stadium also helped seal the deal between McCall and the Jackson State Tigers in Jackson, Miss. “When I walked into the stadium — 65,ooo — I knew I wanted to play there,” McCall said. “It feels amazing; I am really and truly blessed to go to this school.”
Watching McCall and Robinson sign with large schools was a shining moment for Northview High Head Coach Sid Wheatley.
“We want to continue having great success here, and turn out student athletes to the next level. They are going to go and get and education, and that’s very important,” Wheatley told McCall and Robinson’s teammates as they watched the ceremony in the school theater.
Here’s a look at some of the other area commitments made Wednesday on National Signing Day:
Tate High
Tate High School running back Lorenzo Long signed Tuesday morning with the Division I-AA Wofford Terriers. Long holds the Tate Aggie career record with 3,227 rushing yards. During his senior season, Long had 183 carries for 1,175 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Pensacola High
Defensive back Blake Norwood of Cantonment to East Carolina.
Black Norwood to East Carolina.
West Florida High
Defensive end Nate Crawford to Missouri.
Cornerback Demetrius Smith to Georgia Military Academy.
Pine Forest High
Defensive end DeMarcus Glover to Western Kentucky.
Running back Rashaad Lee to Florida Atlantic.
Jordarius Gardner to Butler Community College in Kansas.
Pictured top: Neiko Robinson (left) reacts Tuesday afternoon to applause after signing his letter of intent with Penn State as Blake McCall (right) looks on and prepares to sign with Jackson State University. Pictured below: (front, L-R) Neiko Robinson’s aunt Tina Hicks, father Anthony Robinson, Neiko Robinson, Black McCall, McCall’s mother Kristi Crawford, (back) Northview Athletic Director Gary Mattes, Head Coach Sid Wheatley, and Coach Derek Marshman NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hunter Bags 400 Pound Wild Hog
February 7, 2013
A giant wild hog that had eluded hunters for years was killed Wednesday morning by Angus Brewton of Walnut Hill. The wild hog, weighing in at 400 pounds, was killed on the the Black Branch Hunting Club between Pine Barren Road and Pine Barren Creek, just south of Lambert Bridge Road. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview, Jay Advance In District Basketball Tourney
February 6, 2013
Northview and Jay both advanced in the District 2-1A basketball tournament at Jay Tuesday.
The No. 3 seed Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 61-43, and the No. 4 seed Jay beat the Baker Gators 53-47 in overtime.
Northview will take on No. 2 Bonifay Friday at 6 p.m., and Jay will face No. 1 Chipley at 7:30 p.m. Friday night’s winners will advance to the championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday in Jay.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Royals Cheerleaders Place Fourth In The State
February 4, 2013
The Jay High School Competitive Cheer Squad took fourth place in the state over the weekend.
In their second year,the Jay squad was among 50 that competed in four regions during the last month, with 27 teams advancing to the state series in the 1A Small, Non-Tumbling division. After the semis, the top seven teams — including Jay — advanced to the finals in Kissimmee.
Jay is one of the smallest schools in the state with a competitive cheer team, and is the only competitive team in Santa Rosa County. The team members are seniors Captain Hannah Roberts (captain) and Sha Kinder; juniors Kayla Flowers (co-captain), Kaitlyn Aguirre, Katy Bodiford, Harley Bradley, Morgin Mitchem, Brook Tegenkamp, and Brittany Tegenkamp; sophomores Brittani Ashworth, Makenzie Bray, Alisha Roberts, and Kendra Wells; freshmen- Leslie Kinder, Alaina Smith and Emily Wright. The girls are coached by Junia Fischer.
Pictured: The Jay Royals Competitive Cheer squad at the FHSAA state finals Saturday in Kissimmee, FL. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Honor Top Female Weightlifters
February 1, 2013
The Northview High School Girls Weightlifting Team recently ended a successful season and recognized several members for their achievements.
Pictured: (L-R) Most Improved Ashley Joiner; Most Valuable Jody Paramore; and Coach’s Award winners Te’Andreia Knight, Ashley Mooney and Hannah Fiellin. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Assistant Coach Ty Wise Headed To Graceville
January 31, 2013
Northview High School assistant coach Ty Wise has accepted the head coach and athletic director position at Graceville High School.
Wise has been on the Northview coaching staff for four years. As offensive coordinator, he led a Chiefs offense that accumulated over 1,000 points during the last two seasons and a Class 1A state championship win this past season.
It’s a move that could have Wise and the Graceville Tigers on the opposite side of the stadium from the Chiefs this upcoming season — both teams are Class 1A Region 1…meaning they could feasibly face each other in the state playoff series.
The move to Graceville, Wise said, was the most difficult decision he has ever had to make in his professional career.
“I met with the players today and explained my desire to be a head coach; I knew it was something that I would eventually pursue,” Wise said Wednesday night. “For my family and professional career, it was the best position for us to move over there.”
But, much like the Northview players chant in the huddle following every football game, Wise said he’ll always be a Chief.
“My time at Northview was amazing. I’ll never be able to forget what we were able to accomplish; I’ll always reflect on the positive,” he said. “I hope Northview will continue to have success. I’ll always be a Chief.”
Wise, who played football for the University of Miami, is scheduled to meet with the Graceville Tigers players today and expects to make the official move to Graceville before Spring practices begin.
At Graceville, Wise replaces March Beach who went 8-3 with a district title in 2012. Beach accepted the head coaching job at Marianna High School.
Pictured top: Northview assistant coach Ty Wise celebrates a state championship win for the Chiefs last December in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl. Pictured below: Wise plans out plays on the sidelines of a Chiefs game in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Boys Take Two From WS Neal
January 30, 2013
The Northview Chiefs took two from W.S. Neal Eagles Tuesday in boys basketball in East Brewton.
Northview 79, WS Neal 41
In varsity action, Northview beat WS Neal 79-41. Leading scorers for the Chiefs were Neino Robinson with 34, Cameron Newsome with 13, Laderious Franklin with 8 and Shane Bushaw with 8. With the win, Northview improved to 12-6 on the season.
Northview 50, WS Neal 27 (JV)
In junior varsity action, Northview beat WS Neal 50-27. Leading scorers for the Chiefs were Tydre Bradley with 16, Keondrae Lett with 13 and Nick Lambert with 11. The JV Chiefs improved to 6-2 on the season.
Both teams wrap up regular season play Friday at Tate. The junior varsity game tips off at 5:30, and the varsity plays at 7:00.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Release 2013 Baseball Schedules
January 29, 2013
The Tate Aggies have released their 2013 baseball schedules for the varsity, junior varsity and 9th grade teams.
Tate Pitcher Riley Hodge Signs With Tallahasee Community College
January 28, 2013
Tate High pitcher Riley Hodge has signed a scholarship to play for Tallahassee Community College next season. Hodge compiled a 5-1 record last year while posting a 1.06 ERA.
Pictured above are: TCC Head Coach Angelo Nicolosi, Riley Hodge, (back row) mother Robbie Hodge, father Wayne Hodge and Tate Head Coach Greg Blackmon. Pictured below: Hodge and his Aggies teammates. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Football Districts Finalized – Big Changes For Tate, Catholic
January 27, 2013
The Florida High School Athletic Association released final football classifications and districts for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. The assignments mean a big change for Tate, a big jump for Catholic and the same big dreams of a state championship for Northview.
Tate, Crestview and Niceville slide up to three-school 1-7A, leaving the area’s Big 6 — Escambia, Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington — in Class 1-6A.
A growing Catholic High was facing some serious road trips with a move proposed last month 3A, a district that included only schools in the Jacksonville area. The Crusaders appealed up two classes to 1-5A for a seven school district — Catholic, West Florida, Panama City Arnold, Gulf Breeze, Panama City Bay, Panama City Rutherford and Mosley.
Meanwhile, District 1-1A remains the same for the next couple of years, with the state champion Northview Chiefs, Jay, Baker and Freeport.
District 1-7A
- Tate
- Crestview
- Niceville
District 1-6A
- Escambia
- Milton
- Pace
- Pensacola High
- Pine Forest
- Washington
District 1-5A
- West Florida
- Gulf Breeze
- Pensacola Catholic
- Panama City Arnold
- Panama City Bay
- Panama City Rutherford
District 1-1A
- Northview
- Jay
- Baker
- Freeport
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.