‘Flash And Dash Of A Star’ – Molino’s Kart Racing King Jarrett Parker
May 25, 2011
Molino kart racing star Jarrett Parker continues his winning ways, taking another big win this past weekend in Gulfport. The Northview High student has caught the attention of Chase’n Race’n Illustrated magazine, America’s top kart racing publication dedicated to dirt karting.
Rowdy Jordan, the magazine’s publisher, gives NorthEscambia.com an industry-insider’s look at Parker:
Submitted by Rowdy Jordan
A couple of years ago, we stumbled on a youngster on the kart racing scene from Molino. This youngster had the flash and dash of a star. This youngster was Jarrett Parker.
Rules of the sport presented an opportunity in 2010 for Jarrett to continue competing in the junior divisions while also making the move into the senior divisions at select events.
In 2011, Jarrett has made the move into the senior ranks full-time. Early results, while fairly good, paled in comparison to his usual “winning” ways. Struggling a little against much more experienced veterans served as a wake-up call for the teen. Over the past month, Jarrett has competed at two high level events with national media in attendance. If there was ever a time to “answer the call”, this was it.
Jarrett managed a strong weekend in late April in Booneville, MS at the Mississippi Dirt Track Series event, but his “break-out” event of the year came in round three of the Mississippi Series held in Gulfport, MS on May 21.
Jarrett’s performance at Gulfcoast Motorsports Park exuded maturity, confidence, and the demeanor of a champion, something that has been missing in his earlier events this season. As a result, Jarrett bagged a win in the Stock Medium feature. That was just a “warm-up” for the Pro Flathead feature, which is the measure of success on this particular tour. Jarrett started on the outside pole alongside fellow Florida competitor Carson Haulman. While Haulman led the early laps, Jarrett clearly had the fastest ride on the track, but chose wisely to bide his time as the pair of youngsters sailed away from the field of competitors.
Just past the halfway point, Jarrett took over the top spot and cruised to the checkers nearly a half second ahead of second place Wesley LeBlanc of Louisiana, to claim the big payday.
His performance at the Gulfport event signals good and bad news. The good news; Jarrett Parker is here, and he’s here to win. The bad news is for his competitors: Jarrett Parker is here, and he’s here to win!
Photos courtesy Chase’n Race’n Illustrated for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Go Blue Wahoos! Pcola’s New Baseball Team Gets A Name
May 24, 2011
Pensacola’s new Double-A baseball team will be named the Blue Wahoos.
The name, submitted by Shelley Yates of Pensacola, was the slight favorite among thousands of fans that cast their vote during a “Name the Team” contest.
The Blue Wahoos brand was officially welcomed to Pensacola Monday at Cordova Park Elementary School. Quint and Rishy Studer, owners of the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, Blue Wahoos President Bruce Baldwin and fifth grade students and teachers from Cordova Park Elementary School were on hand to cheer for the six finalists and ultimately the winning name.
“From the 1,700 people who submitted team names to the pep rally here today at Cordova Park Elementary School, we have all thoroughly enjoyed this whole process,” said Quint Studer. “Naming the team is one of many opportunities for our fans and community to really take ownership of their new team. If the energy and creativity we saw from fans during this contest is any indication, we are going to have a lot of fun when the Blue Wahoos begin playing in Pensacola.”
Named for the explosive way they pull out of the water, Wahoos are a tough hometown fish that mean business. Blue, while part of the fish’s color, also connects to Pensacola’s blue water, blue skies and the Blue Angels, according to the team.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the future Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team will begin play in April 2012 at Maritime Park.
Pictured top: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos name is announced Monday morning during a pep rally at Cordova Park Elementary School. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Downs Northview In Spring Jamboree (With Photo Gallery)
May 20, 2011
The Northview Chiefs, coming off the best season ever in the school’s history, lost to the West Florida Jaguars 21-6 Thursday night during the varsity part of their spring football jamboree.
The Chief’s lone score came from Brandon Sheets with a 53-yard run.
The loss was, to say the least, a disappointment for Head Coach Sid Wheatley. He said the team had spent the three weeks of spring practice working on some new tricks that failed Thursday night due to mistakes.
For a photo gallery from the jamboree, click here.
“We knew we would have some mistakes and miscues; we were trying some different things offensively,” Wheatley said.
The mistakes and miscues were not limited to the offense, with the defense giving up some big plays.”Tackling was the most disappointing thing for us defensively,” he said. “We will work extremely hard to get better on the basics like tackling.”
Wheatley said fans will see a much improved team by fall, where the Chiefs have their sights set on that bringing thhat elusive state championship trophy home to Bratt.
We are going to continue to work, and we are going to be better,” Wheatley said.
West Florida scored with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Faxlanger to Ty Peasant, an 11-yard run from Daylan Abrams and a 12-yard dash from Lawrence Lee.
For a photo gallery from the jamboree, click here.
JUNIOR VARSITY
In the JV half of Thursday nights spring football jamboree at Woodham Middle School, the West Florida Jaguars slipped past the Northview Chiefs 3-0.
Even with the loss, Head Coach Sid Wheatley said his JV Chiefs played hard, moved the ball well and controlled the clock.
“I though the young kids played hard, and they are going to get better,” he said. “We are going to continue to work and have a great off-season and be ready to go in the fall.”
Pictured: Action as the Northview Chiefs take on the West Florida Jaguars Thursday evening at Woodham Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Twirler Wins Regional Titles
May 19, 2011
Colbi Kendall of Flomaton won two titles at the Regional Baton Competition last weekend in Wetumpka, Ala. She won the regional titles for 10-12 years old in 1 and 2 baton and also show twirl.
Kendall competed in the open division where she took fourth place in solo, second place in 2 baton and first place in show twirl. She competes on a competition team consisting of three other girls from Pace and Pensacola. They placed first in the open division and also had the highest score in Regional and open of all competing teams combined.
Kendall is instructed by Melissa Majors of Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers.
Northview Girls Track Team Members Awarded
May 18, 2011
Northview’s Girls Track Team concluded their season with a Tuesday night banquet.
The girls received a certificate, pin, and a letter for first year athletes. In addition, the following awards were given:
- MVA Most Valuable Athlete- Given to the girls that earned the most points.
- MVA Field Events(Jump) Laniecia Gomez
- MVA Field Events (Throwing) Te’Andreia Knight
- MVA Mid & Long Distance -Georgia Goetter
- MVA Short Distance -Melissa Moretz(Not present)
- MVA Hurdles – Laniecia Gomez
- Take One for the Team Award-
- This years motto for the girls. The girls that would push and advance the team.
- Te’Andreia Knight, Naomi Cooler, Cheyanne Garnett, Shelby Nielsen, Jazzlyn Franklin, & Allissa Fiellin
- Heart of the Team Award-
- The girls that continued to uplift the team, positive attendance, help others, and kept it positive on the track and off.
- Laniecia Gomez & Ashley Cunningham
(MVA is Most Valuable Athelete, given to the girl that earned the most points in an event.)
Pictured top: Members of the Northview High School Girls Track Team. Pictured below: Take One for the Team Award winners. Pictured bottom: Heat of the Team Award winners Laniecia Gomez and Ashley Cunningham; MVA award winners Laniecia Gomez and Georgia Goetter. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Man Wins College Rodeo Championship
May 17, 2011
Colter Prescott was recently awarded the title of Team Roping Heeler Champion of the Ozark Region for College Rodeo.
Prescott, formerly of Jay, is a recent graduate for Southern Arkansas University where he received his degree in agriculture business. He will represent his college at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, WY, in June 2011.
Prescott also excelled in other events this year at the college rodeos with thrid place All-Around Cowboy, fourth place Tie-Down Calf Roping and sixth place in the Steer Wrestling event. He is the son of Jeff and Marsha Prescott of Jay.
Pictured: Colter Prescott with his Ozark Region Champion Saddle and Team Roping Heeler Championship Belt Buckle. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Subway All Star Softball, Baseball To Feature Local Players
May 16, 2011
The Subway High School All-Star Baseball and Softball Game Presented by Andrews Institute is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2011 at the University of West Florida.
Softball begins at 6:30, while baseball’s first pitch will be at 7:00 p.m. The games will be between the West team from Escambia County and the East team from Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.
Tickets are $7, or $6 with a canned food donation at the gate for the Manna Food Bank.
The softball team will feature players from the North Escambia area. Shawna Montgomery, Ashley Digmon and Miranda Burkett from Northview; and Shelby Myers and Maleah McCombs from Tate will play for the West, while Alicia Ashworth from Jay will play for the East.
The West baseball team will feature Tate players Alex Stevens, Tyler Howell, Cody Griffith, Hunter Manning, Dustin Sanders and Will Schreiber; and Northview players Dabney Langhorne, Colton Simms and Austin Arrington. Hunter Brown from Jay will play for the East.
Complete rosters are below; click to enlarge.
NWE Machine Pitch Ends Season
May 14, 2011
Northwest Escambia machine pitch finished its season Friday night. Pictured above: Garrett Bodiker, Logan Bryan, Keaton Brown, John Bashore, Cody Thomas, Skyler Busbee, Cody Edwards, Chris Nordman, A. J. Hasty, Trevor Bomba. Not pictured, Trevor Scott and Michael Sanders. Pictured below: The team with coaches, Josh Edwards, Kevin Bryan and Preston Bryan. Submitted photos by Carrie Bryan for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have photos from your team? Email them to news@northescambia.com
Three Northview Seniors Named To All-State Football Team
May 11, 2011
A Tallahassee area football publication has named three Northview High School seniors to their Class 1A All-State football team.
4QuartersOnline named Dustin Yuhasz as second team offense, Lonnie Gardner to first team defense and Austin Arrington to second team defense. All three were part of the first Chiefs team to ever advance to the state semifinals and the first NHS team in playoff action east of Tallahassee.
Pictured top: 4QuartersOnline Class 1A All-State football team members Dustin Yuhasz, Lonnie Gardner and Austin Arrington during the Chiefs’ Senior Night last fall. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
High School Football Schedules Released
May 10, 2011
Fall football schedules have been released for area high schools, and dates for spring jamboree games have been announced.
For Northview and Jay, it’s the year in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s new Rural Division which includes only smaller rural schools with less than 650 students. The new division was created to level the playing field and prevent the small rural from competing at the state level against urban schools that draw from much larger population.
Last year, the Northview Chiefs advanced to the state semifinals before falling 49-14 to Jacksonville Trinity Christian, a private urban school.
Last season, the Jay Royals finished the season without a win. This year, the Royals have new leadership and new hope in their new division.
For the Tate Aggies, this fall will mean a move into District 1-6A with Escambia, Milton, Pace, Pensacola, Pine Forest and Washington.
Here are the spring games that will be played this month, as well as the Fall 2011 schedule for North Escambia area high schools:
SPRING GAMES
- Northview at West Florida, Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m. (not finalized)
- Washington at Tate, Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m.
- Jay at Rocky Bayou, Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m.
FALL SCHEDULE
NORTHVIEW
(all games at 7 p.m.)
Sept 2 — TBD
Sept 9 — at Marianna
Sept 16 — at Chipley
Sept 23 — South Walton*
Sept 30 — Gulf Breeze
Oct 7 — at Jay*
Oct 14 — OPEN
Oct 21 — Freeport*
Oct 28 — at Vernon
Nov 4 — Baker*
Nov 11 — at West Florida
JAY
(all games at 7 p.m.)
Sept 2 — Rocky Bayou
Sept 9 — Holmes County
Sept 16 — at Sneads
Sept 23 — at Flomaton
Sept 30 — South Walton
Oct 7 — Northview*
Oct 14 — at Cottondale
Oct 21 — at Baker*
Oct 28 — at Graceville
Nov 4 — Freeport*
Nov 11 — OPEN
TATE
Sept 2 — St. Charles (La.) Catholic — 7:30 p.m.
Sept 9 — at Ft. Walton Beach — 7 p.m.
Sept 16 — at West Florida — 7 p.m.
Sept 23 — at Escambia* — 7:30 p.m.
Sept 30 — Pine Forest* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 7 — at Milton* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 14 — Pensacola High — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 21 — Pace* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct 28 — Tallahassee Godby — 7:30 p.m.
Nov 4 — at Washington — 7:30 p.m.
Nov 11 — OPEN
WEST FLORIDA
Sept. 2 — Escambia — 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — at Washington — 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 — Tate — 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — at P.C. Bay* –7 p.m.
Sept. 30 — at Walton — 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — at Gulf Breeze* — 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 — OPEN
Oct. 21 — at P.C. Rutherford — 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 — P.C. Arnold* — 7 p.m.
Nov. 4 — at Tallahasse Chiles — 6 p.m.
Nov. 11 — Northview — 7 p.m.
Pictured: Jay’s Allen Perry is tackled by Northview’s Corry Baggett the Chiefs defeated the Royals last fall. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.