Northview Honors Winning Team, Cheerleaders
December 11, 2009
The Northview Chiefs honored their football players and cheerleaders and their annual banquet Thursday night.
“It was a tremendous year,” Head Football Coach Sid Wheatley said, crediting in part the leadership of the team’s 20 seniors.
“We returned pretty much the same guys that won two games last year,” Wheatley, a first year head coach, said. “It was tough, but we had a great season.”
The Chiefs finished the regular season at 7-3, one spot away from a playoff berth. Post season, 1A Northview played 4A Tate in the first ever Miracle Bowl. The Aggies came out on top, but Wheatley said he was proud of his team’s performance and the chance to play a larger school.
Northview Head Cheerleading Coach Anna Barry and JV Coach Mega Carroll said they are also proud of their squads.
“This is a very talented group of girls,” said Barry. “I think we have the best cheerleading team around.
Joey McCall, president of the NHS Quarterback club, thanked the coaches and all of those that worked hard during the season to support the Northview program.
The following players and cheerleaders received awards:
Football Awards
- Most Improved Player Award: Austin Arrington and Steven Long
- Chief Award: Jeremy Jackson and Devin Moore
- Iron Man Award: Anthony Pierce
- Oustanding Offensive Lineman Award: John Sellars, Austin Cooper
- Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award: Levi Gideons, Lonnie Gardner
- Head Hunter Award: Austin Reid
- Outstanding Back Award: La’Mikal Kyles, Dustin Yuhasz
- Academic Award: Brad Lowery q (4.27 weighted GPA)
JV Cheerleaders
- Most Improved Award: Taylor Rigby
- Spirit Award: Ashley Cunningham.
Varsity Cheerleaders
- Most Improved Award: Sara Killam
- Squad Strength Award: Laneicia Gomez and Courtney Merritt
- Best All Around Award: Brooke Tullis
- Spirit Award: Kassandra Lett
Click here for more photos from the event.
Pictured top: Northview’s 20 senior football players. Pictured inset: Senior Austin Cooper (left) makes a presentation on behalf of the senior players to Head Coach Sid Wheatley. Pictured bottom: The Northview High School varsity cheerleaders. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Area Football Players Honored With Challenger Awards
December 10, 2009
Several North Escambia area football players were among those honored Monday night at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Challenger Award Banquet.
John Sellars from Northview High School, Abe Hutcheon from Tate High School, Andrew Polk from Jay High School, Brian Ross from Flomaton High School and Jon Dean from Escambia Academy each received one of the 22 Challenger Awards presented by the FCA.
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.
The 41st annual event, held at the Pensacola Civic Center, hosted members of 22 football teams from across South Alabama and Northwest Florida, including the Northview Chiefs. About 1,200 people attended the annual event.
Alabama Crimson Tide freshman football star Trent Richardson, an Escambia High School graduate, was on hand to meet the players.
Tate Grad Signs As Kicker For Washington Redskins
December 9, 2009
The Washington Redskins have signed a Tate High School graduate as their new place kicker.
The Redskins announced Tuesday that they have signed place kicker Graham Gano to the roster and released Shaun Suisham. Gano, a rookie out of Florida State, was with the Baltimore Ravens in preseason but lost the kicking job to Steve Hauschka. Gano, 22, was born in Arbroath, Scotland, and grew up in Pensacola, graduating from Tate High School in 2005 as an All-America First-Team selection by USA Today.
Gano was with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League earlier this year. He converted 14-of-16 field goals, including a league-high 53-yarder, and he also kicked the game-winner in the UFL championship game.
At Florida State, Gano won the Lou Groza Award as the league’s best kicker and exarned All-America honors during his senior season. He made 24-of-26 field goals, including 18 in a row, for the Seminoles.
Gano, 6-1 and 200 pounds, replaces Suisham, who has served as the Redskins’ kicker since December 2006. Suisham missed a 23-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s game vs. New Orleans. It proved to be a critical miss, as the Saints rallied to defeat the Redskins 33-30. Suisham had connected on 18-of-21 field goals for the Redskins in 2009.
Gano’s debut with the Redskins will be this Sunday in Oakland against the Raiders. He has a three year contract.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
PCA Beats Jay; Tate Over Pace In OT; EA Wins Big
December 9, 2009
In Tuesday basketball action, The Jay Royals feel to Pensacola Christian, and the Tate Aggies slipped past Pace in overtime.
PCA 55, Jay 41
Pensacola Christian Academy beat Jay Tuesday in Jay. The Royals were led by Hunter Boutwell with a dozen points.
PCA — Hawkins 4, Harrison 2, Kuloba 10, Riche 4, Goetsch 23, Andrews 12.
Jay (2-2) — Dee Walker 5, Luke Rowell 2, Hunter Boutwell 12, Doug Fischer 10, Conner Weekes 2, Steven Brabham 8, Todd Laney 2.
PCA 12 11 7 25-55 Jay 6 12 13 10-41
Tate 65, Pace 63 OT
The Tate Aggies (6-0, 3-0) slipped past the Pace Patriots Tuesday in overtime.The top scorer for the Aggies was Petey Jones with 15.\
Pace — Keith Colvin 2, Tyler Swanson 11, Rob Smith 6, Jason Varney 18, Drew Simpson 5, Sam Irvin 14, Ross Fruge 7.
Tate — Edwin Richburg 7, Armani Costen 1, Petey Jones 15, Chris Walden 13, Kevin Brown 10, Dylan Anderson 10, Dakota Buttitta 3, Shermonne Jones 4, Adam Srumpf 2.
Pace 10 20 15 11 7-65 Tate 12 23 9 12 9-63
Escambia Academy 66 Patrician 36
Escambia Academy beat Patrician 66-36 Tuesday in Canoe. Michael Hippa led the Cougars with 16 points, the only player in double digits.
EA — Michael Hippa 16, James White 8, Nate Smith 7, Keaton Maher 9, Darron McGhee 5, Jake Wasden 3, Brandon Goddard 6, Tanner Kirk 2, Wade Matthews 2, Jarrett Hadley 5, Jalen Henry 4, Tanner Boatwright 1.
Escambia Academy 66 Patrician 56 OT (girls)
In girls basketball, Escambia Academy beat Patrician 66-56 in overtime Tuesday in Canoe. The Cougars (5-1) put a dozen points on the board in overtime while holding Patrician to just two.
EA — Amber Huskey 16, Taylor Helton 16, Jordan Jaye 14, Kristin Matthews 8, Kayleigh Miller 8.
EA 8 9 16 21 12-66 Patrician 12 17 16 9 2-56
Basketball: Northview, Jay, Flomaton, Escambia Academy Scores
December 8, 2009
Here’s a roundup of basketball action from around the North Escambia area:
Flomaton 49 Northview 44
The Flomaton Hurricanes beat the Northview Chiefs in basketball action 49-44 at Flomaton.
Flomaton led Northview the first two periods. The Chief rallied to take a 37-35 lead by the end of the third quarter, but the ‘Canes outscored the Chiefs in the fourth for the win. Flomaton’s Tata Ellis was the leading scorer with 19 points.
Northview (1-4) — Lance Bushaw 17, Ladarion White 10, Aaron Bellamy 10, Austin Arrington 3, Dabney Longhorne 4.
Flomaton (5-4) — Shay Gipson 5, Phillip Lloyd 3, Austin Patterson 16, Ryheem Dixon 3, Tee Mitchell 3, Tata Ellis 19.
Northview 7 13 17 7—44 Flomaton 16 11 8 14—49
Jay 49 PCA 14
Jay defeated Pensacola Christian 49-14 in girl’s basketball action at Jay. The Royal’s Becca Calloway was the leading scorer with 13.
Pensacola Christian Academy — L. Weidert 4, Hawkins 2, Brauneis 6, Balentine 2, J. Weidert 0.
Jay (4-2) — Ginger Jennings 4, Courtney Hammac 1, Tessa Hendricks 8, Danielle Skaggs 6, Candace Mulford 8, Shelby Thomas 4, Amber Steadham 5, Becca Calloway 13.
PCA 2 2 2 8—14 Jay 20 19 6 4—49
Meadowview 60 Escambia Academy 48
The Escambia Academy Cougars lost to Meadowview Monday 60-48. The Cougars were led by Michael Hippan and Nate Smith with 10 points each.
Escambia Academy — Michael Hippa 10, Nate Smith 10, James White 5, Keaton Maher 6, Jarett Hadley 3, Jalen Henry 2, Tanner Boatwright 3, Robert Whatley 2.
Escambia Academy 45 Meadowview 31
The Escambia Academy girls beat Meadowview Monday 45-31. Amber Huskey was the leading scorer for the Cougars with 15.
Escambia Academy Escambia Academy — Amber Huskey 15, Jordan Jaye 9, Kayleigh Miller 6, Grayson Emmons 5, Kristin Matthews 4.
North Escambia Residents Place During Snowball Derby Weekend
December 7, 2009
Several North Escambia area residents had good showings in this weekend’s racing series at Five Flag Speedway, including Eddie Mercer who placed second in Sundays’ Snowball Derby by NASCAR’s Sprint Cup star Kyle Busch.
Kenny Bullard of Cantonment won the Bomber Car Division Thursday night, and Rick Thompson of Molino was first a Bombers Heat Race on Thursday.
Click here for more on the Snowball Derby.
Here’s a look at how North Escambia area residents fared this weekend at Five Flags Speedway:
Sunday — Snowball Derby
2. Eddie Mercer, Cantonment
11. Scott Carlson, Cantonment
Saturday — Pro Late Models Feature
13. Logan Boyett, Molino
23. Brandon Carlson, Cantonment
Saturday — Pro Late Models Qualifying
20. Logan Boyett, Molino
20. Brandon Carlson, Cantonment
Friday — Super Late Models Qualifying
7. Eddie Mercer, Cantonment
28. Scott Carlson, Cantonment
Friday — Modified Feature
25. Scott Barbaric, Cantonment
26. Josh Goodwin, Cantonment
Friday — Super Stocks Feature
5. Randy Thompson, Cantonment
Thursday — Sportsmen Feature
5. Steve Buttrick, Cantonment
9. Bubba Winslow, Cantonment
10. Randy Thompson, Cantonment
18. Brannon Fowler, Molino
Thursday — Bombers Feature
1. Kenny Bullard, Cantonment
8. Mike Goraum, Cantonment
11. Rick Thompson, Molino
18. Jamie Young, Molino
20. Dayton Sidner, Cantonment
Thursday — Bombers Heat Race
1. Rick Thompson, Molino
4. Jaimie Young, Molino
9. Leonard Craig, Jr., Cantonment
10. Brandin Sidner, Cantonment
Kyle Busch Wins Snowball Derby
December 7, 2009
Kyle Busch won the 42nd annual Snowball Derby in front of a sellout crowd Sunday at Five Flags Speedway.
The current NASCAR Sprint Cup star dominated this season, winning the Nationwide and Truck series. He had a disappointing Sprint Cup season, winning just four races and finishing out of the Cup Chase. That allowed him to come to Pensacola for the Snowball Derby and he led three times for 99 laps, including the final 25.
“Winning the Snowball Derby means so much to me,” he said in Victory Lane. “What a race car I had. I was nervous the last 10 laps.” Busch pulled away after passing 2005 Snowball Derby winner Eddie Mercer of Pensacola on Lap 276. Mercer took second, while 2004 winner Steven Wallace was third. Bobby Gill was fourth and John Bolen fifth.
Polesitter Johanna Long finished 18th, two laps down, while Augie Grill’s bid to become the first driver to win consecutive Snowballs ended with a wreck and he finished 31st. Busch started third and edged Long to take the lead on the opening lap. Grill, starting in fourth, passed Busch for the lead on Lap 29. On Lap 59, two cars in front of Grill spun and Grill ran into the back of one of them, but didn’t do much damage.
He gave up the lead on Lap 96 when he came into the pits for fresh tires. Casey Smith, who had pitted earlier, took the point for 67 laps. Grill, however, restarted in 26th and was hit by Justin Drawdy as he was trying to work his way to the front. The damage slowed him down considerably and he parked the car shortly after that.
Mercer took over the lead on Lap 163 when Smith and other leaders went into the pits for fresh tires. Eighteen laps later, Mercer became the all-time Snowball Derby lap later, passing Bobby Gill, who has 694. Mercer now has led 744 laps.
The frustration continued for Smith, who began to back up shortly after pitting for fresh tires. His pit crew put the right-side tires on the left side and he later suffered damage to his car.
Busch passed Mercer for the lead on Lap 208. Mercer, who later pitted, worked his way back to the front and regained the lead on Lap 246 when Busch and the other leaders pitted for their final set of tires. Mercer held it through three more cautions but Busch cleared some lap cars and went low in Turn 1 to take the lead for good on Lap 276.
There were 14 cautions in the race for 108 laps.
Kyle Busch, 300 laps
Eddie Mercer, 300
Steven Wallace, 300
Bobby Gill, 300
John Bolen, 300
Grant Enfinger, 300
Chase Elliott, 300
Wayne Niedecken Jr., 300
Ryan Lawler, 300
Ryan Sieg, 300
Scott Carlson, 300
Ross Kenseth, 300
Scott Hantz, 300
Dennis Prunty, 299
Dennis Schoenfeld, 299
Brian Scott, 298
Randy Gentry, 298
Johanna Long, 298
Gary Helton, 296
Danny Bagwell, 294
Stephan McCurley, 293
Casey Smith, 291
David Rogers, 280
Justin Drawdy, 260
Brian Ickler, 252
Shane Sieg, 219
David Stremme, 206
Cale Gale, 204
Josh Hamner, 192
Tyler Millwood, 169
Augie Grill, 142
Brian Campbell, 137
Hunter Robbins, 100
Bubba Pollard, 100
Heath Hindman, 67
Jeff Choquette, 64
Cecil Chunn, 2
Lap leaders: Busch 1-28; Grill 29-95; Smith 96-162; Mercer 163-207; Busch 208-245; Mercer 246-275; Busch 276-300; 7 lead changes among 4 drivers. Margin of victory: 2.778 seconds; Average speed: 62.071 mph.Cautions: 14 for 106 laps.
Northview Presents Cross Country Awards
December 2, 2009
Northview High School’s Cross Country team recently held their annual banquet, presenting awards to many members.
The following awards were presented:
- FCA Go the Distance Award: Georgia Geotter and Dustin Lewis
- Most Improved: Georgia Geotter and Dillian Crutchfield
- Fastest: Georgia Geotter and Joshua Scott
- Leadership: Sarah Killam, Joshua Scott, and Jackson Smith
- Junmi Ross Award: Jessica Bloodsworth
- Jim Ross Award: Clint Davis
- Coaches Choice Award: Angel Mitchell and Dustin Lewis
The following athletes received a letter for completing their first varsity level sport:
- Jackson Smith
- Jansen Bodiford
- Dillian Crutchfield
- Bubby Sanders
- Georgia Geotter
- Angel Mitchell
The following received bars as returning cross country athletes:
- Clint Davis -2nd year
- Joshua Scott-2nd year
- Dustin Lewis 2nd year
- AJ Lambert 2nd year
- Blake Luker 2nd year
- Jessica Bloodsworth 2nd year
- Sarah Killam 2nd year
For photos of the award winners, click here.
Pictured top: Members of the Northview High School Cross Country team at their annual banquet. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Teen Has Four Top 10 Finishes In National Kart Championships
November 30, 2009
A Molino teen had four top 10 finishes this weekend in the National Indoor Kart Championships in Batesville, Mississippi.
Jarrett Parker, 15, finished eighth in the Junior 3 Heavy Feature kart race Friday with a time of 3:43.662, just 6.936 off first place. In the Junior 3 Animal Lite Feature, Parker finished tenth, with a time of 15:10.899, 3.125 off first place.
In the Junior 3 Pro Feature, Parker was ninth, with a time of 7:09.350, 6.364 behind first place. In the Junior 3 Animal Feature, he was eighth, finishing 6.919 off first with a time of 5:43.825.
In the Junior Pro 3 race Saturday night, he started in the rear in the 20th position, working his way up for a ninth place finish in the 2o-lap race.
Parker, a Northview High School freshman, won the state championships in both Alabama and Mississippi this year. He has previously competed, either winning or placing, in races across Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.
Jarrett, who has been Kart racing since 2003, is the son of Scott and Tammy Parker of Molino.
This weekend’s National Indoor Kart Championship will air on ESPN2 and The Outdoor Channel sometime in 2010.
Pictured above: Molino teen Jarret Parker has made it big the in the world of kart racing. Pictured top inset: Parker after a big win. Pictured bottom inset and below: Parker at the National Indoor Kart Championship this weekend in Mississippi. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Shoots Her First Buck: 10 Point, 209 Pounder
November 29, 2009
Melissa Hogan, 29, shot her first buck Saturday at the Black Water Hunting Club at Barnett Crossroads in Escambia County, Ala. Hogan’s buck was 10 point, 209 pounds with a 21 3/4 inch wide spread. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.