Niceville's season comes to an end on Pace last-second TD

NICEVILLE — In today's MaxPreps-driven, Wild Wild West atmosphere of Florida high school football, where every two years a new playoff format enters the foray and coaches are jockeying for position in a non-transparent formula, there's a thin line between district champ and sitting out the playoffs. Niceville went from the former to the latter in the final 20 seconds of Wednesday night's District 1-5A title game against Pace at Eagle Stadium. UP 25-24 with 20 seconds left, the Eagles had done everything in their power to hoist district hardware and flip the narrative on Adron Robinson's first year at the helm. Deagan McCoy drove the Eagles 79 yards in 2:34, the junior connecting with Jakobe Gilyard for a 14-yard touchdown and then Caleb Leonard for the go-ahead 2-point conversion on a gutsy decision by Robinson. Only, a mistake was made. Leonard spiked the ball to draw the unsportsmanlike flag, turning a routine touchback on the ensuing kickoff into a Pace opportunity with the ball moved 15 yards back. Vote now: FPL Athlete of the Week for Oct. 26-31 Still, only 20 seconds remained. Not an eternity. The ensuing kick was meant to go up the left side, but instead

Week 12 high school football picks, including Choctaw-FWB, Niceville

We're at the finish line for the high school football regular season. Due to Hurricane Isaias, we have a wonky week of games leading up to Friday's bracket reveal by the FHSAA. In a year where we've had Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday football, we now have Tuesday and Wednesday night football. Navarre (1-7, 0-3) travels to Tate (4-4, 1-2) tonight and South Walton (6-3, 2-1) visits West Florida (3-5, 1-2) to get things started, and then Wednesday brings four games featuring five area teams. Niceville (4-5, 3-0) welcomes Pace (6-2, 3-0) for a 6 p.m. kickoff in a must-win game, the winner emerging as the District 1-5A champion with an automatic region bid attached. At Joe Etheredge Stadium, District 1-4A champ Choctawhatchee (6-2, 4-0) hosts Fort Walton Beach (3-6, 2-2) in "The Game," the Big Green leading the oldest rivalry in the Panhandle 33-22 after winning 12 of the last 13 matchups. Vote now: FPL Athlete of the Week for Oct. 26-31 Baker (6-3) travels to Port St. Joe (0-9) for a 7 p.m. kickoff, and Walton (6-2, 1-1) welcomes District 1-2A foe Destin (5-3, 0-2) at 7 p.m. Let's get to predicting. Week 12 Predictions (Last week 6-2,

Okaloosa elementary students compete in district’s first cross country championship

Elementary students from across Okaloosa County traded their classroom desks for running shoes this week as the Okaloosa County School District hosted its inaugural Intramural Cross Country Championship Meet. The two-day event brought together top fourth- and fifth-grade runners from schools in the district’s North, Central and South zones. Central...

Indians beat Vikings 49-13 in “The Game,” turn attention to Class 4A playoffs

It’s known as “The Game,” the Panhandle’s greatest rivalry, and for the sixth year in a row and the 12th time in the past 13 years, it belongs to Choctaw. The Indians beat Fort Walton Beach 49-13, and Head Coach Frank Beasley moved to 6-0 all-time against the Vikings.

Walton Braves roll past Destin High in district win

The Walton County Braves defeated the Destin High Sharks with a final score of 52-16. This 2A District 1 football game was a makeup match originally rescheduled due to a hurricane. Walton established a dominant 49-0 lead by halftime. Despite the loss, Destin High scored two touchdowns in the second...

Pace answers Niceville’s late go-ahead score to win district championship

The year is 2000. Bill Clinton was president. Tom Brady was a rookie. The Kobe-Shaq duo dominated the NBA. In Florida, the presidential election recount dominated both state and national headlines. Multiple area schools, including South Walton High, Shoal River Middle and Pineview School, didn’t even exist. No player on the Eagles’ roster was alive.

Santa Rosa voters overwhelmingly pass school referendum

Santa Rosa County District Schools can count on funding from half-cent sales tax revenue after voters supported a 10-year renewal of the tax on Tuesday. Voters passed the referendum by a vote of 48,692 (67.4%) in favor and 23,509 (32.6%) against, according to unofficial results. The tax will begin Jan. 1, 2029, and end Dec. 31, 2038. Over that period, the tax is expected to generate an estimated $160 million for capital outlay projects. Who won Escambia, Santa Rosa races? Latest Florida election results Past half-cent sales tax revenue has helped build new Santa Rosa County public school s and repair existing buildings. First approved in 1997, the Local Option Sales Tax currently accounts for more than one-third of the Santa Rosa County District Schools' capital outlay budget, said Karen Barber, superintendent of Santa Rosa schools. In addition to new schools and repairs, funds can also be used for land acquisition and improvements and upgrading and equipping schools with technology. Recently, the school district used $42 million in half-cent sales tax revenue to help fund the newly opened $117 million Soundside High School. The school was the first high school built in Santa Rosa County in over 30 years. Another

Patronis elementary and Rutherford high school band together to help keep local beaches clean

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - High school mentors and elementary school students are joining forces this week to help keep local shores clean. Students from Rutherford High School’s Construction Academy are stepping into mentorship roles on Monday, Nov. 2, and Tuesday, Nov. 3, guiding fifth graders from Patronis Elementary School as they build four beach cleanup stations.

Holtville Flag Football defeats LeFlore in opening round

The Holtville Bulldogs Flag Football team played in their first ever playoff game on Tuesday, traveling almost 200 miles to take on LeFlore High School, the Region 1 champions in Class 1A-4A. The Bulldogs made the trip worthwhile, shutting out LeFlore 24-0 and advancing to the 2nd round of the playoffs next week.

Long Beach High School wins $25,000 from T-Mobile, needs votes for next round

Long Beach High School has $25,000 from T-Mobile in hand and a chance at much more, but the school needs the community’s help to get there. The school was presented with a $25,000 check during halftime of a recent football game after being named a Division Finalist in the third annual T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest. State Representative Richard Bennett joined the celebration, along with school board members Frank Castiglia and Scott Rishel. The school district also credited Athletic Director Bob Reeves, who took the initiative to apply for the contest.

Robertsdale’s Central Christian School senior class holding Fall Festival fundraiser

ROBERTSDALE, Ala. (WKRG) — Central Christian School’s senior class in Robertsdale will host a Fall Festival to raise money for their class trip. According to a CCS news release, the festival will be this Friday, Nov. 6, from 6-8 p.m. in the school gym at 17395 State Highway 104 in Robertsdale.

WLOX Top Ten High School Football Poll: Week 11

Big Friday Kickoff Podcast: Round 1 Preview

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The road to a state championship starts now. The Alabama High School Football Playoffs are here, and we’re breaking down the biggest first-round matchups across our area on this week’s Big Friday Kickoff Podcast. From undefeated Gulf Shores hosting Ramsay in a rematch of...

Daphne High School Musical theater to compete in district competition

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Daphne High School’s Musical Theatre class is gearing up for the District Trumbauer competition. This year, they are taking the One Act musical Come From Away. The play is based on the true story of the inhabitants of a small town in Newfoundland, Canada. When...

High school football scores: Week 11

Video above: Week 11 High School Football highlights part 1 MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Be sure to check out the scores from the biggest games in Mobile County, Baldwin County and the Pensacola area from week 11 of the high school football season. Here are the games that have gone final. Thursday and Friday night scores: […]

Riding the Wave of Perfection As Gulf Shores Dolphins Finish Undefeated

Gulf Shores, AL. — (GSN) — The Gulf Shores High School Dolphins wrapped up a historic football season in dominant fashion, completing an undefeated regular season. The regular-season finale at Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium ("The Mick") was a memorable Senior Night celebration for the football team. Honoring their senior leaders before kickoff, the Dolphins delivered a statement performance with a commanding victory over Bayside Academy. Gulf Shores seized control early, executing seamlessly across all phases of the game to seal the perfect regular season.

‘Never put a child in a box’: 17-year-old earns doctorate as mom earns her degree

FOLEY, Ala. (WALA) - Alena McQuarter is 17 years old and already has a doctorate. Her mother crossed the same stage the same day. Alena and her mother, Daphne McQuarter, graduated side by side Oct. 23 at Columbia Southern University’s commencement, held at the Foley Event Center in Foley, Alabama. They were among more than 1,300 graduates, a class that included students who traveled together from Vietnam, soldiers and a firefighter. Alena received a Doctor of Education degree. Daphne earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Orange Beach Makos Cap Regular Season with Dominant 50–14 Victory

Orange Beach, AL. — (GSN) — The Orange Beach High School Makos closed out their regular season on a high note, putting on a commanding performance against the Holtville Bulldogs. Demonstrating firepower on both sides of the ball, Orange Beach seized control early and never looked back, storming away to a decisive 50–14 victory.

Cart Dr. Cheer Squad of the Week 10: Baldwin County High School Tigers

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WKRG) — This week’s Cart Dr. Cheer Squad of the Week is the Baldwin County High School Tigers, led by Head Coach Rebecca Harris and Assistant Coach Ayden Scarborough. The program includes 10 JV and 23 Varsity cheerleaders. JV is led by Captain Paisley White and Co-Captain Alayah Palmer, while Varsity is […]