May 2021 – Page 4 – Irish Bill's Sports

Countdown to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders – 113 Days

May 6, 2021 by irishbillsports

113 days to kickoff of the 2021 High School Football season for the Navarre Raiders as they will host Fort Walton Beach on 27 Aug 2021.

113 games ago – Pensacola 29, Navarre 22 (2011)

The Raiders (1-1) returned home and dropped a tough one to the Tigers. Navarre took a 7-0 lead after one; but Pensacola would score 23 straight points over the second and third quarters to take a 23-7 lead into the fourth. Raiders would rally; but fell a little short in the loss.

QB Dusty Jones led the air attack (17-31, 260 yards, 2 TDs) and also contributed a rushing TD. Navarre had two 100 yard receivers in the game; Jordan Leggett (5 rec, 109 yards, TD) and Marquis Hagewood (5 rec, 108 yards).

DL Virgilio Hunter added 15 tackles (9 solo/6 assists); LB Devin Colonel with 14 tackles (6 solo/8 assists); LB Jay Warren notched 12 (8 solo/4 assists) and DL Christian Gill had 10 (7 solo/3 assists) for the Raiders.

113 – total solo tackles in a career – Xavier Fernandez (2014-16)

113 – rushing yards in a game – Chris Williams – Catholic – Game 1 (2018)

Navarre is 87-26 in their last 113 games and has yet to beat Pensacola; trails in the overall series, 2-0.

Countdown to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders – 114 Days

May 6, 2021 by irishbillsports

114 days to kickoff of the 2021 High School Football season for the Navarre Raiders as they will host Fort Walton Beach on 27 Aug 2021.

114 games ago – Navarre 28, Washington 7 (2011)

The Raiders (1-0) started off the 2011 season with a win on the road against the Wildcats. The game went to the half tied at 7; but Navarre would outscore Washington in the second half 21-0 for the victory.

QB Dusty Jones led the way through the air going 13-25 for 196 yards and 3 touchdowns. Brad Leggett, Jordan Leggett and Dwayne Carter were on the receiving end of those touchdown passes and Carter also contributed 75 yards on 16 carries.

LB Jay Warren had 12 tackles (6 solo/6 assists), an interception, a sack and a tackle for loss on defense for the Raiders.

114 – total points scored in a career – Frank Willis (1999-2001)
114 – total points scored in a career – Michael Pettus (2007-09)
114 – total tackle points in a career – Aaron Mitchell (2015-16)
114 – rushing yards in a game – Omari Green – Washington – Game 2 (2017)

Navarre is 87-27 in their last 114 game and has never lost to Washington…lead the series 6-0.

Countdown to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders – 115 Days

May 6, 2021May 4, 2021 by irishbillsports

115 days to kickoff of the 2021 High School Football season for the Navarre Raiders as they will host Fort Walton Beach on 27 Aug 2021.

115 games ago – Lincoln 34, Navarre 33 (3OT) – Region 1-4A Final (2010)

Raiders (11-2) went on the road for the third straight week in the State Playoffs. Lincoln would score a couple of touchdowns on long plays; but Navarre matched them point for point.

Sophomore Johnny Robinson-Pettus had one of the best one handed interceptions I had ever seen to deny one Lincoln drive and RB Dwayne Carter was running all over the Trojan defense for 180+ yards behind an outstanding performance from the offensive line.

The Raiders had a chance to win the game in regulation as they drove down to the Trojans 30-yard line with 1:12 left on the clock and two timeouts. The Navarre faithful was smelling their first Region Title; but Lincoln’s Javorius “Buck” Allen stepped in front a Colton Kane pass in the end zone that would eventually send the game into overtime at 13-13.

Navarre would be up first in the first overtime and quickly scored. Lincoln would be faced with a fourth and nine and somehow QB Ronald Butler would elude the Raiders pass rush and tie the game at 20-20.

Lincoln would score a touchdown to start the second OT; but Navarre’s Carter would find the end zone on third down to tie the game at 27-27 and send it to a third overtime.

Raiders scored in the third overtime; but unfortunately the extra point was blocked. On Lincoln’s first play, the Navarre defense would sack Butler setting up a second and twelve. The Trojans scored on a fade route on second down and added the extra point in a thrilling 34-33 victory to end the Raiders dream season.

Navarre outscored their opponents 419-247 in 2010; which was the first time a Raider team had scored over 400 points in a season.

115 – total solo tackles in a career – Eugene Robinson (2007-09)
115 – receiving yards in a game – Marquis Hagewood – Pace – Game 3 (2011)
115 – passing yards in a game – Caine Adamson – Choctaw – Game 3 (2016)
115 – yards passing in a game – Sage Chambers – Niceville – Game 10 (2016)
115 – yards rushing in a game – Michael Carter – Milton – Game 7 (2016)
115 – yards passing in a game – Marlon Courtney III – Gulf Breeze – Game 9 (2018)

Raiders are 88-27 in their last 115 games and trail in overall series with the Trojans, 2-0.

Lady Raiders Advance to Class 2A State Semifinals

May 3, 2021 by irishbillsports

FHSAA Class 2A Regional Final – Flag Football

Navarre 19, Spruce Creek 13

The Lady Raiders trailed late in the first half, 13-0, but scored in the last minute to cut the lead to 13-6 at the half. Navarre’s defense would rise to the occasion in the second half and the offense put up 13 points to secure a 19-13 win.

The Lady Raiders (14-3) will play Newsome (18-1) in the State Semifinals on Friday in Jacksonville. The winner will play the winner of the Seminole Ridge (16-0) and Western (16-0) game for the State title.

Countdown to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders – 116 Days

May 3, 2021 by irishbillsports

116 days to kickoff of the 2021 High School Football season for the Navarre Raiders as they will host Fort Walton Beach on 27 Aug 2021.

116 games ago – Navarre 20, Pine Forest 18 (2010) – Regional Semifinal

The Raiders (11-1) would travel to Pine Forest in Week 2 of the State Playoffs, a place that gave them their only loss of the regular season. The Raiders found themselves down late to the Eagles, 18-14, and the home team was driving to seal up the win. Louchiez Purifoy took over that last drive, but when he tried to fight for extra yardage, he fumbled the ball and the Raiders recovered at their own 10-yard line…setting up Navarre’s 90-yard game winning drive.

With just over two minutes to play, the Raiders were successful on two fourth down conversions (both to Posey) to keep the drive alive. QB Colton Kane would then find WR Brad Leggett wide open across the middle of the field on a 30-yard scoring strike to give Navarre a 20-18 lead and their eighth straight victory; as well as the programs first 11-win season.

116 – total solo tackles in a career – Adam Hamilton (2007-08)
116 – points scored in a career – Gatlin Casey (2011-13)
116 – yards passing in a game – Sage Chambers – Gulf Breeze – Game 8 (2017)
116 – yards passing in a game – Marlon Courtney III – Escambia – Game 12 (2018)
116 – yards passing in a game – Zach Marquis – Crestview – Game 6 (2020)

Raiders are 88-28 in their last 116 games and the overall series with Pine Forest is tied, 4-4.

2021 Schedule – Washington Wildcats

May 2, 2021 by irishbillsports

Washington Wildcats
Head Coach: Ryan Onkka

20 Aug 2021 – vs. Catholic (KOC)
27 Aug 2021 – vs. University Christian
3 Sep 2021 – at Pensacola
10 Sep 2021 – Open Week
17 Sep 2021 – at Escambia *
24 Sep 2021 – at West Florida
1 Oct 2021 – vs. Milton *
8 Oct 2021 – at Tate
15 Oct 2021 – at Gulf Breeze *
22 Oct 2021 – at Catholic
29 Oct 2021 – vs. Pine Forest *
5 Nov 2021 – vs. Pace

* Denotes District Game

Navarre’s Michael Carter selected by the NY Jets

May 2, 2021May 2, 2021 by irishbillsports

University of North Carolina and Navarre Alum RB Michael Carter taken by the NY Jets in the 4th Round at pick #107. Michael is the second Navarre Raider to be selected in the NFL Draft; Jordan Leggett was selected by the Jets in 2017 in the fifth round at pick #150.

High School Stats:
476 points scored (School Record)
4,540 yards rushing – Career (School Record)
2,536 yards rushing – Season (School Record)
333 yards rushing – Game (School Record)
79 total TDs (School Record)
69 rushing TDs (School Record)
7 TDs in game (School Record)

College Stats:
714 carries, 3,424 yards (Career)
82 receptions, 642 yards (Career)
28 TDs (22 rushing, 6 receiving)

Countdown to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders – 117 Days

May 2, 2021 by irishbillsports

117 days to kickoff of the 2021 High School Football season for the Navarre Raiders as they will host Fort Walton Beach on 27 Aug 2021.

117 games ago – Navarre 28, Niceville 7 (2010)

The Raiders (10-1) won their first playoff game in school history as they went on the road and knocked off Niceville in the Region Quarterfinals. This was the first match-up between these two teams and was Navarre’s first 10-win season. The Raiders extended their winning streak to seven games in a row.

117 – total solo tackles in a career – Lucas Thomas (2000-02) – ninth all-time

117 – yards rushing in a game – Derek Nelson – West Florida – Game 1 (2006)

117 – total solo tackles in a career – Andrew Garcia (2008-10) – ninth all-time

117 – receptions in a career – Jordan Leggett (2010-12) – second all-time

117 – yards rushing in a game – Dwayne Carter – Choctaw – Game 6 (2011)

Navarre is 89-28 in their last 117 games and leads the overall series against Niceville, 8-3.

Countdown to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders – 118 Days

May 1, 2021 by irishbillsports

118 days to kickoff of the 2021 High School Football season for the Navarre Raiders as they will host Fort Walton Beach on 27 Aug 2021.

118 games ago – Navarre 34, Gulf Breeze 24 (2010)

The Raiders (9-1, 4-1) brought home the Publix Beach Bowl Cup for the fourth straight time and in the process recorded their first 9-win season in school history and entered the playoffs on a six game winning streak.

Navarre went on the road for the first of the Playoffs at Niceville.

118 – receptions in a career – Brad Leggett (2009-11) – Navarre Record

118 – passing yards in a game – Matthew Webb – Catholic – Game 1 (2014)

118 – yards rushing in a game – Michael Carter – Escambia – Game 6 (2016)

Raiders are 90-28 in their last 118 games and lead the overall series against Gulf Breeze, 14-8 (most games against any opponent).

2021 Pre-Season Watch List – Kemper Hodges – South Walton

May 1, 2021 by irishbillsports

Article by PressBox850…

Kemper Hodges – QB

6’1/219lbs

Class of 2022

South Walton Seahawks

It is hard to watch South Walton’s Kemper Hodges on the field and not be impressed. The first thing that you notice is his build. Kemper stands at 6’1 and 219lbs, his build gives him a dominating presence in the backfield for the Seahawks. Hodges brings another dimension to the Dual Threat terminology. He moves well on his feet but has the power to lower a shoulder and run through someone when needed. His ability to move the ball with his feet, and the power he brings is very reminiscent of a former Florida Gator QB that everyone knows well.

In his Junior effort last year, Hodges led the Seahawks on the ground with 884 rushing yards for the season along with 19 touchdowns and a impressive 6.9 yards per attempt average. Where Hodges truly excels is in the spread attack that Coach Tisa is running at South Walton. Not only can Hodges carry the ball when needed, he can throw it extremely well.

As a Junior last season Hodges was not only a top passer in the area, but he also was the top passer in the state. Yes, South Walton has a QB that is a state leader. Hodges finished the season with 2,880 yards through the air on 210 completions. Hodges also tallied up 26 passing touchdowns to add on to his 19 touch downs on the ground bringing his total touchdowns as a Junior to a impressive 45 touchdowns according to Max Prep Stats.

The biggest thing that Hodges has is a desire to improve. His willingness to hone his craft and keep progressing is evident in his recent training with QB Guru Will Hewlett over in Jacksonville. Hodges is not content with being on top after last year, he still fuels the fire to get better and he is consistently putting in the work to accomplish that.

Twice last year Hodges threw for over 400 yards in a game. He did it the first time against Port St Joe where he torched the secondary for 495 yards, and he did it again in the Northview game where he posted 423 passing yards. With the weapons that he has around him this year, we will not be surprised if the number of games where Hodges goes 400+ yards increases.

Given the opportunity Hodges has a bright future, and colleges are going to come calling. He is a rare breed, good size, speed, and a lively arm. Hodges can do it all.