July 2022 – Page 4 – Irish Bill's Sports

49 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 8, 2022 by irishbillsports

49 Days to Kickoff…

Navarre travels to Fort Walton Beach to take on the Vikings to get the 2022 HS football season underway on 26 Aug 2022.

49 games ago – Navarre 27, B.T. Washington 12 (2017)

Navarre…3 0 10 14 – 27
Washington…0 6 0 6 – 12

Sage Chambers passed for 120 yards and Omari Green rushed for 114 yards and two scores to lead the Raider offense. Navarre’s defense produced seven sacks in the game.

49th win in school history – Navarre 18, Gulf Breeze 9 (2008)

Navarre beat Gulf Breeze for the second straight year and would go on to beat Gulf Breeze nine straight years before the streak would end in 2016.

Billy Mitchell would sign with the Marshall Thundering Herd; where he would be a 3-year starter at outside/inside linebacker. He attended Navarre as a freshman before his family moved to Oregon for two years (where he was All-State in Track) after Hurricane Dennis hit the Florida Panhandle. But, he would return for his senior year.

Raiders that have worn #49:
RB Kyle Gambera – Class of 2009
TE Logan Willson – Class of 2011 – serving in U.S. Air Force
DB Everette Alford – Class of 2015 – Asst Coach at Lighthouse PCA
DL Ryan Struck – Class of 2017 – played at Huntingdon College (AL)
TE Fernando Gomez – Class of 2020
LB Hunter Crowder – Class of 2022

Statistics that involve #49:
49 – career receptions – Kyle Irby (2006-07)
49 – points scored against Holmes County (Week 6 – 2006)
49 – points scored against Walton (Week 6 – 2009)
49 – points scored against Milton (Week 6 – 2010)
49 – points scored against Pace (Week 3 – 2014)
49 – points scored against FWB (Week 6 – 2014)
49 – points scored against Dothan (Week 9 – 2014)
49 – assisted tackles in a season – Bo Hering (2015)
49 – tackle points in a season – Jordan Jefferson (2017)
49 – points scored against Pace (Week 5 – 2017)
49 – points scored against Niceville (Playoffs – 2017)
49 – points scored against Pace (Week 6 – 2018)
49 – points scored against Milton (Week 8 – 2018)

Navarre has scored 49 points or more on 23 different occasions and has given up 49 or more points in 14 games.

Navarre has won 35 of their last 49 games and leads the overall series against Booker T. Washington, 6-0.

Another Trip Down Memory Lane – John Simmons

July 7, 2022 by irishbillsports

I want to take you back to a player that wore #50 in Raider history, since we are 50 days away from kickoff of the 2022 HS football season.

There was a young man in an upstart program that was afforded an opportunity to start as a sophomore on the Raider offensive line. Once given the chance, he never looked back.

John Simmons started for three years, where he played for Danny Williams and Larry Olson. The Raiders compiled a 12-18 record during that time frame as they went 3-7 in 2000; 5-5 in 2001 and 4-6 in 2002.

His offensive line coach his senior year was Bob Kellogg. This was Coach Kellogg’s first year at Navarre, where he also served as the offensive coordinator.

John did well enough that he went on to play Division II ball at Delta State in Cleveland, Mississippi. While there, he was a 3-Year Letterman at center and guard. He earned 2nd Team All-Conference and All-Region honors. The Statesmen made the D2 Playoffs in 2006 and 2007 and won the Gulf South Conference Championship in 2007.

He graduated from Delta State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science. Furthermore, John has earned multiple certifications to include, CSCS – National Strength and Conditionings Association, USAW Level 1 Coach – USA Weightlifting, USATF Level 1 Coach – USA Track and Field and CPR/AED/First Aid Certifications from the American Red Cross.

He went on to play one year of arena football in the Arena2 Football League with the Tennessee Valley Vipers. John played center for the Vipers and was a part of the 2008 Arena Cup Championship team.

John has held many strength and conditioning positions over years, starting first as a volunteer intern with the University of Mississippi. From there, he moved onto the University of Memphis. While in Memphis, he also worked for Velocity Sports Performance.

In July of 2009, he found his way back to Oxford as a Strength and Conditioning Professional Intern. January of 2011, John took on the role of Assistant Strength Condition Coach for the Ole Miss Track and Field Team and Men’s Tennis and Men’s Golf teams.

In 2013, John was moved up to be the Assistant Coordinator of Strength and Conditioning for the Ole Miss Women’s Basketball and Men’s Golf team. He also assisted with Football and Men’s Basketball.

In 2016, he became the Head Speed and Strength Coach for D1 Memphis Sports Training in Collierville, Tennessee.

In 2017, John became the Director of Strength and Conditioning at St. George’s Independent School, in Collierville, Tennessee, before moving onto his current position in February of 2020, in the Marion School District in Marion, Arkansas.

His accomplishments are many and he is living proof that if you work hard and establish goals and stick to them, the sky is the limit.

Hope that you have enjoyed another trip down memory lane…

“Greater To Be A Raider”

John Simmons, #50, Class of 2003, CSCS, USAW

50 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 7, 2022 by irishbillsports

50 days to kickoff…

Navarre will travel to Fort Walton Beach to take on the Vikings to get the 2022 High School football season underway on 26 Aug 2022.

50 games ago – Navarre 56, Catholic 35 (2017)

Catholic…7 7 21 0 – 35
Navarre…14 14 21 7 – 56

Navarre rushed for 405 yards on the night…Dante Wright (154 yards/3 TDs), Omari Green (121 yards/3 TDs) and Chris Williams (90 yards/2 TDs). Catholic’s Abram Smiley was equally impressive as he produced 211 yards on the ground and three scores.

Cade Taylor led the Raider with twelve tackles and an interception, while the rest of the defense produced 7 1/2 sacks.

50th win in school history – Navarre 49, Walton 27 (2009)

Navarre…14 7 21 7 – 49
Walton…0 21 6 0 – 27

On a very windy night in Defuniak Springs, the Raiders managed to find their first victory of the season after five straight losses to start the 2009 campaign.

Raiders that have worn #50:
OL John Simmons – Class of 2003 – played at Delta State University (MS)
DL/OL Mark Gallrein – Class of 2006
LB Brian Baswell – Class of 2009 – serving in U.S. Army
DL/OL Mitch Posey – Class of 2013
OL Sean Dunlap – Class of 2015
OL Matthew McLeod – Class of 2016
LB Connor Brasell – Class of 2019
LB Hedwin Garcia – Class of 2024

Statistics that involve #50:
50 – assisted tackles in a career – Frank Willis (1999-2001)
50 – assisted tackles in a career – Johnny Robinson-Pettus (2010-12)
50 – points scored in a season – Michael Carter (2013)
50 – solo tackles in a season – Xavier Fernandez (2014)
50 – points scored in a season – Quentin Randolph (2014)
50 – assisted tackles in a career – Jay Klosinski (2014-15)
50 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Royce Thomas (2016)
50 – points scored in a game – vs. Escambia (Playoffs – 2018)
50 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Matthew Downey (2018)
50 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Tyler England (2019)
50 – points scored in a game – vs. Choctaw (Week 4 – 2020)

The first time that the Raiders scored at least 50 points in a game was against Gulf Shores (AL) in 2000, 54-0. The first time Navarre allowed at least 50 points was against Walton in 1999, 62-29.

Navarre has won 36 of their last 50 games and leads the overall series against Catholic, 13-8.

51 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 6, 2022 by irishbillsports

51 days to kickoff…

Navarre will travel to Fort Walton Beach to take on the Vikings to get the 2022 High School football season underway on 26 Aug 22.

51 games ago – Lake Gibson 35, Navarre 14 (State Semifinal – 2016)

Lake Gibson…7 0 8 20 – 35
Navarre…0 7 0 7 – 14

Navarre hosted their second State Semifinal in school history, but unfortunately the result turned out the same, ending their bid for a State Title one week too early.

RB Michael Carter amassed 175 total yards from scrimmage (110 rushing/65 receiving), but it was not enough to take down the Braves. LB Bo Hering led the defense with twelve tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.

51st win in school history – Navarre 13, Escambia 10 (2009)

Navarre…0 7 6 0 – 13
Escambia…3 0 7 0 – 10

The Raider defense was the star of this game as the held the Gators to 167 total yards (113 passing/54 rushing).

Raiders that have worn #51:
Robert Brockman – Class of 2000 – first graduating class
DL Troy Rivera – Class of 2003
LB A.J. Carroll – Class of 2006
OL/LS Jarrod Bauldree – Class of 2009
OL Marvin Darby – Class of 2013
DL Cameron Myers – Class of 2015
LB Kyle Kaschak – Class of 2020
LB Kamal Rustom – Class of 2022

Statistics that involve #51:
51 – solo tackles in a career – Troy Rivera (2000-02)
51 – points scored in a game – vs. West Florida (Week 2 – 2007)
51 – points scored in a game – vs. Escambia (Week 7 – 2010)
51 – assisted tackles in a career – Will Robinson-Pettus (2012-13)
51 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Anthony Miller (2015)
51 – solo tackles in a season – Lee Jones (2016)
51 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Nolan Garrett (2017)
51 – assisted tackles in a career – Nolan Garrett (2017-18)
51 – receptions in a season – Tyler England (2019) – 5th All-Time

Navarre has won 37 of their last 51 games and has lost the only meeting against Lake Gibson.

52 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 5, 2022July 5, 2022 by irishbillsports

52 days to kickoff…

Navarre travels to Fort Walton Beach to take on the Vikings to get the 2022 High School football season underway on 26 Aug 2022.

52 games ago – Navarre 28, St. Augustine 10 (2016 – Playoffs)

The Raiders went on their longest road trip in school history and brought home their second Region 1 title.

Navarre…0 14 7 7 – 28
St. Augustine…0 7 0 3 – 10

As I was sitting in the booth getting ready to broadcast the game, I was listening to the St. Augustine broadcast team doing their pre-game. One made a comment stating they thought Michael Carter was undersized. I responded, just watch him play, and that he did on this night, 30 carries, 243 yards, four touchdowns.

The defense did their part as well as they held the high scoring Yellowjackets to 27 points under their season average, led by Joshua Carter’s nine tackles and interceptions from Caleb Dale and Jace Kempner.

52nd win in school history – Navarre 42, Gulf Breeze 12 (2009)

After starting the season with five straight losses, the Raiders won three of their last five games to finish up the 2009 campaign at 3-7.

Raiders that have worn #52:
OL James Kempton – Class of 2003
LB Asa Dalphone – Class of 2007 – serving in U.S. Marine Corps
DL David Vincent Wills – Class of 2010
LB Michael Lauber – Class of 2011
LB Marc Collins – Class of 2017
DL Grady Kelly – Class of 2021 – currently playing at Colorado State University

LB Marcus Sweet – Class of 2024

Statistics that involve #52:
52 – solo tackles in a career – Rocky Brock (1999-2000)
52 – assisted tackles in a career – Kevin Moore (1999-2000)
52 – assisted tackles in a career – Adam Hamilton (2007-08)
52 – assisted tackles in a season – Damontell Thompson (2013)
52.5 – tackle points in a season – Alex Todd (2013)
52 – solo tackles in a season – Bo Hering (2014)
52 – tackle points in a season – Dylan Main (2014)
52 – points scored in a season – Brady Hammel (2015)
52 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Aaron Mitchell (2015)
52.5 – tackles points in a season – Dante Wright (2017)
52 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – James Segrest (2017)
52 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Xayvion Thomas (2018)
52 – points scored in a season – Preston Penton (2019)
52 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Mekhi Domino (2020)

Navarre has won 37 of their last 52 games and is tied in the overall series with St. Augustine, 1-1.

Games vs. St. Augustine…
2016 – Navarre 28, St. Augustine 10 (Playoffs)
2017 – St. Augustine 52, Navarre 21 (Playoffs)

53 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 4, 2022 by irishbillsports

53 days to kickoff…

Navarre will get the 2022 High School football season underway when they travel to Fort Walton Beach to take on the Vikings on 26 Aug 2022.

53 games ago – Navarre 60, Tate 28 (Playoffs – 2016)

Navarre…12 13 14 21 – 60
Tate…7 14 0 7 – 28

Michael Carter rushed for a school record (333 yards/4 TDs) and Dante Wright added 166 total yards (96 rushing/70 yards receiving) and two touchdowns. Michael also returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Younger brother Josh had quite a game himself as he led the defense with 13 tackles, a sack, two blocked field goals and three tackles for loss.

53rd win in school history – Navarre 14, Fort Walton Beach 0 (2010)

Fort Walton…0 0 0 0 – 0
Navarre…0 0 7 7 – 14

The Raiders defense held the Vikings to 173 total yards (161 passing/12 rushing) in the opening game of the 2010 season.

Raiders that have worn #53:
DL Clifton Becker – Class of 2003
OL Austin Lewis – Class of 2005
OL Troy Fletcher – Class of 2011
LB Luke Hines – Class of 2022
LB Josh Briggs – Class of 2024

Statistics that involve #53:
53 – assisted tackles in a career – Troy Rivera (2000-02)
53 – tackle points in a season – Dylan Main (2014)
53.5 – tackles points in a season – Everette Alford (2014)
53.5 – tackle points in a season – Tyson Brown (2016)
53 – solo tackles in a career – Tyson Brown (2015-16)
53.5 – tackle points in a season – James Segrest (2017)
53.5 – tackle points in a career – Alex Gilchrist (2017-18)
53.5 – tackle points in a season – Jordan Jefferson (2018)
53 – points scored against Washington (Week 2 – 2018)
53 – points scored against Choctaw (Week 4 – 2018)
53 – points scored in a season – Kevin Taich (2018)
53 – tackle points in a season – Xayvion Thomas (2018)
53.5 – tackle points in a season – Jordan Jefferson (2018)
53 – carries in a season – Jaden Rivera (2019)
53 – solo tackles in a career – Bailey Huston (2019-20)
53 – tackle points in a season – Devin Wright (2020)

Navarre has won 38 of their last 53 games and leads the overall series against Tate, 4-2 (1-1 in Playoffs).

Games vs. Tate…
2009 – Tate 31, Navarre 14
2010 – Navarre 41, Tate 6
2015 – Tate 23, Navarre 22 (2 OT) – Playoffs
2016 – Navarre 60, Tate 28 – Playoffs
2019 – Navarre 10, Tate 0
2021 – Navarre 35, Tate 14

54 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 3, 2022July 3, 2022 by irishbillsports

54 days to kickoff…

Navarre will get the 2022 High School football season underway when they travel to Fort Walton Beach to take on the Vikings on 26 Aug 2022.

54 games ago – Navarre 40, Escambia 35 (2016 – Playoffs)

Navarre…7 14 13 6 – 40
Escambia…0 7 21 6 – 35

Navarre relied on the legs of Michael Carter (28 carries, 244 yards, 4 TDs) the majority of this game, but it was the defense that stood tall in the waning seconds of this game to secure the victory.

54th win in school history – Navarre 42, Walton 36 (2010)

Navarre found themself down to Walton 29-13 at the half after the Braves put up a 26-spot on the Raiders in the second quarter. Walton still led at the end of the third, 36-22, but it would be all Navarre in the fourth as they rallied for the victory.

Liam Miller (28-51, 422 yards, 4 TDs) and Corliss Stone (10 receptions, 219 yards, 2 TDs) led the Braves offense, but their inability to put a running game together was their downfall in the end.

Raiders that have worn #54:
Lloyd Heflin – Class of 2001
OL/DL Connor Bryan – Class of 2005
LB Ronnie Wesson – Class of 2009
LB Michael Venegas – Class of 2011
LB Aubrey Wesson – Class of 2015
OL Tim Elenz – Class of 2018
DL Roger Adams – Class of 2020
LB Fuller Judkins – Class of 2024

Statistics that involve #54:
54 – points scored against Gulf Shores (Week 9 – 2000)
54 – solo tackles in a career – Kris Metcalf (2000-02)
54 – points scored in a season – Luke Morton (2014)
54 – points scored in a season – Michael Carter (2015)
54 – points scored in a season – Michael Sandle (2015)
54 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Marc Struck (2016)
54 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Nolan Garrett (2016)
54 – solo tackles in a career – Nolan Garrett (2016-17)
54 – points scored in a season – Omari Green (2017)
54 – solo tackles in a season – Isaiah Heyward (2018)

Navarre has won 39 of their last 54 games and leads the overall series against Escambia, 7-3 (3-0 in the Playoffs).

55 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 3, 2022 by irishbillsports

55 days to kickoff…

Navarre will get their 2022 High School football season underway when they travel to Fort Walton Beach to take on the Vikings on 26 Aug 2022.

55 games ago – Navarre 42, Niceville 28 (2016)

Navarre…7 7 14 14 – 42
Niceville…21 7 0 0 – 28

Both Caine Adamson (142 yards, 3 TDs) and Sage Chambers (115 yards) passed for over 100 yards in the game and Michael Carter added 223 yards on 26 carries and three scores Additionally, Dante Wright had two receptions for 129 yards, while Bo Hering led the defense with twelve tackles and a tackle for loss.

55th win in school history – Catholic 42, Navarre 21 (2010)

Navarre lost the game on the field of play, but eventually was awarded a win when a Catholic player who had played in the game was deemed ineligible.

Raiders that have worn #55:
Joe Williams – Class of 2000 – first graduating class
OL Patrick Burch – Class of 2004 – walked on at Alabama as a TE
DL/LS James Segrest – Class of 2019 – playing at University of Louisiana
DL TJ Pemberton – Class of 2021
DL Kiohne Moso – Class of 2023

Statistics that involve #55:
55 – receptions in a season – Brad Leggett (2011)
55 – receptions in a season – Jordan Leggett (2012)
55 – tackle points in a career – Dylan Main (2013-14)
55 – points scored against FWB (Week 5 – 2015)
55 – assisted tackles in a career – Anthony “The Unit” Miller (2014-15)
55.5 – tackle points in a season – Jordan Jefferson (2018)
55 – solo tackles in a career – Xayvion Thomas (2018-19)
55 – assisted tackles in a career – Jeffery Mattox (2018-19)

Navarre has won 40 of their last 55 games and leads the overall series against Niceville, 8-4 (2-0 in the Playoffs). They didn’t play their first game against each other until 2010.

2010 – Navarre 28, Niceville 7 (Playoffs) – first playoff win
2011 – Navarre 56, Niceville 33
2012 – Navarre 35, Niceville 28
2013 – Niceville 26, Navarre 0
2014 – Niceville 35, Navarre 21
2015 – Navarre 35, Niceville 13
2016 – Navarre 42, Niceville 28
2017 – Navarre 42, Niceville 20
2017 – Navarre 49, Niceville 47 (Playoffs)
2018 – Navarre 38, Niceville 13
2019 – Niceville 20, Navarre 7
2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19
2021 – Niceville 31, Navarre 9

56 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 1, 2022 by irishbillsports

56 days to kickoff…

Navarre will get the 2022 High School football season underway as they travel to Fort Walton Beach to take on the Vikings on 26 Aug 2022.

56 games ago – Gulf Breeze 31, Navarre 28 (2016)

Gulf Breeze…7 10 7 7 – 31
Navarre…7 14 0 7 – 28

Gulf Breeze put an end to Navarre’s 20 game regular season winning streak and also put a stop to the Raiders nine game winning streak in the series.

Caine Adamson passed for 222 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders, but was outdone on the night by the Dolphins QB, Tyler Phelps, who passed for 327 yards and three scores.

Gulf Breeze’s Tristan Covell produced ten receptions for 141 yards and Cole Sheppard hauled in nine receptions for 126 yards and all three of Phelps touchdown passes.

56th win in school history – Navarre 42, Crestview 0 (2010)

Navarre’s defense produced their second shutout of the season to improve to 4-1.

Raiders that have worn #56:
Justin Rogers – Class of 2002
OL Michael Andrade – Class of 2008
OL Justin Bishop – Class of 2010
LB Bo Hering – Class of 2017 – played at Maryville College (TN)
LB/LS Mark Diaz – Class of 2019
DL Elijah Manuel – Class of 2024

Statistics that involve #56:
56 – solo tackles in a career – Victor Byers (2009-10)
56 – solo tackles in a career – Michael Arnold (2009-10)
56 – points scored against Niceville (Week 4 – 2011)
56 – assisted tackles in a season – Howie Walker (2013)
56.5 – tackle points in a season – Anthony “The Unit” Miller (2015)
56 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Ryan Diamco (2015)
56 – points scored against Catholic (Week 1 – 2017)
56 – points scored in a season – Josh Carter (2018)
56 – total tackle points in a career – Mekhi Domino (2019-20)

Navarre has won 41 of their last 56 games and leads the overall series against Gulf Breeze, 14-9. The only year that they did not play each other was in 1998.

2022 Schedule – Pine Forest Eagles

July 1, 2022 by irishbillsports

Pine Forest Eagles
Head Coach – Ronnie Douglas

19 Aug 22 – at Eufaula (AL)
25 Aug 22 – vs. Tate
2 Sep 22 – at Navarre
9 Sep 22 – vs. Pensacola
16 Sep 22 – vs. Choctaw *
23 Sep 22 – vs. West Florida
30 Sep 22 – at Fort Walton Beach *
7 Oct 22 – vs. Niceville
14 Oct 22 – Open Week
21 Oct 22 – at Escambia *
28 Oct 22 – at Washington *

* District Game

State Runner-ups in 2021

Helmet courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com