July 2024 – Irish Bill's Sports

23 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 31, 2024 by irishbillsports

23 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

23 games ago – Gulf Breeze 38, Navarre 26 (2021)

The Dolphins returned three Raider fumbles for scores.

Gulf Breeze…0 21 0 17 – 38
Navarre…7 0 6 13 – 26

Stars of the Game
Offense – Hunter Pfeister – 25-35, 292 yards, 2 TDs; Derek Percivalle – 10 receptions, 104 yards, TD; Terence Marshall – 5 receptions, 91 yards, TD
Defense – Devin Wright – 14 tackles, FR; Hunter Crowder – 12 tackles; Christian Caballero – 10 tackles
Special Teams – Terence Marshall – 94-yard kickoff return, TD

23rd win in school history – Navarre 42, Woodham 3 (2003)

The Raiders started the season 3-0 for first time in school history; it was their fifth consecutive win as well. This was the last season for Woodham; as Navarre took the all-time series, 2-1.

Raiders that have worn #23
WR Alex Wattley – Class of 2014 – played at Trinity Bible College (ND)
DB Caden Howard – Class of 2022 – track & field at Huntingdon College (AL) & University of Alabama-Huntsville (AL)
RB Anthony Gassaway – Class of 2025 – transferred to Fort Walton Beach
DB Ryder Longo – Class of 2026

Statistics that involve #23:
23 – assisted tackles in a season – Lee Jones (2016)
23 – assisted tackles in a season – Isaiah Heyward (2018)
23 – solo tackles in a season – Quinn Caballero (2018)
23 – receptions in a season – Terence Marshall (2021)
23 – solo tackles in a season – Kiohne Moso (2022)

The Raiders have scored 23 points in a game on three different occasions:

2003 – Navarre 23, Bay 20
2008 – Catholic 37, Navarre 23
2011 – Pace 27, Navarre 23

Navarre is 15-8 in their last 23 games.

24 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

August 4, 2024July 30, 2024 by irishbillsports

24 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

24 games ago – Navarre 29, Crestview 22 (2021)

Crestview…6 3 7 6 – 22
Navarre…7 8 0 14 – 29

Stars of the Game
Offense – Hunter Pfeister – 11-20, 96 yards, TD; Chris Decorte – 13 carries, 94 yards, TD
Defense – Christian Caballer – 18 tackles, TFL, 2 CF; Devin Wright – 18 tackles, 2 TFL, blocked FG; Hunter Crowder – 16 tackles; Connor Black – 15 tackles; Sebastian Melendez – 10 tackles, sack
Special Teams – Derek Percivalle, 2 kickoff returns, 98-yards

24th win in school history – Navarre 34, Pine Forest 3 (2003)

The Raiders won four of their first five games to start the season (first time in school history), by doing so, they finished above .500 for the first time in program history as well.

Raiders that have worn #24
Forest Ward – Class of 2000 – first graduating class
RB/DB Sean Acosta – Class of 2003
DB J.R. Milioti – Class of 2006
WR Josh Brooks – Class of 2008
DB Greg Moses – Class of 2009
WR Alex Horton – Class of 2012
DB Kevin Cohan – Class of 2014
DB Colin Marsh – Class of 2015
RB/DB Bailey Huston – Class of 2021 – playing at Huntingdon College
LB Chase Marsh – Class of 2023

Statistics that involve #24
24 – rushing touchdowns in a career – Jay Warren (2010-12)
24 – points scored in a game – Jay Warren (2012)
24 – solo tackles in a season – Brock Barberi (2013)
24.5 – tackle points in a season – Kyle Arrasmith (2013)
24 – assisted tackles in a career – Dylan Main (2013-14)
24 – completions in a game (twice) – Matthew Webb (2014)
24 – solo tackles in a season – Thomas Leggett (2015)
24 – assisted tackles in a season – Jay Klosinski (2015)
24 – points scored in a game – Michael Carter (twice – 2016)
24 – assisted tackles in a season – Cameron Thomas (2017)
24 – assisted tackles in a season – James Segrest (2017)
24 – tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Jeffery Mattox (2018-19)
24 – points scored in a game – Dante Wright (2018)
24 – points scored in a game – Tyler England (2019)
24 – points scored in a game – Connor Mathews – twice (2023)
24 – touchdowns in a season – Connor Mathews (2023)

Raiders have scored 24 points in a game on four different occasions.

Navarre is 15-9 in their last 24 games.

25 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 30, 2024July 29, 2024 by irishbillsports

25 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

25 games ago – Niceville 31, Navarre 9 (2021)

Navarre…0 9 0 0 – 9
Niceville…14 0 3 14 – 31

Stars of the Game
Offense – Kyle Chambers – 10-19, 131 yards, 19 carries, 86 yards, TD; Terence Marshall – 2 receptions, 75 yards
Defense – Christian Caballero – 14 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 CF; Hunter Crowder – 12 tackles, TFL, FR; Devin Wright – 11 tackles; Derek Percivalle – 11 tackles, 2 TFL

25th win in school history – Navarre 23, Bay 20 (2003)

They met on the gridiron each year between 2001 and 2004 but have not played each other since. Series is tied at 2-2.

Raiders that have worn #25
DB Terry Lee – Class of 2006
RB Kwamane Howard – Class of 2009
LB Gerry Dilworth – Class of 2011
RB Jay Warren – Class of 2013 – played at Florida Atlantic
DB Dylan Main – Class of 2015 – played at Birmingham Southern (AL)
LB Xavier Fernandez – Class of 2017 – U.S. Air Force
DB Gabe Davis – Class of 2020
DB Marvin Sacdalan – Class of 2022
LB/RB Andre Spence – Class of 2025

Statistics that involve #25
25 – total touchdowns in a career – Jay Warren (2010-12) – 5th all-time
25 – assisted tackles in a season – Will Robinson-Pettus (2013)
25 – solo tackles in a season – Anthony Miller (2015)
25 – tackles for loss in a career – Xavier Fernandez (2014-16)
25 – rushing touchdowns in a career – Dante Wright (2016-18) – 3rd all-time
25 – assisted tackles in a season – Nolan Garrett (2017)

Navarre is 16-9 in their last 25 games.

26 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 30, 2024July 24, 2024 by irishbillsports

Since I will be unable to post the next four days, I am going to go ahead and post the next four days of my Countdown to Kickoff tonight!

26 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

26 games ago – Navarre 41, Pace 34 (2021)

Navarre…6 27 0 8 – 41
Pace…7 0 13 14 – 34

Stars of the Game
Offense – Kyle Chambers – 11-16, 270 yards, 3 TDs, 10 carries, 115 yards, 2 TDs; Terence Marshall – 2 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TDs; Derek Percivalle – 8 receptions, 110 yards
Defense – Christian Caballero – 30 tackles (school record), 22 solo, 8 assists, 2 TFL; Connor Black – 11 tackles; Derek Percivalle – 11 tackles

26th win in school history – Navarre 34, West Florida 7 (2004)

Navarre got the season started with a non-district win at home. The Raiders have never lost to the Jaguars in their five meetings.

Raiders that have worn #26
LB/RB Marcus Jones – Class of 2016
DB Cameron Thomas – Class of 2019
DB Mekhi Domino – Class of 2021 – played at North Carolina Wesleyan (NC)
DB Ian Sones – Class pf 2022
DB Xylon Subido – Class of 2027

Statistics that involve #26
26 – completions in a game – Dusty Jones (2011)
26 – assisted tackles in a season – Will Robinson-Pettus (2012)
26 – assisted tackles in a season – Anthony Miller (2015)
26 – solo tackles in a season – Aaron Mitchell (2015)
26 – assisted tackles in a season – Aaron Mitchell (2015)
26 – solo tackles in a season – Michael Sandle (2015)
26 – assisted tackles in a season – Nolan Garrett (2016)
26 – assisted tackles in a season – Jordan Jefferson (2017)
26 – solo tackles in a season – Cameron Thomas (2018)
26 – solo tackles in a season – Xayvion Thomas (2018)
26 – assisted tackles in a season – Xayvion Thomas (2018)
26 – solo tackles in a season – Mekhi Domino (2020)
26 – assisted tackles in a season – Mekhi Domino (2020)
26 – sacks in a career – Grady Kelly (2018-20) – Navarre Record
26 – points scored in a season – Chase Richardson (2021)
26 – solo tackles in a season – Landon Mentzler (2022)
26 – assisted tackles in a season – Dwayne Clark Jr (2022)

Navarre is 17-9 in their last 26 games.

27 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 30, 2024July 24, 2024 by irishbillsports

Since I will be unable to post the next four days, I am going to go ahead and post the next four days of my Countdown to Kickoff tonight!

27 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

27 games ago – Mosley 30, Navarre 7 (2021)

Mosley…7 14 7 2 – 30
Navarre…7 0 0 0 – 7

Stars of the Game
Offense – Kyle Chambers – 72 yards passing, 18 carries, 86 yards, TD
Defense – Hunter Crowder – 15 tackles, CF; Devin Wright – 13 tackles; Christian Caballero – 12 tackles

27th win in school history – Navarre 14, Catholic 10 (2004)

In a season which was limited to eight games due to Hurricane Ivan, the Raiders started the season with two straight wins.

Raiders that have worn #27
DB Lavonte Geisser – Class of 2015
DB Tyson Brown – Class of 2017
DB Avery Biesel – Class of 2018
LB Matthew Poynter – Class of 2020
DB Connor Baird – Class of 2023
DB Marco Gonzalez – Class of 2025

Statistics that involve #27
27 – solo tackles in a season – Ryan Diamco (2015)
27 – tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Lee Jones (2015)
27 – solo tackles in a season – Bryson Brewer (2017)
27 – solo tackles in a season – Grady Kelly (2019)
27 – points scored in a season – Preston Penton (2020)
27 – solo tackles in a season – Chase Marsh (2022)
27.8 – average points scored in their 276 games (1998-2023)

The Raiders have scored 27 points in a game on nine different occasions.

Navarre is 17-10 in their last 27 games.

28 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 30, 2024July 24, 2024 by irishbillsports

Since I will be unable to post the next four days, I am going to go ahead and post the next four days of my Countdown to Kickoff tonight!

28 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

28 games ago – Navarre 24, Leon 14 (2021)

Navarre…14 0 10 0 – 24
Leon…0 7 0 7 – 14

Stars of the Game
Offense – Kyle Chambers – 14-21, 226 yards, 2 TDs, 8 carries, 86 yards, TD; Terence Marshall – 7 receptions, 149 yards, TD
Defense – Hunter Crowder – 14 tackles; Devin Wright – 14 tackles, TFL, QBH; Christian Caballero – 10 tackles, sack, TFL

28th win in school history – Navarre 26, Milton 23 (2004)

After losing their first four games in the series vs. Milton, the Raiders finally brought home their first win against their Santa Rosa County foe.

Raiders that have worn #28
RB/DB Will Sutter – Class of 2014 – U.S. Air Force; passed away in 2023
LB Jay Klosinski – Class of 2016
DB Matthew Downey – Class of 2019
LS Jackson Rainwater – Class of 20221
RB Jesus Caballero – Class of 2022
RB Connor Matthews – Class of 2025 – transferred to Niceville for Senior season

Statistics that involve #28
28 – touchdown passes in a career – Austin Grimm (2006-07)
28 – touchdown passes in a career – Sage Chambers (2015-17)
28 – carries in a game – Michael Carter (2x) – (2016)
28 – solo tackles in a season – Nolan Garrett (2016)
28 – solo tackles in a season – James Segrest (2017)
28 – receptions in a season – Quinn Caballero (2017)
28 – solo tackles in a season – Jaden Rivera (2019)
28 – solo tackles in a season – Trey Bragg (2022)

The Raiders have scored 28 points in a game on 15 different occasions.

Navarre is 18-10 in their last 28 games.

29 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 30, 2024July 24, 2024 by irishbillsports

Since I will be unable to post the next four days, I am going to go ahead and post the next four days of my Countdown to Kickoff tonight!

29 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

29 games ago – Navarre 35, Tate 14 (2021)

Tate…7 7 0 0 – 14
Navarre…6 14 0 15 – 35

Stars of the Game
Offense – Kyle Chambers – 12-24, 103 yards, TD, 6 carries, 139 yards, 3 TDs
Defense – Devin Wright – 16 tackles, TFL; Christian Caballero – 10 tackles, QBH, CF

29th win in school history – Navarre 25, West Florida 6 (2005)

The Raiders have won all five games (2004-08) against the Jaguars. In those five games Navarre has outscored West Florida, 175-30.

Raiders that have worn #29
DB Nolan Lemaitre – Class of 2011 – U.S. Army
LB Jessie Holmes – Class of 2013
DB Alex Cork – Class of 2015 – U.S. Air Force
RB Omari Green – Class of 2018 – Southwest Community College (CA); Lake Mary College (OH)
PK Preston Penton – Class of 2021
DB Juan Guerra – Class of 2022
RB Eric Crane – Class of 2025

Statistics that involve #29
29 – touchdowns in a career – Patrick Hess (2002-03)
29 – losses as a head coach at Navarre (2002-07)
29 – solo tackles in a season – Michael Sandle (2013 & 2014)
29 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Kyle Arrasmith (2013)
29 – receptions in a season – Tyrell Courtney (2014)
29 – assisted tackles in a season – Everette Alford (2014)
29 – assisted tackles in a season – Anthony Miller (2014)
29 – assisted tackles in a season – Ryan Diamco (2015)
29 – receiving touchdowns in a career – Dante Wright (2016-18) – School Record
29 – carries in a games – Omari Green (2017)
29 – solo tackles in a career – Connor Eastwood (2019-20)
29 – assisted tackles in a season – Devin Wright (2019)
29 – solo tackles in a season – Xayvion Thomas (2019)
29 – solo tackles in a season – CJ Hill (2022)

The Raiders have scored 29 points in a game on three different occasions.

Navarre is 18-11 in their last 29 games.

30 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 30, 2024July 24, 2024 by irishbillsports

30 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

30 games ago – Milton 18, Navarre 13 (2021)

After 10 straight wins against the Panthers, the Raiders drop one on the road.

Navarre…0 0 0 13 – 13
Milton…6 6 0 6 – 18

Stars of the Game
Offense – Kyle Chambers – 8-17, 54 yards, TD, 48 yards rushing, TD
Defense – Devin Wright – 12 tackles, sack, QBH, TFL; Christian Caballero – 11 tackles, TFL

30th win in school history – Navarre 15, University Christian 6 (2005)

These two teams have only met twice on the gridiron with the Raiders winning both games by a combined score of 29-6.

Raiders that have worn #30
Bobby Rogers – Class of 2000 – first graduating class
Adam Buchanan – Class of 2002
DE Blake Miller – Class of 2003
LB John Blatz – Class of 2007
LB Chris Stapleton – Class of 2011 – played at Florida Tech (their all-time leader in tackles)
LB/FB Scott Mealer – Class of 2012
DB Matthew Feldner – Class of 2021
RB/LB Nickky Manatto – Class of 2026

Statistics that involve #30
30 – wins as a head coach at Navarre – Larry Olson (2002-07)
30 – solo tackles in a season – Alex Todd (2013)
30 – receptions in a season – Cameron Mayweather (2014)
30 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Thomas Leggett (2015)
30 – assisted tackles in a season – Xavier Fernandez (2015 & 2016)
30 – solo tackles in a season – Xavier Fernandez (2016)
30 – solo tackles in a season – Cade Taylor (2016)
30 – carries in a game – Michael Carter (2016)
30 – carries in a game – Chris Williams (2018)
30 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Dante Wright (2018)
30 – points scored in a season – Marlon Courtney III (2019)
30 – tackles in a game – vs. Pace – Christian Caballero – (2021) – School Record

Navarre is 19-11 in their last 30 games.

Navarre High – Setting the Standard

July 23, 2024 by irishbillsports

It doesn’t seem so long ago that the Freshman Class at Navarre High started attending their school for the very first time…this was 1996. Each year as the school began to blossom they added a new class until the 1999-2000 school year….this would be their first graduating class.

The football program continued to grow and with the 1998-99 school year, they put their first varsity football team on the field of play; consisting of Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen.

Coach Kenny Hughes was their first head football coach; he would only coach the 1998 season. Danny Williams would follow for the next three seasons after that. They were building the foundation for what today is considered a consistent and outstanding program.

Coach Larry Olson would come in for the 2002 season and in is fifth year would get the Raiders to the State Playoffs for the very first time in 2006 and then again in 2007. The Raider program had now arrived.

He was replaced by Coach Chad Lashley in 2008. The first two seasons were rough, but in year three, Coach Lashley gave the Raider program and their faithful their first taste of success in the Playoffs with wins over Niceville and Pine Forest, before bowing out to Tallahassee Lincoln in the Region Finals in a thrilling triple overtime loss.

Coach Lashley would coach one more season in 2011, before the program decided to go a new direction…Coach Jay Walls in 2012. Coach Walls went onto establish records at Navarre that had never been approached prior. A 12-win season in his first year, a Region Title and the Raiders first trip to the FHSAA State Final Four. He did it again in 2016.

Coach Walls moved on after the 2023 season to Bainbridge HS in Georgia. The results speak for themself….12 years, 102-33 overall record, 2 Region titles, 2 State Final Fours and 7 District titles.

With his departure, the program decided to hire within…Coach Garrett Bagley. Coach Bagley was an assistant coach for over 15 years at Navarre and had attained 7 State Titles as a head coach in Weightlifting (6 for the girls and 1 for the boys).

The first thing coaches will tell you, you have to have the talent on the field to be a successful program. The Raiders have had just that. Starting with QB Scott Couch (South Carolina), RB Frank Willis (AF Academy/Savannah State), OL John Simmons and OL Brandon Warren in the first few seasons. The talent level just continued to grow.

On to players like QB Austin Grimm, WR Chris Weaver, LB Joey Torres (Track & Field at South Alabama) & DB Mike Hagewood (Cumberlands). The program was getting healthy.

There has been so many talented players that have come through the Raider program over the last 26 years to where we have had three players reach the NFL ranks (Jordan Leggett, Michael Carter and Jordan Jefferson) and three players that have won National Titles in College Football (Sterling Lovelady, Jordan Leggett and Quentin Randolph).

The standard has been set high at Navarre!

Please go to the “Where are they now” section of my website to see where our Navarre Alum are currently playing today.

31 Days to Kickoff – Navarre Raiders

July 30, 2024July 23, 2024 by irishbillsports

31 days to kickoff of the 2024 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will travel to take on Catholic on 23 Aug 2024.

31 games ago – Navarre 28, Fort Walton Beach 6 (2021)

FWB…0 6 0 0 – 6
Navarre…0 7 14 7 – 28

Stars of the Game
Offense – Chris Decorte – 13 carries, 104 yards; Derek Percivalle – 5 receptions, 84 yards
Defense – Devin Wright – 13 tackles; Christian Caballero – 10 tackles, sack, 2 CF
Special Teams – Terence Marshall – 97-yard KO return, TD

31st win in school history – Navarre 21, Catholic 7 (2005)

Navarre won for the third straight week to start the season, outscoring their opponents 61-19.

Raiders that have worn #31
DB Michael Porter – Class of 2001
Sean Palmertree – Class of 2003
DB Jason Graves – Class of 2004
LB Brandon Lawson – Class of 2006 – Asst Coach at Navarre
LB Stefan Tipton – Class of 2007
LB/DB Colton McDonald – Class of 2011
DB Jacob Fitchett – Class of 2013
LB Will Kane – Class of 2016
PK Zach Gonzalez – Class of 2017
LB Sebastian Melendez – Class of 2022
DB Gabe Alonzo – Class of 2026

Statistics that involve #31
31 – assisted tackles in a career – Chris Wells (1999-2001)
31 – assisted tackles in a career – Michael Arnold (2009-10)
31 – solo tackles in a season – Damontell Thompson (2013)
31 – tackle points in a season – Jay Klosinski (2014 & 2015)
31 – assisted tackles in a career – Lee Jones (2015-16)
31 – tackles for loss in a season – Joshua Carter (2016) – School Record
31 – solo tackles in a season – Caleb Dale (2016)
31 – tackle points in a season – Alex Gilchrist (2017)
31 – assisted tackles in a career – Cameron Thomas (2017-18)
31 – assisted tackles in a season – Devin Wright (2020)
31 – tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Dom Cunningham (2022)

Navarre is 19-12 in their last 31 games.