63 days to kickoff of the 2023 Florida High School football season as the Navarre Raiders will host the Catholic Crusaders on 25 Aug 2023 at the comfy confines of Bennett C. Russell Stadium.
63 games ago – Navarre 28, St. Augustine 10 (Playoffs – 2016)
Navarre…0 14 7 7 – 28
St Augustine…0 7 0 3 – 10
St Augustine…0 7 0 3 – 10
This was the first trip for the Raiders and I to St. Augustine. As I was setting up in the booth in the St Augustine Press Box, I was chatting with the Yellow Jackets crew. As they saw Michael Carter warming up, they stated that he looked small. I told them to just watch him play and he will show you how really good he is.
Well, Michael didn’t disappoint, as he led the Raiders to their second Region Title as he rushed for 243 yards on 30 carries and all four Navarre touchdowns. The Big Bubba’s were stellar again, opening up huge holes for the Raider ground attack.
The defense did their part as well, holding a Yellow Jackets offense to 27 points below their season average. Joshua Carter led Navarre with nine tackles and four tackles for loss in the win.
63rd win in school history – Navarre 20, Pine Forest 18 (Playoffs – 2010)
Navarre travelled 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 away 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 their drive alive. Colton Kane found 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.
Raiders that have worn #63:
OL Mark Hemaseth – Class of 2002
OL Tommy Wiser – Class of 2007
OL Ryan Barton – Class of 2009 – serving in the U.S. Air Force
OL Mark Hemaseth – Class of 2002
OL Tommy Wiser – Class of 2007
OL Ryan Barton – Class of 2009 – serving in the U.S. Air Force
Class of 2011 – played at Belhaven (MS)
OL Adrian Gonzales – Class of 2023
OL Adrian Gonzales – Class of 2023
Stats that involve #63:
63 – assisted tackles in a career – Brandon Williams (2001-03)
63 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Xavier Fernandez (2015)
63 – total tackle points in a career – Tyson Brown (2015-16)
63 – total tackles for loss & sacks for a career – Joshua Carter (2015-18) – School Record
63 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Devin Wright (2019)
63 – total tackle points in a season – Bailey Huston (2019)
63 – total tackle points in a season – Dwayne Clark Jr. (2022)
63 – assisted tackles in a career – Brandon Williams (2001-03)
63 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Xavier Fernandez (2015)
63 – total tackle points in a career – Tyson Brown (2015-16)
63 – total tackles for loss & sacks for a career – Joshua Carter (2015-18) – School Record
63 – total tackles (solo/assists) in a season – Devin Wright (2019)
63 – total tackle points in a season – Bailey Huston (2019)
63 – total tackle points in a season – Dwayne Clark Jr. (2022)
Navarre is 46-17 in their last 63 games and is tied in the series with St. Augustine at 1-1.