IB’s Panhandle Power Rankings & Players of the Week – Week 8

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Irish Bill’s Panhandle Power Rankings (Class 3A, 4A, 5A) – Week 8
1 – Mosley (6-0) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias
2 – Choctaw (4-2) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias
3 – Bay (6-1) – Open Week
4 – Pace (4-2) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias
5 – South Walton (6-1) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias
6 – Washington (5-1) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias
7 – Tate (4-2) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias

Irish Bill’s Panhandle Power Rankings (Class 2A, 1A & SSAA) – Week 8
1 – Walton (5-1) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias
2 – Catholic (6-1) – beat Freeport, 49-8
3 – Jay (6-0) – Game cancelled due to Hurricane Isaias
4 – Cottondale (7-0) – beat Liberty County, 42-32
5 – Blountstown (5-1) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias
6 – Holmes County (4-2) – Game rescheduled due to Hurricane Isaias
7 – Liberty County (5-2) – lost to Cottondale, 42-32

Irish Bill’s Players of the Week – Week 8
Offensive Player
Pensacola Catholic QB Jaylin Brown went 9-9 for 157 yards and 3 TDs and found the end zone from 29 yards out on his only carry in 49-7 win over Freeport in District play.

Defensive Player
Liberty County LB Dylan Gunn produced 13 tackles (10 solo/3 assists) in 42-32 loss to Cottondale.

Special Teams Player
Pensacola Catholic K/P Keller Brown converted on all seven of his extra points, found the end zone on 7 of 8 kickoffs, and his only punt was 59 yards (inside 20) in a 49-7 win over Freeport.

Other Performances – Week 8
Quarterback
Cottondale – John Ross Green – 5-7, 110 yards, 4 TDs

Running Back
Cottondale – Zacarius Collins – 22 carries, 149 yards, 2 TDs

Wide Receiver
Cottondale – Trashonn Collins – 6 receptions, 136 yards, 2 TDs
Cottondale – Tramond Collins – 3 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TDs
Pensacola Catholic – Donnelle Gulley – 3 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TDs

Special Teams
Liberty County – Ceasar Lopez – 1-1 XPs, 1-1 FGs (37 yards), 2 punts, 44.5 ave (1 inside 20)

2026 Florida Panhandle/Big Bend Scoreboard – Week 9

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2026 Florida Panhandle/Big Bend Scoreboard
Monday
Florida High 50, Gadsden County 40 *
Tuesday
Wakulla 35, Godby 34 *
Thursday
Walton at Jay
Mosley at Rickards *
Arnold at Chiles *
Friday
Aucilla Christian at Franklin County
Leon at Lincoln *
Maclay at First Baptist
North Bay Haven at Florida High *
Taylor County at North Florida Educational
Scintilla Charter (GA) at FAMU DRS
Bay at Pine Forest *
Booker T. Washington at Choctaw *
Escambia at Fort Walton Beach *
Freeport at Marianna
Graceville at Destin
Holmes County at Blountstown *
Milton at Gulf Breeze *
Niceville at Crestview *
North Florida Christian at Chipley *
Pensacola at West Florida *
Pensacola Catholic at Tate
Rocky Bayou at Wewahitchka
Rutherford at Bozeman
Vernon at Central
Pace at Navarre *

Celebration of Life – Damon Wright

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At Legacy Athletics, we talk to our young athletes about building something that lasts beyond the scoreboard, beyond the season, beyond themselves.
 
Damon lived that as a father, husband, coach, mentor, athlete, and veteran.
 
And now his picture is hanging in the very training center where future athletes will walk in and out every day.
 
That’s LEGACY.
 
Coach Damon Wright may no longer be here physically, but every time one of our athletes sees his picture, there’s a reminder of what we’re trying to build.
 
Your faith.
Your family.
Your athletes.
Your legacy.
 
That’s not just a message anymore. That’s Damon!
 
On 26 Oct 2026 at 11 AM, we will remember and celebrate the life of one Damon Wright, at the Community Life Church in Tiger Point.

IB’s Super 7 Power Rankings & Players of the Week – Week 7

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Irish Bill’s Panhandle Power Rankings (Class 3A, 4A, 5A) – Week 7
1 – Mosley (6-0) – Open Week
2 – Choctaw (4-2) – beat Escambia, 41-0
3 – Bay (6-1) – beat Madison County, 19-14
4 – Pace (4-2) – beat Pine Forest, 31-29 (OT)
5 – South Walton (6-1) – beat Walton, 21-14 (OT)
6 – Washington (5-1) – lost to West Florida, 22-14
7 – Tate (4-2) – Open Week
 
Irish Bill’s Panhandle Power Rankings (Class 2A, 1A & SSAA) – Week 7
1 – Walton (5-1) – lost to South Walton, 21-14 (OT)
2 – Catholic (5-1) – beat Destin, 45-8
3 – Jay (6-0) – beat True Institute (GA), 1-0 (Forfeit)
4 – Cottondale (6-0) – beat Franklin County, 38-20
5 – Blountstown (5-1) – beat Arnold, 44-7
6 – Holmes County (4-2) – Open Week
7 – Liberty County (5-1) – beat Wewahitchka, 30-0
 
Irish Bill’s Players of the Week – Week 7
Offensive Player
Pine Forest QB Jacorie Thomas went 28-46 for 489 yards and 3 TDs. He added a rushing TD as well in a 31-29 overtime loss to the Pace Patriots. The 489 yards passing is a Pine Forest single game passing record. Jacorie is a two-time Irish Bill Sports Player of the Week in 2026.
 
Defensive Player
Rutherford LB Jamarion Blount produced 15 tackles (6 solo/9 assists) and a TFL on defense and added 9 carries for 82 yards, 3 receptions and 134 yards and 2 TDs on offense in a 47-42 win over Freeport.
 
Special Teams Player
Navarre K Jack Beyer went 4-4 on extra points and kicked a 27-yard FG to help the Raiders win their first game of the year over Fort Walton Beach, 31-26.
 
Other Performances – Week 7
Quarterback
Destin – Kellen Ramsey – 18-28, 234 yards, TD, 3 carries, 25 yards
Rutherford – Jaleel Reed – 8-15, 213 yards, 3 TDs, 7 carries, 128 yards, TD
Fort Walton Beach – Lavin McDaniel – 13-26, 172 yards, TD, 6 carries, 42 yards
Gadsden County – Jordan Evans – 12-21, 170 yards, 4 TDs
Bay – Mace Grant – 15-27, 152 yards, 2 TDs, 6 carries, 63 yards, TD
South Walton – JD Brown – 14-24, 156 yards, 2 TDs, 9 carries, 20 yards
 
Running Back
Blountstown – Curtis Ellis – 13 carries, 250 yards, 3 TDs, 3 2-point conversions
Freeport – Talen McElyea – 17 carries, 204 yards, 2 TDs, 4 receptions, 71 yards
Cottondale – Zacarius Collins – 28 carries, 195 yards, 4 TDs
Pace – Makael Williams – 28 carries, 186 yards, 3 TDs, 2 receptions, 35 yards
Destin – Donnie Couitt – 20 carries, 168 yards, 3 TDs, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Fort Walton Beach – Elijah Donson, 9 carries, 163 yards, 2 TDs
Freeport – Dylan Louthain – 22 carries, 157 yards, 2 TDs, 4 receptions, 57 yards
Gadsden County – Kelshawn Dickens – 8 carries, 151 yards, TD
Navarre – Ben Eberhardt – 25 carries, 130 yards, TD, 1 reception, 6 yards
Bay – Jamarlin Huntley – 20 carries, 115 yards
Northview – Tyson Phifer – 17 carries, 105 yards
Blountstown – Kayin Martin – 8 carries, 102 yards, TD, 2 2-point conversions
 
Wide Receiver
Pine Forest – Korden Randle – 10 receptions, 207 yards, TD
Pine Forest – Javion Casanova – 6 receptions, 128 yards, TD
Pine Forest – Zakavius Andrews – 9 receptions, 120 yards
 
Defense
Walton – Brady Womble – 16 tackles (11 solo/5 assists), 2 TFL, sack
South Walton – Connor Rooney – 15 tackles (2 solo/13 assists), TFL, PD
Franklin County – Rylan Wood – 14 tackles (5 solo/9 assists)
Destin – Brody Hipp – 13 tackles (4 solo/9 assists)
South Walton – Harrison Keepman – 13 assisted tackles
Walton – Charlie Womble – 12 tackles (7 solo/5 assists)
Pensacola – Rashad Williams – 12 tackles (6 solo/6 assists)
Destin – Tristan May – 12 tackles (4 solo/8 assists)
Destin – Aaron McDowell – 12 tackles (4 solo/8 assists)
Rutherford – Juiquin Aytch – 12 tackles (2 solo/10 assists)
Walton – Jonah Baur – 12 tackles (4 solo/8 assists), FR, CF
Navarre – Jayden Jones – 11 tackles (7 solo/4 assists), 2 Ints
South Walton – Wyatt Jones – 11 tackles (2 solo/9 assists), QBH
Franklin County – Andrew Ham – 11 assisted tackles
South Walton – Darnell Johnson – 11 tackles (2 solo/9 assists)
Escambia – Zamonte Files – 10 tackles (8 solo/2 assists), Int
Navarre – Bryce Wheeler – 10 tackles (4 solo/6 assists), BK, TFL, QBH
Northview – Will Classen – 10 solo tackles, 2 TFL
Destin – Jacob Hipp – 10 tackles (6 solo/4 assists)
Freeport – Dominic Bell – 10 tackles (4 solo/6 assists), 3 TFL
 
Special Teams
Destin – Ivan Carrion – 3-3 XPs, 2-2 FGs (34)
Liberty County – Ceaser Lopez – 4-4 XPs
South Walton – Gibson Wills – 3-3 XPs, 4 KOs/4 TBs, 2 punts, 46.0 average, 1 inside 20

2026 Florida Panhandle/Big Bend Scoreboard – Week 8

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With Hurricane Isaias fast approaching the Emerald Coast, schools are rescheduling their Week 8 games. I will update my post as soon as I receive any changes.
 
2026 Florida Panhandle/Big Bend Scoreboard
 
Wednesday – 7 Oct

Pensacola Catholic 49, Freeport 7 *

Thursday – 8 Oct
Cottondale 42, Liberty County 32 *
Madison County 42, Fort White 26 *
Sneads 47, True Institute (GA) 20
Lincoln 35, Chiles 28 *
Hilliard 46, Aucilla Christian 27
North Florida Christian 24, FAMU DRS 20
Baker County 42, Suwannee 0
Chipley 35, Graceville 8

Friday – 9 Oct
Jay at Marianna – Cancelled
St John Lutheran at Munroe – Cancelled

Tuesday – 13 Oct
Godby at Wakulla *

Monday – 19 Oct
Franklin County at Wewahitchka

Tuesday – 3 Nov
Gulf Breeze at Escambia *
B.T. Washington at Milton *
Arnold at Mosley *
Pine Forest at Pensacola *
South Walton at West Florida *
Leon at Rickards *

Wednesday – 4 Nov
Navarre at Tate *
Destin at Walton *
Fort Walton Beach at Choctaw *
Pace at Niceville *
Rutherford at North Bay Haven *

Games to be re-scheduled
Northview at Blountstown *
Baker at Port St Joe *
Florida High at Gadsden County *
Bozeman at Holmes County
Central at Rocky Bayou

Game Rescheduled

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The Navarre Raiders were originally scheduled to play the Tate Aggies in a Class 5A District 1 match-up on Friday, 9 Oct 2026 at 7 PM central; the game has been moved to Wednesday, 4 Nov 2026 at 7 PM, due to Hurricane Isaias approaching the Emerald Coast.

Final – Navarre 31, FWB 26

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Final from the Gridiron…2 Oct 2026

Navarre 31, Fort Walton Beach 26

Fort Walton Beach…0 12 0 14 – 26
Navarre…14 3 7 7 – 31

Navarre (1-5, 0-1); Fort Walton Beach (3-4, 2-0)

Ian Lockwood POG: Jayden Jones (Navarre)
Offensive POG: Ben Eberhardt (Navarre)
Will Sutter Defensive POG: Jordan Jackson (Navarre)
Special Teams POG: Peyton Johns/Jack Beyer (Navarre)

Scoring
1st Qtr
5:38 – 40-yard pass, Peyton Johns to Brody Huston, Jack Beyer kick (Navarre)
:55.3 – 27-yard run, Ben Eberhardt, Beyer kick (Navarre)
2nd Qtr
6:30 – 27-yard FG, Beyer (Navarre)
3:03 – 8-yard run, Ty’Shawn Montgomery, kick no good (FWB)
:10.7 – 55-yard run, Elijah Donson, no kick (FWB)
3rd Qtr
1:04 – 24-yard pass, Johns to Nash Jackson, Beyer kick (Navarre)
4th Qtr
10:50 – 10-yard pass, Lavin McDaniel to Carmello Thomas, Oscar Gallardo kick (FWB)
6:14 – 16-yard interception return, Jordan Jackson, Beyer kick (Navarre)
5:40 – 45-yard run, Donson, Gallardo kick (FWB)

Official Statistics
Navarre Passing (8-14, 131 yards, 2 TDs, Int)
Peyton Johns – 8-14, 131 yards, 2 TDs, Int

Fort Walton Beach Passing (13-26, 172 yards, TD, 3 Ints)
Lavin McDaniel – 13-26, 172 yards, TD, 3 Ints

Navarre Receiving (8 receptions, 131 yards, 2 TDs)
Nash Jackson – 2 receptions, 42 yards, TD
Brody Huston – 1 reception, 40 yards, TD
Brody Powers – 2 receptions, 26 yards
Walker Bridges – 1 reception, 10 yards
Jayden Jones – 1 reception, 7 yards
Ben Eberhardt – 1 reception, 6 yards

Fort Walton Beach Receiving (13 receptions, 172 yards, TD )
Landon McKuhen – 5 receptions, 63 yards
Cannon Wilbur – 4 receptions, 45 yards
Eli Crozier- 2 reception, 42 yards
Logan Smith – 1 reception, 12 yards
Carmello Thomas – 1 reception, 10 yards, TD

Navarre Rushing (41 carries, 237 yards, TD)
Ben Eberhardt – 25 carries, 130 yards, TD
Peyton Johns – 10 carries, 77 yards
Esera Mageo – 2 carries, 20 yards
Xylon Subido – 2 carries, 13 yards
Bryce Wheeler – 1 carry, 2 yards
Mason Hinson – 1 carry, -5 yards

Fort Walton Beach Rushing (26 carries, 263 yards, 3 TDs)
Elijah Donson – 9 carries, 163 yards, 2 TDs
Ty’Shaun Montgomery – 10 carries, 56 yards, TD
Lavin McDaniel – 6 carries, 42 yards
Carlos White – 1 carry, 2 yards

Navarre Special Teams
Jack Beyer – 4-4 XPs, 1-2 FGs (27 yards), 5 KOs, TB, 2 punts, 31.5 average
Peyton Johns – 1 punt, 42 yards, 1 inside 20
Jayden Jones – 2 KO returns, 65 yards
Jordan Jackson – 1 KO return, 8 yards

Fort Walton Beach Special Teams
Oscar Gallardo – 2-3 XPs

Navarre Defense
Jayden Jones – 11 tackles, 2 Ints
Bryce Wheeler – 10 tackles, TFL, BK, QBH
Jordan Jackson – 8 tackles, Int, TFL
Luke Eberhardt – 7 tackles
Duke Mageo – 7 tackles
Ayden Drain – 6 tackles
Noah Wariner – 5 tackles
Ryu Heis – 4 tackles
KeShawn Watts – 4 tackles
Esera Mageo – 4 tackles
Ehren Manuel – 2 tackles
Tyler Pich – 2 tackles
Kyzik Smith – 1 tackle
Eliot Bray – 1 tackle

Fort Walton Beach Defense
Will be posted upon receipt from Coaching Staff.

Final – Rutherford 47, Freeport 42

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Was following the Freeport-Rutherford game on YouTube last night. The Rams had built a 41-27 lead as it was getting late in the 4th quarter. Freeport battled back and tied it with 57 seconds to go. But wait, flag on Rutherford. So, instead of keeping the score tied, Freeport went for two and the lead. It was successful and the Bulldogs now led 42-41. Game over right?
 
As Lee Corso always said, “not so fast my friend.”
 
Rutherford was nearly down and out. The offense stalled. They took a sack on 2nd down and then an intentional grounding penalty on 3rd down. So, now it’s 4th & 38 from their own 9-yard line.
 
The Rams ran a flea-flicker and passed it out to Jamarion Blount, who went 71 yards for the winning score with two seconds left…47-42.
 
This was one of the craziest endings that I have ever witnessed in football.

Game Day – FWB Vikings at Navarre Raiders

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**GAME DAY**
 
WHO: Fort Walton Beach Vikings vs. Navarre Raiders
WHAT: Homecoming
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30 PM Central
WHERE: Bennett C. Russell Stadium, Navarre
WHERE TO WATCH: YouTube at IrishBillsSportsLive944 and on our website at IrishBillSports.com.
 
Join Mardie Wilson, Seminole Bob and I for the pregame at 7 PM.
 
Navarre leads the all-time series against Fort Walton Beach, 10-6. The Vikings won six out of the first seven in the series, but the Raiders have won the last nine.

Series Results
2003 – FWB 34, Navarre 14
2004 – FWB 21, Navarre 14
2005 – FWB 42, Navarre 7
2006 – Navarre 14, FWB 0
2007 – FWB 6, Navarre 3
2008 – FWB 33, Navarre 0
2009 – FWB 36, Navarre 18
2010 – Navarre 14, FWB 0
2011 – Navarre 35, FWB 14
2012 – Navarre 44, FWB 28
2013 – Navarre 34, FWB 7
2014 – Navarre 49, FWB 13
2015 – Navarre 55, FWB 14
2016 – Navarre 48, FWB 6
2021 – Navarre 28, FWB 6
2022 – Navarre 47, FWB 7
 
The Raiders (0-5, 0-1) are still searching for their first win in 2026. The Vikings come into this match-up with a 3-3 record and are tied for first in their respective District (District 1-4A) at 2-0.

2026 Florida Panhandle/Big Bend Scoreboard

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2026 Panhandle/Big Bend Scoreboard – Week 7

Thursday
Choctaw 41, Escambia 0 *
Rutherford 47, Freeport 42
Bozeman 47, Rocky Bayou 14
Liberty County 31, Wewahitchka 0
Destin 35, Northview 21

Friday
Hawthorne 28, Wakulla 14
Cottondale 48, Franklin County 30
University Christian 24, Florida High 7
Gadsden County 62, Impact Christian 0
Taylor County 42, Joshua Christian 0
Maclay 38, North Florida Christian 0
Leon 49, Port St Joe 7
Colquitt County (GA) 30, Rickards 19
Bay 19, Madison County 14
Crestview 27, Mitchell 21
Blountstown 44, Arnold 7
Marianna 28, Chipley 18 *
Baker 50, FAMU DRS 16
Godby 57, Niceville 22
South Walton 21, Walton 14 (OT)
Jay 1, True Institute (GA) 0 (Forfeit)
Graceville 42, Vernon 0
West Florida 22, B.T. Washington 14
Navarre 31, Fort Walton Beach 26
Milton 32, Pensacola 14
Pace 31, Pine Forest 29 (OT)
 
* Denotes District Game