Navarre Raider History – 2012 – First State Semifinal Appearance

2012 Navarre Raider Seniors

Navarre hired Head Coach Jay Walls in the off season. Coach Walls came to the Raider program from Tift County High School in Tifton, Georgia. Prior to coming to Navarre, he had a 103-71 record in 15 seasons while coaching at Suwannee High School (1997-2005) and Tift County (2006-2011) with 11 playoff appearances.

The first year head coach led the Raiders to a win over Washington in game one, before falling to Pensacola on the road in game two. Navarre would then run off an eight game winning streak with wins over Pace, Niceville, Catholic, Choctaw, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Mosley and Gulf Breeze to finish the regular season at 9-1 and 5-0 in District play. The Raiders qualified for their fourth playoff appearance.

In round one Navarre beat Pace for the second time on the season and then went on the road to knock off Milton in round two. In round three, Columbia would travel to face off with the Raiders for the Region title.

On the opening kickoff, Nick Benton would return the kickoff for a 85-yard touchdown, which had the Raider faithful up on their feet. Navarre QB Andrew Rieves led two more scoring drives in the first half as the Raiders jumped to a 21-0 lead before the Tigers clawed back to cut the lead to 21-14 at the half. Columbia tied it at 21 in third, but the Raiders added a fourth quarter score for the win and their first ever Region title.

In their first trip to the State Semifinals, Navarre hosted Gainesville. The Purple Hurricanes came to play on this night at they jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead. The Raiders would cut the lead to 41-19 after three, but Gainesville could not be stopped as they cruised on to victory.

Navarre finished the year with their first 12-win season and 11-game winning streak, as well as their first Region title and State Semifinal appearance. The Raiders outscored their opponents, 375-258.

 

 

2012 Game Results (12-2, 5-0)
Navarre 33, Washington 7
Pensacola 25, Navarre 24
Navarre 19, Pace 13
Navarre 35, Niceville 28
Navarre 26, Catholic 0
Navarre 21, Choctaw 17
Navarre 13, Crestview 8
Navarre 44, Fort Walton Beach 28
Navarre 28, Mosley 13
Navarre 28, Gulf Breeze 14
Navarre 30, Pace 10 (Playoffs)
Navarre 20, Milton 12 (Playoffs)
Navarre 28, Columbia 21 (Playoffs)
Gainesville 62, Navarre 26 (Playoffs)

Navarre Raider Class of 2013
3 – Johnny Robinson-Pettus – DB
6 – Jordan Leggett – TE (played at Clemson, National Champ, drafted by the Jets)
7 – Mikul Smith – WR
8 – Andrew Rieves – QB
9 – Matt Privette
 – WR
11 – Alex Eastwood – WR
12 – Nick Benton – DB (played at Jacksonville University)
15 – Dwayne Walls – RB/WR
17 – Robby Miller – QB
20 – Kody Kelley – DB
21 – Mason Mikul – DL
22 – Elijah Appel – DB
25 – Jay Warren – RB/DB (played at Florida Atlantic)
29 – Jessie Holmes – LB
31 – Jacob Fitchett – DB
38 – Jonathon Shaw – LB
44 – Devin Colonel – LB
50 – Mitch Posey – DL/OL
51 – Marvin Darby
 – OL
57 – Dyllan Rogers
 – DL
61 – Jacob Kendall – DL (played at Millsaps College)
62 – Boston Morgan – DL/OL
66 – Drayton Taylor
 – OL
71 – Joel Fry – DE
74 – Tyler Schmitt – OL

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