Sports Archive

It has been about a month since Baker School announced it was parting ways with head football coach Barry Gardner on April 18. Led by athletic director John Carlisle, the school has since been in search for the next man to lead the storied program.

Spring football 2024 will be over for Crestview in a week.

The Bulldogs will travel the 25 miles east on Interstate 10 to play the Walton Braves led by former Crestview assistant coach and head boys basketball coach Keith White.

Crestview football coach Thomas Grant and his staff are having to mix and match their offensive talent this spring. And while there are many unknown players trying to get the attention of the coaching staff, that’s not the case for rising senior Karson Kolmetz.

As the 2023-3034 school year ends, it seems there’s always some housekeeping or final projects to complete throughout the school. Perhaps no project at Baker school was more important, other than graduation, than the ring ceremony for the Lady Gator volleyball team held May 9. The ring ceremony was just that, an opportunity to hand out state championships rings to the volleyball team, the coaches, support staff and members of the school administration.

Crestview football coaches and players will be getting a small taste of football throughout the spring that will have to last until the start of fall camp in early August.

Now entering his third season as the top dog, head coach Thomas Grant is ready to test his players in spring drills that conclude May 23 with the spring game at Walton High School.

Andy Valmus was not born a Baker Gator as many of the students he teaches and coaches.

Valmus arrived at the school almost 20 years ago joining the football staff of then head coach Bob Kellogg. At some point into his time at Baker School, Valmus put down roots in the community and formed a bond that has made the school home.

For more than a decade, Niceville has been the 500-pound gorilla in the room for the Crestview softball team.

As other sports, both girls and boys, have gained traction with the Eagles and now play the longtime rival on what is an even playing field, the Lady Bulldogs continue to struggle with their rival to the south.

Crestview’s leadoff hitter, Ava Secor, scored the only run the Lady Bulldogs would need in the top of the first inning in Tuesday’s District 2-6A semi-final softball game against Mosley on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, the Crestview High School competitive cheerleading team competed in the state competition in Lakeland.

The Lady Bulldogs didn’t win, but in this case second isn’t a bad consolation prize. Crestview was nosed out by Lake Brantley and lost by less than two-and-a-half points.

Thomas Grant was all smiles as he discussed the start of spring football practice.

Now in his third year as the head coach, Grant has total confidence in his players and staff.