CRESTVIEW — Niceville High School’s volleyball team is no longer in the same district as Crestview. but that didn’t mean the Eagles are any less a measuring stick for the Bulldog program.

If Crestview goes on and makes strong showing its district and advances in the playoffs Thursday’s match might be considered a launching pad to the success.

And while the Eagles are and Bulldogs are no longer district rivals the Okaloosa County rivalry remains in tact.  Thursday’s match the feel of the big time rivalry as members of the student section Dog Pound howled with each point won by Crestview.

In the end the Dog Pound had plenty to howl about as Crestview won in four sets 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 25-22.

“We just had to stay focused and do what we do,” Crestview Coach Kathy Combest said. “They are a great team. They have a lot of great hitters.

“We just had to stay focused at the net. My girls just did a great job doing what they do.”

Kierra Potts, Christa Johnson and Cailee Ness waged battle with the Niceville front line of Alexis Creasman, Stephanie Kaufman and Grace McIntosh throughout the match.

On this night Potts and Company had a little more fire power for the Bulldogs, who improved to 5-1 on the season. Potts finished the match with 11 kills and six aces and kept the Eagles on their heels much of the match.

“Even though they are no longer in our district it (the win) means a lot because we are still rivals with them,” Potts said. “I think this definitely builds our confidence and we are ready to take on any team.”

The Bulldogs (5-1) took seemed to take quick control of the match when they won the first set 25-15.

Crestview libero Meghan Deitz provided a spark serving with a pair of aces early that staked the Bulldogs to a 7-4 lead they didn’t relinquish.

Potts was serving for Crestview when the Bulldogs went on a 10-0 run to take control of the set. Ness and Pamela George had important kills during the run.

It didn’t seem as if the Bulldogs could do too much right in the second set as the Eagles cruised to even the match 1-1.

The final two sets were nip and tuck with the Dog Pound cheering every point. During breaks in play the students chanted, “I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN,” trying to will their classmates to victory.

Niceville led 15-11 in the third set when a Johnson kill seemed to turn the tide for the Bulldogs as Crestview went on an 8-1 run to take control of the set and go up 2-1 in the match.

Neither team led by more than three points in the final set. Marisa Rogers had a couple of big aces for Crestview late in the set to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance before Potts went on a tear at the net to finish off the win for Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview volleyball team stays focused in win (PHOTOS)

All Crestview High School boys and girls basketball letter winners are encouraged to play in Saturday’s Bulldog Basketball Alumni Game in Memory of Ken Rogers.

Former players are asked to donate $10 to play in the game. All money raised will go to support the boys and girls basketball teams and the flag football team. Players wishing to play should arrive at the gym between 4:30-5 p.m.

Cost for spectators is $5. Game time is 6 p.m.

Crestview girls basketball Coach Kathy Combest has confirmed that former Bulldog great Tom Hammonds will  attend, but he's not expected to play. Hammonds played college basketball at Georgia Tech and for 12 years in the National Basketball Association.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Bulldog alumni basketball game set for Saturday

BAKER — In advertent whistle that led to what amounted to a football version of a mulligan might have been the difference in Friday night’s battle of Class 1A powers Blountstown and Baker.

The only problem is unlike a foursome of friends hitting the local golf course where mulligans among friends are acceptable, there are no mulligans in football, or at least there aren’t supposed to be. But in essence that turned out to be the case midway through the fourth quarter of Blountstown’s 28-14 win.

The Tigers were driving deep into Gator territory with about seven minutes left in the game when a Blountstown ball carrier fumbled the ball and the Gators recovered.

But that raised the age old question of when a fumble isn’t a fumble? The answer is when there is an inadvertent or in layman’s terms an official blowing a whistle before the play ended.

Amidst the controversy the officiating crew huddled to discuss the play as Gator Coach Matt Brunson pleaded his case. When the officials ended their brief conference they rolled the inadvertent whistle had nullified the play and the Gator fumble recovery.

The ball was marked back at the previous line of scrimmage, thus the mulligan, and three plays later Blountstown scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown.

Brunson didn’t comment on the call after the game as publicly criticizing the officials would be cause for the Florida High School Athletic Association to fine him.

He did point out that had the Gators been awarded the fumble they would have likely tied the game and might have even come out on top.

The mystery whistle wasn’t the only thing that wasn’t kosher as far as the officiating of the game Friday night.

On Baker’s second possession of the third quarter the officials failed to stop the clock on two consecutive plays that by rule call for the clock to stop. On the first play Gator quarterback Jon Beck threw an incomplete pass, which should have stopped the clock.

The next play Beck was forced to run out of bounds, another play that calls for the clock to be stopped, but it kept ticking. Add to that the mishandling of the clock at the game’s opening kickoff when it kept running after a kick out of bounds and the Gators might have lost three valuable minutes they could have used to tie or win the game.

The officials were hardly biased against Baker though as the Tigers were flagged for 15 penalties for 165 yards. But that is probably of no comfort to the Gators who lost at home for the first time since the playoffs in 2013.

BLOUNTSTOWN 28, BAKER 21

Blountstown                6          7          8          7—28

Baker                          0          14        0          7—21

Scoring summary

First quarter

Blountstown – Cole Skipper 57 run (kick failed); 10:35

Second quarter

Baker ­­– Nick Adams 10 fumble return (Josh Springle kick); 11:34

Blountstown – Chasen Roulhac 3 run (Derek Eberly kick); 3:26

Baker – Kalee Ciurleo 20 pass from Jon Beck (Springle kick); 0:42

Third quarter

Blountstown – Jamal Howard 75 interception return (Roulhac 2-point); 9:31

Fourth quarter          

Blountstown – Roulhac1 run (Eberly kick); 6:07

Baker – Jamaal Day 15 pass from Beck (Springle kick); 3:23

                                    Blountstown    Baker

First downs                 17                    16

Rushes-yards              36-298             33-107

Passing yards              41                    192

Comp-Att-Int              3-5-9                12-30-1

Fumbles-lost                3-3                   1-1                  

Penalty-yards             15-165             9-85

Individual Stats

Rushing

Blountstown: Roulhac 12-82, Buggs 1-6, Skipper 5-71, Simmons 3-18, Johnson 11-83, Burke 3-30, Howard 1-8. Baker: Jalen Ciurleo 7-31, Austin Davis 8-20, Jon Beck 9-29, Montae Barto 7-27.

Passing

Blountstown: Roulhac 3-5-0 41. Baker: Jon Beck 12-30-1 192

Receiving

Blountstown: Burke 1-3, Godwin 1-26, Skipper 1-12. Baker: Jamaal Day 1-15, Jalen Ciurleo 4-55, Kalee Ciurleo 4-62, Austin Davis 1

Baker-Blountstown box

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Mulligan' leads to Blountstown score

BAKER — Lena Daoud is a blur as she races from one spot to another as the libero on Baker School’s volleyball team. One of three seniors on the squad, Daoud brings a knowledge and enthusiasm for the game that’s contagious.

Gator volleyball Coach Tommiko Parks said Daoud has been with the Gator program since she played on the Baker middle school team and is a product of the Baker system.

“You really kind say enough about Lena,” Parks said. “On the court, I can’t even describe it. She’s our Energizer bunny.

“She does a lot of things well. She keeps us on our toes defensively. She has played a lot of volleyball and helps us strategize our defenses and that kind of thing.”

We now catch up with Lena Daoud.

Q: How old were you when you started playing volleyball?

A: I was in the seventh grade so I was about 12.

Q: What's the best part of volleyball?

A: Making a great play.

Q: What's the worst part of volleyball?

A: Probably losing.

Q: What are your expectations this season?

A: I think we are going to go far. All the girls know each other’s strengths and weaknesses so I think we will go far.

Q: If you had to pick a different sport to play, what would it be?

A: Soccer because I love hustling.

Q: What is your favorite volleyball experience?

A: Running half way across the gym and getting the ball back.

Q: What are your hobbies outside volleyball?

A: More volleyball. I read and play beach volleyball.

Q: What's your dream career?

A: I’m hoping to be a business owner and do mortgages.                               

Q: Do you want to play college volleyball?

A: I’d love to play college volleyball. My dream school would probably be the University of Florida because I’ve grown up watching the Gators.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: That’s a tough one. Probably “Get Smart.”

Q: Who is your favorite singer?

A: Chris Tomlin.

Q: If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be and why?

A: Bugs Bunny, definitely. Because he gets to mess with people and climb around.

Q: If you could go back and live in any other period in history, which one would you choose, and why?

A:  I’d definitely live in the future like 2524 because you never know what the future holds.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Catching up with Lena Daoud

CRESTVIEW — In what was a familiar theme from a year ago Crestview High School’s football team couldn’t overcome multiple turnovers against Mosley on Friday.

The Bulldogs turned the ball over three times as the Dolphins picked up a 21-16 win.

Corey Armstrong scored a rushing touchdown for the Bulldogs in the first half. Crestview’s other score came in the second half when Keenan Redd connected with Capri Jones on a 65-yard touchdown pass with about seven minutes left in the game.

Crestview (1-1) hosts St. Martin, Miss., Friday at the Hall of Fame game.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Turnovers hurt Crestview in loss to Mosley

BAKER — A talented Blountstown Tiger team came calling to Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium on Friday to face Baker’s Gators in a game featuring two of the top Class 1A teams in the state.

At stake was early season bragging rights as the Gators tried to defend their home turf in “The Swamp” where they hadn’t lost a regular season game since falling to Northview in 2012.

Baker trailed 28-14 with 6:07 left in the fourth quarter after a 1-yard touchdown run by Tiger quarterback Chasen Roulhac. Roulhac’s touchdown came three plays after an inadvertent whistle denied Baker a recovery of a Tiger fumble.

The Roulhac touchdown turned out to be the difference in the game as the Tigers (1-1) held on for a 28-21 win handing the Gators their first home loss since Cottondale beat them in the opening round of the playoffs in 2013.

“Blountstown has a good program,” Baker Coach Matt Brunson said. “I told our guys it was going to be a heavyweight fight. I’m proud of our guys’ effort.

“We are going to come out here and go back to work and we will get better. We definitely improved from week one to week two.

With their backs to the wall, the Gators did what Gators do, they fought back trying to tie the game.

A six-play, 80-yard drive was capped by a 15-yard scoring pass from Jon Beck to Jamaal Day.

Jalen Cuirleo had a pair of big first down catches on the drive and fullback Montae Barto powered his way to a key first down.

Baker (1-1) trailed by a touchdown when the Gators got the ball back with 1:16 left in the game, but the last-minute drive fell short.

Blountstown wasted no time in jumping to an early lead. On the second play of the game Cole Skipper raced 57 yards on a counter play to put the Tigers up 6-0. The point after failed and that was the score at the end of the first quarter.

Baker’s first score came on a 10-yard scoop and score of a Tiger fumble by Gator defensive back Nick Adams with 11:34 left in the first half.

A 3-yard touchdown run by Roulhac with 3:26 left in the half capped a short 40-yard drive by Blountstown.

Another Blountstown turnover led to Baker’s second score of the night. Chandler Rockwell fell on a loose ball at the Tiger 41 with 1:23 left in the half. Forty second later Beck found Kalee Cuirleo with a 20-yard strike to give the Gators there only lead of the night with 42 seconds left in the half.

Blountstown took the lead for good when the Tigers returned an interception of a Beck pass 75-yards with 9:31 left in the third quarter.

The Gators finished the night with 299 yards in total offense. Beck was 12-of-30 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

Kalee Cuirleo had four catches for 62 yards. Jalen Cuirleo had four catches for 55 yards. Jalen Cuirleo led the Gators in rushing with 31 yards on seven carries.

Baker hosts West Gadsden on Friday.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker's comeback comes up short (PHOTOS)

LAUREL HILL — By the time the start of the District 1-1A volleyball tournament rolls around on Oct. 19 Laurel Hill School’s volleyball freshmen should have grown up a little.

Three of the nine players on the Hobo roster are in their first year of high school. Two of those freshmen; Kylee Seymour and Micah McVay start. The other six members on the Laurel Hill roster are juniors.

The youth of the Hoboes was on display Thursday night when Laurel Hill hosted Jay in their District 1-1A opener. Laurel Hill spotted Jay two sets and then tried to overcome a deficit even the most veteran of teams would find difficult.

In the end the Royals won the match 3-1 by scores of 25-15, 25-15, 18-25, 26-24.

“We showed our age tonight not having any seniors on the team and starting two freshmen,” Hobo Coach Kent Zessin said. “We definitely showed our age. It’s a molding process right now where we are trying to find leadership on the court and off the court.

“We just need a  few players to step up right now and take that role. It’s tough not having seniors.”

In the early going the Hoboes couldn’t find a way to stop Royal outside hitter Carissa Mulford. Mulford was a force at the net pounding home a half dozen kills and blocking almost an equal number of Hobo attempts for kills.

But the momentum started to change in the third set when the Hoboes (2-1, 0-1) started to rally.

With Rachel Welsh in serve Laurel Hill jumped to a quick 3-0 lead and never trailed in the set. Every time Jay closed the gap the Hoboes came up with a big play.

Kaylyn McLaney and Kaylee L’Homme played strong a the net countering Jay’s advantage in Mulford.

 Jay took a quick 5-1 lead in the fourth set and seemed ready to cruise in for the win, but a stubborn Hobo squad was determined to defend its home court.

Laurel Hill fought back and finally tied the score at 22-22, 23-23 and 24-24 before the Royals were able to score the final two points needed to win the set and the match.

“Our main goal is to get better every night and learn from our mistakes,” Zessin said. “They are going to be fine. They are very smart and they work well together.

“It’s just missing that one piece in the leadership role right now and that’s going to come in time. If we had come out and played the way we know how to play the first two sets I think it might have been a different outcome.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Jay 3, Laurel Hill 1.

Scores: 25-15, 25-16. 18-25, 26-24

Laurel Hill performers: Bailey Stokes 1 ace, 4 assists, 7 digs; Micah McVay 11 assists, 1 dig; Kaylyn McLaney 2 aces, 4 blocks, 4 digs, 6 kills; Laure Mitchell 1 ace; Rachel Welsh 2 aces, 2 kills; Kylee Seymour 5 block, 5 kills; Kaylee L’Homme 5 blocks, 10 kills.

Laurel Hill stats

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill volleyball team drops district opener

BAKER — There is a method to what seems to be the madness of the Baker School volleyball team’s early season schedule. Why else would Coach Tommiko Parks have her Class 1A Gators hosting 6A Choctaw on Tuesday?

It’s not that Parks is a glutton for punishment as the Gators are usually the team punishing the opposition.

“Early in the season you like to schedule teams that are tough, and Choctaw’s tough,” she said. “They got big blockers. They’ve got big hitters.

“We try to schedule games that will allow us to see different kinds of offenses and different kinds of teams. Playing Choctaw was an added bonus for us.”

That bonus should come later in the season when the Gators face off against schools closer to their own size. Tuesday’s match was, well, a mismatch as the Indians flexed their muscle sweeping the Gators 3-0 by scores of 25-15, 25-15, 25-11.

“We always like to play as well as we can,” Parks said. “There were some thing we normally do well that we didn’t do well. It’s a learning experience.

“It’s important for us to understand we need these types of games to improve our game.”

The Indians wasted no time in establishing control of things at the net. Alyssa Sehman, Morgahn Fingall, Evelina Teran and Kassandra Fairly gave the Gators fits at the net all night.

A Brittany Brunson kill for Baker (2-1) early in the first set tied things up at 3-3. Three quick points by Choctaw gave the Indians some breathing room.

The Gators were able to pull within a point of the Indians at 8-7. A 4-0 Choctaw run extended the lead once and for all. The closest the Gators got the rest of the set was 18-15 on a Taylor Brunson kill.

The second and third sets played out much like the first set. Choctaw took a quick 6-1 lead in the second set before the Gators evened things up at 7-7. A 7-2 run by Choctaw put the Indians in front for good.

Choctaw scored 16 straight points to start the third set. A score by Emily Stewart temporarily broke the moment of the Indians.

Baker did outscore Choctaw 11-9 during the final stretch of the match, but it was too little, too late.

Choctaw 3, Baker 0

Scores: 25-15, 25-15, 25-11

Baker stats: Jessica Black 2 aces, 6 assists, 3 digs, 1 kill; Lena Daoud 16 digs; Brittany Brunson 1 ace, 4 digs, 2 kills; Emily Stewart 1 ace, 1 block, 8 digs, 2 kills; Taylor Brunson 5 assists, 4 digs, 5 kills; Whitley Taylor 1 dig; Ayajah Coleman 1 kill; Ashley Block 1 block, 1 kill.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Indians too strong for Baker (PHOTOS)

BAKER — A tough Blountstown Tiger football team visits Baker School’s Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium on Friday to take on the Gators in Baker’s home opener.

The Gators opened the season on Friday with a 26-14 win over Holmes County. Blountstown took one on the chin losing to Walton 28-14.

Baker Coach Matt Brunson said his team will have its hands full with a talented Tiger squad.

“They are very athletic,” he said. “(Coach) Greg Jordan does a great job. Blountstown got beat in the quarterfinals last year 6-0 by the eventual state champion Port St. Joe Sharks.

“They were state runner up a couple years ago and lost a close one to Trenton in the finals. They’ve got a program and it will be a great measuring stick for our program.”

One thing that should help the Gators as they prepare for Blountstown is the Tigers run a Wing-T offense, as does last week’s opponent, Holmes County. Blountstown runs a 3-4 defense.

“They do a great job in the weight room and they just get after you,” Brunson said. “They take pride in the same things we do. They are physical and it is going to be a challenge.”

Gator quarterback Jon Beck had a big game against Holmes County running for 198 yards and passing for another 114.

 “We took what they (Holmes County) gave us,” Brunson said. “They didn’t defend the option very well on the quarterback keeper.”

Brunson expects the Tigers to do a better job of defending Beck, which could open things for Jalen Cuirleo, Montae Barto and Austin Davis, if he is available.

Brunson is waiting on word for Davis and Oakley Kimbrel, who have been out several weeks with a various injuries. “That’s two starters down we’ve lost on both sides of the ball,” he said. “We will be glad to get both of those guys back.”

With or without Davis and Kimbrel, the Gators will hit the field Friday night in search of a quality win.

“I think it will be a great high school football game with two good programs,” Brunson said. “I hope we can match up with them and have a chance to win the ball game. It would be a quality win for our program, for sure.”

UPCOMING

WHAT: High school football, Blountstown at Baker

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Baker School, Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium

Baker High School football

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators eye quality win against Blountstown

CRESTVIEW — Crestview High School’s football team continues its home stand Friday night, when the Bulldogs host Mosley out of Panama City.

The Dolphins are coming off a 24-13 win over Rutherford. Mosley’s offense is led by Jimmy Daniel and Ezra Gray. Crestview defensive coordinator Thomas Grant says the Bulldogs will have their hands full trying to stop the talented duo.

“They have two dynamic running backs that are very fast, natural, smooth runners,” Grant said. “We have to do a good job of team tackling. We can’t let them get in the open field because they will run away from us.

“Their quarterback (Peyton Calhoun) is a pretty good player. They have two receivers that are really good. Defensively, they fly around to the ball and do a really good job.”

The Dolphins run multiple offensive sets that include a spread offense and a more traditional I formation. Mosley’s defense also will line up in several formations.

Grant said the Bulldog offense and defense must play smart and not be confused by everything Mosley tries to do.

Bulldog starting quarterback Rusty Moorer received an injury to his throwing hand in Friday’s 47-20 win over Northview; his availability for Friday is uncertain.

If Moorer can’t go, Corey Armstrong, Crestview’s starting middle linebacker, is likely to start at quarterback.

“Whenever you can start the year 1-0, it’s good to win," Grant said. “Obviously, we have a lot of things to work on from that game.

“We are getting in here, watching film and correcting those mistakes. Usually, you see the most improvement from game one to game two. I’m excited to see how we handle this week.”

UPCOMING

WHAT: High school football, Mosley at Crestview

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Jack Foster Stadium, Crestview High School

Crestview High School football

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview must stop Mosley's dynamic duo