NICEVILLE — Rocky Bayou Christian’s football team had a roller coaster year.

The Knights started the 2018-2019 season with two straight victories.

The team began the season with an impressive 27-14 win over Sherwood Christian Academy.

Rocky Bayou quarterback, Aaron Grabinger, went 5-8 passing with 103 completion yards. Grabinger’s passing performance included two touchdowns.

Grabinger’s quick feet also led the team with 16 carries for a total of 36 yards.

Juniors William Murray and Will Ferguson both had multiple receptions during the game. Murray had six carries for a total of 42 yards, while Ferguson had four carries for a total of 11 yards. Ferguson also had two receptions for a total of 48 yards.

Senior Frank Tiller came up big for the Knights with a 41-yard touchdown reception.

On the defensive side of the ball, junior Zach Balthazar had a huge interception that he returned for 21 yards.

The Knights carried their momentum into the second game of the year: an away game at Snook Christian Academy in Foley, Alabama.

Rocky Bayou defeated Snook 42-14.

During the game, Grabinger went 2-10 on passing for a total of 71 completion yards. He also had another 14 carries for 120 yards, two of which were touchdown runs.

Murray added eight carries for the Knights, totaling 77 yards.

Tiller and Balthazar both had big touchdown receptions. Balthazar had a 32-yard reception, while Tiller caught a 39-yard pass. Tiller also had a massive 65-yard interception return.

The early season victories were only two of four on the year for the Knights, who went on to finish the season 4-6. The Knights would go on to lose to University Christian 56-6 in the regional quarterfinal.

While the season did not always go the way the team would hope, several players had an unforgettable season.

Grabinger finished the regular season with 425 passing yards, including seven touchdowns. He also had 104 carries on the season for a total of 289 yards, including four rushing touchdowns.

Ferguson had 68 carries for the Knights, totaling 184 yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Tyler Powell had six receptions, two of which were touchdown catches, totaling 123 yards.

Tiller had four receptions on the year. Three of those were for touchdowns.

Balthazar had five receptions totaling 96 yards, including two touchdowns.

Murray had 49 carries on the season for 288 yards, including two rushing touchdowns.

The season led to recognition for three of the Knights players: Nick Bowers, Will Ferguson and Dylan Rodriguez.

Bowers was a Subway All-Star for football and was named to both the North Florida Football Conference (NFFC) All-North Division Team and the All Conference Team.

Ferguson was given the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Legacy Challenger Award and named to the NFFC All-North Division Team.

Rodriguez was named to the NFFC All-North Division Team and the NFFC All Conference Team.

The Knights football team as a whole received the NFFC Team Sportsmanship Award.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: High School Sports Review: Rocky Bayou football

BAKER — Baker School's track & field team had a great season, with 11 members competing at districts.

Maya Espinosa ran in the 4×800 meter race, the 3,200 meter race and the 800 meter race. She finished first in all of her events at the district meet.

“She is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and is one of the greatest runners to pass through this area,” Coach Wilder Kersey said.

Her younger sister, Gabi Espinosa, competed with the team in the 4×800 meter race.

“She is an incredibly hard worker,” Kersey said. “She still has a couple of years to go but she is a real competitor.”

Julia Knight also competed in the 4×800 meter race, as well as in the 1,600 meter and 800 meter races.

“Julia is a great athlete who really hates to lose,” Kersey said. “That kind of tenacity really pushes her to be the best that she can possibly be.”

Mackenzie Lawson was also part of the 4×800 meter race district team. Lawson was the team’s only senior.

“She came out and worked hard all year long,” Kersey said.

Kaylin Olivarez, a sixth grader, competed in the 3,200 meter race and the 1,600 meter race.

“She is truly a gifted runner,” Kersey said. “She has more stamina then almost all the runners she goes against and is another one of those athletes that is very competitive.”

Ellie Adams was an alternate for 4×800 meter race and ran in the 800 meter race.

“She works really hard and pushes herself to the limit every day,” Kersey said. “She refuses to fall behind at practice and meets.”

Sophia Palm was an alternate of the 4×800 meter team.

“Sophia is still young, but the staff and I see a lot of potential in her,” Kersey said. “She works incredibly hard and she has a lot of passion to prove herself.”

Olivia Hurley competed in shot put and discus at districts. She finished second in discus and third in shot put.

“She has been one of Baker’s best throwers for the past two seasons,” Kersey said. “She is a very hard worker and loves to compete.”

Baker also had three boys compete at districts.

Dustin Oglesby competed in shotput and discus. He finished second in discus with a personal best and fourth in shotput.

“He qualified in discus last year and has thrown better this year,” Kersey said. “We are looking for great things from him in the future.”

Kyler Bright is a first-year thrower who competed in shotput. He qualified third in the district.

“He has done a great job this year and was a good addition to our team of throwers,” Kersey said.

Carter Mason also competed in shot put. Mason was the district champion in shot put.

“He is a very hard worker and loves to compete,” Kersey said. “We are looking for great things to happen in the future.”

At press time, Baker's regional and state results were not made available to the News Bulletin. These results will be published when they are received.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: High School Sports Review: Baker Track & Field district performance

CRESTVIEW — Crestview High School’s boys’ basketball team had a historic season.

The team finished the season 26-6 with both a region and state title.

The run to a state title didn’t come easy for the Bulldogs, who had to pull out a few close games.

The Bulldog’s success stemmed from motivation after defeating the Choctawhatchee Indians 61-58 in the regional semifinals. It was the third straight semifinal meeting for the Bulldogs and Indians.

The Indians won the previous two meetings, but with the help of 16 points from guard Marcus Purcell, the Bulldogs advanced to the elite eight.

The Bulldogs’ next matchup was against Columbia in the Region 1A championship game.

Four of the Crestview players had double digit scoring. Purcell had 15 points, while Mason Cooper scored 14, Jaden Voisin had 12 and Devin Voisin had 10. Devin Voisin led the team in rebounds with eight in the Bulldogs 66-48 victory.

The victory led the Bulldogs to the state semifinals to face Lehigh.

Purcell and Jaden Voisin both finished the game with 18 points. Voisin led the team with eight rebounds and seven assists. Purcell had three rebounds and five assists. The duo’s impressive performance led the team to a 74-50 win and a shot at the state title.

Crestview faced Dillard in the championship game.

Jaden Voisin led the team in scoring with 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Voisin also had five rebounds, a block and a steal. Cooper was second with eight points and team-high seven rebounds. The pair helped lead the Bulldogs to a 50-40 victory and their first state title since 1985.

The championship season led the Northwest Florida Daily News to name head coach Greg Watson the Large School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.

Marcus Purcell was named by the Daily News as the Large School Boys Basketball Player of the Year, as well as the Region 7A MVP by SourceHoops.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: High School Sports Review: Crestview Basketball

NICEVILLE — Rocky Bayou Christian School’s cross country team had several athletic competitors in both middle and high school.

Freshman Jacob Forest qualified for the regional meet. Forest was the lone middle schooler from Rocky Bayou at the meet.

Sophomore Noah Stout also qualified his way to regionals.

The school had four juniors qualify for regionals: Nathanael Stout, Nathan Schuliger, Wyatt Kirkpatrick and Micah Wyn.

Senior Josiah Hood also finished his high school career as a regional qualifier in cross country. Hood also won the FCA Go the Distance Award, along with sophomore Grace Hamilton.

The award is given during a banquet for athletes in golf, cross country, swimming and volleyball.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: High School Sports Review: Rocky Bayou Cross Country

BAKER — The Baker girls' cross country team started the championship meets on a fast note.

The team won the Region 1A, District 1A championship.

Baker’s top eight runners during the meet were Maya Espinosa, Julia Knight, Kaylin Olivarez, Gabi Espinosa, Karley Bishop, Eliana Butler, Maci Bussanmas and Allison Morse.

Maya Espinosa, a junior, finished first during the meet with a time of 21 minutes and 1 second. Knight, an eight-grader, finished second with a time of 21 minutes and 13 seconds. Olivarez, a sixth-grader, finished fourth with a time of 21 minutes and 56 seconds. Gabi Espinosa finished 12th, while Bishop and Butler finished 14th and 15th respectively. Bussanmas finished 20th and Morse finished 23rd.

During the regional championship, Baker finished sixth.

Baker’s top seven runners during regionals were Maya Espinosa, Knight, Olivarez, Butler, Gabi Espinosa, Bussanmas and Bishop.

Maya Espinosa finished sixth with a time of 20 minutes and 2 seconds, while Knight finished eighth with a time of 20 minutes and 22 seconds.

Baker placed 16th overall at the state championship.

Baker’s runners were Maya Espinosa, Knight, Butler, Oliveraz, Gabi Espinosa, Bussanmas and Bishop.

Maya Espinosa was the top runner for Baker during the event, finishing 43rd with a time of 20 minutes and 43 seconds.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: High School Sports Review: Baker girls' cross country

BAKER — Baker weightlifting had a competitive season.

During the year, the Gators outscored their opponents 214 to 46.

The boys’ weightlifting team also won their second consecutive district championship, marking their third district title in four years. Baker also won the fifth annual Oliver’s Nursery Invitational Meet for the fourth consecutive year and finished fourth at this year’s regional meet.

The following students qualified for regionals:

Carter Glenn, Ray Reiling, Joseph Byrd, Jonathan Cuchens, Jake Miller, Jesse Jordan, John Mateleska, Sam Crowson, Jack Adams, Zane Steele, Joe Brunson, Devin Jordan, Josh Gamble, Garrin Mitchem, Zach Mason, Dustin Oglesby and Gavin Vaccarello

Cuchens placed sixth in the 129 pound class. Miller placed fifth and Jesse Jordan place sixth in the 139 pound class. Mateleska placed third and Crowson placed fourth in the 154 pound class. Adams finished second in the 169 pound class. Brunson placed fifth in the 183 pound class. Zach Mason placed second and Oglesby placed sixth in the 23 pound class.

Baker finished fourth overall at this year’s Regional Meet.

Adams and Mason both qualified for state. Mason placed 10th in the 238 pound class.

On the girls’ side of the mat,the Gators finished second during regionals.

Allison Baggett, Sarah Ann Williams, Alex Butler, Alexia Lucas, Josie Mason, Olivia Hurley, Rhiannon McQueen, Caitlen Ball, Tahkia Simon, Jurnee French, Ruby McLean, RaeDiah Lewis and Kaylie Gasca each competed in regionals.

Baggett placed third at regionals, giving her a bid at state, where she placed eighth in the 101 pound class. Butler placed first at regionals and fourth at state in the 110 pound class. Lucas placed third at regionals and 18th at state in 119 pound class. Hurley placed second at regionals and third at state in the 139 pound class. French placed first at regionals and second at state in the 199 pound class. Lewis placed fourth at regionals and 16th at state in the unlimited class.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: High School Sports Review: Baker weightlifting

CRESTVIEW — Crestview High School's football team held its annual red vs. white spring football scrimmage on Thursday night at Jack Foster Stadium.

The game gave fans a sneak peek at the team for the 2019 season. The team kicks off its season with a home game against Vernon High School on Friday, August 23 at 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview holds spring football scrimmage

NICEVILLE — Both the Davidson Panthers and Shoal River Mustangs participated in the Okaloosa County Middle School Tennis Tournament at Bluewater Bay Tennis Center.

In the Class 2A Division both the girls and boys for the Davidson Panther's took second place overall.

Ruckel Middle of Niceville took first in both boys and girls.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tennis Time