Sports Archive

Thomas Leggett has always had his doubters.

As he prepares for the NFL Draft this weekend, he hears them talking again. Many experts expect the former Navarre standout to go late in the draft or to end up as an undrafted free agent.

Navarre is seeking to make a little more history in flag football tonight when it plays in the 2A regional for the first time.

The Raiders are in Fleming Island to take on the Golden Eagles in a 6 p.m. semifinal game.

Michael Carter said he loves football so much that he would play the game for free.

But soon enough, Carter will be getting paid to play the game he has long excelled in.

It’s the summer of 2015. It’s hot and humid. The sun is unforgiving as it bakes the football practice field behind Bennett C. Russell Stadium.

I’m here to watch the Raiders put in work at one of their trademark intense summer workouts, and my focus is locked in on two players in particular. Michael Carter and Thomas Leggett.

Navarre is playing its best softball at the right time of the year. The Raiders have won three consecutive games and hope to carry that momentum into Tuesday’s District 1-6A semifinal against Tate in Niceville.

Game time is 5 p.m. The winner plays Niceville or Crestview for the district title on Thursday.

Though Navarre’s baseball team is just 7-13 on the season, head coach Chris Williams knows from experience that a district title isn’t out of reach.

Two years ago, the Raiders entered the district tournament with a sub.500 record but went on to win the championship, stunning Niceville for the title.

Zavier Hamilton has just gotten off the phone with Auburn and his latest offer is a done deal. The Tigers wouldn’t mind having the 6-foot, 200-pound versatile athlete on their roster come the fall of 2024.

That offer is one of three the Navarre Raider freshman has received from a big-time program.

Michael Carter and Thomas Leggett have spent countless hours in the weight room and on the field the last few months.

Their limits have been tested. Their skills have been evaluated. But their eyes have never drifted from the end goal of making it to the NFL.

For 33 days, a devastating loss to Niceville simmered and stewed on the minds of Navarre’s flag football players. That 42-0 loss to the Eagles a month ago was an open wound that would not heal.

But of out of the ashes of that crushing defeat, a champion has risen, the Raiders standing tall as the best in the district in 2021 after punching their rival in the mouth Wednesday night in the District 1-2A final at Eagles Stadium.