As the Navarre Raiders celebrated their Beach Bowl win on a Friday night in late October, the smiles saying more than words could ever say, this team found itself in a spot that has become all too familiar.
For the seventh time since Jay Walls has been the head coach at Navarre, the Raiders are district champions, clinching the crown with a wild 49-48 overtime victory over rival Gulf Breeze Oct. 27.
One second to go. A chance to tie and force overtime.
That’s the situation the University of West Florida football team found itself in Saturday night at Pen Air Field in a showdown with Valdosta State.
Navarre’s swim team had a strong showing at Friday’s District 1-3A meet at the University of West Florida Aquatic Center in Pensacola.
Tyler Lewis had one of the best finishes of the day, finishing as the runner-up in the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:04.50.
Vinny Villanova sat in a chair inside a jubilant locker room and held an inflatable blue dolphin that, for most of this Friday night in late October, got tossed around in a student section buzzing with energy.
Navarre Raider players, smiling and overwhelmed with joy, took turns hoisting the trophy that comes with winning the Beach Bowl and then gathered to sing the fight song, erupting in cheers afterwards.
Navarre has a chance to repeat as district champions for the first time since 2018 when the Raiders hit the field against rival Gulf Breeze Friday night at Bennett C Russell Stadium.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. for the 16th installment of the Beach Bowl.
It’s after 3 p.m. on a Monday afternoon and inside the school chapel, the lights off, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy head football coach Everette Alford is going over film with the team.
Navarre volleyball coach Ryan Davenport believed in his team and its chances of winning Wednesday’s Region 1-6A quarterfinal against Gainesville.
And the match against the Hurricanes on the road started off well enough, the Raiders competing early before Gainesville took command and swept Navarre 25-20, 25-5 and 25-15.
For 15 years Sadie Struck was a gymnast, twisting and turning in a gym rather than splashing into a pool.
The wear and tear of the sport drove the Navarre Raider in a different direction.
