With a minute or so remaining in the Beach Bowl, it was time for the Navarre Raiders to start celebrating on a cool October evening in Gulf Breeze.


The band played. The fans cheered. The players on the sideline were hyped. A group of cheerleaders stood on one of the benches tossing around an inflatable dolphin.

With no school on the day of their District 1-6A tournament quarterfinal against Crestview last week, members of the Navarre volleyball team went out for lunch.


It wasn’t something that was required. It just happened. And it speaks to the chemistry this team points to as one of its biggest keys to success.

Back and forth Navarre and Crestview went in a wild fourth set of a District 1-6A volleyball quarterfinal on Monday night.


Long rallies. Great serves. Hard hits. Hustle plays everywhere. Nothing given. Everything earned.

Bryce Wheeler is only a sophomore.


But inside the locker room late last Friday night, the defensive lineman spoke like a seasoned veteran about the Navarre Raider football team needing to brush off a 27-7 loss to Crestview and move on.

Two things inspired Navarre Raider senior Manasseh Underwood II to play golf.


One was his uncle, a former pro who encouraged his nephew to get into the sport.

Navarre Raider golfer Cadie May has long had a passion for education.


“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher ever since I started school. I’d go home and teach my stuffed animals when I was younger” May said.