Peewee Jarrett sat at a table before the start of a postgame press conference and was looking down. It was obvious a 31-28 loss to Valdosta State cut deep on the final Saturday of October at Pen Air Field.

Navarre’s boys soccer team has won a total of five games in the last two seasons, including just two a year ago.

Yet, as a new year gets underway for the Raiders, head coach James Baccarini is optimistic better days are ahead for the program.

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.

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.

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.