Sports
The UWF Argos went into Conway, Arkansas, as touchdown underdogs against No. 24 Central Arkansas and left with a 42-14 blowout, their second straight win over a nationally ranked opponent to open their Division I era.
- And on Synovus Park’s biggest stage in Columbus, Georgia, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos trailed by three runs with two outs in the ninth inning—season on the line—and answered with three straight home runs to win 7-5 and clinch a playoff berth.
Two teams. Two impossible comebacks. One Pensacola weekend nobody will forget.
UWF Makes It Two Ranked Wins in a Row
Coach Kaleb Nobles’ Argos (2-0) are making Division I look easy. After shocking No. 16 Southern Illinois in their debut, UWF went on the road and dismantled a Central Arkansas team that had just knocked off a ranked Tennessee-Martin squad the week before.
“We’re resilient. We played real good, complimentary football, so I am proud of our guys.”—Coach Kaleb Nobles
Quarterback Ty’Ray Davis completed 14 of 17 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns, adding another score on the ground—all while battling a helmet that kept popping loose. Six different Argos found the end zone, and the defense turned two forced fumbles and a pick-six into a commanding 28-7 halftime lead.
- UWF became the first team moving up from Division II to open a season with two wins over ranked opponents
- Linebacker A’khoudry Lyde returned an interception for a touchdown—his second pick-six in two games
- The Argos get a bye before hosting Austin Peay on September 19
- QB Davis earned Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Blue Wahoos Clinch With a Ninth-Inning Miracle
Down 5-2 with nobody on and two outs against the Columbus Clingstones, the Blue Wahoos looked finished. Instead, Cristian Hernández, Colby Shade and Jay Beshears homered back-to-back-to-back to complete a stunning 7-5 comeback that clinched the Southern League South Division second-half title. (Trio in featured photo taken by Eric Breamer.
Manager Nelson Prada, in his second season leading the club, credited a roster that kept reloading through injuries and midseason call-ups to Triple-A.
“Anybody can hit a homer. Anybody can steal a base. We have a really good group of very talented players.”—Manager Nelson Prada
It’s Pensacola’s eighth postseason trip in the franchise’s 14-year history, and their first in three years. The Blue Wahoos close the regular season at home this week against Biloxi before Game 1 of the division series begins September 15 in Pensacola.
Bottom line: Whether it’s Conway, Arkansas, or Columbus, Georgia, Pensacola’s teams are making the road trips memorable.