Sports Archive

Alonzo Samuel has coached hundreds of young Milton athletes over the past 36 years, starting with his own children in 1985. Most folks just call him “Coach Sam.”

The City of Milton will show its appreciation Saturday by naming its youth football field in his honor. The day will start at 10 a.m. at the Clyde L. Gracey Community Center, 5629 Byrom Street, with a ceremony honoring the long-time volunteer, aircraft mechanic and pastor.

A storybook ending to one of the greatest seasons in Pace baseball history nearly eluded the Patriots.

It was 2010, and moments after their state semifinal game had ended, the Patriots were given news that deflated the high they were riding after their latest win.

Inside a gym at the end of a dirt road in the north end of Santa Rosa County is where you’ll find Central’s Autumn Boutwell firing up 3-pointers on a summer afternoon in early July.

Her trainer, former Florida State standout Ralph Mims is feeding her the ball. Boutwell catches it and releases. Most of those shots find nothing but net.

Dustin Retherford was approaching the end of his time in the military when his wife made a comment that he should give college coaching a try.

Opportunities had presented themselves in the profession in the past for the former Pace football standout, but he turned those down to serve his country.

Brandon Sproat was drafted three years ago by the Texas Rangers, hearing his name called in the seventh round.

Sproat chose to go college, and now, after spending last season as one of the Florida Gators’ top pitchers, he has been drafted again.

Amaya Pablo developed a love for football at a young age and begged her parents to allow her to play.

Eventually, they said yes.

Pace grad Walter Ford reached a new height in his baseball career late Sunday evening.

The ace of the Patriot pitching staff was taken in Competitive Balance Round B of the MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, becoming the latest baseball standout from Northwest Florida to see his pro sports dream come true.

Jorge Soler drew quite a crowd during his short rehab stint with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos this week.

Fans lined the railing leading from the dugout to the field prior to the start of each of the two games he played in against the Chattanooga Lookouts. The 2021 World Series MVP signed autographs for every fan and even posed for pictures.

Brock Genz started racing when he was 7 years old.

Nearly a decade later, he hasn’t looked back.