Paradise News

Tag: United States

  • Fact Check: New York officials didn’t value Mar-a-Lago at $18 million. A Palm Beach property appraiser did

    After a New York judge ruled last month in a fraud lawsuit that former President Donald Trump inflated the value of properties including his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump and his allies argued that New York officials have undervalued the property. 

    Mike Davis, who has advised Republican senators on confirmation of federal judges, said in a Oct. 1 Facebook video that “the New York Attorney General and this New York judge says” Mar-a-Lago is “only worth $18 million,” which Davis called “ludicrous.” Davis is president of the Article III Project, a group that defends constitutionalist judges. 

    The Facebook post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

    Davis’ comments are misleading because New York officials did not determine the property’s value. The property appraiser in Palm Beach County, where Mar-a-Lago is located, assessed the property and determined its value. 

    Civil fraud lawsuit says Trump created false valuations 

    In 2022, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit alleging that Trump and the Trump Organization created 200 false and misleading valuations of assets in New York, Florida and Scotland to defraud financial institutions. James is seeking $250 million in damages; to bar Trump from serving as an officer in any New York corporation; and to bar him from acquiring any New York real estate over the next five years. Trump has denied wrongdoing, and the civil fraud trial continues as of this publication.

    New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron’s Sept. 26 ruling stated that from 2011 to 2021, the Palm Beach County property appraiser determined Mar-a-Lago’s value was “between $18 million and $27.6 million.” But Trump’s statements of financial condition presented to investors stated that it was worth between $426 million and $612 million, “an overvaluation of at least 2,300%” Engoron wrote. 

    Trump posted on Truth Social that Mar-a-Lago is worth “50 to 100 times” more than the lowest assessed value, $18 million. Media outlets quoted Palm Beach real estate experts who said $18 million was a very low valuation.

    When contacted for comment, a Davis spokesperson said, “To say that Mar-a-Lago is worth $18 million is bonkers. There is currently a 2.3 acre lot for sale in Palm Beach for $200 million. It’s an empty lot. Mar-a-Lago, on the other hand, is 20 acres and is a historic property with more than 37,000 sq(uare) feet.” 

    But we aren’t rating on the Truth-O-Meter the appropriate value for Mar-a-Lago. We are fact-checking a claim about who determined the property’s value.

    Engoron asked the media to stop attributing the $18 million figure to him.

    “Please, press, stop saying that I valued it at $18 million,” he said in court Oct. 2. “That was a tax assessment. Or, something in that range.”

    Mar-a-Lago’s county appraisal takes into account the deed restriction

    Mar-a-Lago is not valued by the county as if it were a luxury home because it is a private club. Trump in 1995 signed a deed of conservation and preservation easement, which means he ceded the right to use the property for anything other than a social club. 

    That means the property appraiser uses an income-based valuation for the property, Becky Robinson, a spokesperson for the property appraiser, told PolitiFact.

    “Mar-a-Lago is one of nine deed-restricted clubs in Palm Beach County, and all are valued in the same manner,” Robinson said. “The income approach to valuation capitalizes the net operating income that private clubs could generate. This means that the value of the property is determined based on the amount of income that it generates as a club.”

    That’s different from determining the value of a house, when appraisers consider recent sales of nearby homes, and determine a comparable value. 

    The county appraiser is a government office that assesses properties for taxation purposes only.

    Property owners can file a petition to challenge the valuation; usually, they seek a lower value to decrease their taxes. In September 2020, a Mar-a-Lago representative filed such a petition, according to the records sent to us by an official for the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. But in November 2020, the representative withdrew the petition, marking a box labeled “petitioner agrees with the determination of the property appraiser or tax collector.”

    Mar-a-Lago is currently valued at about $33.4 million by the Palm Beach County property appraiser, based on a 2023 appraisal. A new valuation will be available Jan. 1.

    Davis also said the New York attorney general said that Mar-a-Lago was valued at $18 million. In James’ statement to the media announcing the lawsuit, she said that Mar-a-Lago was valued based on the “false premise” that it could be developed and sold for residential use, despite the deed restrictions. 

    “In reality, the club generated annual revenues of less than $25 million and should have been valued at closer to $75 million,” her statement said. The Article III Project noted that James said in a post on X that the value was “$25 million.”

    Our ruling

    A Facebook video said New York Attorney General James and Judge Engoron valued Mar-a-Lago at $18 million.

    James did not value Mar-a-Lago at $18 million. 

    A ruling by Engoron cited the $18 million figure, but he attributed it to the 2011 value determined by the Palm Beach County property appraiser. 

    We rate this statement False. 

    RELATED: More than 900 fact-checks of Donald Trump

    RELATED: In context: What NY Attorney General Letitia James said about Trump that Trump’s video left out



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  • Woman kills mom with skillet to hide flunking school; Girlfriend of slain cop says she was framed – TCDPOD

    This Week on True Crime Daily The Podcast: A mother beaten with a skillet and fatally stabbed by her daughter in a confrontation about the girl’s academic suspension. Plus, a cop’s mysterious death leaves a community seeking answers.

    Caitlyn Becker joins host Ana Garcia.

    YouTube: Woman kills mom with skillet to hide flunking school; Girlfriend of slain cop says she was framed

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page for podcasts, exclusive videos, and more, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.



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  • Straughn hands HA first loss in stunning upset, 35-21

    Straughn hands HA first loss in stunning upset, 35-21

    Published 10:27 pm Friday, October 6, 2023

    Straughn’s M.J. Dauphin, right, sacks Houston Academy quarterback Kadyn Mitchell for a loss during the Tigers’ home upset win over the Raiders. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

    Straughn celebrated 50 years of football and snapped fifth-ranked Houston Academy’s 15-game regular season winning streak with a 35-21 home upset Friday night.

    SHS Head Coach Ashley Kilcrease felt his team had a great plan entering the game.

    “Houston Academy was averaging a ton of points and playing great on defense. You can’t say enough about our kids and our coaches. I’m so proud of our kids for the way we believed in the plan and rallied to execute it tonight. I told the kids the good Lord doesn’t always give us what we want (after losing to Ariton) and gives us what we need. We needed some humility and went to work at practice this week. That’s a good football team we just beat. While the region is a long way from over, it gives a leg up. New Brockton will be much improved in our final road game next week, so we will need to be ready to play,” Kilcrease said.

    The Tigers (5-1, 4-0 3A Region 2) exploded on the first play of the game when Layne Grantham gashed for a 79-yard touchdown run. Brenden Bartholomew added the PAT for a 7-0 lead just 20 seconds into the contest. The Raiders (5-1, 3-1) were held to a pair of 4-yard runs by Brady Whigham and went three-and-out.

    Starting at the opposing 48-yard-line, Grant Barnes had two runs and converted a third-and-3. After a 7-yard first-down run from Grantham, Barnes moved the chains again on a 6-yard carry. Three plays later, it was third-and-10 at the 20. Houston Academy was poised to make a stop, but it was not in the cards as Parker Black made a stellar 19-yard catch at the 1. Grantham crossed the goal line on second down, and Bartholomew was true to extend the lead to 14-0 with 4:41 left in the first quarter.

    The Raiders gained their initial first down on the next drive thanks to an offside penalty but again saw the defense force a punt. This time, the Tigers were pinned deep at their own 9-yard-line. Barnes had a 15-yard run for some breathing room, and Charlie Jordan converted a third-and-2 with a 6-yard run. Following a holding penalty, Grantham earned a 16-yard run on the last play of the quarter. Early in the second, Clark Jordan kept the drive alive with a 19-yard reception and a first down across midfield. Grantham moved the chains again on a third-and-4 with a 36-yard pass to Black at the visiting 5. A late hit resulted in a half-the-distance penalty, and Barnes had a 3-yard touchdown run. Bartholomew booted the extra point for a 21-0 lead with 9:20 to go until halftime.

    Houston Academy opened its next series at the 34-yard-line and quickly made two first downs with 14-yard passes from Kadyn Mitchell to Camden Dyer and Brayden Eubanks. Mitchell moved the chains on third-and-10 with a 16-yard run to the home 8. Eli Guilford came up with a huge sack for a loss, but Mitchell had a 21-yard touchdown run and cut the deficit to 21-6. The PAT was wide left at the 3:53 point of the second.

    The Tigers were not about to go quietly and dealt one final before halftime. Barnes converted a third-and-9 with a 34-yard scamper, and Charlie Jordan followed suit with a 22-yard pickup to the opposing 8. The Raiders almost held on third-and-goal but were once again stunned as Grantham threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Clark Jordan in the corner of the end zone. Bartholomew’s fourth PAT put the halftime score at 28-6.

    Houston Academy opened the second half with one first down and crossed midfield before Ryan Cobb made a clutch fumble recovery. Straughn rolled the dice on fourth-and-1 but turned the ball over on downs.

    The next drive began when M.J. Dauphin delivered the boom on a sack. Mitchell recovered for a 15-yard pass to Dyer two plays later. Following a 6-yard run from Judson Bailey on second-and-goal, the Raiders closed the gap to 28-14 with 2:18 left in the third. Dyer had a 3-yard touchdown run, and the two-point try was good. The Tigers answered right back with their strong running attack. Barnes got the majority of the runs with five carries for 61 yards. The final one was a 34-yard touchdown run as Bartholomew split the uprights a fifth time for a 35-21 margin with 8:55 to go in the game.

    Houston Academy did not back down and needed only six plays to find the end zone again. Mitchell found Eubanks open on a 33-yard touchdown pass, and the PAT closed the scoring. Straughn took over and churned up the clock reaching inside the red zone at the 19-yard-line before lining up in the victory formation.

    The Tigers hit the road for the final time in the regular season on Friday, Oct. 13, at New Brockton (1-5, 1-4).

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  • Fact Check: Is E. Gordon Gee right that foreign languages aren’t a high priority nationally?

    One of the biggest casualties of program cuts aimed at balancing the West Virginia University budget were foreign languages. 

    In the initial round of proposed cuts, the entire WVU Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics was on the chopping block. After an appeal — and a backlash on campus and elsewhere — the university moved to save some Spanish and Chinese courses and five full-time equivalent teaching positions. But courses and degree programs in other languages would be shuttered.

    The cuts to foreign languages became perhaps the most controversial element of the administration’s plan, and the Faculty Senate cited it in its proposed resolution of no confidence in President E. Gordon Gee. 

    The language cuts are “likely to lead to increased state departures as they limit young people’s access to a comprehensive education, quality language education, global perspectives, and the option to further their education in much-needed areas in-state,” the Faculty Senate resolution said. (The resolution passed, but it is nonbinding and Gee remains president.)

    Outside the state, critics pounced on the decision to cut back on foreign languages. 

    “I can tell you that no other state flagship university has forsaken language education for its students or made the kinds of cuts to the humanities that WVU is undertaking,” Paula M. Krebs, executive director of the Modern Language Association, a professional association for U.S. language and literature scholars, wrote to Gee in a letter.

    In an interview published Aug. 25 in The Daily Athenaeum, WVU’s student newspaper, Gee defended the proposal.

    “Our intent is to continue to have a very robust foreign language program,” Gee said. “Not in the same way that we’ve been doing, but through partnerships. We’re looking at a new delivery system. Any student who wants to have a language experience at this institution will be able to have that language experience.”

    Gee added that foreign languages are “not a high priority nationally.” We decided to see whether Gee was correct about that.

    We found evidence that fewer students are taking foreign language courses over the past six decades and more recently, though it’s unclear whether this is a question of supply or demand.

    Periodic surveys by the Modern Language Association have found that more than 16 college and university students out of every 100 took foreign language courses in 1960, a number that fell to 7.5 per 100 by 2016. This figure also dropped in four surveys taken from 2006 to 2016.

    Based on more limited data covering 2020, the Modern Language Association found that foreign language enrollment declined by 15.4% between 2016 and 2020.

    Gee’s office also cited data from the National Center for Education Statistics that show the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded annually across all areas of foreign languages, literatures and linguistics has declined 25% nationally and 30% in WVU’s primary recruiting states from 2010 to 2021. 

    However, enrollment may have declined partly because offerings shrank. The Modern Language Association’s 2016 survey found that the number of language programs fell by 5.3% percent from 2013 to 2016.

    This chicken-and-egg problem makes it hard to determine whether Gee’s correct that foreign languages are “not a high priority”   because there does appear to be some demand from U.S. companies for foreign-language speakers.

    A 2019 survey of 1,200 senior business professionals conducted by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages found that 32% of officials surveyed said they rely on employees with foreign language skills “a lot,” and 58% said they rely on such workers “some.” Ten percent said they rely “not at all” on workers with foreign language skills.

    Meanwhile, a 2019 survey by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences found that adults named foreign languages first among the subjects they wish they’d studied more in college. 

    Our ruling

    Gee said that foreign languages are “not a high priority” nationally.

    There is evidence for Gee’s assertion: Enrollment in foreign language classes at U.S. colleges and universities has declined, both since the 1960s and the early 2000s.

    However, it’s unclear whether students and employers are the ones making it a lower priority, or whether they are simply reacting to a diminished supply of college-level courses.

    We rate the statement Half True.



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  • Mich. man arrested after his wife’s dead body is found in his car at gas station

    WARREN, Mich. (TCD) — A 56-year-old man is facing a felony charge for allegedly killing his wife and leaving her body in his vehicle at a local gas station.

    According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, on Sept. 30, Warren Police Department officers responded to a call at a gas station and found Ricardo Orozco in the driver’s seat of his Dodge Durango. Police located his wife’s body in the back seat and noted she had died from apparent stab wounds.

    Police arrested Orozco and booked him into the Macomb County Jail on Oct. 1. The Prosecutor’s Office said he was arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder, and a judge set his bond at $2 million cash or surety. If Orozco posts bail, he will be required to wear a GPS monitor and give up his passport.

    The Detroit Free Press reports Orozco allegedly approached the gas station attendant and told him his wife was bleeding in his car. He was reportedly covered in blood and appeared intoxicated.

    Police Commissioner William Dwyer told the newspaper Orozco’s wife was most likely killed elsewhere, then driven to Warren. Officers reportedly located a hunting knife on the floorboard of the vehicle.

    Orozco purportedly made “multiple admissions to killing” his wife, who was not publicly identified. Dwyer said Orozco and his wife had a “violent history.”

    Dwyer said the victim’s body was wet and she appeared to have sand on her, making investigators believe she and Orozco could have been at the beach earlier that day.

    Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in the statement, “This tragic event has destroyed a family. October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let’s remember that violence is never the answer.”

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  • Covington County moves to District 1 in new congressional map for Alabama

    Covington County moves to District 1 in new congressional map for Alabama

    Published 9:15 am Saturday, October 7, 2023

    Covington County will now be in Dist. 1 instead of Dist. 2 in the state of Alabama’s new state congressional map. (PHOTO PROVIDED)

    A three-judge panel has selected a new state congressional map that brings changes to the state’s southern-most districts, including Covington County.

    Prior to selection of the new map, Covington County was in District 2, currently represented by Barry Moore of Enterprise.

    With the new map, Covington joins Houston, Dale, Henry, Coffee, and Geneva as new counties within Dist. 1, joining Escambia, Baldwin and a portion of Mobile counties, remaining in the district. Dist. 1 is currently represented by Jerry Carl.

    The panel of judges selected from three proposed maps drawn by a special master appointed by the court after efforts by state legislators failed to produce a map deemed acceptable by the court.

    Last year, the three-judge court ruled that Alabama’s map likely violated the Voting Rights Act and in June the U.S. Supreme Court agreed.

    The new map is designed to provide Black voters a ‘reasonable opportunity’ to win in at least two districts. Currently, Alabama has one Black majority district, Dist. 7 which is served by Democrat Terri Sewell. That district remains majority Black with the new map at 51.9 percent.

    Under the new map, Dist. 2 is seen as the second best opportunity for Black candidates, where the Black voting population increased from 40 percent to 48.7 percent. The new Dist. 2 will consist of Pike, Barbour, Crenshaw, Conecuh, Monroe, Washington, Bullock, Macon, Russell, Montgomery, and a portion of Mobile county.

    With the new districts, Dist. 1 has two incumbent U.S. Representatives within its borders — Carl and Moore.

    The new map made no changes to Districts 3, 4, and 5 and only minimal changes to Districts 6 and 7.

    Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall opposed all three map versions being considered by the panel, citing they are based on unconstitutional gerrymandering. Marshall said he does plan to appeal and pursue a trial in the case.

    Meanwhile, Secretary of State Wes Allen said his office will begin faciliating the new map for the 2024 election cycle.

    “For years, we have been a part of the 2nd Congressional District,” said Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson. “The district lines previously have kept all of what we think of as the Wiregrass together. This new map puts all of Alabama’s southern-most counties, except Mobile County, which is divided in the new map, in one district. It now appears we have two incumbent members of the U.S. House of Representatives [who could run] against each other in 2024.

    “These are very unusual circumstances,” he said. “Congressman Barry Moore has maintained an office in Andalusia City Hall and his staff has been very responsive to local residents. He has not yet announced if he will seek reelection in the newly-drawn district.

    “Congressman Jerry Carl, who currently represents AL1, has announced that he will seek re-election. He has been in communication with community leaders in Covington County since it first became evident in the Alabama Legislature’s Special Session earlier this summer that the lines would be moved and Covington County would be in his district. He has reached out to me personally and am very pleased to see him take such an interest in all that we have happening here.”

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  • Fact Check: Fact-checking Rep. Carol Miller on gasoline prices under Joe Biden

    One of the most common attacks Republicans have used against President Joe Biden as he seeks a second term has been over energy policy, with particular attention to prices at the pump.

    In an Aug. 30 in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., echoed this criticism of Biden.

    “This summer, Americans experienced firsthand the devastation Bidenomics has on their wallets,” Miller said. “Gas prices have skyrocketed since Joe Biden took office and continue to do so everyday. @HouseGOP will fight Biden’s war on energy to lower costs for hardworking Americans.”

    The term “skyrocketed” is hard to define, so we can’t evaluate that part of Miller’s statement . But we can look at whether prices are higher under Biden, and whether this is Biden’s fault.

    Miller’s office did not respond to inquiries for this article.

    Are gas prices higher?

    Gasoline prices are surely higher under Biden than they were under his predecessor, former President Donald Trump.

    Data from the Energy Information Administration, a federal agency, shows that the average per-gallon gasoline price during Trump’s four-year term was $2.46. During Biden’s tenure so far, the average has been $3.53. (These figures are not adjusted for inflation.)

    Gasoline prices hit $5.01, a record high, under Biden in June 2022. Since then, the price has dropped significantly. At the time of Miller’s post, the price was $3.81; since then, it has fallen slightly to $3.80, during the week of Oct. 2.

    Is the increase Biden’s fault?

    Experts say that Biden’s policies may have had a marginal effect on gasoline prices but for the most part, the price of gasoline — whether it’s high or low by historical standards — is not something a president can significantly control. 

    As PolitiFact has reported, gasoline prices initially rose on Biden’s watch because of the recovery after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. As economic activity, commuting and travel rebounded, fuel demand rose faster than global supplies did.

    Then came Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. NATO countries and allies sought to reduce their purchases of Russian crude oil as punishment for its war, which has hampered supply. And other major oil producers, such as Saudi Arabia, have largely resisted requests to increase production to fill the void. 

    Overall, this has kept global crude oil prices high, even though the price has fallen since its peak in summer 2022.

    Trump’s low average price was shaped by the opposite phenomenon that Biden experienced. Most of Trump’s final year in office occurred early in the COVID-19 pandemic, when automobile use was sharply lower. This drove gasoline prices to unusually low levels. 

    Another point: Under Biden, the U.S. is on pace to produce a record-high amount of domestic oil.

    U.S crude oil production hit a record high under Trump, with 4.49 billion barrels in 2019. However, the trend line suggests that record could be broken once the books close in 2023.

    During the 2023’s first six months, the U.S. produced 2.29 billion barrels of crude oil. If production continues at that pace, the total would reach nearly 4.59 billion barrels by year’s end.

    Our ruling

    Miller said, “Gas prices have skyrocketed since Joe Biden took office and continue to do so everyday.” 

    Although there’s no precise definition of “skyrocketed,” it’s clear that gasoline prices have been higher during Biden’s presidency than under Trump’s. This was especially so during the peak in midsummer 2022; prices are significantly lower today.

    Experts say, however, that a president’s ability to shape current gasoline prices is sharply limited. Climbing prices under Biden have more to do with increasing economic activity after the pandemic and diplomatic responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details, so we rate it Half True.



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  • Mom allegedly hit son with hammer because she thought they were being sold into sex slavery

    FORT WAYNE, Ind. (TCD) — A 32-year-old mother allegedly hit and severely injured her 10-year-old son with a hammer and then stabbed herself because she was reportedly worried about being sold into sex slavery.

    The Fort Wayne Police Department responded to the 1200 block of Ralph Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 3, where they found Bethany Fleming and her son suffering from life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to the hospital, but Fleming was later discharged and subsequently arrested.

    Homicide investigators have taken over the case.

    According to court documents obtained by WANE-TV, Fleming called 911 and said she believed someone was going to sell her and her son into sex slavery. She reportedly told officials she “tried to stop it and I hit him in the head with a hammer.”

    Citing court documents, WANE reports Fleming said, “So I tried to kill him. I think I killed him, and I stabbed myself.”

    Police reportedly heard Fleming’s son moaning in the background during the 911 call.

    Upon officers’ arrival, Fleming was allegedly standing at the door with blood coming out of her neck.

    The 10-year-old required emergency surgery for a skull fracture and a brain bleed, WANE reports. According to court documents, medical staff claimed the boy’s medical condition was “touch and go.” As of Friday, Oct. 6, officials have not disclosed the status of the victim’s condition.

    Police charged Fleming with attempted murder following her release from the hospital. She remains in custody at the Allen County Jail on $50,000 bond.

    • MORE:
    • Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested- Fleming – Fort Wayne Police Department
    • Court docs: Mother tells police she hit 10-year-old with hammer, stabbed herself – WANE
    • Allen County Jail Records

    TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page for podcasts, exclusive videos, and more, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.



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  • Top-ranked Andalusia moves to 7-0 with 40-13 win at Geneva

    Top-ranked Andalusia moves to 7-0 with 40-13 win at Geneva

    Published 11:01 pm Friday, October 6, 2023

    Andalusia kept rolling and remained undefeated on the season with a balanced attack in a 40-13 region win at Geneva Friday night.

    The Bulldogs moved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in 4A Region 2 with the win. The Panthers dropped to 2-5 and 1-3 in region play.

    Andalusia opened up the scoring in the first quarter when Jack Lathrop threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kal Crittenden. The score stayed 6-0 after the two-point conversion was no good with 10:19 left in the opening period. Lathrop went to the air again and connected with J’Marion Burnette on a 77-yard touchdown pass. Cobb Stewart’s PAT gave the Bulldogs a 13-0 lead at the 7:05 mark.

    Zerrick Jones found the end zone on the ground from five yards out, and the PAT was good for a 20-0 lead with 4:34 to go. The onslaught continued with 1:21 as Burnette cut loose and powered his way 41 yards to the house. The extra point failed and kept the score 26-0 after the first.

    Jones began the second quarter with a 40-yard touchdown run, and Stewart’s PAT extended the lead to 33-0 with 9:22 left until halftime. Geneva averted the shutout with 2:23 left in the period when Justin King threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Cayden Weeks. The PAT was good and made the score 33-7 at halftime.

    Noah Curry took over at quarterback in the second half and sparked with a 68-yard touchdown run at the 10:39 point. Stewart booted the PAT for a 40-7 lead after the third quarter. The Panthers closed the scoring with 4:20 left in the game. Tanner Sizemore had an 18-yard touchdown pass to Om’zavious Peacock. The point after failed and left the final margin at 40-13.

    Lathrop was 4-of-5 passing for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Curry was 2-of-3 for 44 yards. Jones was the top rusher with four carries for 104 yards and two scores. Burnette had five runs for 76 yards and was followed by Curry at three carries for 68 yards. Jordyn Skanes tallied seven plays on the ground for 32 yards. Burnette made his lone reception of 77 yards and a score, while Calvin Daniels and Crittenden collected 44 and 35 yards through the air, respectively. Cadariyus Love also had a 5-yard catch in the win.

    Landen Marshall, Xavier Marshall, and Nelix Ferrell all led the strong defensive effort with four tackles each. Kam Weaver added three tackles and was followed by Tristan Pitts, Landon Caldwell, Riley Tucker, and Jimmy White, who all had two tackles. The defense only allowed Geneva 174 yards of total offense.

    Andalusia remains on the road at Slocomb (1-5, 0-4) in another region matchup on Friday, Oct. 13.

    Source

  • Wildcats fall behind early, battle back for region victory, 24-14

    Elijah McMeans, far right, stops a Houston County runningback in his tracks as other Wildcats close in on the play. (PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANKENSHIP)

    Florala fell behind to the Houston County Lions Friday night, but after a late first-half score the Wildcats owned the second half to come from behind for a 24-14 region win.

    The injury bug had slowed the Wildcats down in practice this week, according to Head Coach Jordan Cantrell, but three players were cleared to go Friday, including quarterback Rayshon Coleman.

    “We knew coming in that some of our guys didn’t get a lot of practice. Rayshon went out of the game last week. We knew from watching film that Houston County is strong, fast, physical and really well coached. Our game plan really changed at the last minute when several of our guys were cleared to play,” Cantrell said.

    Early on, it looked like the Wildcats were in for a long night, having trouble bringing down the Houston County runners. The Lions marched down the field on the opening possession of the game, running the ball eight consecutive plays and capping it off with a 29-yard run into the end zone.

    The Wildcats followed with a nice drive that traveled all the way to the Lion 9-yard line. From there, the Lion defense stiffened and after a sack and a couple of incompletions, the Wildcats turned it over on downs.

    The Lions increased their lead in the second quarter on a 12-play drive that ended on a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the visitors a 14-0 edge with only 2:39 to go in the half.

    After the kickoff, the Wildcats took possession at their own 40-yard line and from there Coleman took control. He got things rolling with a quick 17-yard burst to the Lion 43. He followed that with a 5-yard pickup two plays later for a first down. Now under a minute to go in the half, Coleman carried the ball on the next four plays, setting the Wildcats up at the 13. With time ticking down, Coleman took to the air and found Elijah McMeans in the end zone for the Wildcats’ first score. After a penalty against the Lions on the point-after attempt, Coach Cantrell called for the two-pointer. Coleman carried the ball and was hit about two yards short of the goal line, but he pushed his way into the end zone, cutting the Lions’ lead to 14-8 as the teams went into halftime.

    Things only got better for the Wildcats in the second half. On first down of their first possession, Coleman found running room for a 22-yard gainer and McMeans followed that up on the next play with 33 yards to the 10-yard line. After McMeans picked up an additional five yards, it was Coleman who dove into the end zone on a 5-yard run to tie the game at 14. Florala took a 16-14 lead when Coleman connected with Christian Greasham on the two-point conversion.

    The Lions mounted a drive on their next possession, but on the 22-yard line fumbled with Kaden Cantrell coming up with it for the Wildcats.

    Early in the fourth quarter, the Lions were driving again, but from the 21-yard line, the Wildcats stood firm on a fourth-and-two to get the turnover on downs.

    From there, McMeans took the first handoff for a 5-yard gain and Coleman followed with a first-down pick-up of 14 yards. A few plays later, Coleman found running room around the right side and accelerated downfield for a 43-yard touchdown, giving the Wildcats some breathing room and he followed with a run to convert the 2-point play, making the score 24-14 with 4:39 to go.

    Florala all but sealed the victory when the Lions fumbled the ball on the kickoff return, which was recovered by Greasham, who had strong performances in all facets of the game.

    “I’m really proud of all of our guys. They showed a lot of heart tonight. The defense played lights-out in the second half. We had a lot of different guys take snaps and run the ball. We are excited and proud of our guys and we’ll get back to work tomorrow,” Cantrell said.

    With the win, the Wildcats improve to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in 1A Region 2. They take a road trip to McKenzie (4-2, 2-2) on Oct. 13 for another region test.

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