One of the newest area schools has also become one of the biggest.
With 2,436 students, according to the most recent school population report by FHSAA, no area school is bigger than Navarre High. But while it may be the youngest in Santa Rosa County, opened in 1996, it has quickly built a rich athletic history founded on weightlifting state titles, gridiron success and postseason soccer runs.
When figuring out Navarre’s Mount Rushmore, that weighed heavily. The debate was so contentious that ultimately I had to decide between two national champion/pro athletes, one a former NFL tight end and the other a Orlando Pride defender recently called up to the USWNT.
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Bagley, the first-year head football coach plucked to follow in the footsteps of Jay Walls, built his success in the weight room. He took over the girls program in 2013 and recruited cheerleaders, knowing full well he could turn a program with four state-runner-up finishes into a dynasty.
Eleven years later, he’s brought home seven state titles (2013, 2015-18, 2021-22) while leading the boys team to a title in 2019. The seven girls titles trail only Spruce Creek. and his eight titles overall is unprecedented on the Emerald Coast. Added up, he’s coached more than 20 individual state champion lifters, all while flashing his defensive acumen on the gridiron in shoring up one of the area’s most coveted jobs.
Where to start? In high school, the 5-foot-8, 200-pound Carter led the Sunshine State with 45 touchdowns and 3,345 all-purpose yards for the Final 4 Raiders en route to USA Today and Daily News Player of the Year honors as a senior.
In college at the University of North Carolina, Carter topped 1,000 rushing yards both his junior and senior seasons and finished with 3,403 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns, 656 receiving yards and six receiving scores.
Now, in the NFL after being drafted with the 154th pick by the New York Jets, Carter has gone from making plays on Friday and Saturday to making plays on Sunday. He bursts onto the scene with 964 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns on 4.3 yards per carry. Currently, he’s carved a role out on the Arizona Cardinals and has 1,942 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns entering Year 4.
The bigger the game, the bigger Leggett shined.
The all-state Navarre receiver — so talented he also drew all-area honors as a punter — transitioned to tight end at Clemson University and became one the best at his position. In his three bowl game appearances, the 6-foot-6 playmaker had 13 catches for 216 yards and a touchdown. That includes 12 catches for 173 yards and a score against Alabama, and seven catches for 95 yards in the 2016 national championship win. He finished runner-up in the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation’s top tight end, and concluded his college career with 1,598 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.
He was drafted with the 150th pick in the fifth round by the New York Jets and battled injuries, ultimately ending his pro career with 14 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Walls turned Navarre into the respected football program it is today.
In 12 seasons at the helm, he went 102-33, won seven district titles and led the Raiders to 10 playoff appearances. That includes two Final 4 appearances, which earned him two of his three Northwest Florida Daily News Coach of the Year accolades. In the offseason he accepted the head coaching job at Bainbridge High School.
