Ramblin' On
A look back with another top 10

During my five-plus years here, there have been a handful of teams I couldn't wait to get out and see play. As a continuation of my column a few weeks ago on the top 10 most memorable games during my time here, this week we'll focus on teams 10 through 6 on my top 10 GBHS sports teams of the last five years.

(Note - teams from this current school year were not eligible for the list.)

10) Baseball, 2007

Like Cub fans, many Dolphin baseball fans were hoping 'next year' would've been 'this year' in terms of the Dolphins making the playoffs.

It's been 27 years since the last Dolphin baseball team made the postseason. And with a senior laden team that included Brad McGuire, Greg Tober, Tyler Gross, Boomer Harrington and others, as well as junior Kameron Brunty and Brandon Scott, among others, Dolphin fans were optimistic that this past season would have been the year the Dolphins would, as The Doors once said "break on through to the other side."

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be as the Dolphins ran into Justin Oehrle and the Pine Forest Eagles in the district semifinals. The Dolphins did win 17 games this past season, beating two state tournament teams (Pine Forest and Jay) in the process. 9) Girls basketball, 2005-06

The Lady Dolphin basketball team of two years ago was loaded with seniors, including starters Katie Dollinger, Caitlin Skislak, Jenna Moes, Ashley Olsen and Christina Vickrey.

The Lady Dolphins won seven of its last eight regular season games, beating Pace, Catholic and Navarre in that stretch. But GBHS was the fourth seed, meaning a matchup with Washington in the semifinals. The Lady Dolphins finished the season at 16-10.

8) Football, 2003

When coach Chris Nemith came on board in April, 2003, I remember thinking 'if we get three wins, I'd be happy.'

Well, the Dolphins did get three wins - in the first month of the season.

What registers as, by far, the comeback story of my time here, the Dolphins shut out Navarre on the final week of the regular season to force a three-way shootout for second place at Navarre three days later.

The Dolphins came back from a 10-0 deficit against Bay with 2:20 left, getting a 43-yard field goal from Chase Griffin as time expired, to force overtime. GBHS would win in overtime, then edge Navarre 7-0 to clinch the runner up spot.

7) Boys soccer, 2006-07

The Dolphins entered the season having to replace key members of its defense. Fortunately, they didn't have to replace Johnny Miller.

The Dolphins lost only twice during the regular season, entering the district tournament as the top seed. Up 2-1 in the final minutes of the district title game against Washington, Miller made a leaping save to his right on a shot that was destined to tie the game.

Gulf Breeze went on to win that game 3-1 and advance all the way to the regional final before losing to Fernandina Beach.

6) Volleyball, 2005

The Lady Dolphin volleyball team entered the season with nine seniors, three of which (Jaime Hayes, Caitlin Skislak and Jenna Thorp) would go on and play college ball for at least one season.

Gulf Breeze would start the season 17-0 before losing a match at Fort Walton during the fall break. The Lady Dolphins would lose another regular season match before heading into the district tournament as the top seed.

The Lady Dolphins earned that top seed by beating Washington twice during the regular season. The third time would be the charm for Washington, who'd win the district title and force the Lady Dolphins to travel.

Gulf Breeze trailed at Wakulla two games to one before forcing a fifth game. The Lady Dolphins would lose that decisive game to finish the season at 23-4.

Wakulla has been a thorn in the side of Northwest Florida programs, beating at least one area team in the playoffs each of the last four years.