High School Football: The 2023 FHSAA state playoffs get underway, six Pensacola-area team in action

The time is now. It's either win or go home.

Following 11 weeks of regular season action, the 2023 FHSAA high school football postseason has arrived with six Pensacola-area teams still playing for the hopes of raising a state title.

Of the four games involving local teams, two will pin rivals against one another as Pine Forest is host to Escambia in a Region 1-3S contest while Jay welcomes Northview into Merle V. North Stadium in Region 1-1R.

We are guaranteed to have a pair of teams advance into the next round. The question is can Pensacola Catholic and Navarre join them? The Raiders, the District 1-4S champions, are host to Bartram Trail in a Region 1-4S battle. The Crusaders take on Suwannee in Region 1-2S.

While those have championship dreams, there is one local team that can actually make that a reality on Friday when Lighthouse Private Christian Academy travels to Sarasota to face Out-of-Door Academy in a Class 4S SSAC title game.

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Without further ado, he is a preview of every postseason game.

Region 1-4S quarterfinal

No. 3 Bartram Trail (6-4) at No. 6 Navarre (8-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Bennett C. Russell Stadium

Key players: Bartram Trail - Laython Biddle (RB, Sr.), Riley Trujillo (QB, Sr.), Caden Baldwin (LB, Sr.), Julian Porter (DB, Sr.), Liam Padron (K, Sr.); Navarre - Terence Marshall (ATH, Sr.), Tyrell Marshall (ATH, Sr.), Hunter Pfiester (QB, Sr.,) Connor Mathews (RB, Jr.), Charlie Cottrell (OL, Sr.), Andre Spence (LB/RB, Jr.) Josh Wilson (LB/RB, Jr.), Vinny Villanova (LB, Jr.)

FHSAA rankings: Bartram Trail (13.231) - third in Region 1-4S, seventh in Class 4S, 43rd overall; Navarre (9.666) - seventh in Region 1-4S, 17th in Class 4S, 82nd overall

Week 11 results: Bartram Trial - 24-14 win at Mandarin; Navarre - 63-34 loss at Niceville

Last meeting: N/A

The skinny: By virtue of winning the District 1-4S title, the Raiders will host a regional quarterfinal game for the second year in a row. And just like last year, the home team will be the lower-seeded squad on the field. Navarre was crushed 47-20 against Creekside as the season ended on a sour note. But whether you are a player that felt the sting of that experience or are a player completely foreign to the postseason, Raiders head coach Jay Walls hopes his team’s most recent games will have his players more prepared for a heightened environment.

“You hope that these last three regular season games were basically the playoffs,” he said. “Playing Pace, playing Gulf Breeze, and then playing Niceville, all of them had playoff implications and all of them were big games. We’ve been in that atmosphere before. … Hopefully, there is that motivation to take it even further.”

Navarre has to find a way to stop Laython Biddle in order to advance. Identified by Walls as the Bears’ best player, the senior running back has racked up 1,297 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns and is averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Stopping the run was a major issue for the Raiders last week as Niceville pounded its way to 441 yards on the ground.

Walls also noted, after diving into the film, that Bartram Trail plays out of more formations than any team he’s seen this season. Biddle’s ability, the team's offensive approach from various looks and a state runner-up finish last season is reason to consider Bartram Trail as the favorite. But the Raiders have no interest in using that as fuel.

“We haven’t really talked about being an underdog or anything,” Walls said. “We’re in the playoffs and at home. All 32 teams that are in, there’s got to be something good about them, otherwise they wouldn’t be here.”

Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Bartram Trail 34, Navarre 21

Region 1-3S quarterfinal

No. 5 Escambia (7-3) at No. 4 Pine Forest (6-4)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Lon R. Wise Stadium

Key players: Escambia - LeJon Williams (LB, Sr.), Ladarian Clardy (DB, Jr.), Trevion Killette (DB, Sr.), Ryan McVay (DL, Sr.), Tadarius Wright (DB, Sr.), Anthony Hall (QB, Sr.), DK, Hines (DL, Sr.); Joshua Jackson (WR, Sr.); Pine Forest - Jonathan Daniels (OL/DL, Sr.), Miequle Brock (RB, Sr.), Zion Legree (QB/RB, So.), Marcell Thomas (LB, Jr.), Roc McWilliams (DL, Sr.), Tyquan Hunter (RB/SS, Sr.), Xavier Thompson (CB, Jr.), Charleston Floyd (DB, Jr.)

FHSAA rankings: Escambia (5.915) - fifth in Region 1-3S, 21st in Class 3S, 149th overall; Pine Forest (7.025) - fourth in Region 1-3S, 20th in Class 3S, 124th overall

Week 11 results: Escambia - 47-7 win vs. Pensacola; Pine Forest - Bye

Last meeting: Oct. 20, 2023 - Pine Forest 14, Escambia 7

The skinny: Following the team’s Week 9 road defeat against their crosstown rival, the Gators could’ve understandably been licking their chops for a potential rematch. But when news was revealed on Sunday, head coach Mike Bennett was less concerned with revenge and more thrilled with the opportunity to continue the season.

“I’m very serious about this, I haven’t thought anything about who we’re going to play. We had a feeling it was going to be Pine Forest, Choctaw or Lincoln. Who won, who lost and where we fell, we were prepared to play any of the three teams,” he said. “Now we know we’re playing Pine Forest. We’re going back over there and our kids are excited. … But anybody we would’ve played, we’d be excited. We’re just happy to be in the playoffs. It just happens that we get to play a really good Pine Forest team.”

There likely won’t be many surprises as the two programs know each other well through district battles and yearly clashes. In their last meeting, Eagles senior running back Miequle Brock (191 rushing yards, 2 TDs) and senior lineman Jonathan Daniels (3 sacks) were too much to overcome. Escambia’s chances of moving on increase exponentially if it can find a way of containing that duo.

And if the Gators do end up victorious, watch out. There’s an internal belief that they would just be getting started.

“It’s a new season now. Somebody in 3S is going to win five games. And like I tell our kids, why can’t it be us?” Bennett said. “We've been there before. All these coaches that I have, we’ve all won one and lost one. We all know what it takes to get there. And we know we have to have some luck, too. You got to make your own luck, but sometimes the ball has to bounce the right way for you. And hopefully that’s what happens with us.”

Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pine Forest 21, Escambia 20

Region 1-2S quarterfinal

No. 5 Suwannee (6-3) at No. 4 Pensacola Catholic (8-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Gorecki-LeBeau Stadium

Key players: Suwannee - Marquavious Owens (RB, Sr.), Ja’darious Cherry (DL, Sr.), Kodi Lang (WR/DB, Sr.), Jadarius Horne (WR/DB, Jr.), Hunter Watson (TE/DL, So.); Pensacola Catholic - Jayvion Showers (WR, Sr.), Demontrae Gaston (LB, Sr.), C.J. Nettles (RB, Jr.), Ryland Bragg (OL, Sr.), Desjon Robertson (DL, Sr.), Nigel Nelson (LB, Jr.), Ryan Huff (QB, Jr.), Courtney Clark (DL, Sr.), Turner McLaughlin (LB, Sr.)

FHSAA rankings: Suwannee (6.551) - fifth in Region 1-2S, 19th in Class 2S, 136th overall; Pensacola Catholic (11.019) - fourth in Region 1-2S, 10th in Class 2S, 62nd overall

Week 11 results: Suwannee - 35-3 loss at Bradford; Pensacola Catholic - 37-13 win vs. St. John Paul II

Last meeting: N/A

The skinny: This matchup features two teams who have ended their regular season in far different fashion. The Crusaders have won their last three games by a combined margin of 135-55 while the Bulldogs have dropped their last three contests, two of which were blowouts. But there’s more than meets the eye. All three of Suwannee’s losses came against opponents that are currently ranked in the top 50 in the state and have only dropped one game between them.

Although the Bulldogs do not have a win against a team that finished with a winning record, they do have a successful pedigree, having earned a trip to the regional finals just one year prior.

“They made a deep playoff run last year, so they are a proven team,” Catholic head coach Matt Adams said of Suwannee. “At this point of the season, if you aren’t playing your best game, you are going to get beat. So we have to make sure we are clicking on all cylinders and playing good football. If we don’t at any point in time, we will get beat.”

Named Florida Dairy Farmers Class 1A Boys Weightlifter of the Year in May, senior running back Marquavious Owens is the Bulldogs’ workhorse, piling up 891 rushing yards at nearly seven yards a pop. Elsewhere, Kodi Lang is a dual-threat star who has accounted for seven touchdowns through the air and nine more on the ground while also leading the team in tackles. Lastly, Ja’darius Cherry is a monster defensively, recording a team-best 13 sacks.

With a victory, the Crusaders could be in line for a rematch with the No. 1 seed Walton, who handed Catholic a 23-21 loss in Week 8 which decided the district. As sweet as payback would be, Adams isn’t looking too far ahead.

“We are definitely one week at a time. Suwannee is the No. 1 thing on our minds,” Adams said. “And getting a win Friday night is the only thing we’re concerned about at this time.”

Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pensacola Catholic 38, Suwannee 21

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Region 1-1R quarterfinal

No. 5 Northview (3-6) at No. 4 Jay (7-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Merle V. North Stadium

Key players: Northview - Wyatt Scruggs (CB/WR, Sr.), Devin Kelly (RB/CB, Sr.), Joe Wright V (LB/RB, Sr.), D.J. Lyons (DL/OL, Sr.), Moses De La Rosa (LB/RB, Jr.); Jay - Hayden Morris (QB/DB, Jr.), Brock Stout (RB/LB, Sr.), Brady Godwin (WR, Jr.), Ethan McDonald (WR/CB, Sr.), Grayson Shehan (CB/WR/RB, Jr.), Joe Norris (LB, Sr.)

FHSAA rankings: Northview (-2.671) - fifth in Region 1-1R, 21st in Class 1R, 314th overall; Jay (1.805) - fourth in Region 1-1R, 13th in Class 1R, 232nd overall

Week 11 results: Northview - 54-14 loss at Walton; Jay - 41-20 win at Blacksher (Ala.)

Last meeting: Oct. 13, 2023 - Northview 41, Jay 19

The skinny: In another matchup between two area teams, the Chiefs are looking to duplicate the success from their home 41-19 win over the Royals. In that game, Northview controlled the clock by grinding out 395 rushing yards in its best showing of the year. However, unlike Pine Forest/Escambia, this second round between rivals will be played at Jay as Merle V. North Stadium will host its first state playoff game in five years.

“We’re excited to get them at home,” Royals head coach Brian Watson said. “But at the end of the day, they played in the state championship game last year. (The Chiefs) are playoff-tested and none of our kids have been in the playoffs. Just because we are the higher seed and the home team, I don’t think that makes us the favorite because of their success the last few years.”

Following an 0-3 start to the season, Northview’s success over the last few weeks began with senior athlete Wyatt Scruggs moving over to the quarterback position full time. He rushed for a season-best 150 yards in the victory against Jay. The team has gone 3-3 since the switch.

“I think it was just something that our offensive staff felt like it would give us a better opportunity,” Chiefs head coach Wes Summerford said. “Wyatt is one of our best players, so we felt like we needed to get the ball in his hands and we had to figure out a way to do that.”

Northview last lost to Jay in 2017 in a stretch that spans eight games.

“We just have to believe. We got to convince our kids that they deserve to be in the playoffs, they can play in the playoffs, be competitive and just believe in what we are doing,” Watson said. “We can’t just accept that this is going to be the same way that Jay/Northview has gone.”

Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Northview 30, Jay 28

SSAC Class 4A Championship

Lighthouse Private Christian Academy (4-5) at Out-of-Door Academy (5-5)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Thunder Stadium

Key players: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy - Anton Johnson (RB/DB, So.), Daquavius Rich (WR/DB, Sr.), Laterrious Houston (WR, So.), Enrique Crumbs Jr. (WR/LB, Fr.); Out-of-Door Academy - Allen Clark (RB/LB, So.), Jack Meyers (DB/RB, Sr.), Charlie Tack (LB/RB, Sr.), Jack Taraska (DB, Sr.)

Last week's results: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy - 21-18 win at Eagle’s View; Out-of-Door Academy - 41-21 win at St. Edward’s

Last meeting: N/A

The skinny: LPCA will play for a championship in its seventh season of existence,. The Stingrays have notched wins in two different ways to advance to the Sunshine State Athletic Conference 4A Championship game. One week after putting together their best scoring output of the season in a 48-30 triumph at Seven Rivers Christian in Lacanto, they bettered that by jumping out to an early lead before holding on for a 21-18 win at Jacksonville Eagle’s View.

Facing difficult FHSAA competition and finishing the regular season at 2-5, LPCA has hit its stride at the right time.

“It started in the offseason, getting a good group of kids together and a good amount of leaders. Then we had some people come in towards the beginning of the season,” Lighthouse Private Christian Academy head coach Everette Alford said. “Just being able to have discipline on the sideline and in the locker room, stuff like that, we’ve just been able to execute the game plan.”

Alford credits the play of several players, including the likes of sophomore quarterback Brayden Jackson and junior athlete Henry Johnson, who leads the team with 98 tackles. Meanwhile, junior wide receiver Jayden Bonhommer paces the program with six touchdowns and senior athlete Damarion Crocker is the team’s top rusher.

Now what awaits those players and stands between them and a title is Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy. This will be the Stingrays’ longest road trip of the season.

“It is the longest one, but the kids are used to the bus. So it shouldn’t be too big of a deal,” Alford said.

Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 28, Out-of-Door Academy 20

Patrick's prediction record after Week 11: 60-26

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (772) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: FHSAA Football playoffs: Which Pensacola team will survive and advance?