Niceville football uses preseason to flex, scores eye-popping number in one half of play

NICEVILLE -- Just throw out Offensive and Defensive Player of the Game for Niceville.

The Kickoff Classic game ball from Friday's 52-0 first-half beatdown of Bay was shared by many at Eagle Stadium.

Like Kane Lafortune, whose first two passes went for touchdowns on a night when the gunslinger subbed in for starter Nino Freeman -- held out for precautionary reasons -- and completed 11-of-14 passes for 119 yards, three touchdowns and another 20-yard score.

Like Kevin Downing, whose 6-foot-4, 275-pound frame made a statement with a sack on the first drive as he set up camp in the backfield and delivered two sacks and countless quarterback hurries.

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Like any one of Landon Isbell (two catches for 49 yards, TD), Caden Bridgeman (three catches for 47 yards, TD) and Maddax Fayard (four receptions for 30 yards, TD), who are depth personified at wide receiver.

Like tailback DJ Shorts, who blocked a punt, recovered a fumble for a score and rushed for a team-high 40 yards despite limited touches.

Like kicker Logan Marise, who was a perfect 7-for-7 on PATs and split the uprights on a 43-yard field goal.

Or how about the whole defense in general, as Bay went backwards with -16 rushing yards and -5 yards total. By night's end Bay moved the first-down chains just once and had more turnovers than conversions on third (0-for-9) and fourth (0-3) down.

And that Eagles' offensive line? I think running backs coach Adron Robinson, soon to be recognized along with the 1988 state championship next week at halftime, could post a 1,000-yard rushing campaign.

As for mistakes, the cobwebs were few. Outside of a Lafortune interception that had quarterback whisperer Grant Thompson livid over the play call, and one lone penalty, Niceville's execution looked more like November, not August. And this crew, dripping depth and star power, is of the mindset it will surely be playing meaningful games in November. Their ceiling is Final Four and, 34-year drought and all, a state title. Simply put, the sky's the limit.

"Absolutely, I know we're going to get better," Thompson said. "I told them last week, 'We have a long way to go and a short time to get there,' and most of them don't know Smokey and the Bandit."

Added junior linebacker Maddox Hayles, "I think everyone kind of has it set that we can go all the way, so we're practicing as hard as we can to get better and everything has a meaning. You can feel the difference."

Echoed Isbell: "I think this team can be state caliber. We just have to continue to get better each week."

The title trek begins Friday with North Miami Beach coming to Eagle Stadium for the season opener. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Niceville football wins preseason Kickoff Classic 52-0 over Bay