Pace flag football's Cadence Wermers wins PNJ Athlete of the Week award

It was quite the run for the Pace flag football team.

The Patriots, after winning both the District 1-2A and Region 1-2A crowns, advanced to their first-ever state final four appearance. While Pace fell in the state semifinals to Palmetto, it was a season to remember for Pace.

Pace senior Cadence Wermers won Athlete of the Week for the week of April 29-May 4, after the Patriots won both the state quarterfinals and region championships.

In the region finals, Wermers hauled in five receptions for 85 yards, and then in the state quarterfinals, Wermers added five more catches for 50 yards. Wermers also had a couple extra-point conversion receptions over the two games.

Here's a quick question-and-answer session with Wermers after speaking with PNJ sports reporter Ben Grieco.

Q and A with Pace flag football's Cadence Wermers

PNJ: So you just wrapped up your senior season after an incredible run to the state semifinals, what was your senior season like overall?

Cadence Wermers: “My senior year was very good. I feel like I’ve come a long way from my freshman year. … I wish I could go back to the beginning of my senior year, because everything was going good. It was just a great season. I didn’t want it to be over. I’m upset it’s already over.”

PNJ: How special was the run to the final four?

CW: It was very, very special. Even though we didn’t end up winning the whole thing, it was pretty good that we made it to the final four. Pace flag football has never made it that far. … It was special to me, my team and my coaches.”

PNJ: What was the environment like down in Tampa?

CW: “It was a lot of people. They brought bands in. It was just a big area. … It was crazy that we were playing in an NFL facility area. The environment was so cool and exciting.”

PNJ: Is it cool to set a new standard for Pace flag football, making it to the final four?

CW: “I think it was good. … We’ve never made it that far. I’m glad I was part of the team that made it that far. And now we’ve set that bar. Now the next generation of players can come up and try to do it next.”

PNJ: What’s it like being part of flag football when it’s growing so rapidly?

CW: “It’s really cool. It feels amazing to have a team that I enjoy being with. My flag team is amazing. I love every single teammate.”

PNJ: And you guys also won another district title. What did it mean to get that title, get the region title, and to beat Navarre a couple times along the way with that rivalry?

CW: “During the season, when we were playing Navarre, I feel like we got a little nervous or flustered. It was more important that we came out on top for district and regionals. We won when we needed it most. … We came a long way from the beginning of the season, to the middle when we had a little bit of a rough time, to the end where ended up winning districts and regionals.”

PNJ: What have the last four years of playing flag football at Pace meant to you?

CW: “The last four years have been the best ever. We won districts in 2022, and made it to the regional championship. My freshman year, I didn’t really take it as serious. I ended up coming back sophomore year, and I realized if I took it seriously I could go to college for flag football. I started working hard, and I think that the past four years, I’m so glad I was a part of flag football. I think it’s made me a lot happier than I could’ve ever imagined.”

PNJ: What made you want to try flag football in the first place?

CW: “I’ve always wanted to play football. When I was little, I would go play football with the guys in my neighborhood. … Flag football started in schools and I thought it sounded like a lot of fun. … I tried out, went to summer workouts and just loved it from the start.”

PNJ: You mention possibly playing flag in college, do you have goals to play collegiately next year?

CW: “I want to play in college, for sure. I want people to notice me in college, hopefully. I want little kids to be able to say, ‘That’s a good college player.’ … I have a couple offers that I’m looking into. I can’t wait until the next level of flag football.”

PNJ: Talk about the chemistry and friendship between you and Amaya Pablo. What’s that friendship like?

CW: “My friendship with Amaya is great. We’ve always had a bond since freshman year. We always have had a great connection. … We’ll take to each other whenever we need it. We’ve always had a good bond that nobody else can understand, because it’s always just been like that. I’m going to miss her so much. Amaya’s always been my No. 1.”

PNJ: Now a few questions about teammates. Who would you say your funniest teammate is?

CW: “Emma Turner is pretty funny. … She just makes everything funny. She enjoys being around everyone, and makes jokes that are funny enough to laugh about. … It was her first year playing flag football, and I feel like she was a very big part of our team.”

PNJ: How about your hardest-working teammate?

CW: “Definitely Bella Ortiz, our rusher. She’s very, very good. She puts a lot of hard work into what she does. … Bella could go a long way if she wants to play flag football in college. Her work ethic is really good.”

PNJ: Who would you say is your most-talented teammate?

CW: “Probably Amaya. … She’s always on. She plays defense and quarterback. She could go a long way. Amaya works really hard, and does what her teammates need her to do. She always ends up coming out on top.”

PNJ: Now non-flag football related, if you had to have one meal for the rest of your life, what would you want?

CW: “Probably chicken nuggets.”

PNJ: Any certain dipping sauce?

CW: “Honey mustard. 100%.”

PNJ: If you were able to travel to one place, where would you go?

CW: “Probably Hawaii. … It’s very pretty out there.”

PNJ: How about a superpower? What would you want?

CW: “Teleportation, so I don’t have to use gas and drive everywhere. … I’d much rather teleport there.”

PNJ: If you had to be in the extreme heat or the extreme cold, which would you prefer?

CW: “I’d rather be in the cold. You can bundle up and get warm. … When it’s hot out, there’s no escaping it. There’s nothing you can do.”

Ben Grieco is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached on X (@BenGriecoSports) and via email at BGrieco@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Meet latest PNJ Athlete of the Week winner, Pace's Cadence Wermers