Week 10 Preview: Several pressing questions to be answered during critical seven-game slate
Questions are aplenty heading into Week 10 of high school football here in the Pensacola area.
Will the Beach Bowl decide the District 1-4S champion?
Are Pace and Milton going to have another classic installment in their riveting rival?
Can Tate or Escambia turn around a late-season skid and avoid a three-game losing streak?
Lastly, will West Florida hang on to its slim playoff hopes or will Pensacola Catholic put an end to that?
PNJ Power Poll: Six straight victories vault Navarre to top spot of area rankings
PNJ Football Leaderboard: Escambia, Santa Rosa County stats entering Week 10 of 2023 season
FHSAA Football Rankings: Who's on the postseason bubble entering Week 10 of the season?
All of those questions will be answered this week as 12 of the area's 13 teams are in action on Friday. Here's a preview of the seven-game slate.
District 1-4S
Gulf Breeze (3-5, 2-1 District) at Navarre (6-2, 3-0 District)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Bennett C. Russell Stadium
Key players: Gulf Breeze - Battle Alberson (QB, Sr.), Jake Frazetta (ATH, Sr.), Bryson Rouillier (WR/DB, Sr.), Gavin Quenneville (RB/DB, Sr), Shamane Walker (DL, Sr.), Roehn Maldonado (LB, Sr.), Luke Denby (OL/DL, 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 RPI rankings: Gulf Breeze (-3.167) - 18th in Region 1-4S, 53rd in Class 4S, 322nd overall; Navarre (9.681) - fifth in Region 1-4S, 14th in Class 4S, 73rd overall
Week 9 results: Gulf Breeze - 27-20 win vs. Tate; Navarre - 25-24 win at Pace
Last meeting: Oct. 28, 2022 - Navarre 28, Gulf Breeze 24
The skinny: Once the final buzzer sounds on Friday, either the Raiders will be crowned as back-to-back district champions or the Dolphins could make things really interesting. Winners of its last six games, Navarre would take the title with a win. It’s as simple as that for a Raiders team that outlasted Pace by a point on the road. Meanwhile, Gulf Breeze can throw a monkey wrench into those plans as it would win the title with a win and a Pace loss. A Dolphins win and a Pace win pushes matters to a tiebreaker scenario amongst the three teams as the champion would be determined by the highest-ranked program after Week 11. Last season, Navarre was the one celebrating a district title at Dolphin Stadium. Can Gulf Breeze return the favor in this latest addition of the Beach Bowl?
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Navarre 31, Gulf Breeze 23
Milton (2-6, 0-3 District) at Pace (6-2, 2-1 District)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Pace High School
Key players: Milton - Ethan Diamond (QB, Sr.), Tate Williams (QB, Jr.), Kaiden Hall (WR/DB, So.), Tommy Walker (OL, Sr.), Rayvon Conttrell (WR/DB, Jr.), Kaden French (LB, Sr.), Bryson Brown (WR, Jr.); Pace - Jackson Ward (LB, Sr.), Xakery Wiedner (ATH, Sr.), Nick Simmons (QB, Jr), Tylon Lee (DL, Jr.), Grant Wise (OL, So.), Brayden Gates (DB, Sr.), Ben Tyner (RB, Jr.), Nathaniel Lyons Jr. (DB/WR, Jr.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Milton (-5.985) - 19th in Region 1-4S, 60th in Class 4S, 378th overall; Pace (8.238) - sixth in Region 1-4S, 19th in Class 4S, 102nd overall
Week 9 results: Milton - 49-22 loss vs. Crestview; Pace - 25-24 loss vs. Navarre
Last meeting: Oct. 28, 2022 - Pace 42, Milton 35
The skinny: It generally doesn’t matter where the two programs are in the standings, the Panthers and Patriots put on a show worthy of the electricity that fills the stands. They have split their last eight meetings, seven of which were decided by seven points or less. Last season, Xakery Wiedner and Nick Simmons made stellar debuts into the rivalry. Wiedner rushed for a team-best 146 yards and caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Simmons, who accounted for five scores during Pace’s 42-35 victory. The Patriots are aiming to keep its district title hopes alive while Milton looks to end a five-game losing streak.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pace 27, Milton 20
District 1-3S
Pine Forest (5-4, 2-1 District) at Booker T. Washington (1-6, 0-3 District)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Sherman L. Robinson Stadium
Key players: 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.); Booker T. Washington - Dacaris Brown (DL, Jr.), Kendrick Burrell (WR, Sr.), Kaleb Campbell (LB, Sr.), Kyler Battle (RB/ATH, Jr.), Luke Sepe (LB, Sr.), Jermaine McCants Jr. (LB, Sr.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Pine Forest (6.439) - fifth in Region 1-3S, 22nd in Class 3S, 134th overall; Booker T. Washington (-9.380) - 16th in Region 1-3S, 64th in Class 3S, 424th overall
Week 9 results: Pine Forest - 14-7 win vs. Escambia; Booker T. Washington - 49-7 loss vs. Choctaw
Last meeting: Oct. 28, 2022 - Pine Forest 50, Booker T. Washington 0
The skinny: The Eagles are just a week removed from what can only be described as a season-saving triumph as Miequle Brock (season-best 191 rushing yards, 2 TDs) and Jonathan Daniels (3 sacks) were unstoppable in a win over Escambia. Likely sealing a playoff spot, Pine Forest vaulted to fifth in the region as it heads into its regular-season finale against the Wildcats. While Booker T. Washington is listed as the host for its last two games, this is actually the team’s final game of the season at Sherman L. Robinson Stadium. The Wildcats will be the home team on the scoreboard when they face Tate in the first-ever First City Bowl on Nov. 3 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pine Forest 49, Booker T. Washington 7
District 1-2S
Walton (8-0, 2-0 District) at Pensacola (0-8, 0-2 District)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Scoggins Stadium
Key players: Walton - Dalton Kolmetz (WR, Sr.), Wells Bettenhausen (QB, Jr.), Daniel Boatwright (LB, Sr.), Corniulis McKenzie (RB/LB, Sr.), Malcolm Byrd (DB, Jr.); Pensacola - De’andre Barr (WR/DB, Jr.), T.J. Bowens (LB/TE, Sr.), Dequan Gaddy, (LB/WR/P, Sr.), Dominique Hughley (WR/RB, Jr.), Treashawn Washington (Ath, Jr.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Walton (17.116) - first in Region 1-2S, second in Class 2S, 12th overall; Pensacola (-12.591) - 15th in Region 1-2S, 59th in Class 2S, 457th overall
Week 9 results: Walton - 43-42 win vs. Gadsden County; Pensacola - Bye
Last meeting: Oct. 28, 2022 - Walton 45, Pensacola 35
The skinny: Two squads on the opposite end of the spectrum square off at Jim Scoggins Stadium as the unbeaten Braves take on the winless Tigers. Walton’s march to 8-0 has been one of survival as much as it’s been of dominance as five of the team’s wins has been decided by three points or less. That includes a one-point victory last week over Gadsden County. This Week 10 contest may not be as close as Pensacola has dropped its games by an average of 43.8 points. Last season, the margin of difference between the two teams was only 10 points.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Walton 42, Pensacola 13
West Florida (3-4, 1-1 District) at Pensacola Catholic (6-2, 1-1 District)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Gorecki-LeBeau Stadium
Key players: West Florida - Marquez Jones (RB, Sr.), John Nicholas (QB, Sr.), L.J. Aples (LB, Sr.), Trevon Knott (CB, Sr.), Wyatt Casey (ATH, Sr.), Josh Spears (WR, Jr.), Joseph Jones (WR, Jr.); 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 RPI rankings: West Florida (-0.134) - 10th in Region 1-2S, 34th in Class 2S, 264th overall; Pensacola Catholic (9.484) - fourth in Region 1-2S, 11th in Class 2S, 78th overall
Week 9 results: West Florida - Bye; Pensacola Catholic - 42-7 win vs. Munroe
Last meeting: Oct. 28, 2023 - West Florida 38, Pensacola Catholic 14
The skinny: One side is trying to keep its hopes alive for a home playoff game. The other is simply hoping to keep its postseason hopes afloat. Entering Week 10 ranked 10th in the region, West Florida’s chances of playing into mid-November hinge on an upset victory at Catholic, win the following week and maybe some additional help.
Jaguars head coach Harry Lees has been encouraged with how his team has competed in every game, but it’ll need a similar effort against a Catholic team that hopes to have the services of C.J. Nettles this week. The junior running back, who leads the Crusaders with nine touchdowns, has missed the team’s last two games due to injury. Pensacola Catholic has been outscored 99-21 in three consecutive losses to West Florida.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pensacola Catholic 28, West Florida 14
Non-district games
Tate (4-4) at Escambia (5-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Emmitt Smith Field
Key players: Tate - Christian Neptune (WR/CB, Sr.), Andre Colston (RB, Sr.), Taite Davis (QB, Jr.), LaBron Baldwin (OL, Sr.), Kaydon Biggs (LB, Jr.), Rayne Johnson (DL, Jr.), Carson Secchiari (RB, Jr.); 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.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Tate (-0.153) - 15th in Region 1-4S, 45th in Class 4S, 265th overall; Gulf Breeze (-5.016) - 19th in Region 1-4S, 57th in Class 4S, 357th overall
Week 9 results: Tate - 27-20 loss at Gulf Breeze; Escambia - 14-7 loss at Pine Forest
Last meeting: Oct. 28, 2023 - Escambia 38, Tate 31
The skinny: With each having dropped their last two games, the Aggies and Gators hope to regain the form that made them two of the better teams in the area. Following a stretch of five games with 40 points or more, Tate has been held to 33 total points over in their recent defeats. Meanwhile, Escambia’s skid highlights a potential issue, as the team is now 0-3 in games decided by seven points or less.
Both teams enter this Week 10 matchup with plenty to play for. The Gators could use a victory to strengthen their case for a playoff spot after falling to eighth in their region rankings. They would receive the final at-large bid if the season ended today. While postseason is likely out of the question, the Aggies can secure their first winning season since 2017 by winning out from here. A Tate victory on Friday would be its first against Escambia since 2015, as the Gators have won the last six meetings.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Escambia 31, Tate 21
Jay (5-3) at Wewahitchka (4-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Gator Field
Key players: 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.); Wewahitchka - Zay McDaniel (RB, Sr.), Cole Williams (QB, Jr.), Noah Taunton (OL/DL, Sr.), Caleb Carter (LB/RB, Sr.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Jay (0.125) - fourth in Region 1-1R, 17th in Class 1R, 260th overall; Wewahitchka - fifth in Region 2-1R, 23rd in Class 1R, 337th overall
Week 9 results: Jay - 42-8 win vs. Lighthouse Private Christian Academy; Wewahitchka - 26-20 win vs. FAMU DRS
Last meeting: Nov. 4, 2022 - Wewahitchka 16, Jay 10
The skinny: Jay rebounded from a three-game slide with a win in convincing fashion over Lighthouse Private Christian Academy. Just like he’s been the entire season, Brock Stout was the star of the show last week, producing career bests of 175 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season. Next up for Stout and the Royals is a Tigers team that has won its three games. Jay can clinch its first winning season since 2018.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Jay 20, Wewahitchka 14
Patrick's prediction record after Week 9: 47-23
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: Football Preview: Crucial Week 10 games to be in Pensacola area
