Week 4 Football Preview: Who and what to watch for as district plays ramps up the stakes
Every single game is important. And that’s not just coach-speak.
With the current playoff format created by the FHSAA, teams aren’t allowed to have too many mulligans.
Still, there’s no question that certain district games hold a bit more weight. That time is now as the race to a district title begins Friday with six area teams competing in these games where the stakes are raised.
Four of these teams come from District 1-4S. Navarre, this district’s defending champion, is host to surging Tate while Milton plays its home opener against a Gulf Breeze team in search of its first win this season.
PNJ Football Leaderboard: Escambia, Santa Rosa County stats after Week 3 of 2023 season
PNJ Power Poll: Pine Forest stays at No. 1 while Tate makes biggest leap
Meanwhile, a pair of area teams hit the road for District 1-3S action. Pine Forest puts its undefeated record on the line when it faces Choctaw, the team that eliminated the Eagles from the postseason a year ago. Lastly, after putting up a season-best 39 points on the road, Escambia travels again this week to take on Fort Walton Beach.
Week 4 is here as predictions and previews of the seven-game slate is directly below.
District 1-4S
Gulf Breeze (0-2) at Milton (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Haywood Hanna Panther 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.), Luke Denby (OL/DL, Sr.); Milton - Ethan Diamond (QB, Sr.), Tate Williams (QB, Jr.), Kaiden Hall (WR/DB, So.), Tommy Walker (OL, Sr.), Kaden French (LB, Sr.), Manny Kimmons (DL, Sr.)
Week 3 results: Gulf Breeze - 39-27 loss vs. Escambia; Milton - 28-0 win at Booker T. Washington
Last meeting: Sept. 16, 2022 - Gulf Breeze 35, Milton 21
The skinny: Milton has won a pair of games via shutout behind the stellar play of senior linebacker Kaden French (37 tackles, two sacks). In those wins, the Panthers have created five takeaways and their special teams unit has blocked a punt. Meanwhile, their opponent this week has struggled to hold onto the ball. The Dolphins turned it over twice in each of two losses. That element could spell trouble for the Gulf Breeze against a turnover-hungry defense, but the home team enters with its own obstacles to overcome. The Panthers committed 12 penalties in each victory. Milton has gotten away with undisciplined play before, but fair to think the team that plays the cleanest will more than likely come out on top.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Gulf Breeze 28, Milton 20
Tate (2-1) at Navarre (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Bennett C. Russell Stadium
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.); 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.)
Week 3 results: Tate - 42-14 win vs. Northview; Navarre - 45-18 win vs. Rickards
Last meeting: Sept. 16, 2022 - Navarre 38, Tate 20
The skinny: The Aggies have won two games in a season for the first time since 2018. But how far has Tate really come in its resurgence? Friday night will provide us with an answer as the team makes its road debut and faces the defending District 1-4S champs. Coming off their first win of 2023 in a rout over Rickards, the Raiders will need to slow down Andre Colston. The Aggies running back had 168 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in their meeting two years ago before rushing for 195 yards and a score against Navarre last year. However, Tate did allow nearly 300 yards on the ground in that game a year ago, and with a steady offensive line and Connor Mathews in the backfield, don’t be surprised if the Raiders replicate that success again.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Navarre 31, Tate 21
District 1-3S
Pine Forest (3-0) at Choctaw (2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Joe Etheredge Stadium
Key players: Pine Forest - Jonathan Daniels (OL, Sr.), Miequle Brock (RB, Sr.), Zion Legree (QB/RB, So.), R.J. Payne (MLB, So.), James Clark (QB, Sr.), Tyquan Hunter (RB/SS, Sr.), Xavier Thompson (CB, Jr.), Charleston Floyd (DB, Jr.); Choctaw - Cole Tabb (RB, Sr.), Jesse Winslette (QB, Sr.), Jashawn Armstrong (LB/RB, Sr.), Isaac Thomas (WR, Sr.), Jonathan Boyd (DB, Sr.)
Week 3 results: Pine Forest - 53-0 win at Pensacola; Choctaw - 49-27 loss at Crestview
Last meeting: Nov. 18, 2022 - Choctaw 30, Pine Forest 29
The skinny: For the Eagles players on this current roster who walked off the field in disappointment last November, revenge will surely be on their mind. Pine Forest won its first 10 games in 2022, but dreams of a perfect season fell by the wayside after dropping a regional semifinal at home to the Indians. Jesse Winslette accounted for all four touchdowns for Choctaw that night. The senior quarterback will be back, as will senior running back Cole Tabb, who broke a school record with 365 rushing yards during the Indians’ victory last week over Crestview. Although the defense that takes the field Friday is totally new, the Eagles have played well against the future Division I tailback in the past, limiting him 3.7 yards per carry through two encounters. And at the rate Pine Forest has scored this season – an area-best 47 points per game – Tabb may have the ball taken out of his hands if Choctaw is forced to play catch-up.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pine Forest 38, Choctaw 24
Escambia (2-1) at Fort Walton Beach (2-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Steve Riggs 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.); Fort Walton Beach - Eddie Love Jr. (RB, Jr.), Zavier Hamilton (LB, Sr.), Harrison Orr (QB/SS, Sr.), Dante Core (DB, Jr.), Sidney Davis (LB, Sr.), MArcuise Taylor (DB, Jr.), Ison Newcomb (LB/DL, Jr.)
Week 3 results: Escambia - 39-27 win at Gulf Breeze; Fort Walton Beach - 47-12 win vs. Rutherford
Last meeting: Sept. 16, 2022 - Escambia 35, Fort Walton Beach 7
The skinny: Since head coach Mike Bennett arrived on the scene, the Gators have won the last three meetings in this matchup to the combined tune of 103-14. But one thing has been clear during Bobby Clayton’s tenure at Fort Walton Beach: these aren’t your same Vikings. The team is 2-1 in 2023 after going just 1-19 over the previous two seasons. Via transfer, the former Gulf Breeze head coach has brought many familiar faces with him over to Okaloosa County. Former Navarre running back Eddie Love Jr. (59 carries, 544 rushing yards, six touchdowns) is the team’s best offensive threat while former Navarre linebacker Zavier Hamilton, a South Florida commit, leads the defense in tackles (23).
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Escambia 33, Fort Walton Beach 25
Non-district games
Jay (3-0) at Baker (0-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Doug Griffith Stadium
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.); Baker - Wyatt Straight (RB, So.), Kurt Armstrong (OL, Sr.), Kase Armstrong (QB, Jr.), Riley Renfro (RB/DB, So.)
Week 3 results: Jay - 41-18 win vs. Franklin County; Baker - 33-7 loss at Bozeman
Last meeting: Oct. 7, 2022 - Baker 28, Jay 0
The skinny: If there was ever a time for the Royals to snap their 15-game losing streak to the Gators, it is now. Jay enters this Week 4 contest undefeated while its opponent is winless. Baker graduated a ton of leaders from last year’s team, including Kayleb Wagner, who rushed for 2,394 yards and 27 touchdowns to cap an incredible career. But with no Wagner in the equation, the Gators’ Wing-T offense isn’t nearly as potent as it once was. If Jay can get out to a fast start, Baker doesn’t have the firepower to strike back.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Jay 26, Baker 13
Lighthouse Private Christian Academy (1-0) at Northview (0-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Tommy Weaver Memorial Football Stadium
Key players: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy - Tyqwan Stabler (RB/SS, Sr.), Anton Johnson (RB/DB, So.), Daquavius Rich (WR/DB, Sr.), Laterrious Houston (WR, So.), Enrique Crumbs Jr. (WR/LB, Fr.); 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.)
Week 3 results: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy - N/A; Northview - 42-14 loss at Tate
Last meeting: Sept. 2, 2022 - Northview 37, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 0
The skinny: There’s no place like home, and after an 0-3 mark on the road to start the season, the Chiefs are sure happy to play in front of their home fans for the first time since their Kickoff Classic against Baker. Northview has been held to 14 points and fallen by double figures in each game so far. Conversely, the Stingrays have only played once this season: a 8-6 home victory over All Saints’ Academy. The Chiefs are 4-0 all-time against LPCA, with two wins coming via shutout.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Northview 30, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 12
Pensacola (0-3) at Bay (1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Tommy Oliver Stadium
Key players: Pensacola - Bay - Jonathan Devos (QB, Fr.), Omari Johnson (WR, So.), Caleb Toombs (RB/LB, Jr.), Ardarien Bryant (RB/LB, Jr.), Tywuan Carter (LB, Sr.), Deondre McDonald (WR/LB, So.)
Week 3 results: Pensacola - 53-0 loss vs. Pine Forest; Bay - 52-15 loss at Gadsden County
Last meeting: Sept. 28, 2018 - Pensacola 39, Bay 7
The skinny: Pensacola has yet to score while allowing 146 points in three games this season. The Tigers have been have been hit hard with injuries and limited by a small and inexperienced roster. They look to get on the scoreboard and possibly compete for a win versus a Bay team that has relinquished 114 combined points in losses over the last two weeks.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Bay 31, Pensacola 8
Crestview (1-2) at Pace (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Pace High School
Key players: Crestview - Lazarius Parks (RB, Sr.), Jaden Appleby (LB/WR, Sr.), Maddox Reeves (OL/DL, Sr.), Braden Hood (WR/DB, Sr.), Nate Nocher (QB, Sr.); 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.)
Week 3 results: Crestview - 49-27 loss vs. Choctaw
Last meeting: Sept. 16, 2022 - Crestview 29, Pace 21
The skinny: If last week’s last-second, game-winning field goal by sophomore place kicker Caleb Nelson wasn’t enough drama for the team and its fans, Pace will likely get its fill when it faces Crestview. The two have tussled through three one-score battles in as many years. The Patriots drew first blood in 2020 when then-sophomore running back T.J. Haynes scored in double overtime to hand the team a 49-42 win. Crestview captured the next two meetings by one and eight points, respectively.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pace 34, Crestview 24
Patrick's prediction record after Week 3: 17-8
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (850) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Football: Six Pensacola-area team play district games in Week 4
