Week 9 Football Preview: Pace or Navarre can take a step closer to a district crown
The clock continues to tick on the 2023 high school football regular season as Week 9 features eight games across two days.
Several teams across the Pensacola area are jockeying for playoff position in hopes that their postseason chances don't strike midnight.
A few teams play this week with higher aspirations still alive. No game better represents that case than a Santa Rosa County matchup that could decide the District 1-4S champion when Navarre visits Pace.
Other key matchups include Escambia traveling to Pine Forest, Gulf Breeze playing host to Tate and Northview welcoming Blountstown into Century.
Here's a look at and preview of what Week 9 has to offer.
FHSAA Rankings: Pace reclaims title for area's top team in state. How did everyone else do?
PNJ Football Leaderboard: Escambia, Santa Rosa County stats entering Week 9 of 2023 season
District 1-4S
Tate (4-3, 1-2 District) at Gulf Breeze (2-5, 1-1 District)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Dolphin 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.), Carson Secchiari (RB, Jr.); 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.);
FHSAA RPI rankings: Tate (2.163) - 14th in Region 1-4S, 39th in Class 4S, 227th overall; Gulf Breeze (-5.016) - 19th in Region 1-4S, 57th in Class 4S, 357th overall
Week 8 results: Tate - 41-13 loss vs. Pace; Gulf Breeze - 18-14 loss at Tohopekaliga
Last meeting: Oct. 21, 2022 - Gulf Breeze 49, Tate 21
The skinny: Coming off losses, the Dolphins and Aggies walk into their yearly tilt with plenty to play for. While their regional standing may harm its chances, Gulf Breeze still has an outside shot at a district title. Tate had its district title hopes dashed last week, but the program can still lock up its first regular season at or above the .500 mark since 2017 with a win.
Expect plenty of points to light up the scoreboard at Dolphin Stadium. No team has scored more points (275) than Tate this season while no team has scored more points in a single game (73) than Gulf Breeze.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Tate 49, Gulf Breeze 42
Navarre (5-2, 2-0 District) at Pace (6-1, 2-0 District)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Pace High School
Key players: 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.); 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.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Navarre (7.866) - sixth in Region 1-4S, 18th in Class 4S, 101st overall; Pace (9.898) - fifth in Region 1-4S, 12th in Class 4S, 67th overall
Week 8 results: Pace - 41-13 win at Tate; Navarre - 51-14 win at Milton
Last meeting: Oct. 21, 2022 - Navarre 23, Pace 21
The skinny: Friday night at Pace High School may likely decide who wins the District 1-4S championship. The Patriots can seal the title with a victory in front of their home fans. The Raiders can wrap up the district with a win and a Gulf Breeze loss. These two enter their Week 9 contest as the area’s hottest teams, having each stringing together five wins in a row.
Featuring arguably the area’s two strongest running attacks, each team has been scoring in bunches. Navarre has put up at least 35 points in each of its victories in the winning streak, which includes a season-high 51 points last week at Milton. Pace has racked up at least 40 points in its last three games.
Each side had stars step up in its respective district road wins last week. Patriots senior athlete Xakery Wiedner produced two long rushing touchdowns and two interceptions on defense while Raiders junior Connor Mathews, the area’s leading rusher, had three touchdowns. With plenty more stars on both teams, which key players will rise to the occasion and potentially lift their squad to a district title?
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pace 34, Navarre 31
PNJ Power Poll: Behind its fifth-straight victory, Pace surges to top spot of area rankings
USA Today Florida Network High School Football Week 9 poll: Norland No. 1 in Class 2M
District 1-3S
Choctaw (5-2, 2-0 District) at Booker T. Washington (1-5, 0-2 District)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Sherman L. Robinson Stadium
Key players: Choctaw - Cole Tabb (RB, Sr.), Jesse Winslette (QB, Sr.), Jashawn Armstrong (LB/RB, Sr.), Isaac Thomas (WR, Sr.), Jonathan Boyd (DB, Sr.); Booker T. Washington - Donnell Snowden (LB, Sr.), B.J. Johnson (LB/RB, Jr.), Kyler Battle (RB/ATH, Jr.), James Brown (RB/ATH, Sr.), Tre Landry (WR/OLB, Sr.), Kendrick Burrell (WR, Sr.), Luke Sepe (LB, Sr.), Dacaris Brown (DL, Jr.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Choctaw (9.249) - third in Region 1-3S, 10th in Class 3S, 80th overall; Booker T. Washington (-9.974) - 16th in Region 1-3S, 66th in Class 3S, 433rd overall
Week 8 results: Choctaw - 24-20 win vs. Escambia; Booker T. Washington - 44-14 loss at Fort Walton Beach
Last meeting: Oct. 21, 2022 - Choctaw 44, Booker T. Washington 7
The skinny: The Wildcats showed some offensive promise under Austin Smith during their Week 8 loss at Fort Walton Beach. The junior quarterback completed 16 of 26 passes for 246 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He delivered a 64-yard touchdown pass to Tamyron Thomas and a 36-yard scoring throw to Kendrick Burrell.
But while the offense took a step forward, the defense struggled to slow down the Vikings, allowing more than 500 yards. Things won’t get much easier against a Choctaw team incentivised to come out firing on all cylinders. The Indians can clinch the District 1-3S title with a win.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Choctaw 42 Booker T. Washington 17
Escambia (5-2, 2-1 District) at Pine Forest (4-4, 1-1 District)
When: 7 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, Sr.), Miequle Brock (RB, Sr.), James Clark (QB, Sr.), Tyquan Hunter (RB/SS, Sr.), Xavier Thompson (CB, Jr.), Charleston Floyd (DB, Jr.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Escambia (5.390) - fifth in Region 1-3S, 24th in Class 3S, 144th overall; Pine Forest (4.600) - seventh in Region 1-3S, 28th in Class 3S, 169th overall
Week 8 results: Escambia - 24-20 loss at Choctaw; Pine Forest - 55-14 loss at IMG Academy
Last meeting: Oct. 21, 2022 - Pine Forest 36, Choctaw 3
The skinny: Pine Forest’s RPI rating actually jumped following a blowout loss to IMG Academy. Still, as the seventh-ranked team in Region 1-3S, the Eagles face what might be a must-win game when they host Escambia. The Gators’ stranglehold on a playoff spot took a minor hit after suffering a last-second loss at Choctaw.
Beyond playoff implications, there should be fireworks on the field as there are plenty of intriguing battles. How will former Pine Forest defensive lineman Ryan McVay when matched up against Florida State offensive lineman commit. Can the Escambia defensive front stop Eagles senior Miequle Brock? And representing some of the best talent in the area, which wide receiver and secondary cores will have the upper hand?
It ought to be a good one on Longleaf Drive.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Escambia 28, Pine Forest 27
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FHSAA Football: District champions, championship games and playoff scenarios
Non-district games
Munroe (1-6) at Pensacola Catholic (5-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Gorecki-LeBeau Stadium
Key players: Munroe - Antonio Vazquez (LB, Jr.), Jaylin Dukes (OL/DL, Jr.), Keishawn Mashburn (OL/DL, Sr.), Jaeyon Wimes (QB, Sr.), J.J. Clayton (WR, Sr.), Travis Keaton Jr. (DB/RB, Sr.); Pensacola Catholic - Jayvion Showers (WR, Sr.), Demontrae Gaston (LB/WR, 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: Munroe (-3.972) - fourth in Region 1-1S, 19th in Class 1S, 336th overall; Pensacola Catholic (8.753) - fifth in Region 1-2S, 13th in Class 2S, 88th overall
Week 8 results: Munroe - 24-21 loss at Maclay; Pensacola Catholic - 23-21 loss at Walton
Last meeting: Oct. 21, 2022 - Pensacola Catholic 49, Munroe 33
The skinny: Playing five of their first seven games as a visiting team, the Crusader can now enjoy the comfort of their home field as they close out the regular season at Gorecki-LeBeau Stadium. Pensacola Catholic lost out on a chance of winning its district by dropping a narrow tussle at Walton last week. However, the team still has an outside shot of hosting a home game as it currently ranks fifth in Region 1-2S, a mere 0.017 rating points behind Suwannee.
As long as they climb into the top four and did not face a district champion, the Crusaders would play a fourth-straight home game in November. The return of wide receiver Jayvion Showers will help reach that potential outcome, as the Arkansas State commit had nine catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns in his second game back from injury last week. Showers put up two scoring grabs during the team’s 49-33 win at Munroe last year.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pensacola Catholic 42, Munroe 14
Blountstown (4-2) at Northview (3-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Tommy Weaver Memorial Football Stadium
Key players: Blountstown - Ashton Mosley (DE, Sr.), Amarion Hover (LB/RB, Sr.), Jamarion Engram (LB, Jr.), Tristan King (QB/DB, Jr.), Christian Martinez, (K, Sr.); 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.)
FHSAA RPI rankings: Blountstown (5.664) - first in Region 2-1R, ninth in Class 1R, 140th overall; Northview (-2.637) - fifth in Region 1-1R, 20th in Class 1R, 311th overall
Week 8 results: Blountstown - Bye; Northview - 41-19 win vs. Jay
Last meeting: Oct. 7, 2022 - Northview 49, Blountstown 0
The skinny: Following an 0-3 start to their season, the Chiefs continue to make a move towards the postseason. Northview has closed the gap to host a regional quarterfinal game thanks to back-to-back convincing victories over Jay and Baker, out-scoring the duo by a 69-19 margin. As for their regular-season home finale, the Chiefs welcome a Tigers squad that is coming off a bye week. In their last meeting, Northview manhandled Blountstown to the tune of a 49-0 shutout.
The victors put up nearly 400 yards of offense that night, but the Chiefs will look for a repeat effort from their defense, which allowed just 64 yards against the Tigers. As always is the case when comparing last year’s success, this is a totally different team facing an opponent with different weapons, but Northview does have a blueprint for success against Blountstown. And that blueprint has worked in recent weeks.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Northview 27, Blountstown 20
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Week 8 Takeaways: What we learned in two days across Pensacola-area high school football landscape
Lighthouse Private Christian Academy (3-4) at Jay (4-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Merle V. North 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.); 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 RPI rankings: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy - N/A; Jay (-1.752) - fourth in Region 1-1R, 19th in Class 1R, 294th overall
Week 8 results: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy - 53-9 loss at Sneads; Jay - 41-19 loss at Northview
Last meeting: Oct. 30, 2020 - Jay 43, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 30
The skinny: Can things be turned around? That’s the hope of Royals nation as the team has dropped its last three games after starting 4-0. Jay has struggled stopping the run in recent weeks. After Holmes County churned out 253 rushing yards against the Royals two weeks, Northview were that much better, eating up 395 yards on the ground. The Stingrays have rushed for more than 100 yards in each of their last two games, although their most recent matchup with a running-clock loss to Sneads. Simply put, if Jay can stop the run, the team improves its chances of being back in the winner’s circle.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Jay 33, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 14
Crestview (1-6) at Milton (2-5)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Haywood Hanna Panther Stadium
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.); 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.), Manny Kimmons (DL, Sr.);
FHSAA RPI rankings: Crestview (-4.650) - 17th in Region 1-4S, 55th in Class 4S, 348th overall; Milton (-5.002) - 18th in Region 1-4S, 56th in Class 4S, 356th overall
Week 8 results: Crestview - 35-0 loss vs. Mosley; Milton - 51-14 loss vs. Navarre
Last meeting: Oct. 21, 2022 - Crestview 49, Milton 28
The skinny: The Panthers will march into Haywood Hanna Panther Stadium winless in three games at home. The Bulldogs on the other hand are without a win on the road. Something will have to give. Who has the edge coming into this matchup? It depends what side you are on. After recording shutouts in two of its first three games to open the season, Milton has relinquished 206 points over four straight losses. Meanwhile, Crestview has been held off the scoreboard in three of its last four contests.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Milton 28, Crestview 17
Patrick's prediction record after Week 8: 44-18
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: Pensacola-area teams jockey for playoff positioning in Week 9
