High School Football: District openers take the spotlight of Week 4 games
Week 4 of the 2022 FHSAA high school football season is a limited slate as only nine of the Pensacola-area's 13 teams hit the field on Friday.
With Booker T. Washington, Jay, Pensacola and West Florida each on a bye, Week 4 features the fewest amount of games of any week in the regular season.
However, just days remove from weather reeking havoc to several games on the Panhandle, clearer conditions are expected this week as district play takes center stage. Four games serve as district openers as Navarre, Tate, Escambia, Pine Forest, Milton and Gulf Breeze all start their quest to a district title and an automatic bid into the state playoffs.
A number of those schools are set to face other. The Aggies and Raiders will battle in Cantonment while Panthers hit the road to face the Dolphins. Lastly, the Eagles and Gators being district play at home.
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Here's an extended look at the Week 4 slate.
Week 4 Schedule
Navarre (2-1) at Tate (1-2) - District 1-4S
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Pete Gindl Stadium
Key players: Navarre - Zavier Hamilton (LB, Jr.), Ethan Newman (OL, Sr.), Terence Marshall (Jr., WR), Tyrell Marshall (DB, Jr.), Hunter Pfiester (QB, Jr.), Jadon Reese (WR, Sr.); Tate - Andre Colston (RB, Jr.), Carmelo Campbell (WR, Sr.), Taite Davis (QB, So.), Diego Dukes (ATH, So.), Jackson Perryclear (WR, Sr.), Marcell Davis (LB, Jr.)
Last week’s results: Navarre - 37-6 win at Rickards; Tate - 34-25 loss vs. Northview
Last meeting: Sept. 17, 2021 - Navarre 35, Tate 14
The skinny: Every single Raiders game this season has been a blowout, with the team going unbeaten on the road. This game against should be more competitive as Tate have shown signs of improvement. The Aggies have scored 60 points through three games, surpassing their entire scoring output (54 points) from 10 games a year ago. Defense still remains a point of concern, as the team is allowing 31 points per game. Tate will have its hands full with freshman running back Eddie Love Jr. (283 rushing yards, 2 TDs), junior wide receiver Terence Marshall (2 total TDs) and senior wide receiver Jadon Reese (11 catches, 250 receiving yards, 5 TDs). Meanwhile, Navarre has to prepare for Andre Colston. The junior running back had 12 carries for 150 yards and two scores last week against Northview. Colston had 158 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns last year against Navarre.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Navarre 34, Tate 20
Choctaw (1-2) at Pine Forest (3-0) - District 1-3S
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Lon R. Wise Stadium
Key players: Choctaw - Cole Tabb (RB, Jr..), Jesse Winslette (QB, Jr.), Jayce Brown (WR, Sr.), David Pettway (DL, Sr.); Pine Forest - T.J. Wilson (QB, Sr.), Elijah Douglas (DL, Sr.), Donielle Hayes (WR, Sr.), Jonathan Daniels (OL, Jr.), Kobe Johnson (RB, Sr.), Tyrese Thomas (DB, Sr.)
Last week’s results: Choctaw - 35-34 win vs. Crestview; Pine Forest - 41-8 win vs. Pensacola
Last meeting: Oct. 22, 2021 - Pine Forest 42, Choctaw 17
The skinny: These two teams have played games on completely ends of the spectrum. Each of the Indians' contests have been decided by four points or less. Meanwhile, the Eagles have won all of their games by at least 30 points. From a skill-position standpoint, Choctaw represents Pine Forest's stiffest test. The Indians feature speed on the outside in senior wide receiver Jayce Brown (8 catches, 173 receiving yards, 3 TDs) and Division I prospect Cole Tabb (490 rushing yards, 6 TDs). The junior running back is a workhorse who averages nearly eight yards per carry. Still, it's hard to imagine that the Eagles won't adjust. Their defense has only shown vulnerability during Week 2 as Navarre had success on the ground in the first half. Those chunk gains ended once Pine Forest and its talented front begin controlling the line of scrimmage. Given the Eagles defensive starters have not allowed a touchdown in 2022, expect them to rise to the challenge.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pine Forest 40, Choctaw 14
Fort Walton Beach (0-3) at Escambia (1-2) - District 1-3S
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Emmitt Smith Field
Key players: Fort Walton Beach - ; Escambia - Ammiel Steele (QB, Sr.), Akeem Stokes (WR, Sr.), Trevion Killette (ATH, Jr.), Alfred Washington (OL, Sr.), Ladarian Clardy (ATH, So.), Tadarius Wright (ATH, Sr.), Lejon Williams (LB, Jr.)
Last week’s results: Fort Walton Beach - 35-0 loss at Niceville; Escambia - 12-10 win vs. Gulf Breeze
Last meeting: Oct. 7, 2021 - Escambia 26, Fort Walton Beach 7
The skinny: Failing to execute in late-game situations during their first two games, the Gators made the stops down the stretch in their 12-10 win against Gulf Breeze last week. In that game, junior linebacker Lejon Williams had a team-high 11 tackles while senior defensive line Ashton Bryans posted two sacks. Elsewhere, Akeem Stokes continues to ascend among the area's elite wide receivers. The senior pulled down 13 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown during Week 3. Now, Escambia takes on a Fort Walton Beach bunch that has been outscored 99-17 this season. With the help of a Ji'quez Minor safety and two interceptions from Trevion Killette, the Gators used a 23-0 second half en route to a 26-7 win over the Vikings last season.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Escambia 28, Fort Walton Beach 3
Pace (3-0) at Crestview (1-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Jack Foster Stadium
Key players: Pace - Jackson Ward (LB, Sr.), Reice Griffith (K, Sr.), Nick Simmons (QB, So.), Jayson Alford (FB/LS, Sr.), Xakery Wiedner (ATH, Jr.), Brandon Beckham (DL, Sr.), Ben Tyner (RB, So.); Crestview - Marion Hawthorne (LB, Sr.), Jerome Brazan (QB, Jr.), Jason Jones (RB, Sr.), Cecil Perdue (ATH, Sr.), Simeon White (DB, Sr.)
Last week’s results: Pace - 42-14 win vs. West Florida; Crestview - 35-34 loss at Choctaw
Last meeting: Oct. 22, 2021 - Crestview 27, Pace 26
The skinny: Improving to 3-0 for the first time since 2007, the Patriots are fresh off a pummeling victory over West Florida 42-14. Nick Simmons led the way for Pace after rushing for three scores and throwing for two more. The sophomore quarterback has an area-high 13 total touchdowns. The Patriots move on to a matchup that has certainly been compelling over the past two years. In 2020, Pace racked up 465 rushing yards in a 49-42 home win over the Bulldogs. Crestview got revenge the following season when a 69-yard fourth-quarter touchdown catch from Jamarian Speights was the difference in a 27-26 victory. Speights has since graduated, but senior quarterback Jerome Brazan, the player who threw the game-winning pass last year, is back. No reason to think another tight game isn't in the cards.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pace 35, Crestview 31
Elberta (Ala.) (1-3) at Northview (3-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium
Key players: Elberta - Tyshaun Washington (DB, Sr.), Cason White (OL, Sr.), Hunter Powers (QB, Sr.); Northview - Jamarkus Jefferson (RB/LB, Sr.), John Michael Ward (OL/DL, Sr.), Kaden Odom (QB/CB, Sr.), Luke Bridges (RB/SS, Sr.), Aidan Broadhead, (WR/DB, Sr.)
Last week’s results: Elberta - 28-14 win vs. LeFlore (Ala.); Northview - 34-25 win at Tate
Last meeting: N/A
The skinny: Jamarkus Jefferson continues to be the straw that stirs the Chiefs' drink. The area's leading rusher had 32 carries for 214 yards and a season-best five touchdowns during Northview 34-25 win last Friday at Tate. Jefferson is on pace to rush for just below 2,000 yards. The Chiefs are 3-0 for the first time since 2014 while the Warriors dropped their first three games. However, they do enter this matchup with some momentum after defeating LeFlore 28-14 last week to enter the win column.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Northview 37, Elberta 21
Milton (1-2) at Gulf Breeze (1-2) - District 1-4S
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Dolphin Stadium
Key players: Milton - Raymond Cottrell (WR, Sr.), Emory Williams (QB, Sr.), T.J. Haynes (RB, Sr.), Tre'lin Carnegia (WR, Sr.), Manny Kimmons (DL, Jr.); Gulf Breeze - Lumpy Deweese (DB, Sr.), Troy Coughlin (RB, Sr.), Battle Alberson (QB, Jr.), Brock Clayton (WR, Sr.) Turner McLaughlin (LB, Jr.)
Last week’s results: Booker T. Washington - 47-31 loss at Milton; Gulf Breeze - 12-10 loss at Escambia
Last meeting: Sept. 17, 2021 - Gulf Breeze 28, Milton 21
The skinny: In a game that took two days to complete and was far closer than the final score would suggest, the Panthers capture their first win in the Kelly Gillis era. Milton blocked a game-tying field goal and score two touchdowns in the final two minutes of its 47-31 triumph over Booker T. Washington. Now, the Panthers play their four of their next five games on the road, beginning with a trip to Dolphin Stadium.
Gulf Breeze could very easily be 3-0 this season. The Dolphins led in the fourth quarter of their season-opening loss to Fairhope. Last week, they could not overcome a poor first half in a two-point defeat at Escambia. These two teams played one of the area's better games in 2021.
Gulf Breeze overcame a two-touchdown deficit and took its first lead with one minute remaining. Running back Troy Coughlin recorded the go-ahead score in the Dolphins' 28-21 triumph. Last year, Gulf Breeze moved to 4-0 with its come-from-behind win. This year, each team looks to avoid a 1-3 start.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Gulf Breeze 31, Milton 28
Lighthouse Private Christian Academy (0-2) at Pensacola Catholic (3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Gorecki-LeBeau Stadium
Key players: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy - Keyon Stoutemire (ATH, Sr.), Johnny Lewis Jr. (QB, So.), Damarion Crocker (ATH, Sr.), Keon Straughn (DL, Sr.), Dillon Thompson (DB, Sr.); Pensacola Catholic - Ja’Bril Rawls (DB, Sr.), Tim Gulley (DL, Sr.), Zack DeJesus (LB, Sr.), Aidan Byrd (QB, Sr.), Demontrae Gaston (ATH, Jr.), C.J. Nettles (RB, So.)
Last week’s results: Lighthouse Private Christian Academy - Bye; Pensacola Catholic - 49-27 win vs. St. Stanislaus (Miss.)
Last meeting: N/A
The skinny: Aside from Pine Forest and Jay, no area team has relinquished fewer points this season than the Crusaders. That's bad news for a Stingrays squad that has only mustered seven points through two games.
Pensacola Catholic had excelled defensively thanks to causing 10 turnovers and collecting 12 sacks so far in 2022. Meanwhile, the three-headed monster of senior athlete Ja'Bril Rawls, junior wide receiver Jayvion Showers and sophomore running back C.J. Nettles have accounted for 16 of the team's 17 touchdowns scored this season.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pensacola Catholic 42, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy 0
Patrick's prediction record through Week 3: 19-8
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (850) 503-3828, on Twitter @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: H.S. Football: Week 4 in Pensacola area features four district games
