Week 6 Preview: District play returns during Pensacola area's seven-game slate
Last week featured the largest margin of separation during 2022 high school football season thus far.
Seven games were decided by an average of 26.6 points.
Hopefully, district play returning to the forefront will make Week 6 far more compelling. Six of the Pensacola-area's seven contests on Friday are district contests. Just days after the initial FHSAA rankings were released, it's safe to say that this week's slate has significant playoff implications.
PNJ Top Performers: Northview's Jefferson, Catholic's Clark highlight Week 5's star players
PNJ Power Poll: Pine Forest, Pace, West Florida remain at top of rankings while Northview slowly climbs up
PNJ Football Leaderboard: Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties after Week 5 of 2022 season
Each of the area's three districts have a pair of games. Here's a closer look at the action slated for Friday.
Week 6 schedule
Escambia (3-2, 1-0) at Booker T. Washington (2-2, 0-0) - District 1-3S
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Sherman L. Robinson Stadium
RPI ranking: Escambia (3.839) - fourth in Region 1-3S, 23rd in Class 3S, 176th overall; Booker T. Washington (-3.696) - 11th in Region 1-3S, 47th in Class 3S, 350th overall
Key players: Escambia - Ammiel Steele (QB, Sr.), Akeem Stokes (WR, Sr.), Trevion Killette (ATH, Jr.), Alfred Washington (OL, Sr.), Lejon Williams (LB, Jr.), Tadarius Wright (ATH, Sr.); Booker T. Washington - Jaylen Lewis (LB, Sr.), Reed Robinson (WR, Sr.), E.J. Townsend (LB, Sr.), Patrick O’Hara (DL, Sr.), Malachi Gilbert (DB, Sr.), B.J. Jenkins (WR, Sr.)
Last week’s results: Escambia - 41-0 win vs. Milton; Booker T. Washington - 42-6 vs. LeFlore (Ala.)
Last meeting: Sept. 17, 2021 - Booker T. Washington 28, Escambia 24
The skinny: Following an 0-2 start, Escambia has been one of the area's hottest teams, winning its last three games by combined margin of 88-17. The Gators defense shut out a talented Milton offense as senior quarterback Ammiel Steele, the area's leading passer, tossed four touchdown passes.
Escambia seeks its fourth consecutive win while also hoping to avenge a brutal 28-24 loss to the Wildcats last year. Booker T. Washington trailed 24-13 at halftime before scoring 15 unanswered points. Steele, then a member of the Wildcats, delivered four touchdown passes, including a go-ahead 10-yard strike to wide receiver Reed Robinson with less than five minutes left in regulation. Linebacker Patrick O'Hara capped the comeback with a sack on the game's final play.
Robinson and O'Hara will be back on the field, as will Akeem Stokes. The Gators senior wideout leads Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with 560 receiving yards.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Escambia 34, Booker T. Washington 20
Pensacola Catholic (5-0, 0-0) at Pensacola (0-4, 0-0) - District 1-2S
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Scoggins Stadium
RPI ranking: Pensacola Catholic (11.541) - third in Region 1-2S, 5th in Class 2S, 36th overall; Pensacola (-9.957) - 15th in Region 1-2S, 60th in Class 2S, 442nd overall
Key players: Pensacola Catholic - Ja’Bril Rawls (DB, Sr.), Tim Gulley (DL, Sr.), Jayvion Showers (WR, Jr.), Zack DeJesus (LB, Sr.), Aidan Byrd (QB, Sr.), Demontrae Gaston (ATH, Jr.), C.J. Nettles (RB, So.); Pensacola - Bobby Green (WR, Sr.), Ottah Bonner (LB, Sr.), Jaquan Kennedy (RB, Sr.), Devonsha O’Neal (QB, Sr.), A.G. Floyd (WR, So.)
Last week’s results: Pensacola Catholic - 31-28 overtime win at Mobile Christian; Pensacola 38-8 loss vs. Gulf Breeze
Last meeting: Oct. 16, 2020 - Pensacola Catholic 14, Pensacola 0
The skinny: Following a number of blowout wins over lackluster opponents, Pensacola Catholic collected its most impressive victory of 2022 last week after surging from a 21-7 halftime deficit to collect a 31-28 overtime win at Mobile Christian. The Crusaders are 5-0 for the first time since 2019.
Pensacola was the wrong side of a 38-8 result last week in its home opener against Gulf Breeze. The good news is that the Tigers will have a familiar face on the sideline on Friday. After suffering a stroke while coaching his team against Pine Forest on Sept. 10, head coach Cantrell Tyson was cleared on Tuesday to rejoin his players on the sideline. Last week, Tyson called plays from the press box.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pensacola Catholic 42, Pensacola 6
Pine Forest (5-0, 1-0) at Fort Walton Beach (0-5, 0-1) - District 1-3S
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Steve Riggs Stadium
RPI ranking: Pine Forest (12.401) - first in Region 1-3S, third in Class 3S, 26th overall; Fort Walton Beach (-8.088) - 15th in Region 1-3S, 57th in Class 3S, 422nd overall
Key players: Pine Forest - T.J. Wilson (QB, Sr.), Elijah Douglas (DL, Sr.), Donielle Hayes (WR, Sr.), Jonathan Daniels (OL, Jr.), Tyrese Thomas (DB, Sr.) Cam Kelly (DB, Sr.); Fort Walton Beach - Lliam Dorman (DL, Sr.), Trevonn Gray (OL, Jr.), Garrison Kurtz (QB, Sr.), Sidney Davis (RB/LB, Jr.)
Last week’s results: Pine Forest - 35-21 win vs. West Florida; Fort Walton Beach - 10-7 loss at Arnold
Last meeting: Nov. 20, 2009 - Fort Walton Beach 42, Pine Forest 39
The skinny: This matchup features two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Vikings have been outscored by more than a 4-to-1 margin (31-144) through five games. In the same amount of games, the Eagles have nearly outscored opponents by a 4-to-1 margin (177-45).
Fort Walton Beach has committed nearly as many penalties (28) as first downs (32). Meanwhile, Pine Forest seeks its first 6-0 start since the program won its first 12 games in 2008. With a massive bout versus Niceville scheduled for the following week, expect the Eagles to take care of business quickly in an effort to sharpen on their execution.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pine Forest 48, Fort Walton Beach 7
West Florida (2-2, 0-0) at Walton (5-0, 0-0) - District 1-2S
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Yates Memorial Stadium
RPI ranking: West Florida (4.239) - seventh in Region 1-2S, 21st in Class 2S, 164th overall; Walton (11.571) - second in Region 1-2S, fourth in Class 2S, 34th overall
Key players: West Florida - Markell Redding (ATH, Sr.), Ahmarion Moultrie (LB, Sr.), Oneal Daniels (DL, Sr.), Zeyvian Avery (OLB/DE, Sr.), Marquez Jones (RB, Jr.), John Nicholas (QB, Jr.); Walton - Paul Dillon (QB, Sr.), LaQuann Adams (DB, Sr.), Jawaun Campbell (DL, Jr.), Nuke McKenzie (ATH, Jr.), Makei Jones (RB, Sr.), Devon Tyson (WR, Sr.)
Last week’s results: West Florida - 35-21 loss at Pine Forest; Walton - 61-14 win vs. South Walton
Last meeting: Sept. 30, 2011, West Florida 35, Walton 0
The skinny: West Florida and Walton face off 11 years to the day of their last meeting. After allowing 11 points in their first two games, the Jaguars have given up 77 total points in games against Pace and Pine Forest, although turnovers were root cause to their issues against Eagles. Things don't get much easier against a Walton team that is averaging 46.4 points per game.
Last week, the Braves eclipsed the 60-point mark for first time since 2015 following a 61-14 home walloping of South Walton. Nine different players have reached the end zone for unbeaten Walton, led by Devon Tyson's eight touchdowns (five receiving, three rushing). Meanwhile, the team's defense has conceded 10.7 points a contest.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Walton 34, West Florida 31
Destin (1-3) at Jay (2-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Merle V. North Stadium
RPI ranking: Destin - N/A; Jay (-1.659) - sixth in Region 1-1R, 23rd in Class 1R, 303rd overall
Key players: Destin - Jordan Figueroa (QB, Fr.), Avery Zierden (RB, Jr.), Sonny Taylor (ATH, Sr.), Christian Harnish (DB, Jr.), William Blanchard (DL, So.); Jay - Landyn Cooley (DL/RB, Sr.), Hayden Morris (QB/DB, So.), Jackson Lawson (DB/RB, Sr.), Joe Norris (LB, Sr.), Trent Watson (OL, Sr.)
Last week’s results: Destin - 8-7 loss at Lighthouse Private Christian Academy; 42-23 loss at Holmes County
Last meeting: N/A
The skinny: The Royals allowed 42 first-half points in their Week 5 loss at Holmes County. That subpar defensive performance comes after not relinquishing a point in their previous six quarters. Jay has a solid chance to return above the .500 mark against a program in its first season of existence.
The Sharks struggled out of the gates with a 34-0 loss at Baker. However, Destin has done a good job of competing since then. Capturing its first-ever victory in Week 2 at home against North Bay Haven, the Sharks fell in overtime the following week at Rocky Bayou Christian before suffering a one-point loss at Lighthouse Private Christian Academy last Friday.
The Royals last opened a season at 3-2 in 2018.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Jay 28, Destin 14
Gulf Breeze (3-2, 1-0) at Pace (3-1, 0-0) - District 1-4S
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Pace High School
RPI ranking: Gulf Breeze (3.703) - 11th in Region 1-4S, 29th in Class 4S, 178th overall; Pace (8.649) - sixth in Region 1-4S, 11th in Class 4S, 80th overall
Key players: Gulf Breeze - Lumpy Deweese (DB, Sr.), Troy Coughlin (RB, Sr.), Battle Alberson (QB, Jr.), Brock Clayton (WR, Sr.) Turner McLaughlin (LB, Jr.), Dakota Watson (LB, Sr.); 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.)
Last week’s results: Gulf Breeze - 38-8 win at Pensacola; Pace - Off
Last meeting: Sept. 24, 2021 - Gulf Breeze 42, Pace 14
The skinny: The Dolphins have won the last six games in this matchup. Gulf Breeze's 42-14 win over the Patriots last season was an outlier compared to recent battles. Each of the three games prior to that were decided by four points or less.
Coming off a bye week, Pace looks to return to its winning ways after dropping its first game of 2022 in a close defeat at Crestview in Week 4. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have won back-to-back games by a combined margin of 73-29.
The Patriots and their potent running attack faces a defense that has allowed at least 100 rushing yards in four of its five games this season. However, if the road team can establish an early lead, Pace quarterback Nick Simmons may be forced to throw. And while the sophomore has been decent through the air (four touchdowns, one interception), throwing the ball enables Gulf Breeze's pass rush (11 sacks) to get going. The Dolphins have also been a takeaway machine, recording at least one turnover in every contest this season.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Gulf Breeze 31, Pace 24
Tate (1-3, 0-1) at Milton (1-4, 0-1) - District 1-4S
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Haywood Hanna Stadium
RPI ranking: Tate (-2.191) - 15th in Region 1-4S, 51st in Class 4S, 318th overall; Milton (-2.348) - 16th in Region 1-4S, 52nd in Class 4S, 321st overall
Key players: 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.); Milton - Raymond Cottrell (WR, Sr.), Emory Williams (QB, Sr.), T.J. Haynes (RB, Sr.), Tre'lin Carnegia (WR, Sr.), Manny Kimmons (DL, Jr.)
Last week’s results: Tate - Off, Milton - 41-0 loss at Escambia
Last meeting: Sept. 21, 2018 - Milton 35, Tate 34
The skinny: While we just reached the midway point of the season, it isn't a stretch to say that this is a must-win for each team in terms of playoff hopes. Both Milton and Tate look to avoid a three-game losing streak.
The Panthers suffered a shutout last week after being overwhelmed at Escambia. It was the first time they were shutout since Nov. 2, 2018, playing of 31 games between that span. The Aggies were off last week after falling dropping a Week 4 contest against Navarre. This is Tate's first road game since opening the season at Pine Forest on Aug. 25.
Tate and Milton each feature offenses that have had better moments than their respective young defenses as both teams are relinquishing more than 30 points per game. Hard to imagine a high-scoring affair won't take place at Haywood Hanna Stadium.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Milton 38, Tate 31
Patrick's prediction record through Week 5: 32-10
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: Football: Week 6 in the Pensacola area showcases six district games
