Sports Archive

Sixteen consecutive wins. That’s the streak Milton’s volleyball team rode into the district tournament a year ago.

And then, just like that, the season was over, a crushing five-set loss to eventual district champ Niceville ending an impressive run for the Panthers.

Bailee Sproat has spent the summer getting ready for a new volleyball season.

The junior standout for the Pace Patriots feels good about the progress she’s made and is set to provide leadership as well.

Milton’s football team walked away from last season knowing its win-loss record reflected opportunities missed and potential unfulfilled. The Panthers finished 5-5 and were winless in the district.

Quarterback Emory Williams and wide receiver Raymond Cottrell discussed that after the Panthers wrapped up their season with a 30-16 win over Fort Walton Beach.

Only once last season did Jay experience the thrill of victory on the football field.

The Royals are banking on a much different fate in 2022.

Pace defensive tackle Brandon Beckham is a senior, so the motivation that comes with being in his final year of high school is a given.

Yet, there is added motivation for the Patriot standout as he gears up for the 2022 campaign with his teammates, and that comes from not getting to play a year ago.

Cassidy Lanier likes the way Jay handled its summer workouts, and she believes the time and effort the players have put in has paid off.

“We had a very productive offseason,” Lanier said. “The girls really increased their skill levels and worked to improve in all areas.”

Pace didn’t come away with a win in its first preseason match of the year last Tuesday evening at Pensacola Catholic.

The Patriots battled throughout but lost three tightly contested games to Tate by the scores of 25-22, 25-13 and 25-22.

Laila Manning is in her final year as a volleyball player at Milton. And because she is now a senior, there is no shortage of motivation.

“There really is a lot of motivation for me,” Manning said. “I want to be the best player I can be and help out the younger players, too.”

A new year, and once again, a new district.

Navarre, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze and Tate will form District 1-4S, which is part of the new metro/suburban split in Florida for the 2022-23 season.

Pace pulled out a big preseason win in the varsity half of its preseason Kickoff Classic against Fort Walton Beach Friday night at home.

The Patriots took advantage of a fumbled punt to set up the game-tying score.