Sports Archive

Former Pace softball star Jayden Heavener is in contention for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I Freshman of the Year.


Heavener is one of two LSU players on the list, which originally featured 25 players but was narrowed to 10 last Thursday.

Central and Pace are both sending athletes to the FHSAA state track and field meet in Jacksonville.


The 3A meet is scheduled for May 9 at the University of North Florida while the 1A meet is set for May 10.

New Milton head football coach Ronnie Douglas said he could hardly sleep the night before his team took the field late last month for the first spring practice of 2025.


He said it went well and likes the way things are going so far for the Panthers.

Jay’s softball team opened Rural Region 1 tournament play in impressive fashion, dominating Chipley 9-1  Tuesday night at home.

Brady Godwin shared hugs with several of his teammates after the Royals’ season ended Tuesday night with a 3-1 loss to top-ranked Holmes County in Game 2 of a best-of-three Rural Regional final series.


A year ago, Godwin and the Royals won a state championship, the program’s first in more than a half century.

Pace, Jay and Milton all begin regional softball tournament play this week.


The Patriots are the top seed and host Fletcher Thursday night, though that could change based on weather forecast. The topped-seeded Royals have moved their regional opener against Chipley to Tuesday. Milton, a sixth seed, travels to Middleburg on Thursday.

Pace and Milton competed in the Region 1-3A track meet last Friday while Jay and Central were in action on Saturday at the Region 1-1A meet.


Both competitions were held at Pine Forest’s new track facility in Pensacola.

Jay and Central played a decisive Game 3 last Thursday night, and it was the Royals who are moving on, beating the Jaguars 13-6 in a Rural 1 Regional semifinal series.

Pace’s bid for a second consecutive trip to state in flag football came to an end last Thursday night at home.


The Patriots battled Chiles tough all night in a thrilling Region 1-3A final between two of the top five teams in the state.

After a 9-1 loss to Northview in the Rural District 1 final last Thursday, Jay softball head coach Brian Watson gathered his team in left field.


He and his assistant coaches spent 10 minutes talking with the team about the game, and more importantly, what was to come next.