Pace faces its biggest test of the season so far when it takes on Navarre Friday night while Jay and Milton are both looking to get back on the winning track.
The Panthers take on Crestview at home, hoping to snap a four-game losing streak, while the Royals welcome Lighthouse Private Christian Academy to town and take aim at ending a three-game slide.
Brian Simmons talked over the cheers of his Milton teammates, who were encouraging another swimmer during an event at the Santa Rosa County Meet earlier this month.
It’s one of the Panther swimmers’ favorite things about the sport.
There were tears. Long embraces. Pace head volleyball coach Cody Trimm also took a few moments to talk with each of his seniors, a group of players who have played such a big part in the success of the program.
Early on, it looked as if the Patriots would play another day, leading Navarre two games to none in a District 1-6A semifinal at Navarre.
Pace and Navarre are right next to each other in the FHSAA regional rankings this week, adding extra incentive and fuel to the fire for Friday’s matchup between the two schools in Pace.
Central’s volleyball season came to an end Tuesday night in a District 1-1A semifinal against reigning district champion Baker.
The Jaguars fell 25-12, 25-17 and 25-15 to the Gators.
They kept smiling the entire match, even facing a deficit, and they continued to encourage each other and play hard.
That has been the case for the Milton Panther volleyball team all season. Their road match against Tate Monday in a District 1-6A quarterfinal was no different.
The University of West Florida football team fell hard in this week’s AFCA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll this week after losing 10-6 Saturday to West Alabama on the road.
The official rivalry games for Navarre and Pace are next week when the Raiders take on Gulf Breeze and the Patriots battle Milton.
But the game that might carry the most weight is Friday night when Navarre and Pace square off with the District 1-4S title and automatic berth to the playoffs on the line.
