One second to go. A chance to tie and force overtime.
That’s the situation the University of West Florida football team found itself in Saturday night at Pen Air Field in a showdown with Valdosta State.
Milton’s Drew Henry was on top of his game last Friday in the District 1-3A meet in Pensacola, swimming a personal-best time of 5:04.11 to win the 500 Freestyle at the University of West Florida Aquatic Center.
None of the current players on the roster were in high school the last time Jay had a winning season in football.
This current group of players accomplished the feat Friday night as the Royals went on the road and top Wewahitchka 35-22 to secure the program’s first winning campaign since 2018.
Following a heartbreaking loss against Navarre last week, the Pace Patriots were looking for a way to bounce back. This year’s edition of the Battle for the Bronze Helmet provided ample opportunity to do just that.
The volleyball season ended for Jay last Thursday night as the Royals lost in three sets to Chipley in a Region 1-1A semifinal.
Jay played the Tigers close in all three sets, losing 25-22 in each of the first two before getting knocked off 25-20 in the finale.
Pace can at least stay in the hunt for a district championship this week when it takes on rival Milton Friday night while Jay looks to make it two in a row when it hits the road against Wewahitchka.
It was a year that began with some uncertainty, a new Central football team looking to find its way in the area sports landscape.
Two months and three wins later, the Jaguars can look back on the 2023 campaign as one that was positive in a lot of ways.
