Spring practice wraps up next week for Pace’s football team and head coach Kent Smith likes the progress that has been made up to this point.


But there is still work to be done.

The word GRIT is on the back of the shirts being worn by Milton’s football team this spring. Head coach Kelly Gillis said it’s a theme the team embraced this offseason and has lived by in practice.

Revenge was sweet for Jay’s baseball team, which rolled over Holmes County 12-3 Tuesday night in a Region 1-1A semifinal on the road.


The Royals lost to the Blue Devils a year ago in the regional final, 9-7 in eight innings.

Tucker Ricks glances over at the board of champions in the outfield every time he plays a game at Pace. He understands the Patriots’ tradition and wants to help add to it.


Tuesday night, the junior pitcher handled his role well, working three innings of relief and helping fourth-seeded Pace hold off No. 5 seed Fleming Island 3-2 in a Region 1-6A quarterfinal.

Central’s Dakota Bowman never competed in the high jump before this season.


But there’s no question he’s made a great first impression after winning a Region 1-1A championship Tuesday at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Pace’s flag football team continues to make history.


Less than a week after winning their first regional championship, the Patriots are headed to the 2A state Final Four after beating top-seeded Timber Creek 7-0 in the Elite Eight Friday in Orlando.

The road to state begins this week for a handful of area baseball and softball teams as regional tournament play gets rolling.


Pace (23-2) and Jay (14-9) are in for softball, with both teams seeking a fourth consecutive trip to state, while Pace (19-6), Jay (15-10) and Central (21-3) are all set to compete in regional baseball action.

Ethan McDonald knew exactly what to do to provide added motivation for Jay’s baseball team ahead of Thursday’s District 1-1A final against Northview.


“Me and Hayden (Morris), in the dugout last year, took video of them (celebrating) on our field, and sent it out in our group chat this morning. We said ‘hey guys, it’s our turn. It’s time to get them back.’”

Pace’s baseball team added a fourth consecutive District 1-6A title to its trophy collection last Thursday night, beating Gulf Breeze 4-0.

Tucker Ricks threw a six-inning complete-game shutout while striking out seven.

Jay’s softball team trailed Northview late in the action of its District 1-1A final last Thursday night, its streak of consecutive titles in jeopardy.


But this is a team that has experienced pressure-packed moments before, so it’s not as if the players were going to throw in the towel.