- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,196,236
- Reaction score
- 59
Somehow, we’re only 26 days away from the first day of high school football practice.
Three weeks after that will be kickoff classics and in another week they’ll run out under the Friday Night Lights for the games that matter.
We’ll have more on what’s ahead for the Pensacola area this fall in the coming weeks.
However, today we’re looking at some of the biggest games on the calendar this fall, starting with non-district games. Even though winning a district title gives teams an automatic bid into the state playoffs, there are plenty of local rivalries and prove-it games that will mean just as much to local programs.
Games like Pensacola-Booker T. Washington, Gulf Breeze-Navarre and Milton-Pace are circled on the calendar every year no matter what classification either team is in.
Below is a list of one district game all 14 Pensacola area FHSAA schools should be excited for this fall. Each team has to have a different game, which means that classic rivalriess were limited to one of the two schools.
For Central and Jay, who opted out of the FHSAA playoffs and are instead playing in the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs, a matchup with a non-SSAA team is listed. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
The Jaguars will host Jay on Sept. 4 and then travel to the Gators coming off a bye week for another prove-it game.
Central won four of its last five games in 2025 before falling to Port St. Joe in the Rural FIT semifinals. A trip to Baker will be another measuring stick for a third-year program looking to take another step forward this fall.
Baker was one of the few rural teams to remain in the FHSAA for the 2026 season, and will competing in 1A after going 11-1 a year ago. The Gators beat the Jaguars by a combined score of 83-13 the last two seasons.
The Gators will be looking to spoil the Tigers Homecoming and win the “Battle for Ye Old Wash Boiler” for the 14th straight season. Pensacola has not won this rivalry game since current Escambia coach Mike Bennett roamed the sidelines. Most of the games in the winning streak have been one-sided.
This year’s clash comes at a critical time in Escambia’s schedule. The Gators will be facing county rival Pine Forest on Aug. 28, traveling to Tate on Sept. 4 before opening District 1-4A play against Choctawhatchee on Sept. 11. A win here would help build momentum before four straight district games.
A Beach Bowl clash at the end of the calendar should keep the Dolphins motivated if the program has a season similar to a winless 2025.
Gulf Breeze looks to finally have stability, with a head coach returning for the first time since 2022. A win here would be the Dolphins first in the rivalry since 2021 and allow them to build momentum after battling through four straight district games.
The Royals get a big test right off the bat.
Jay has high expectations with a senior-heavy squad and a new postseason to conquer. They’ll get an early test against Okaloosa County’s best small school, who scored 13 unanswered fourth quarter points to beat the Royals 29-20 in 2025.
The Panthers will look to snap a four-year losing streak in the Battle for the Bronze Helmet and put on a better showing than a 49-7 laugher in Pace in 2025.
The Panthers graduated 24 seniors, with ten going on to play at the next level. Pace graduated 38 seniors as well, though looks to be reloading thanks in part to two Milton transfers in lineman Beau Browder and wide receiver Tratyn Gildewell.
There’s nowhere to go but up for the Raiders after a 1-9 2025. They open the season with a trip to Tallahassee to play a Seminoles squad that went just 5-6 and advanced to the Region 1-2A semifinals a year ago, including a 4-0 mark at home.
Unlike Central and Jay, Northview remains a full FHSAA football member and will compete in 1A this fall. With a tough district schedule ahead, the Chiefs will need to build momentum before starting district play against Port St. Joe on Sept. 11.
Northview closed 2025 with back-to-back wins and will look to pick up where they left off against a Rocky Bayou squad which has won back-to-back SSAA 2A state championships.
This is a battle between the two best Panhandle squads from 2025 and could be one of the biggest matchups in the entire state that week.
The two teams last met in 2023, when the Patriots beat the Indians 41-17. Pace didn’t make the state playoffs that season but advanced to the Region 1-6A semifinals in 2024 and 2025. Choctaw has gone 32-7 since that game, making the 4A Final Four in 2025, its first state semifinal appearance since 2014.
Local bragging rights will be on the line in this one.
Pace beat Catholic 41-20 in 2025, but it didn’t stop either team from having a successful 2025. The Patriots are trying to reload rather than rebuild with a pair of Division I commits in RB Makael Williams (South Alabama) and wide receiver Char’son Floyd (Mercer), while the Crusaders return quite a bit from a squad that lost to Bolles in the Region 1-2A final in 2025.
Catholic senior offensive lineman Zach Wassil is UWF’s first Division I commit, while senior quarterback Jaylin Brown has also been drawing FCS interest.
After winnable games to start against Fort Walton Beach and Gulf Breeze, the Tigers could make a statement if they reclaim the Mayor’s Bowl against a talented Washington squad.
PHS finished just 2-9 last year after a 5-5 2024, including letting an early lead against the Wildcats slip away in a 30-20 loss. The Tigers need to improve everywhere, but especially on defense, where they surrendered 33.8 points per game a year ago.
A win here could PHS at 3-0 and surpass last year’s win total.
The two teams have met four times over the last three seasons, with every single one a one possession game.
Last year, the Eagles beat the Gators 14-8 to clinch the District 1-4A title. This game will also feature some of the area’s best talent in Pine Forest defensive backs Otha Thomas and Zion Heard, defensive end Tristian Henderson, tight end Kemarion Jordan and Escambia defensive linemen Justus Payne and Tobias Johnson and defensive back Roycen Jones.
If Tate has an answer at quarterback this fall, the Aggies could build on their winningest season since 2015.
One game they’d like back from last fall came against the Panthers, who edged Tate 3-0 in 2025, the Aggies only loss in a one-score game.
What was a district game a year ago is now a season opener for both squads. The Wildcats should have another talented offense in 2026 and will get tested immediately against an Eagles defense with a couple of potential future Division I players.
The Jaguars will likely be big underdogs in this one, but it’s a good chance to see how they match up against tough competition early in head coach Wes Summerford’s second season.
West Florida put together a solid 7-5 campaign in 2025, but were overwhelmed by eventual 3A state champion Raines 54-0 in the regional semifinals. The Jaguars have some good returning talent in wide receiver Dane Elliott and linebacker Ashton Caldwell, but will have to replace the 1-2 backfield punch of quarterback Xavier Finley and running back Charles Benson.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Must see Pensacola area high school football non-district games in 2026
Continue reading...
Three weeks after that will be kickoff classics and in another week they’ll run out under the Friday Night Lights for the games that matter.
We’ll have more on what’s ahead for the Pensacola area this fall in the coming weeks.
However, today we’re looking at some of the biggest games on the calendar this fall, starting with non-district games. Even though winning a district title gives teams an automatic bid into the state playoffs, there are plenty of local rivalries and prove-it games that will mean just as much to local programs.
Games like Pensacola-Booker T. Washington, Gulf Breeze-Navarre and Milton-Pace are circled on the calendar every year no matter what classification either team is in.
Below is a list of one district game all 14 Pensacola area FHSAA schools should be excited for this fall. Each team has to have a different game, which means that classic rivalriess were limited to one of the two schools.
For Central and Jay, who opted out of the FHSAA playoffs and are instead playing in the Sunshine State Athletic Association playoffs, a matchup with a non-SSAA team is listed. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
Central: at Baker (Sept. 17)
The Jaguars will host Jay on Sept. 4 and then travel to the Gators coming off a bye week for another prove-it game.
Central won four of its last five games in 2025 before falling to Port St. Joe in the Rural FIT semifinals. A trip to Baker will be another measuring stick for a third-year program looking to take another step forward this fall.
Baker was one of the few rural teams to remain in the FHSAA for the 2026 season, and will competing in 1A after going 11-1 a year ago. The Gators beat the Jaguars by a combined score of 83-13 the last two seasons.
Escambia: at Pensacola (Sept. 18, 7 p.m.)
The Gators will be looking to spoil the Tigers Homecoming and win the “Battle for Ye Old Wash Boiler” for the 14th straight season. Pensacola has not won this rivalry game since current Escambia coach Mike Bennett roamed the sidelines. Most of the games in the winning streak have been one-sided.
This year’s clash comes at a critical time in Escambia’s schedule. The Gators will be facing county rival Pine Forest on Aug. 28, traveling to Tate on Sept. 4 before opening District 1-4A play against Choctawhatchee on Sept. 11. A win here would help build momentum before four straight district games.
Gulf Breeze: Navarre (Oct. 30, 7 p.m.)
A Beach Bowl clash at the end of the calendar should keep the Dolphins motivated if the program has a season similar to a winless 2025.
Gulf Breeze looks to finally have stability, with a head coach returning for the first time since 2022. A win here would be the Dolphins first in the rivalry since 2021 and allow them to build momentum after battling through four straight district games.
Jay: at Baker (Aug. 21, 7 p.m.)
The Royals get a big test right off the bat.
Jay has high expectations with a senior-heavy squad and a new postseason to conquer. They’ll get an early test against Okaloosa County’s best small school, who scored 13 unanswered fourth quarter points to beat the Royals 29-20 in 2025.
Milton: Pace (Oct. 30, 7 p.m.)
The Panthers will look to snap a four-year losing streak in the Battle for the Bronze Helmet and put on a better showing than a 49-7 laugher in Pace in 2025.
The Panthers graduated 24 seniors, with ten going on to play at the next level. Pace graduated 38 seniors as well, though looks to be reloading thanks in part to two Milton transfers in lineman Beau Browder and wide receiver Tratyn Gildewell.
Navarre: at Florida High (Aug. 21)
There’s nowhere to go but up for the Raiders after a 1-9 2025. They open the season with a trip to Tallahassee to play a Seminoles squad that went just 5-6 and advanced to the Region 1-2A semifinals a year ago, including a 4-0 mark at home.
Northview: Rocky Bayou Christian (Aug. 20)
Unlike Central and Jay, Northview remains a full FHSAA football member and will compete in 1A this fall. With a tough district schedule ahead, the Chiefs will need to build momentum before starting district play against Port St. Joe on Sept. 11.
Northview closed 2025 with back-to-back wins and will look to pick up where they left off against a Rocky Bayou squad which has won back-to-back SSAA 2A state championships.
Pace: Choctaw (Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m.)
This is a battle between the two best Panhandle squads from 2025 and could be one of the biggest matchups in the entire state that week.
The two teams last met in 2023, when the Patriots beat the Indians 41-17. Pace didn’t make the state playoffs that season but advanced to the Region 1-6A semifinals in 2024 and 2025. Choctaw has gone 32-7 since that game, making the 4A Final Four in 2025, its first state semifinal appearance since 2014.
Pensacola Catholic: Pace (Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m.)
Local bragging rights will be on the line in this one.
Pace beat Catholic 41-20 in 2025, but it didn’t stop either team from having a successful 2025. The Patriots are trying to reload rather than rebuild with a pair of Division I commits in RB Makael Williams (South Alabama) and wide receiver Char’son Floyd (Mercer), while the Crusaders return quite a bit from a squad that lost to Bolles in the Region 1-2A final in 2025.
Catholic senior offensive lineman Zach Wassil is UWF’s first Division I commit, while senior quarterback Jaylin Brown has also been drawing FCS interest.
Pensacola: at Booker T. Washington (Sept. 4, 7 p.m.)
After winnable games to start against Fort Walton Beach and Gulf Breeze, the Tigers could make a statement if they reclaim the Mayor’s Bowl against a talented Washington squad.
PHS finished just 2-9 last year after a 5-5 2024, including letting an early lead against the Wildcats slip away in a 30-20 loss. The Tigers need to improve everywhere, but especially on defense, where they surrendered 33.8 points per game a year ago.
A win here could PHS at 3-0 and surpass last year’s win total.
Pine Forest: at Escambia (Aug. 28, 7 p.m.)
The two teams have met four times over the last three seasons, with every single one a one possession game.
Last year, the Eagles beat the Gators 14-8 to clinch the District 1-4A title. This game will also feature some of the area’s best talent in Pine Forest defensive backs Otha Thomas and Zion Heard, defensive end Tristian Henderson, tight end Kemarion Jordan and Escambia defensive linemen Justus Payne and Tobias Johnson and defensive back Roycen Jones.
Tate: at Milton (Aug. 28, 7 p.m.)
If Tate has an answer at quarterback this fall, the Aggies could build on their winningest season since 2015.
One game they’d like back from last fall came against the Panthers, who edged Tate 3-0 in 2025, the Aggies only loss in a one-score game.
Booker T. Washington: at Pine Forest (Aug. 21, 7 p.m.)
What was a district game a year ago is now a season opener for both squads. The Wildcats should have another talented offense in 2026 and will get tested immediately against an Eagles defense with a couple of potential future Division I players.
West Florida: at Niceville (Aug. 28, 7 p.m.)
The Jaguars will likely be big underdogs in this one, but it’s a good chance to see how they match up against tough competition early in head coach Wes Summerford’s second season.
West Florida put together a solid 7-5 campaign in 2025, but were overwhelmed by eventual 3A state champion Raines 54-0 in the regional semifinals. The Jaguars have some good returning talent in wide receiver Dane Elliott and linebacker Ashton Caldwell, but will have to replace the 1-2 backfield punch of quarterback Xavier Finley and running back Charles Benson.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Must see Pensacola area high school football non-district games in 2026
Continue reading...
