PACE, FLA- As a result of well-rounded play in all three facets of the game, Pace High School (7-3, 2-2 4S District One) dominated Hollis Christian Academy (2-6, 0-0 Freelance) in their regular-season finale, 48-0. With the win, the Patriots finish the 2022-2023 football season in third place in the 4S District One Conference, trailing Navarre High School (8-2, 4-0 4S District One) and Gulf Breeze High School (5-5, 3-1 4S District One). Likewise, Pace High School clinched their first 4S District playoff berth since the 2020-2021 football season, as they are set to travel to Gainesville to play Buchholz High School (7-2, 3-1 4S District Three) on November 11th at 7:30 PM Central Time. Meanwhile, the Eagles finish the 2022 football season with a 2-6 overall record in their program’s second football season.
Against an inferior opponent in Hollis Christian, Patriots Head Coach Kent Smith opted to give Junior Backup Quarterback Ethan Diamond his first start of the season while resting Sophomore Quarterback Nick Simmons. In his first start of the season, Diamond played well, completing both pass attempts for 49 yards and a 42-yard touchdown pass to Senior Receiver Rory Gilroy, earning a 177.1 QB Rating. In spite of sitting out Pace’s final regular season game, Simmons finishes the 2022-2023 football season with an impressive stat line of 171 rushes for 818 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, and 5.6 YPC, all of which rank inside the top three of the 4S District One Conference.
Similar to the entire 2022-2023 football season, Pace continued to rely heavily on their rushing game, as twelve Patriots combined for 34 rush attempts for 138 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns on 4.1 YPC. Similar to resting Simmons, Smith only gave Star Sophomore Running Back Ben Tyner three carries, although that translated to 17 rushing yards and a team-high two touchdowns. Furthermore, Sophomore Evan Beckham (5/30/1), Junior Brayden Gates (2/17/1), and Junior Chris Homer (10/23/1) were the only Patriots to have rushing touchdowns in the blowout win. Although Junior Receiver Xakery Wiedner failed to record a reception from Diamond in the 48-0 win, Wiedner managed to notch his third interception of the season, in which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown.
After converting on all six of his extra-point attempts against Milton, Senior Kicker Riece Griffith was also shut down on his extra-point and field-goal attempts for the regular-season finale. In reference to this, Griffith finishes the 2022-2023 season 41-42 on extra-point attempts and 4-5 on field-goal attempts this season, solidifying himself as the top kicker in the 4S District One Conference. Griffith still did the kickoff duties for Pace, notching seven Touchbacks in his seven kickoffs. In Griffith’s absence, Sophomore Receiver Nash Pires handled the kicking duties against Hollis Christian. Pires was flawless in his debut as Pace’s Kicker, converting on all six of his extra-point attempts. It’s worth noting that Gilroy did also attempt an extra-point attempt, but was unsuccessful.
As previously mentioned, Pace will now begin their preparations for their playoff game versus Buchholz. Led by the dynamic two-way play of Senior Quarterback Creed Whitmore, Pace’s Defense will face their toughest matchup of the 2022-2023 football season. For reference, Whitmore completed 83-141 pass attempts for 1,174 passing yards, twelve e touchdowns, and five interceptions while adding 444 rushing yards and six touchdowns in six games this season. In addition to Whitmore, Junior Running Back Quinton Cutler (62/280/1) and Senior Running Back Jacarree Kelly (7/110/1) highlight Buchholz’s rushing attack.
When looking to throw the ball, Whittmore typically looks for Senior Receiver Jaren Hamilton (14/354/6), along with Cutler (15/210/3) and Kelly (35/476/4) out of the backfield. In reference to this, it’s no surprise that Buchholtz averages 36.1 PPG, the third-highest mark in the 4S District Three Conference. If No. 6 Pace defeats No. 3 Buchholtz, then the Patriots will play the winner of the No. 2 Niceville Eagles and the No. 7 Crestview Bulldogs in the second round. The entire first round of the 2022 FHSAA Football State Championship Playoff Bracket is listed below, along with the final 4S District One Conference Standings.
4S District One Conference Standings
| School Name | *W-L | *Pct. | *PF | *PA | W-L | Pct. | PF | PA | Strk |
| Navarre | 4-0 | 1.000 | 123 | 92 | 8-2 | 0.800 | 306 | 221 | 1 L |
| Gulf Breeze | 3-1 | 0.750 | 143 | 98 | 5-5 | 0.500 | 270 | 229 | 2 L |
| Pace | 2-2 | 0.500 | 129 | 102 | 7-3 | 0.700 | 353 | 200 | 2 W |
| Milton | 1-3 | 0.250 | 104 | 118 | 3-7 | 0.300 | 280 | 339 | 1 W |
| Tate | 0-4 | 0.000 | 57 | 146 | 1-9 | 0.100 | 175 | 355 | 8 L |
*Denotes Conference Play
2022 FHSAA Football State Championship Playoff Bracket
Quarterfinal No. 1
No. 8 Flagler Palm Coast @ No. 1 Bartram Trail, Nov. 11, 7:00 PM
No. 5 Navarre @ No. 4 Creekside, Nov. 11, 7:30 PM
No. 7 Crestview @ No. 2 Niceville, Nov. 11, 7:00 PM
No. 6 Pace @ No. 3 Buchholtz, Nov. 11, 7:30 PM
Quarterfinal No. 2
No. 8 Lake Gibson @ No. 1 Lakeland, Nov. 11, 7:30 PM
No. 5 Mitchell @ No. 4 Springstead, Nov. 11, 7:00 PM
No. 7 Bartow @ No. 2 Lake Minneota, Nov. 11, 7:30 PM
No. 6 Winter Haven @ No. 3 Land O’ Lakes, Nov. 11, 7:30 PM
Quarterfinal No. 3
No. 8 Harmony @ No. 1 Vero Beach, Nov. 11, 7:00 PM
No. 5 Centennial @ No. 4 Melbourne, Nov 11, 7:00 PM
No. 7 DeLand @ No. 2 Osceola, Nov 11, 7:00 PM
No. 6 Treasure Coast @ No. 3 Martin County, Nov 11, 7:00 PM
Quarterfinal No. 4
No. 8 Riverdale @ No. 1 Venice, Nov 11, 7:30 PM
No. 5 Lehigh @ No. 4 Palmetto, Nov 11, 7:30 PM
No. 7 Riverview @ No. 2 Gulf Coast, Nov 11, 7:00 PM
No. 6 Sarasota @ No. 3 Manatee, Nov 11, 7:00 PM