Following a 49-28 victory over the Fort Walton Beach High School Vikings on Friday night, the Patriots are already preparing for a road game against Pensacola High School.
“As soon as the game ended, I was already thinking about them,” said Running Back Anthony Johnson Jr., “They are going to be tough, but I am looking forward to it though. We love competition here at Pace.”
Johnson had an impressive game against the Fort Walton Beach on Friday night. In addition to the more than 350 yards rushing, he scored six touchdowns for the offense.
Following the victory, Johnson said he was very thankful for the many holes and opportunities his offensive line created for him and the Patriot running game.
“I just ran and did what I could do,” Johnson said “I could not have did that without my line.”
Head Football Coach Mickey Lindsey was also impressed with the Patriots running game.
“It’s what we do, that is what we are good at,” he said. “FortWalton gave us a hard time too though.”
In addition to finding success on offense, the Patriots defense also created two key turnovers in the fourth quarter, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Bennett Shell. Special teams also made some big plays.
Although there was some drawbacks in home opener from Pace, including a turnover on offense and some costly penalties, Lindsey said that is to be expected in the first week of the regular season.
“In your first ball game you always have mistakes, because it’s your first ball game,” he said.
The victory also puts the Patriots over a hump when it comes to the beginning of the regular season, according to Lindsey.
“We have 0-2 and 0-3 in the past two years out the door , it’s a lot better being 1-0,” Lindsey said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace prepares for Pensacola High School after FWB win