2023 Kickoff Classic

 After an abrupt end to last year’s season, with the Patriots losing by a point to Buchholz in the first round of playoffs, the Pace Patriots enter this year with their eyes on vengeance. Their 2023 story began last Friday night when they hosted Pensacola Catholic in their Kickoff Classic. Pace's defense came out strong with an Interception by Carson Lowe. Struggling to find momentum, the offense punted on its first drive, and on the second drive, had a touchdown called back due to a holding, which led to a field goal that ended up no good. With another interception by Xakery Wiedner, the defense stayed strong. 

Then things began to turn around in the final quarter of the varsity half with a screen pass to Logan Hancharik, who ran the ball 40 yards to set the Patriots up for a touchdown opportunity. 

“I knew there was someone behind me and I felt slow, but I knew I just needed a few more yards. I didn’t get the touchdown, but I’ll have one by the end of the year,” Hancharik said. With the field position, the Patriots set up an opportunity for quarterback Nick Simmons to run in the first touchdown to give Pace a 7-0 lead. 

Pensacola Catholic struggled to put something together on the offensive side of the ball which forced a punt. The Patriot’s offense got the ball back and started to struggle again and ended up turning the ball over on a fumble. But the Patriots’ defense did not let up. With a big tackle by Shiom Melton keeping the Crusaders from being able to get a first down, a fumble was soon forced by Jaquavian Moore, giving the Patriots the ball back. “Causing that fumble gave me the motivation to get back in the lab and get better for the rest of the season,” Moore said. With the ball back in the Patriots' hands, they were able to run the clock out and end the game with the shutout win. The Patriots' performance Friday night showed they are poised for a big year. They open the season Friday at home against Choctaw. Game time is 7:30 p.m. “There is still a lot of work to be done on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense did a great job. We have to get better to play a full game next week.”v