Pace Patriot District Championship Game

 On Friday, October 20th the Pace Patriots played the Navarre Raiders. A lot was on the line going into this game: a district championship, an automatic playoff berth, and another team knocked off the Patriots Vengeance Tour. The Raiders began the night with a score which quickly put them on top. The Patriots struggled to gain momentum on the offense side of the ball until a touchdown by Xakary Wiedner.

The PAT was blocked by the Raiders allowing them to lead by 1 at 6-7. The Patriots were able to stop the Raiders on fourth-and-1, but in an attempt to the redzone Ben Tyner threw and interception which led to the Raiders getting a field goal to extend their lead to

6-10. Back from halftime the Patriots got the ball, but quickly turned it over after an Interception thrown by Nick Simmons. The Raiders were once again able to score to extend their lead to 6-17 late in the third quarter. The Patriots were able to gain momentum on the offensive side of the ball after a catch by Joseph Skipworth put the Patriots in the redzone. A one yard run by Nick Simmons then a stopped to point conversion put the Patriots down 12-17 to end the third quarter. The Raiders were forced to punt which was then returned to the end zone by Wiener, but it was called back due to a penalty. A Raiders fumble was then turned into a Patriots score by Wiedner to put the Patriots up 18-17. The Patriots lead was short as the Raiders returned the kickoff to go ahead 18-25. A huge return by Makael Williams led to a Patriots score, but a bobbled PAT put the Patriots down 24-25. The Raiders got the ball back, but Brayden Gates washable to force the fumble. The Patriots got the ball back with 3:46 left. The Patriots were able to make it down to midfield.

Ben Tyner took the snap with seven seconds left in the game and as he chunked the ball to the end zone the clock showed 0.o and the ball was knocked down in the end zone. The Patriots came up short 24-25. They go on to play Milton at home next week to defend The Bronze. The Patriots are now 6-2 overall and 2-1 in District 1-4s.