Football kicks off Friday

The last few practices await football players in Santa Rosa County.

Friday night will mark the first time the lights come on as teams in Jay, Milton, and Pace put on their uniforms and get tested under the lights against someone on the opposite team.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. as the Royals will host the Baker Gators, Milton will look to be rude hosts to rival Choctaw, while Pace will look to continue its dominance over the Navarre Raiders.

For Pace there have been several changes since a heartbreaking 14-13 loss to Ft. Walton Beach in the Class 4A Regional Semi-Finals.

“We want to give the guys experience under the lights and see them in a game situation,” said Pace Head Coach Mickey Lindsey.

Lindsey will be looking for first year signal caller David Casey to run the offensive side of the ball while several key players were lost due to graduation.

“It is what it is,” said Lindsey concerning graduation. “We will go with what we got.

“I think Navarre is going to give us a good test to see where we are at. They are very physical and athletic. I have a lot of respect for Coach Lashey.”

In Milton the attitude is very low key as they are looking to recapture the swagger after going 3-7 last season.

For Panthers Head Coach Mike McMillion the work for this upcoming season started in the weight room this off-season.

“We have worked extremely hard,” said McMillion. “I feel the guys have had a good spring, good off season, and good start to the fall.

“I am looking forward to Friday.”

Milton will be playing annual rival Choctaw at 7 p.m., but the annual regular season game between the teams will not occur this season.

“We wanted to play the same schedule as we did last year, but Choctaw has eight teams in their district,” said McMillion. “But Friday night will be a good evaluation to see who steps up under the lights.

“We are looking forward to playing at home against a team that will provide a good measuring stick to see where we are.”

In Jay, it will be the Baker Gators versus the Royals.

For Jay coach Elijah Bell it will be another “War on Highway 4”, but this time the regular season game could have much bigger implications.

Last season Jay was sitting at home after finishing 7-3 on the year.

But that doesn’t seem to be an option for a hungry bunch of 16 seniors who will pull on the Royal Blue and White for the final season.

Kickoff in Jay is set for 7 p.m.