If the sequel is anything close to the original, the fans at Bennett C. Russell Stadium in Navarre are in for a treat tonight.
The Pace Patriots (7-3) travel to face the Navarre Raiders (9-1) at 7:30 tonight in a rematch of a regular season contest won by Navarre earlier this year.
In that matchup, the Raiders scored on an 8-yard run by Gatlin Casey with 7:47 left in the game, then intercepted a Brice Moore pass at the goal line with 40 seconds left to pull out a 19-13 win over the Patriots.
That game served as a springboard for the Raiders, as it started their current 8-game win streak.
"I think there's no question, going on the road to Pace after a tough loss to PHS, to come away with a win like that, that was certainly a boost for our guys," Navarre coach Jay Walls said. "I thought our team showed a lot of character and what we're all about."
Now the Raiders will have to do it again as they face a Pace team in a very familiar situation. Last year, Pace played Niceville in the first round of the playoffs after dropping a regular season game against the Eagles.
That one worked out pretty well for the Patriots and Pace coach Mickey Lindsey would love nothing more than a repeat performance.
"It was a good ballgame (the first time we played)," Lindsey said. "It came down to us not being able to put it in from the 10-yard line. They made the plays and we didn't.
"They've done a great job this year. Their defense has done great all year. Offensively, they make big plays. They can score on you anytime, from anywhere on the field."
Navarre played the first matchup without Jay Warren, who enters tonight's game with 1,237 yards and 12 touchdowns. But that doesn't mean the Raiders expect this one to be any easier than the first one.
"I think, without a doubt, our kids have more confidence now," Walls said. "That's only natural when you win. But they're certainly aware that Pace is really good and very capable of beating us.
"I think that we do match up well against each other. I think we're both good. I do think that it's going to be a close ballgame, a lot like it was in the first game."
