Pace High’s football team clobbered Key West, 31-7, in the regional 4-4A semifinal game, setting a much anticipated rematch with University, which defeated the Spartans during the regular season, and a team that handed Pace its last playoff loss.
Pace (9-2) returned to the playoff following a seven year drought and advanced to the regional final game this Friday against the Sharks, who escaped with a 27-22 victory over the Spartans late in the game in September.
In the Key West game, Pace rushed for 285 years, as the Conch’s defense couldn’t slow down the Spartans. Pace head coach Joe Zaccheo’s game plan was to run the ball from start to finish, and may use the same strategy against the 8-1 Sharks.
On the Spartans’ first possession of the game, they rushed for 67 yards on nine plays without throwing a single pass, taking a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
Pace also recorded a 53-yard rushing touchdown drive in the third quarter, as the Spartans led 21-7
Running back Tyrone Douglas led the Spartans with 112 rushing yards on 16 carries and one touchdown, and Willie Floyd recorded 80 rushing yards on 14 carries and scored two touchdowns.
The Spartans’ defense kept the Conch’s at bay for much of the game but allowed Key West (8-3) to score a touchdown, as Paton Hummell scored on a 21 yard pass to cut Pace’s deficit 14-7 at halftime.
Mater Academy falls in regional semifinal
Mater Academy (7-6) couldn’t keep up with Palm Beach Dwyer, as the Panthers routed the Lions, 43-13, in the regional semifinal game last week.
Dwyer scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and scored 16 points in the third quarter, as the Lions’ defense appeared helpless. Dwyer also scored 10 points in the third quarter.
The Lions’ offense got a little spark in the second quarter by scoring 6 points, and scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter but the game was already out of reach.
The Panthers (10-2) will play Doral Academy (11-2) in the regional final this Friday.