Pace pitches shutout vs. GBHS
Dolphins held to 95 yards of total offense in 35-0 loss
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Against the wall The Dolphin defense waits for the Pace offense at their own 1-yard line. Gulf Breeze was in a constant battle of field position in the game, starting most of their drives deep in their own territory.

The saying is that lightning doesn't strike the same place twice, but don't tell that to the Pace Patriots.

Pace scored two touchdowns in a span of 16 seconds and three in the first four minutes on their way to a 35-0 win over the Dolphins Friday at Dolphin Stadium.

"When you fall behind like that, it's hard to recover," coach Chris Nemith said, adding "these kids aren't defined as football players from the past two weeks. If anyone outside our football program what to use words like loser and failure, then they need to put that on me. I won't put that on my kids."

The Patriots, who have yet to give up a point in two games this season, needed only three plays to score the game's first points.

Airi Johnson, who had 94 yards rushing on eight carries, scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 57-yard run untouched. The extra point 79 seconds into the game made it 7-0.

Photo by B.J. Rotolo The Dolphins run onto the field through their new inflatable helmet, which resembles their helmets with the yellow 'G.'

Starting on their own 17-yard line, Kyle Schnackenberg's first pass was picked off by Matt Pariato, who ran it 20 yards to make it 14-0.

Justin Hurd, who had 37 yards on 18 carries, had a four-yard gain before two incompletions led to a Dolphin punt. Schnackenberg finished the game going 9-for-23 for 58 yards.

Four plays later, the Patriots were in the end zone again, with Johnson scoring from a yard out. The PAT with 7:48 left in the opening quarter made it 21-0.

The Dolphins got some offense going on its next drive, picking up two first downs before being forced to punt.

The Patriots, who finished the first half with 228 yards of total offense, had three double digit yard gains on its first four plays of the following series. But a pair of penalties and a pair of incompletions would force a punt.

After netting zero yards on its next series, the Dolphins were forced to punt again. Pace took the ball inside the Dolphin 25, with an unsportsmanlike conduct putting Pace inside the 10.

Photo courtesy of Sue and Steve Violette Justin Hurd (28) is wrapped up by the Patriot defense Friday. Hurd had 37 yards on 18 carries.

But the Dolphin defense, led by Houston Chapman and Brandon Van Camp, forced a turnover on downs inside the five-yard line.

Shane Dorlag, who had five catches for 28 yards, caught an eight-yard pass from Schnackenberg, but another penalty would stymie the drive.

More flags fell on the next series, with an illegal shift negating a touchdown catch by Johnson. Pace would eventually settle for a 35-yard field goal that went wide left.

The Dolphins would get a first down on an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Pace, but would have to punt four plays later. The Dolphins, who had only three first downs in the first half, trailed 21-0 at the break.

Gulf Breeze was a yard shy of a first down on their opening drive of the second half. A seven-yard punt gave Pace a short field to work with and six plays later, they converted.

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Erik Mims (20) and Jimmy Beyers converse on the sidelines during second half action.

Aaron Munoz, who had 182 yards passing, threw a 12-yard touchdown to Riley Hawkins, the first of his two scores. The PAT with 7:11 left in the third quarter made it 28-0.

A nine-yard catch by Dorlag put Gulf Breeze short of a first down, leading to another punt. The two teams traded punts before Sean Zaleski recovered a Pace fumble at the 14-yard line.

But the Dolphins couldn't advance the ball, settling for a 32- yard field goal attempt from Austin Santiago that was blocked.

On the very next play, with the score already 28-0, Munoz found Hawkins on a 73-yard touchdown pass. The PAT with 11:34 left in the game rounded out the scoring.

Aggies up next

Next for the Dolphins are the Tate Aggies, who edged Catholic 28-25 at home Friday. Tate gave up 407 yards to Escambia's Trent Richardson opening week.

"I think we match up real well with them - better than Pace and Choctaw," Nemith said.

While Nemith is upset with its 0-2 start, he has no plans of taking it out on his players.

"I'm not going to impugn them. They don't need someone ranting and raving at them. They need a teacher, a mentor. And I'm excited about being the one in those shoes."

Defensive back Mike Tugwell is day-to-day as he recovers from a knee injury. He's practiced without pads for a week. Kyle Magnes is doutbful, while Chase Landrum is questionable as they recover from shoulder injuries.