2014 PREVIEW GUIDE: Top Games in the Panhandle

We take a look at a week-by-week preview of some of the top games the Panhandle will see this season.

The Panhandle known for having some of the best football teams in the state will be hosting or traveling to quite a few great games this season, that will make fans want to be there to see all the action.

August 23 at Hoover (4 p.m. ESPNU)
Niceville vs. Clay Chalkville (AL)
Note: Niceville skips its Kickoff Classic to take part in an Alabama-Florida doubleheader showdown in Hoover, Alabama. After Miami Central and host Hoover meet up at noon also on ESPU, Niceville and Chalkville will play. Chalkville (10-2) has won 22 games over the last two years and advanced to the second round of the Alabama state playoffs.

August 30
Vidor (Texas) at Escambia
Note: For the second straight year, Escambia opens its season against an out-of-state opponent. Last year, the Gators hammered Legacy, Colorado 43-19 at Disney Wide of World Sports Complex in Orlando to open the season. This year, the Gators host Vidor (Texas) Pirates, who were 4-6 last season despite scoring at least 20 points in eight of its ten games.

September 5
Wakulla at Navarre
Note: One of the best from the Big Bend area meets one of the best from the Panhandle, when Crawfordville Wakulla travels to Navarre. Wakulla made three straight second round playoff appearances including a state runner-up in 2011 but finished 8-2 last season missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. Navarre made the Elite 8 two years ago, but was knocked off in the second round last season.

September 12
Pensacola at Pensacola Catholic
Note: The top small school in the Panhandle area host one of the top big school programs in the Pensacola area when Pensacola travels to Pensacola Catholic. The Tigers have shockingly missed the state playoffs the last two years, while the Crusaders have appeared in the playoffs nine of the last 10 years.

September 19
Jefferson County at Port St Joe
Note: Where else can you see a game featuring two teams with a combined eight state titles. Former state champions battle it out in the Gulf, as five time state champs Jefferson County (1966, 1972, 1974, 1991, 2011) meets three-time state champs Port St Joe (1971, 1984, 2005).

September 26
Madison County at Pace
Note: The most dominant Big Bend program adventures deep into the Panhandle when Madison County travels to face Pace. Last year’s meeting was a wild one won by host Madison 27-20. Since making its first playoff appearance in 1994, Madison County reeled of 18 consecutive playoff appearances before being stunned twice in district play last season to miss the playoffs for the first time in two decades. Throw in one of the states best tailbacks Quaide Weimerskirch facing one of the states best defense and you have the makings of a huge game.

October 3
Vernon at Cottondale
Note: These two met last season with the District 2-1A title on the line, with Vernon squeaking out a 15-8 win to claim the title. In fact the last three meetings, the winner went on to win the district. We don’t see any reason this year’s match won’t be any different.

October 10 at Gene Cox Stadium
Escambia at Leon
Note: A 62-34 beat down last season wouldn’t normally make this list but a trip out to Gene Cox and the chance to play a legendary statewide program is good enough reason. Leon is coached by former North Florida Christian coach Tim Cokely, who guided the Eagles to several state titles.

October 17
Milton at Escambia
Note: Escambia was rolling along putting up impressive numbers each week (35 points in five of the first six games) and getting state-wide attention from the media with six straight wins. That is until Milton put the brakes on the Gators start with a 24-21 win in Milton. A week later Escambia was stunned again by Pace 56-42 putting the Gators out of the playoffs.

October 24
Freeport at South Walton
Note: Annual rivalry game with towns only 13 miles apart is called The Battle of the Bay had been one-sided with Freeport winning first seven games of the series. However, South Walton pulled the stunner of sorts beating a winless Freeport team 35-21 last season to win its first in the series. Could the tide and momentum of the rivalry be heading South in Walton County?

October 31
West Florida at Pensacola Catholic
Note: There has only been two meetings between these teams but it’s already becoming a rivalry. The first meeting decided the district title, with Pensacola Catholic pulling out 31-13 win to earn the home field advantage, The two met again two weeks later in the second round of the playoffs with the Crusaders moving on to the regional semifinals with a 26-20 over the Jaguars. What does the third meeting have in store for these two?

November 7 at Skinner Barco Stadium
Niceville at Bolles
Note: Niceville makes the return trip after Bolles came out to the Panhandle last season. Last season’s game was a wild one 42-31 won by Niceville. Expect the rematch to be just as wild. While Niceville will try to figure out who its playmakers are this season, Bolles features one of the best tailback duos in the state with seniors Christian Bermudez (1,516 yards, 22 TDs) and Dexter Carter Jr. (1,726 yards, 22 TDs), son of former FSU great Dexter Carter Sr. Receiver Tyrell Moore (1,063 yards, 7 TDs) is also a home run threat for the Bulldogs