Pensacola Christian cross country isn’t lacking fast runners, that’s for sure.
Reagan Smith has been a strong runner for the Warriors since she started, and helped PCA claim the state championship last season in Tallahassee. Obviously, the goal is to repeat with a lot of runners from 2023 returning.
Through 2024, as the regular season comes to a close, Smith hasn’t missed a beat with the Warriors. During the week of Oct. 7-12, Smith competed at the TR Miller Challenge in Brewton, Alabama, placing third overall (scoring second) with a time of 19 minutes, 25.6 seconds. That’s an average mile time of 6 minutes, 14.8 seconds.
For her efforts, Smith won the PNJ Athlete of the Week award, earning 75.44% of the poll’s votes on PNJ.com. Each weekly winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind PNJ Athlete of the Week shirt provided by BSN SPORTS.
Here’s a quick question-and-answer session with Smith after speaking with PNJ sports reporter Ben Grieco.
Q & A with Pensacola Christian runner Reagan Smith
PNJ: Your junior year is slowly coming to an end with the postseason coming up. Has there been anything special about this season so far for you?
Reagan Smith: “For me, I’ve been trying to get in the low-18- and 17-minute range. Getting close to that has been nice. But, the whole team aspect, I love all these girls so much. We’ve grown so much closer after winning state last year, and trying to do it again this year.”
PNJ: What’s it like coming back from a state championship, trying to repeat this year?
RS: “We’ve been working so hard this past season. We’ve actually grown so much closer this season. It caused a lot of pressure, winning state and now trying to repeat. But we’ve been working hard. We’ve enjoyed it together.”
PNJ: With the postseason coming up, what’s the training been like at this point in the season?
RS: “We’ve been working pretty hard. This next week, we’ll do some harder workouts and then start tapering as we get closer to state.”
PNJ: The week that you won Athlete of the Week, you were at the TR Miller Invitational. Was there anything that stood out about that race for you?
RS: “Not too much. I was trying to save myself for the next race that Tuesday (the Aggie Invitational). At TR Miller, I was just trying to enjoy myself. I don’t usually get to do that when I run.”
PNJ: Speaking of the Aggie Invitational, you guys had the top nine runners at the invitational. What’s it like accomplishing that?
RS: “That was pretty awesome. When we all get our medals, it’s cool seeing all red.”
PNJ: How is it crossing the finish line, knowing one of your teammates is coming up right behind you?
RS: “It’s so fun with your team behind you and in front of you.”
PNJ: What’s the internal team competition like during an invitational like that, where you have the top nine runners?
RS: “We have our own time goals and stuff. But, a lot of us try to pace off other teammates. It’s all about working together.”
PNJ: I also heard that you wrote a book recently. Tell me a little about that.
RS: “My freshman year of high school, I had to write a fable for one of my assignments. I was able to turn it into a book. Of course, I love running, so it was called, ‘The Boston Moo-a-thon,’ and it’s about three cows running a race.”
PNJ: And you’ve been able to get it published?
RS: “Yes! You can buy it on Amazon. It turned out really cute.”
PNJ: Back to running, obviously the team goal has to be trying to repeat as state champions. Has there been any talk about postseason team goals in general?
RS: “Not too much. Our main goal is focusing on becoming state champions again.”
PNJ: How about for yourself? Do you have any individual goals?
RS: “I want to be below 18 minutes this season. For state, I’d love to be in the top five. That’s a good goal.”
PNJ: Now for some quick ones, do you have any pre-race traditions or superstitions?
RS: “Not really, honestly.”
PNJ: Any go-to pre-race snack or meal?
RS: “The morning of, a peanut butter bagel. The night before, I’ll go for chicken alfredo.”
PNJ: Any specific type of bagel?”
RS: “Just a plain bagel from my mom (laughs).”
PNJ: Do you listen to any sort of music before the race?
RS: “Not really. I just pray to God, and then go run.”
PNJ: Is there a dream course or trail you’ve always wanted to run?
RS: “This isn’t so much a course, but definitely Hayward Field where the Olympic Trials were held up in Oregon.”
PNJ: Do you have any major running influences that you follow?
RS: “Katelyn Tuohy, who used to run for NC State. I love her. Also, I’ve been following Parker Valby, who used to run for Florida.”
Week 6 is on the horizon for the Florida High School Athletic Association football season, and that means one thing for a majority of teams: district play begins, and the playoff picture starts to become more and more clear.
On the eve of district play, several teams found success last weekend. Some of those teams continued hot streaks – including Jay and Tate, both remaining undefeated; and Booker T. Washington, now on a three-game win streak – while others got a rebound win, including Pensacola Catholic and Navarre.
Pensacola Catholic stays on top as the area’s best team in the poll, following a shutout of Pine Forest. Jay jumped up in the ranking, while a couple notable teams dropped – that’s always expected as the season gets going.
Here’s the latest PNJ Power Poll heading into Week 6 of the Florida high school football season.
1. Pensacola Catholic (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Week 5 result: 23-0 win vs. Pine Forest
Week 6 game: 7:30 p.m. on Friday vs. Freeport
Coming off a tough loss to Montgomery Catholic (Ala.), the Crusaders got a big win over Pine Forest. The defense was flying all over the field, allowing less than 50 yards of total offense and recording a pair of interceptions. The Crusaders showed why they continue to be a top team in the area, and will look to continue that against a Freeport team that’s taken some bigger losses this season. Expect the run game to be in full force against the Bulldogs, who have allowed over 1,000 yards rushing this season.
2. Tate (5-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Week 5 result: 42-7 win at West Florida
Week 6 game: 7 p.m. on Thursday vs. Navarre
The Aggies got back to another dominating win over the Jaguars, continuing to show off the high-powered offense that Tate boasted over the first couple weeks of the season. It was another well-balanced attack against West Florida, and Tate’s offense should be effective against the Raiders’ defense. Plus a strong Aggie defense against the run game might plague Navarre.
3. Pace (3-1)
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Week 5 result: 42-13 win at Andalusia (Ala.)
Week 6 game: 7 p.m. on Friday at Crestview
Pace continues to pile on the points after suffering a tough loss against Pensacola Catholic. The Patriots have posted 97 points in two games, with Ben Tyner finding his groove at quarterback last week, throwing for 171 yards. Makael Williams also had a strong performance with 145 yards rushing. The duo combined for all six touchdowns. The Patriots kick off their district schedule against Crestview, which is coming off back-to-back losses against Choctaw and Niceville.
4. Jay (5-0)
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Week 5 result: 23-13 win vs. Chipley
Week 6 game: 7 p.m. on Friday at Flomaton (Ala.)
It’s surely a winning feeling in Jay. Head coach Brian Watson said the team’s shutout over Baker was for the community in the War on Highway 4. But the win over Chipley was to prove that the Royals aren’t to be taken lightly. Hayden Morris proved his value as a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 68 yards and rushing for 84 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The run game has been working against most opponents. The defense surrendered more than one touchdown for the first time this season. Jay crosses the border to face a struggling Flomaton squad that hasn’t won since the end of August.
5. Escambia (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Week 5 result: 38-13 loss at Mosley
Week 6 game: 7 p.m. on Friday at Booker T. Washington
Escambia has gone up and down all season long so far, and if you just look at the Gators’ schedule, it’s relatively easy to understand why. Escambia topped a struggling West Florida team and overcame some self-inflicted wounds against Bay in Weeks 1 and 3. But had a tough time against undefeated powers in Niceville and Mosley. Now, the Gators start district play and will look to air it out against a younger Booker T. Washington squad in the secondary. Nino Freeman had 140 yards in the air with a touchdown, and will look to continue the strong play.
6. Pensacola (2-2)
Last week’s ranking: No. 7
Week 5 result: Bye
Week6 game: 7 p.m. on Friday vs. Bay
Fresh off a bye week, it’s been a season to remember so far for Pensacola, winning a pair of games for the first time since 2018. AG Floyd has found his way through a couple defenses. Now the Tigers will go against their first district foe that has had a tough couple games, including an overtime loss to Escambia. Bay allowed 300-plus yards rushing last week against Madison County. Can Floyd, among others, exploit that same defense?
7. Pine Forest (2-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Week 5 result: 23-0 loss at Pensacola Catholic
Week 6 game: Bye
Pine Forest is taking its bye week during Week 6 after a tough outing at Pensacola Catholic, where the Eagles were shut out for the first time since Nov. 6, 2020, when they lost to West Florida. For the most part, it wasn’t Pine Forest’s defense that was the problem, able to limit a strong pass game from Pensacola Catholic. The young offense just couldn’t get anything going, resulting in some long-down situations against a Crusader defense that made the Eagles pay. Week 6 looks like it might be a good reset for Pine Forest.
8. Navarre (1-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 9
Week 5 result: 15-13 win vs. Milton
Week 6 game: 7 p.m. on Thursday at Tate
Navarre picked up its first win Oct. 27, 2023, when the Raiders beat Gulf Breeze in overtime during the Beach Bowl. It’s a much different Navarre roster this year, however, and the defense pulled out a big win over Milton when Andre Spence forced a fumble at the Raider 1-yard line to prevent the Panthers from scoring. Navarre will need an equally strong defense to go up against Tate’s offense, which has been able to exploit defenses both in the air and on the ground, especially between Demorion Clay Jr. and Carson Secchiari.
9. Booker T. Washington (3-2)
Last week’s ranking: No. 10
Week 5 result: 16-6 win at Gulf Breeze
Week 6 game: 7 p.m. on Friday vs. Escambia
Booker T. Washington has won three consecutive games for the first time since 2019, when the Wildcats won eight consecutive games to start that year. Booker T. has a younger team that’s battled through the gauntlet the last few games, and the schedule only gets tougher with a home game against Escambia. The Booker T. defense will need to stand strong against the Gators’ run game, while trying to drain plenty of clock in the Wildcats’ own run game.
10. Gulf Breeze (1-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 8
Week 5 result: 16-6 loss vs. Booker T. Washington
Week 6 game: 7 p.m. on Friday at Niceville
Facing the injury bug, the Dolphins have had a tough go at it since their dramatic Week 1 victory against South Walton. Finally snapping a scoreless streak against Booker T. Washington, Gulf Breeze now faces its toughest team yet: Niceville, which is undefeated and one of the top teams in the state. The Gulf Breeze defense is going to have to block a by-committee run offense that the Eagles boast, and it might just be too much to handle for a young Dolphin squad.
11. Northview (2-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 11
Week 5 result: 34-27 loss at Holmes County
Week 6 game: 7 p.m. on Friday vs. Escambia County (Ala.)
Similar to Escambia, Northview has had an up and down handful of weeks as a newer roster tries to work through the 2024 season against some tough opponents. Most recently, Holmes County, ranked ninth in the rural classification, was on the docket. But Northview was right there, going toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the Panhandle. The Chiefs host Escambia County (Ala.), which has had a few tough losses the last three weeks. The Blue Devils gave up over 340 yards of offense. Can Northview crack the code this week?
12. West Florida (1-4)
Last week’s ranking: No. 12
Week 5 result: 42-7 loss vs. Tate
Week 6 game: Bye
Now on a three game losing streak, West Florida enters Week 6 with a week to reset on a bye. The Jaguars have given up 40-plus points in their last two losses with their younger defense. West Florida has a week now to work on its primary run game, the option run, to go against Gulf Breeze in Week 7 that has a pretty strong run-game defense up front between players like Kade Rollins, Anthony Lee and Noah Perez.
13. Milton (0-5)
Last week’s ranking: No. 13
Week 5 result: 15-13 loss at Navarre
Week 6 game: 7:30 p.m. on Friday vs. Mosley
So close, yet so far. Milton came within striking distance to take a late lead over Navarre, but a fumble prevented the Panthers from finding the win column over the Raiders. Now, it’s an even tougher test going against undefeated Mosley this week for a district contest. None of the Dolphins’ games have been all that close, averaging 43 points a game. The Panthers have played in a handful of close defensive battles, and need their defense to step up to have a chance.
14. Central (0-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 14
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 game: 6 p.m. on Saturday at Rocky Bayou Christian
The newest team to Santa Rosa County is coming off an originally unplanned bye week, with the Jaguars initially slated to play Graceville before the latter canceled its season. Now Central has a weekend affair on Saturday at Rocky Bayou Christian, which has lost its last two games. This could be a tight contest on Saturday if Central can keep up on offense.
