Florida Power & Light PNJ Boys Athlete of the Week, April 20-25

The high school sports calendar is going full steam ahead as we enter the final week of April. Pace (6A), Escambia (4A) and West Florida (3A) baseball advanced to their respective regional semifinals , which will be best two-out-of-three series on Friday and Saturday. Northview and Jay will play in the Rural Region 1 semifinals as the rural state playoffs get going this week.

Pensacola Catholic boys tennis advanced to the 1A state championship for the first time since 2023 after winning the Region 1-1A championship and will play April 29-May 1 at Sylvan Lake Park. Weightlifting regionals were held over the weekend, with Pace (3A) and Jay (1A) sweeping their respective regional titles as athletes from around the area qualified for the state championship in Lakeland in two weeks. Gulf Breeze boys lacrosse is moving on in the state playoffs as well and will play Fletcher at Atlantic Coast High School in the Region 1-2A semifinals on Tuesday.

The Dolphins beat Nease 8-7 in overtime in the regional quarterfinals on April 24, avenging a loss to the Golden Panthers in the regional semifinals a year ago. Gulf Breeze beach and boys volleyball brought home district titles last week and will host regional quarterfinals on Monday and Thursday, respectively. The Dolphins boys volleyball team is the top seed in Region 1-2A, but will play all regional matches at the yet to be opened Soundside High School due to end of year testing at Gulf Breeze.

Pace and Booker T. Washington flag football are heading on the round for the opening round of the flag football state playoffs, with the Wildcats playing in the Region 1-2A quarterfinal on Tuesday and the Patriots playing in the Region 1-3A quarterfinal on Wednesday. Track and field takes the next step in their postseason this week too, with all three regional meets featuring area teams at Pine Forest High School.