Niceville flag football guts out 1st playoff victory at Eagle Stadium

NICEVILLE — Niceville flag's first playoff win at Eagle Stadium — a 26-19 Region 1-3A quarterfinal triumph over visiting Pace in the pouring rain of a newly turfed field yet to be broken in by the boys — isn't possible without a bevy of game-changing plays made by players built for the postseason. There was the pair of touchdown grabs from captain Layla Hughes, the first fought through three flag pulls for a 34-yard touchdown and the last a 21-yard snag at the goal line where she outmuscled the corner at the 1-yard line, tiptoed the sideline and secured the catch before breaking the plane. There was the pair of touchdowns on identical sluggo routes from Eden Shaw, who on the game-winner high-pointed a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the Eagles ahead 26-13.

Tennis Final 4: Niceville girls tennis wins 3A state opener, advances to state semi Choctaw flag advances: Diaris Morales has 6 TDs in 'flu game' There was the back-to-back interceptions from Katherine Newkirk and Avery Cowless, both earning the "Turnover Chucky" and the former which came with the Eagles clinging to an 18-13 lead and the Patriots marching near midfield. There was two of many flag pulls and two-point conversion from captain Kate Robertson, the first flag pull coming at the 1-yard line just before the half to preserve an 18-6 lead and the second coming on Pace's unsuccessful attempt at an onside down 26-19 in the waning seconds. Paired with Peyton Carter throwing for four touchdowns and 264 yards, the game ball deserved to be passed around and shared by many.

But this is Niceville football: highlight-reel catches, takeaways and unselfish play, a brand that's earned the Eagles a 16-2 record and a trip to Chiles Monday for a Region 1-3A "business trip. " Second-seeded Chiles, which beat Lincoln Wednesday night in their region quarterfinal, defeated third-seeded Niceville 19-0 at home earlier this season. But Niceville played Chiles to a 0-0 draw in the second half after falling behind 19-0 in the first half.

"I'm gonna be honest with you, I'm not gonna think about Chiles tonight," Niceville coach Adron Robinson said after the win. "I'm gonna enjoy this one. You know, this was our first playoff win in Eagle Stadium in the history of flag football, so give me give me 24 hours to enjoy.