The Pensacola-area high school football season is set to begin with a full slate of games on Aug. 22, marking the start of competition for schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The schedule features several new head coaches, returning standouts, and notable milestones, such as Escambia High School coach Mike Bennett entering his 40th year of coaching.
Bennett, who first started coaching in Pensacola in 1985, will reach the four-decade mark when Escambia hosts West Florida High at Emmitt Smith Field. He remains committed to player development and team improvement.
“Oh yeah, I still have the fire,” Bennett said, leaning back in his office chair. “I want to coach. I love coaching. I just want to see kids improve and that’s the biggest thing. (…) I was all about winning before, it was all about winning, winning, winning. Now, it’s changed. Yeah, we want to win, but it’s also seeing kids develop and getting an opportunity to play college football whether it’s Division I, Division II, NAIA or junior college football.” (…) “We’ve had so much talent here,” Bennett said. “So many great athletes. Pensacola is up there with anyone.” (…) “A lot of these coaches have still been around, they are just at new programs,” Bennett said. “I think everybody in Pensacola can beat each other. I don’t see any team so much better than anyone else. There are still a lot of good coaches and lot of coaches that do it the right way.(…)I think the parity is here. I think football will be just fine.” (…) “I never thought about quitting,” he said. “Even when I became (athletic director) at PHS, I still had the fire. I wasn’t physically able then to do what I was able to do.(…) So those two years I had off rejuvenated me. I always knew I was going to coach again. I just love coaching man.”(…) “We just have to go out there and play,” Bennett said.“And not make mistakes.I expect big plays from our defense,it’s the most experienced group.Our secondary is really,really good.We are two deep back there.”
This season sees seven teams bringing in new head coaches—including Wes Summerford at West Florida—adding intrigue around which programs may emerge atop a competitive landscape.
Escambia returns key players on defense while West Florida fields an experienced lineup under new leadership for their opening game at Emmitt Smith Field on Friday night.
Other featured Week One matchups include:
– Pensacola Catholic at Navarre (moved to Dolphin Stadium due to field conditions), where Bobby Clayton makes his debut as head coach for Catholic.
– Pensacola visiting Pine Forest; Pine Forest introduces Kerry McDowell as its new coach.
– Fort Walton Beach travels to Tate; Tate returns 28 seniors after posting its first winning season since 2017 under Rhett Summerford.
– Pace goes on the road against Mary G. Montgomery under newly appointed Vance Smith following Kent Smith’s retirement.
– Milton opens against Crestview with Ronnie Douglas taking over after Milton went winless last year.
– Gulf Breeze visits South Walton with former NFL safety Erik Harris now leading Gulf Breeze.
– Jay hosts Lighthouse Christian Academy featuring twin brothers Jaymes and Jaylen Youngblood in their backfield.
– Northview travels to Destin led by Doug Vickery facing E.G.Green’s Destin Sharks roster.
– Central begins its second varsity season against Franklin County under Joe Surratt.
Booker T.Washington has a bye week following last week’s preseason game against Chiles High.
The regular season will feature local rivalries,new faces on sidelines,and opportunities for standout players across both counties.The area continues its reputation for producing top football talent,having seen stars like Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Emmitt Smith and Derrick Brooks come through local programs.
