Pine Forest wins matchup of area favorites 30-27.

Pine Forest wanted to send a message to the Panhandle.

Pace wanted to prove they are still the team to beat.

Emotions were running high; both teams were determined to make a statement.

After costly turnovers and penalties, big plays and clutch performances, the Pine Forest Eagles claimed the top spot, defeating the Pace Patriots, 30-27.

Pace jumped out to an early lead following a blocked punt, as quarterback Aaron Munoz found fullback Tyler Hunt for a three-yard score, giving the Patriots a 6-0 lead.

Pine Forest would dominate the second quarter, though.

Eagle running back Shawn Morris got his big night started with a 68-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, tying the game at six.

Morris would add another touchdown on a one-yard plunge and quarterback David Lawrence extended the Pine Forest lead with his own one-yard touchdown. A late field goal by Sven Hurd pushed the lead to 24-6, and the Pine Forest Eagles were flying high at the half.

Pace cut into the Pine Forest lead midway through the third quarter, as Munoz found junior David Casey for a 23-yard touchdown strike.

Munoz demonstrated why he is considered the top quarterback in the area in the fourth quarter, leading the Patriots to a touchdown early on in the quarter, as he connected with Tyler Bousson for a 20-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was stopped short, and the Patriots had cut the lead to just 24-19, Pine Forest.

Hurd came through once again late in the fourth, putting in a 30-yard field goal to give the Eagles an eight point lead.

Munoz would come through once again for the Patriots, as Pace marched down field and Munoz found the end zone on a three-yard scramble with just 25 seconds remaining.

The two-point conversion pass from Munoz found Ryan Hanks in the end zone, tying the game at 27, and it looked as if overtime was on the way.

Things went downhill for the Patriots in the final 25 seconds, though.

After a short kick-off, Pine Forest running back Victor Brown dropped the ball, and then picked it up and went on for a 70-yard return, down to the Patriots 10.

Another Hurd field goal, this one from 27-yards out, would seal the deal for the Eagles, 30-27.

Morris ended the night with 158-yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles, while Munoz threw for 206-yards for the Patriots.

Pine Forest was without two of their key players, in running back Jamarius Green and linebacker Steven Jenkins.

Pace moves on next week to take on Santa Rosa County rival Gulf Breeze, while Pine Forest will do battle against rival Pensacola High.