The Niceville High School Football Team made Senior Night at Eagle Stadium one to remember, including a last-minute touchdown by Connor Mathews to come from behind after surrendering the lead late in the fourth quarter.
About 100 students from the class of 2025 walked to the two ballon pillars placed at the 50-yard line to have their photos taken with Niceville Principal Charlie Marello and their activities leadership.
At halftime, the Niceville Eagle Pride played a memorial performance for their leader, Dan Wooten. Wooten joined the band in 2003 and revolutionized how the band contributed to the game day atmosphere at Niceville High School. Wooten moved the band to their half-shell at the north end of the stadium to increase their focus and ability to belt out tunes to spur the eagles to victory, started the third quarter drumline rally in front of the student section, and led the band two three Rose Bowl Parades.
The Niceville and Lincoln bands would play their halftime shows at the end of the game – which finished with style.
Niceville halted Lincoln’s advance skillfully in the first half – ending the first stretch of football 17-7. Lincoln’s only score of the first half came on an extended pass play. Other than one breakaway play, the Trojans could not move the football.
Whatever Lincoln’s head coach or team leadership said or did in the locker room at the half worked, though. The Trojans scored 28 points to Niceville’s 21 in the second half and nearly secured the road win.
With the win, the Eagles advance to 7-1 and will likely earn a spot in the FHSAA state football playoffs in November. With this loss, the Lincoln Trojans have a much tricker road to the postseason.
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