PENSACOLA— Pete Shinnick and the University of West Florida football team are not new to the NCAA Division II playoffs, but will have to prepare for a new opponent under new conditions.
In theirfirst playoff game on campus,the Argos are host to Limestone at 1 p.m. Saturdayfrom Pen Air Field. West Florida is the No. 3 seed in Super Region II.
"Tremendous character with our team, which I talk aboutevery week with them. It's an amazing opportunity for the University of West Florida. A year ago at this we were not planning on hosting games, we thought we would be downtown for a long time,"Argos head coach Pete Shinnick said. "Creditto Dave Scott (UWF Athletic Director), Dr. Saunders (UWF President) and their vision. Now we are hosting playoffs games and people are asking when did we build this stadium (Pen Air Field). It's amazing setup and we couldn't be happier to be here."
The Saintsresidein the South Atlantic Conference. While it will be the first meeting with Limestone, UWFhave some history with teams fromthat conference.
In 2021, Newberry pulled off an unbelievable 33-30 overtimeupset of West Florida on the roadin last season's first-round playoffmatchup
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The Argos come into this gamemuch more focused and ready to put on a show for their home crowd. It also helps that their defense have seen a similar offensive attack that Limestone brings to the table.
Playing their first playoffgame in school history, the Saints enterthis game with coming off a record-breaking regular season. They also had 13 players named to the all-conference team this season.
Limestone ranked first in the conference in total offense (5,193 yards), yards per game (472.1), points per game (36.2), and passing yards per game (271.2). They are currently riding a four-game win streak while the Argos come in on a seven-game win streak.
UWF hasexperience facing a balanced attack and high-powered offense.This season, the Argos have faced Delta State (41.5 ppg, second in GSC), West Georgia (40.4 ppg, third in GSC) and Valdosta State (36.6 ppg, fourth in GSC). All three conference opponents average more points and yards per game than Limestone.
"Very balanced offense and similar to what we've seen out of Delta, Valdosta, and West Georgia. They have a quarterback that can run it and throw it. They also have running backs and receivers, just a very athletic group," Shinnick said. "We have to be at our best defensively. Its a lot to digest in a short amount of time and they are a really balanced opponent on offense and defense."
Another balanced attack
Tre Stewart leads the rushing attack for the Saints. He rushed for 1,411 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. He is the first running back in school history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the season on the ground. He also finished third in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in the SAC.
Dustin Noller adds to the other half of the balanced attack for Limestone. The starting quarterback has thrown for 2,246 yards and 20 touchdowns on 61.2 completion percentage.
The Saints are 1-2 this season in games where they have attempted more passes than rushes.
The Argos main focus should be putting this team in passing situations. That is accomplished by not turning the ball over, converting third downs, and ending drives with touchdowns instead of field goals.
A clash between two Titans
This matchup will feature a total of 29 All-Conference selections between the two teams. Limestone is coming off its best regular season in program history. Theyhad 13 All-Conference selections that includes sixfirst-team selections with two of them being offensive lineman.
Cameron Thomason and Luke Bond led the way upfront for the balance attack of the Saints. The Argos will have to control the line of scrimmage and make an emphasis to live in the opponents backfield to slow this offense down.
The Argos will look to one of their 16 All-Conference selections that includes five defensive selections. Willie Jordan and Pensacola-native Pooda Walker will headline the front seven of the Argos.
Jordan leads the GSC with eight quarterback hurries and his 57 tackles is fifth in the conference. Walker has 28 solo tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks.
The talent between both teams will be on full display, but if the Argos can easily outlast the Saints if they play their brand of championship football and minimize the mistakes.
The Argos also have playoffs' experience to lean over the Saints.
Get Mason back on track
Shomari Mason becomesthe first player in program history to earnall-conference honors on three occasions (two First Team, one Second Team).
He has 893 rushing yards on 113 carries for 7.9 yards per carry and seven touchdowns. The explosive backfrom North Fort Myers has four 100-yard games this season and ranks second in the country in yards per rush.
Masonhasn't looked like himself over the last few weeks.
The junior has 20 carries with 136 yards rushing and no touchdowns in his last three games. He started the season with 93 carries and 757 yards rushing and eight total touchdowns.
A right ankle injury has kept him hobbled and in a walking boot during the practice week for the last four weeks. They will need him to return to the Mason from earlier this season that offenses couldn't contain.
The Argos should dominate the ground attack with all of their top three rushers back and healthy along with PeeWee Jarrett being a huge contributor to the rushing attack over the last three weeks of the season.
Greg Hollis is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at ghollis@gannett.com.
