Football Preview: Pace Academy Knights

by Score Atlanta and Rough Draft Staff

Pace Academy is hoping to return to the playoffs in 2026 after two straight losing seasons. The Knights finished 3-7 last season under Sean Weatherspoon, which was the fewest wins in a season since 2012, and the program turned to long-time offensive line coach Kevin Johnson to step in as head coach. Pace Academy has not won a playoff game since its state championship season in 2015. Johnson has made changing the culture his chief priority this offseason. “To turn this thing around, it might take two seasons to be honest with you,” Johnson said. “The buy-in is there. When you have new guys coming in and old guys, you have to figure out how to break the old ways, so we have more guys that know the new way than the old way. Now everyone is getting on the same page.”

Since the second week of June workouts, players have been leading their own additional conditioning workouts after practices, which has shown Johnson that this team is determined to achieve bigger things in 2026. The offseason wasn’t without its warts, however, as 4-star defensive lineman Justin Weeks transferred out of the program. Defensively, Jaxson Gasque is a senior that has been with the program for four years and Randall Foster is a junior with collegiate potential. Both will be on the Knights’ defensive front. Additionally, James Jayson can play safety and corner and will also be used at receiver. According to Johnson, those three guys will be the pillars of the defense. Offensively, quarterback Kaiden Harley is back for his senior season.

Head Coach: Kevin Johnson

Coach Record: 0-0

2025 Record: 3-7

2025 Region: 4-4A

2025 Region Record: 2-5

2026 Region: 5-4A

Stadium Name: Walsh Field

2026 Schedule:

8/21 Holy Innocents’ (Riverview Sports Complex)

8/28 @ Lovett

9/10 @ Trinity Christian

9/18 @ Lithia Springs