Pierce Leads Tate Past Former Milton Team In 24-21 Win

August 29, 2026

Senior quarterback Cade Pierce returned to his old stomping grounds Friday night to lead the Tate Aggies to a gritty 24-21 road victory over his former team, the Milton Panthers.

Riding high after a dominant 40-13 home win over Marianna last week, the Aggies quickly went to work against a Milton squad hungry to rebound from a Week 1 shutout against Pensacola Catholic.

Pierce set the tone early in the opening quarter, finding Efidarius Bryant for a touchdown strike to give Tate a 7-0 edge. Running back Ethan Pittman carried the heavy load from there, punishing the Milton defense with a touchdown run in the second quarter to help secure a 17-14 Tate advantage at the break.

Pittman struck again in the third quarter, taking a handoff from Pierce and punching it across the goal line to extend the lead to 24-14. The workhorse back anchored the Aggie offense all night, piling up 171 yards and two scores on 27 carries. Milton rallied in the fourth to pull within three, but Tate’s defense stood tall in the closing minutes to seal the win.

Now 2-0 on the season, Tate returns to Pete Gindl Stadium next Friday at 7 p.m. to host the Escambia Gators (0-1), who are looking to regroup after an 8-0 loss to Pine Forest.

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FRONT FEATURE, TOP sports