Andrew Jackson ends Choctaw's first postseason since 2004

The Jacksonville Andrew Jackson football team made sure that Choctawhatchee’s first playoff run since 2004 didn’t last long.

The Tigers remained undefeated, ended the Indians’ six-game winning streak and advanced to the Class 3A regional semifinals with a 42-7 victory on Friday.

Choctaw’s season may have concluded on a sour note, but the Indians (7-4) had already ended five years of futility by sealing the program’s first postseason bid in five years.

Andrew Jackson, ranked third in the state, improved to 11-0 on the season. The Tigers came into the game averaging 33.6 points and allowing only 9.5 and backed up those numbers Friday.

Andrew Jackson didn’t let Choctaw’s hopes of an upset flare up. The Tigers intercepted Choctaw on its first drive and then only needed four plays to find the end zone.

It was a bad omen for the Indians, who went on to trail 28-0 at halftime.

Still, Choctaw had its chances to stay within striking distance in the first half. Down 21-0 in the second quarter, the Indians recovered an Andrew Jackson fumble and drove all the way to the 1-yard line after quarterback Luke Clark completed a pass to Cody Brannen. But the Indians were stopped on a third-and-1 run play and their fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

Andrew Jackson made the Indians pay for the missed opportunity when Marquel Wade hauled in a pass and sprinted to the end zone for a 99-yard touchdown and 28-0 lead.

Choctaw was without starting quarterback Jesse Adams, who was injured against Fort Walton Beach the previous game. Clark also suffered an ankle injury against the Vikings but was able to play despite not being at full health. Running back Freddie Gray also played some quarterback when the Indians went to the wildcat formation.

Choctaw failed to score on its opening drive of the third quarter despite getting inside the Andrew Jackson 10-yard line, but the Indians did find the end zone on their next possession when Clark threw a strike to Justin Savage for the touchdown. The touchdown, which cut Choctaw’s deficit to 28-7, was set up by a Tigers’ fumble.

Choctaw forced several Andrew Jackson turnovers but didn’t capitalize enough on offense in the red zone. Max Keefe had an interception in the third quarter.