Choctawhatchee routs West Florida, officially on a roll

Coming off the program’s biggest victory in recent memory, the Choctawhatchee football team easily avoided a letdown at West Florida.

The visiting Indians notched their second straight District 1-3A victory Friday behind stout defense and opportunistic play in a convincing 23-3 victory.

Running backs Charlie Lott and Freddie Gray accounted for all three touchdowns for the Indians (3-3, 3-1 District 1-3A), who stunned then fourth-ranked Arnold the previous week.

Defense and special teams played a big part in Choctaw’s victory. The Indians’ defense created a turnover deep in West Florida territory and the kickoff unit recovered an onside kick that both resulted in touchdowns.

After scoring 42 points against Arnold, Choctaw’s offense struggled to get untracked in the first half and was forced into three-and-outs on its first two possessions by West Florida (2-4, 1-3). It was the Indians’ defense that sparked the team’s 10-0 halftime lead, as Max Curtis recovered a Jaguars’ fumble at the 27, setting up Choctaw’s offense with excellent field position.

The opportunity wasn’t wasted. With 36 seconds left in the first half, Lott scored on the team’s fifth play on a 4-yard touchdown run. The Indians had put three points on the board earlier in the second quarter on Dillon Drake’s 35-yard field goal, which was set up by Jesse Adams’ 29-yard completion to Ryan Born.

Choctaw successfully rolled the dice at the start of the third quarter by calling for an onside kick and then pouncing on it. The recovery was made by Branden Williams.

Lott had a 13-yard run and caught an 11-yard pass to help get Choctaw to the 6-yard line. Adams then found Gray in the end zone, and the Indians went up 16-0.

The Jaguars scored on the ensuing drive. On fourth down at their own 37, the Jaguars’ Jalen Jones ran for 28 yards to get the first down, and a personal foul call on Choctaw put West Florida at the Indians’ 20. Eventually, the Jaguars were held on the first three downs and then were called for illegal substitution to put them back on the 9. Luke Jackson made a 20-yard field goal to put West Florida on the board.

Choctaw answered with another touchdown. The Indians put together a quick 71-yard drive and scored their final touchdown on a 2-yard run by Lott, who ran for 152 yards.