Choctaw not satisfied with close losses

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

Florida Freedom Newspapers
(850) 315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH - Just a couple of days removed from nearly pulling off the upset over Niceville, members of the Choctawhatchee football team began to filter into the Indians' fieldhouse on Monday, some still talking about their near-miss.

In last week's 50-40 loss to the Eagles, Choctawhatchee's offense awoke to score more points in one game than it had in its previous two combined (24) and racked up 555 yards of total offense against Class 5A's sixth-ranked team.

So, as players trickled onto the practice field, they did so with a noticeable buzz.

That is, before coach Greg Thomas brought the Indians back down to reality.

"People said the offense did good but the bottom line is we lost," Thomas said. "To me, it's not any different than if you lost 3-0, it should affect your kids the same way. It doesn't matter that we had over 400 yards of offense if we came out on the losing end.

"If they get satisfied with playing well and losing, we're going to be playing well and losing a lot of games."

In other words, close doesn't count in Thomas' book. Not last week and not tonight as the Indians (2-2) travel to Milton (1-3) looking to climb back over the .500 mark before entering district play next week.

For Thomas, nothing would please the coach more than to see his team put together a complete game, something it has failed to do in each of the last two weeks.

"This week is very important for us," Thomas said. "Not just because of district (next week) but executing and finishing the game out. Playing solid on both sides of the ball, we've got to start putting it together."

Two weeks ago against Pine Forest, Choctawhatchee's defense stymied the Eagles' offense for much of the first three quarters, keeping the Indians close, but an inept offense couldn't capitalize and a fatigued defense allowed a pair of long scoring runs in a 26-3 setback.

Last week, while the offense poured on the points, it was the defense struggling to make plays.

"We've got to have everybody in tuned to what's going on every day, every game or it will be like last week or the week before," Thomas said. "We play good at times, but sometimes it takes more than that."

His players have received the message loud and clear.

"This week we're just worried about playing as a team and playing hard as a whole unit for the whole game," quarterback David Weber said. "Every quarter."

CHOCTAWHATCHEE (2-2) vs. MILTON (1-3), 7 p.m.

Last week: Niceville defeated Choctawhatchee 50-40. Navarre defeated Milton 28-7.

Last year: Milton won 42-21.

Players to watch:

Choctawhatchee: Le'Keefe Robinson, RB; David Weber, QB; Taylor Kelley, SS.

Milton: Steven Cox, RB; Patrick Lloyd, RB; Austin Worley, WR.

Radio:  WPSM-FM (91.1).