Choctaw hoping to measure up against Milton

By ADAM PRUIETT

adamp@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH — Choctawhatchee football coach Bobby Moore views Milton as a challenging midterm test that will reveal plenty about the Indians’ standing heading into conference play.

With a matchup against District 2-4A rival Crestview looming, Choctawhatchee (2-1) welcomes the undefeated Panthers (3-0) at 7 tonight coming off a narrow loss last week in a shootout with county rival Niceville.

“This game has become a pretty good measuring point of where you’re at,” Moore said.

Perhaps most critical for Choctawhatchee is how the Indians’ defense will respond after being lit up by the Eagles for 41 points, especially when one of the unit’s primary cogs may be sidelined. Led by Dustin Land, a dual-threat quarterback and college prospect, Milton is averaging 26.7 points per game and the Indians say the Panthers’ offense isn’t subtle.

“They pretty much line up and run it straight down your throat,” defensive lineman Jacob Foster said.

“They’re going to come in and put it to us, and we’ve just got to be men about it,” echoed fellow lineman Chase Boutwell.

Making matters tougher for the Indians’ defense is that sackmeister Chris Martin, a standout defensive end, is questionable with a shoulder injury that was suffered in the first half against Niceville. Moore said Martin’s shoulder is still tender and sore. Martin didn’t face any live contact this week in practice and, if he can’t go, junior John Crenshaw will take his place.

“We love playing with (Martin), but if he can’t be there we can’t do anything about that, so we just have to go do what we have to do,” Boutwell said.

That means stopping Land and Co. Milton, which had its game last week with Navarre postponed due to dangerous weather conditions, defeated Washington 16-0 on Sept. 14 and has a strong backfield duo in tailbacks David Morgan and Talris Brown.

Moore called Land a “bona-fide, big-time player,” who can hurt the Indians with his arm or legs. Choctawhatchee’s biggest concern will be the running ability of Land and his backfield mates, particularly after Niceville fullback Jason Lentz gashed the Indians.

“Last week we had some missed assignments and missed plays, so this week we’re just focused on cleaning that stuff up and hitting the right gaps,” Foster said.

Milton defeated Choctawhatchee 27-13 in a Kickoff Classic scrimmage, but the first-team units played sparingly.

With quarterback Jace Blanchard, tailback LeKendrick Ingram and wideout Thomas Darden leading a Choctawhatchee offense that is averaging 38 points per game, the Indians’ defense is looking to bounce back after struggling against Niceville.

“We were hurting after the game, but you have to move on,” Foster said. “You can’t just dwell on that. We’re kind of using that as a motivation point to move on this week.”

Milton (3-0) at Choctawhatchee (2-1)

7 p.m., Etheredge Stadium

Last week: Milton’s game with Navarre was postponed; Choctawhatchee lost to Niceville 41-34.

Last year: Milton won 21-3

Players to watch: Milton: Dustin Land, Sr., QB; David Morgan, Sr., RB/DB; Talris Brown, Sr., RB/LB; William Beasley, Sr., LB. Choctawhatchee: Jace Blanchard, Sr., QB; Thomas Darden, Sr., WR; LeKendrick Ingram, Sr., RB; Travis Holland, Jr., LB.

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