Choctaw faces West Florida coming off signature victory

As the final seconds ticked off of Choctaw’s 42-28 win at then Class 3A No. 4 Arnold, Savage realized the significance of the moment.

“You could tell that we won the biggest game in a while at this school,” Savage said. “I couldn’t help but smile, it was a great feeling.”

As satisfying a win as last week’s was, Savage and his Choctaw teammates say it will all have been for naught if the team can’t follow up with another road victory tonight as the Indians (2-3, 2-1 District 1-3A) travel to West Florida (2-3, 1-2) for a key district matchup.

“West Florida isn’t going to roll over for us just because we beat a good opponent,” Savage said.

Choctaw will look to earn a second straight road win for the first time in the same season since 2004. In doing so, the Indians would stay on track to snagging their first playoff berth since that same season.

Choctaw coach Greg Thomas knows doing so will not be easy, saying West Florida’s triple-option offense presents more challenges than the version employed by Arnold.

“I think it’s a much bigger challenge,” Thomas said. “(West Florida) is more athletic. They run the triple-option and they run it much better than Arnold does and we weren’t very successful (against Arnold).”

As for any concern that the Indians will still have their head in the clouds after their emotional victory, Savage said Thomas and the rest of the Choctaw staff has made sure to bring the team back to earth.

“That’s been a big talk in the locker room,” Savage said. “As soon as Saturday rolled around, (the celebrating) was over.”