DEJA VU: Choctaw, Pensacola clash (VIDEO)

FORT WALTON BEACH – After a hard-fought regular season finale last week, the only thing changing this week for Choctawhatchee and Pensacola is the venue.

And of course, the stakes.

After defeating Pensacola 23-17 in the familiar confines of Etheredge Stadium last Thursday, Choctawhatchee will go on the road Friday to face the eighth-ranked Tigers at 7:30 p.m. in a Region 1-6A quarterfinal.

The Indians’ (8-2) defense, led by Max Keefe, Cedric Bridgewater and Terrance Bryant, has been exceptional this season, playing a huge role in Choctaw’s six-game win streak to close the regular season.

Last week, the Indians faced the Tigers’ (8-2) inexperienced back-up quarterback Damarius Travis. Travis, who is playing in place of injured starter Jalen Spencer, struggled throwing the football against the Indians, but proved more than capable running it. Despite finishing just 5-of-17 passing for 84 yards, an interception and a touchdown, Travis put up 152 yards on the ground on 22 carries with a score.

“We can tell he’s not experienced,” Keefe said of Travis. “I think they’re probably going to do a lot more of their quick game and show a lot more of their speed.”

Josh LeMay has established himself as a legitimate threat out of the backfield both running and receiving for the Indians. He carried the ball 14 times for 100 yards and a score last week and Therion Robinson added 66 yards on 13 carries.

With the success of the ground game, in theory, quarterback Luke Clark’s job should get easier. But the senior signal caller was just 6 of 17 last week for 155 yards, a score and an interception. He was 11 of 23 the week before against Fort Walton Beach, performances that were, by his own standards, subpar. To Clark’s credit, he has performed well in clutch situations, including throwing a 41-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the first half last week.

“He’s out of rhythm a little bit and he knows that,” Choctaw coach Greg Thomas said. “That’s been addressed. (Quarterbacks are) kind of like hitters in baseball. You just hope he comes out of it.”

Keefe admitted last week’s win gave the Indians a lift, psychologically.

“I think we’ve created some doubt in their minds,” he said. “I think they really underestimated us but we plan to go in there and win again.”

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