Arnold presents another daunting challenge for Choctaw

FORT WALTON BEACH — There’s such a thing as preparing for the thick of district play with a difficult early-season slate, and then there’s the gauntlet-like schedule Choctawhatchee has faced.

Through its first four games, Choctaw lined up opposite state-ranked teams on three occasions. Following their season opener on the road against Class 2B No. 6 Pensacola Catholic, the Indians played at Niceville, which this week rose to No.1 in the Class 4A poll. Last week, the Indians lost their District 1-3A game to Pensacola, which currently stands at No.11 in the 3A ranks.

And it doesn’t let up this Friday. Up next for Greg Thomas’ Indians is Arnold, 3A’s fourth-ranked team.

“We should definitely be prepared for seeing athletes,” Thomas said. “I don’t think that the athletes we’re seeing this week are any faster or bigger or stronger than some of the ones we’ve already seen.”

Still, for a team in search of its first road win since Sept. 12 of last year, matching wits with the state’s No. 4 team is a tall task. In last week’s loss to Pensacola, Choctaw (1-3, 1-1) managed just 77 yards rushing in a game in which the Indians hampered their own cause by committing the same turnovers and mental lapses that have plagued them all season.

“We’re going to have to make teams earn every point they get,” Thomas said. “We’re having way too many big plays on defense. Offensively, turnovers are killing us. If we can take care of those two things, I think we can compete with everybody left on our schedule.”

Trimming the amount of big plays allowed on defense will not be easy this week.

In Thomas’ mind, Arnold (3-0, 2-0) possesses two of the better skill players his team will have seen this season in sophomore quarterback Eddie Williams and senior running back Jeremy Hester. Individually, each is capable of putting points on the scoreboard in the blink of an eye. Combined, the two make up a deadly 1-2 punch for a Marlins’ offense that features plenty of options.

For a defensive unit already looking to shore up its propensity to yield big gains, Thomas has spent much of this week drilling the basics.

“Tackling drills,” linebacker Max Curtis said. “Every day it’s tackling drills.”