Choctaw dominates in 33-0 win over Washington (SLIDESHOW, VIDEO)
FORT WALTON BEACH – In last season’s meeting with Washington, Choctawhatchee raced out to a 31-7 lead and then proceeded to hold on for dear life in an eventual and exasperating 38-31 road win.
View a slideshow from the game »
Things never got nearly that dicey at Joe Etheredge Stadium Friday night.
Backed by yet another impressive defensive performance, Choctaw’s offense – more specifically, its passing game - finally sprung to life, as quarterback Luke Clark threw for three touchdowns and the Indians cruised to a dominating 33-0 win over the Wildcats.
“I think we’re getting things together a little bit,” Indians coach Greg Thomas said.
Indeed, from Choctaw’s opening possession the Indians (2-1) offense looked to have found a rhythm that was lacking in last week’s 26-9 loss to Godby, needing just four plays to march 61 yards for a game-opening touchdown. Choctaw punctuated the drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Clark to receiver Max Keefe.
It was a sign of things to come, as Clark finished the night 11-of-14 passing for 124 yards and three scores, each going to a different Indian receiver.
It was just the kind of performance the Indians had hoped for entering their bye week before opening District 2-6A play Sept. 30 at Niceville.
“I think the first game we had one passing touchdown, then last week, nothing through the air, we couldn’t get anything going,” Clark said. “Then tonight, to come out and do that, it helps our confidence.”
“That,” also included a shutout by the Choctaw defense, its first since a 35-0 win at Bay in 2009. It was the Indians’ first home shutout since a 55-0 rout of Navarre in 2008. Washington (0-3), which had -2 yards rushing in the first quarter, gained just 69 yards of total offense on the night.
“Our defense is really playing well,” Thomas said. “If our offense can just get up to speed with our defense, I think we’ll be alright.”
Leading 14-0 following a 10-yard touchdown pass from Clark to Devin Borders, the Choctaw special teams made its presence felt when defensive lineman Eric Brelia broke through to block a Wildcat punt and give the Indians possession at the Washington 26.
Four plays later Clark found Gaston Rackard on an in route and the Indians’ receiver did the rest, scampering into the end zone from 15 yards out to give Choctaw a 21-0 lead following the point after by kicker Skyler Feckner.
Brelia struck again early in the third quarter, barreling through Wildcat blockers to block a second punt, this time forcing the ball to roll out of the back of the Wildcat end zone for a safety and a 23-0 Choctaw lead.
“I think it changed the momentum of the game,” Brelia said.
From there, Feckner would add a 35-yard field goal with 2:16 left in the third and back-up quarterback Chase Whitehead would later break free for a 16-yard touchdown run to put the exclamation point on a one-sided win.
BOX
Choctawhatchee 33, Washington 0
Washington 0 0 0 0—0
Choctawhatchee 7 14 5 7—33
First quarter
C – Max Keefe 30 pass from Luke Clark (Skyler Feckner kick); 10:23
Second quarter
C – Devin Borders 10 pass from Clark (Feckner kick); 10:05
C – Gaston Rackard 15 pass from Clark (Feckner kick); 6:18
Third quarter
C – Punt blocked for safety; 9:24
C – Feckner 35 FG; 2:16
Fourth quarter
C– Chase Whitehead 16 run (Feckner kick); 5:17
Wash Choctaw
First downs 4 16
Rushes-yards 25-45 40-174
Passing yards 24 124
- 7-18-1 11-14-0
Fumbles-lost 2-0 0-0
Penalties-yards 8-52 10-82
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Washington: Brandon Holley 10-41, Branden Dirden 6-22, Clifford Nicholson 1-10, Dante Hicks 1-(-4), Clay Hinton 6-(-17). Choctaw: Josh LeMay 10-100, Therion Robinson 9-32, Chase Whitehead 2-19, Terrance Bryant 2-13, Alance Turnbow 3-11, Sebastian Chacon 2-5, Max Keefe 1-4, Michael Hawthorne 1-0, Luke Clark 5-(-10).
PASSING—Washington: Clay Hinton 6-15-1 17, Branden Dirden 1-3-0 7. Choctaw: Luke Clark 11-14-0 124.
RECEIVING— Washington: Brandon Holley 4-12, Mike Thomas 2-12. Choctaw: Devin Borders 5-62, Max Keefe 1-30, Gaston Rackard 2-25, Roy Boyer 1-14, Therion Robinson 2-(-7).
