Sibling rivalry: Ellison brothers to square off in FWB-Choctaw game

FORT WALTON BEACH — Will Ellison knew this day would come.

Since the moment he first stepped onto a football field as a seventh grader, the Fort Walton Beach sophomore has anticipated the moment when he would line up opposite of his older brother, Choctawhatchee senior Trey Ellison, in a real game. That moment, as it turns out, will take place Friday night as one of the area’s biggest rivalries resumes when Choctaw hosts Fort Walton Beach at Joe Etheredge Stadium.

To call this year’s meeting between the Indians and Vikings personal would be a gross understatement for the two brothers.

“It’s been a pretty serious week of football,” Will said. “It means a lot since it’s Choctaw Week, but it also means a lot since it’s my brother’s senior year and I’m playing against my brother in the biggest game of the year. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.”

Trey, a senior defensive tackle for the Indians, readily agreed.

“We’ve been talking about this since we were little kids,” he said. “I’m ready to get out there and show him what being the bigger brother is about.”

Perhaps the only one more looking forward to Friday night’s game is their common father, Ron.

With Will living in Destin and Trey residing in Fort Walton Beach, Ron has worked the phone lines making sure friends and family from the surrounding area are in attendance.

“I can’t wait,” Ron said. “I have family coming down from Alabama to see it. We’re all just fired up.”

Trey and Will should each have plenty of opportunities to one-up the other. With Will lining up at offensive tackle and Trey a three-technique on the Indians’ defensive line, the two will literally be in each other’s face for the majority of snaps come Friday night. It’s with that knowledge that each admitted to have taken a much keener interest in film study sessions throughout the week.

“It has made it more interesting,” Will said. “I know how my brother plays football. Knowing that I’m going to be going head-up against him, I’ve paid attention to the film more. I want to learn his tricks inside and out so I can mess him up during the game.”

Trey, likewise, seemingly salivated at the thought of battling his brother and quickly recalled his success against him when the two teams met in the Kickoff Classic.

“I’m really excited to see what he has,” Trey said. “I played against him a little bit in the spring game … They put him in for three plays and I beat him all three plays.”

The outcome of Friday night’s meeting carries with it much heavier meaning. Aside from a friendly wager between the two brothers that forces the loser to wear a shirt donning the winner’s school mascot and colors, Fort Walton Beach has won five straight against the Indians, the longest such streak for either team since Choctaw reeled off five consecutive wins from 1986-1990.

“If we beat them, I know it’s not a playoff game, but it would be a good boost for the team and get everyone excited,” Trey said.

Will’s advice for his brother: Don’t get your hopes up.

“The seniors this year have never lost to Choctaw,” Will said. “I want to keep that tradition going.”