Choctaw hangs on, gets big district win over Navarre (SLIDESHOW, VIDEO)

FORT WALTON BEACH – The alumni and fans started filing out of Joe Ethridge Stadium as Choctawhatchee extended their lead to 47-24 with 6:08 to go in what appeared to be an easy District 2-6A win over the visiting Navarre Raiders.

View a slideshow from the game »

Those that made it out of the stadium, missed out, and so did the Navarre Raiders, who stormed back in the in the final six minutes to tie the score at 47-47 before the Indians put the final nail in a coffin that just wouldn’t close.

Kicker Dominique Jordan sent a 23-yard field goal through the uprights with five seconds left on the clock to give Choctaw the 50-47 win in front of a spirited homecoming crowd.

Navarre’s (2-4, 1-1 District 2-6A) comeback began as they marched 52 yards down the field before Dwayne Carter ended the drive on a two-yard touchdown run with 4:37 left. A David do Carmo extra point brought the score to 47-31.

On Choctaw’s next possession, the Raider defense found their way to quarterback Luke Clark, who fumbled on a third down pass attempt, and Navarre’s Boston Morgan scooped and scored from 44 yards out to cut the Indian lead to 47-39 after a two-point conversion pass was completed by Dusty Jones.

The Raiders recovered the ensuing onside kick and Jones found Gatlin Casey in the middle of the field for a 30-yard strike and Carter carried the ball 10 yards to pay dirt on the next play to bring the Raiders within two at 47-45.

Navarre’s first two point conversion attempt failed, but they were bailed out on a pass interference call against the Indians. On the next try, from 2 yards out, Carter carried it the ball up the middle to knot the score at 47-47 and the momentum had officially swung.

Choctaw (3-2, 1-1) finally got control of the ball with 1:45 to go, but failed to convert on three straight passes and were forced to punt.

The Raiders converted a big third-and-10 and looked to be rolling only for Choctaw defensive back Terrance Bryant to snare a Dusty Jones deep ball to the left side and return it to the Navarre 45 yard line with 33 seconds to go to set up the game-wining field goal.

The Indians were led by running back Josh LeMay who carried the ball 20 times for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Clark finished 14 of 23 for 261 and two touchdowns, including a 42 yarder to Devin Borders, who had 120 yards receiving on eight catches.

Carter led the Raiders with 18 carries for 119 yards and five touchdowns, despite missing much of the second half with an injury.

Jones passed for 303 yards on 24 of 33 passing.