Wait is over: Choctaw welcomes archrival Fort Walton Beach
FORT WALTON BEACH — Through the course of every season there are big games, must-win games and trap games, each one taking on the utmost significance for the six days leading up to kickoff.
But then there are rivalry games, games where the buildup isn’t measured in days but rather in weeks and months, games where the thrill of victory or the bitter agony of defeat live on well past the final whistle or the morning after.
Fort Walton Beach-Choctawhatchee is one such game.
Tonight, Joe Etheredge Stadium will be the site of the latest chapter in one of the area’s most storied rivalries as Fort Walton Beach (5-3) looks to extend its winning streak over the Indians (6-3) to a series-best six games. For Choctaw, a win would be the first any player has had over the Vikings since their junior varsity days and would provide a perfect stepping-stone toward the program’s first playoff appearance in five years.
More than anything, a win would mean bragging rights. With both teams having secured postseason berths in recent weeks, tonight’s game is being played for pride.
“It’s the one the kids grow up with,” Vikings coach Mike Owens said. “They all want to play this game. There won’t be any holding back, if they are healthy and want to play, they’ll play. They deserve to play this game.”
Choctaw senior receiver Justin Savage is well-aware of the Indians’ five-game losing streak to Fort Walton Beach. Having grown up a fan of the Vikings, Savage is well-versed in the history of the series but is most interested in authoring his own chapter.
“My uncle Scott went there and won the state title with Danny Wuerffel,” Savage said. “I’ve heard nothing but about the losing because my uncle Scott gives it to me every day. It would mean everything to finally win one for Choctaw.”
Choctaw enters having won five straight but, as coach Greg Thomas put it, the Indians have not faced a team the caliber of Fort Walton Beach since perhaps the Pensacola High game in early October. The Indians had zero control over the overall quality of their district. But the fact is, Gulf Breeze this is not.
“Our kids have been playing well but we still haven’t played a team like we’re going to see (tonight),” Thomas said. “It’s going to be the biggest challenge in the last five or six weeks, that’s for sure.”
In its win at Mosley, Fort Walton Beach turned to one-time junior varsity quarterback Luke Thompson, who in turn, turned to the running back tandem of T.C. Carter and J.T. White to overpower the Dolphins in a 23-6 win. Both Carter (136 yards, two touchdowns) and White (127 yards) eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark.
“Teams have run on us pretty good,” Thomas said. “It’s a big challenge.”
Since weathering a rough start and an early rash of injuries, Choctaw has come on to win five straight thanks in large part to an offense that has looked comfortable running and throwing. Former Viking turned Indian Charlie Lott has played an integral role, teaming with fellow running back Freddie Gray to give Choctaw a formidable one-two punch of its own.
“Obviously we know about Charlie’s ability,” Owens said. “He’s a strong kid that runs hard. We’ve always been impressed with Gray’s quickness. Their skill guys are very talented. It will be a good test for us.”
