Choctaw starting to think playoffs (with The BLITZ sports show!)

By ADAM PRUIETT

Florida Freedom Newspapers
(850) 315-4484 | adamp@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH - This year's edition of the Choctawhatchee football team would love to be the group that puts the program back in the limelight.

But that's not the only reason - and perhaps not even the primary one - why the Indians want to secure their first playoff bid since 2004.

"I'm not so much worried about our reputation and pride. I just want the benefits of hard work," senior offensive lineman Hunter McCarthy said. "I think all of us, especially the seniors, have worked hard and that's why we want it. Not for our reputation, but as a reward."

With a victory over District 2-4A rival Navarre (2-4, 0-1) on Friday night at Etheredge Stadium, Choctaw (4-3, 1-0) would clinch at least a chance at a postseason berth. If the Indians win and Fort Walton Beach defeats Crestview, the district's two playoff spots would go to Choctaw and the Vikings.

"That's everybody's goal is to make the playoffs," first-year Choctaw coach Greg Thomas said. "I'm sure Navarre is preaching the same thing right now."

He's right.

The Raiders, the 2006 district champion and last year's runner-up, can't afford another loss and they know it.

"You hate to think a high school game is a must-win or do-or-die, but it's pretty close," first-year Navarre coach Chad Lashley said.

The Raiders have had a week off since a 33-0 loss to Fort Walton Beach. They spent the better part of one week working strictly on themselves and the other preparing for the Indians with the intention of playing a precise overall game that has largely eluded them this season.

"It's time to get it done now," Lashley said.

The Indians, meanwhile, have their own concerns heading into the game, namely an offense that has occasionally been turnover-prone and a defense that too often allows the big play.

"I think our big nemesis all year has been our tackling," Thomas said. "It's not necessarily what we're doing defensively, but we've been awful at times on the basic fundamental of tackling."