Choctaw vs. Fort Walton Beach: It doesn't get any bigger

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

Florida Freedom Newspapers
(850) 315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH - Some would say after winning just four games a year ago that Choctawhatchee's 2008 season - one in which the Indians currently stand at 5-3 overall - is already a success.

Others would offer that after being expected to finish at or near the bottom of the district standings, the very notion that the Indians can clinch the District 2-4A crown with a win tonight over archrival and defending champion Fort Walton Beach (7-1, 1-1) is in itself a crowning achievement.

Choctaw first-year coach Greg Thomas isn't buying it.

"I think a lot of people think we've done better than they thought we would have done to this point, but I don't believe in getting to a certain point and just being satisfied with where we're at," Thomas said. "We're happy to even be playing for a district title, but our goal is to win.

"We've been practicing to win, not come in second."

Thomas and his Indians (5-3, 2-0 District 2-4A) will look to do just that tonight at Steve Riggs Stadium where a full house is expected to be on hand for the renewal of one of the area's most passionate rivalries where a surprising Choctaw team will look to capture the school's first district title since 2002 - not to mention its first playoff berth in four years - with a win over a Vikings team that entered the year everyone's preseason favorite.

"(A district title) would be huge for our kids," Thomas said.

Standing in their way is a Vikings team that despite having several would-be starters hobbled with injuries on both sides of the ball comes into tonight's contest a confident bunch.

"Everybody's geared up and ready," Vikings quarterback Luke Barnes said. "We've got to win this game or we're going to be sitting at home."

Actually, a Choctaw win coupled with a Navarre victory over Crestview would yield a shootout for district runner-up between the Vikings, Raiders and Bulldogs.

A Vikings' win would, at the very least, assure Barnes and company a shootout for the district crown on Monday, which would be held at Fort Walton Beach.

And while there are other scenarios that could put the Vikings in the postseason, the surest path to the playoffs rests in coming away with a win tonight.

"We've dug ourselves a hole and now we have to get out of it," senior receiver Will Wamble said.

"All of our goals are still laid out there before us," Vikings coach Mike Owens said. "We can still be district champions, still be in the playoffs, still go deep in the playoffs. I think we have enough talent where if we cross this hurdle, we have a chance."

Few were willing to give the Indians much of a chance entering the season.

A new coach, new players and a high level of uncertainty as to how the two would mix - not to mention a Vikings' team teeming with potential Division I talent - led to lowered expectations.

"I thought we had the potential," Choctaw running back LeKeefe Robinson said. "But I didn't think we'd have a huge turnaround like this. It's been a nice surprise."

Thomas, for one, isn't surprised in the least.

From Day 1 Thomas has made it his top priority to change the culture inside the Indians' locker room by holding players accountable for their actions - both on and off the field.

The message was received loud and clear.

"It's totally different," senior linebacker Travis Holland said. "In years before it's been more relaxed, now every game is a big game no matter who we're playing. It doesn't matter if it's South Walton or Fort Walton."

Even Owens himself admitted to being impressed by the changes put into place by Thomas and his staff.

"I think they've made a statement about what they wanted to do and what they wanted to be about," Owens said. "They had some people jump off ship but the ones that have stayed with them are tough."

Thomas used the same words when describing Owens' Vikings.

"We need to try to dictate what we want to do (offensively)," Thomas said. "If they get to where they're just teeing off on us, we could be in for a long night."