FORT WALTON BEACH — "The Game" may lack the parity it once possessed in 2012, when both teams were deadlocked at 21-21 in the oldest high school football rivalry in The Panhandle, but that won't stop Choctawhatchee from celebrating another lopsided win.
And, more importantly, another district title.
Strengthening its position as the No. 2 team in Region 1-4A behind St. Augustine, the Big Green forced five turnovers Friday night and ran all over Fort Walton Beach in a running-clock, 49-13 district win at Joe Etheredge Stadium. Not only do the Big Green improve to 7-2 with their fourth straight win under head coach Frank Beasley, they also finish the District 2 slate a perfect 3-0 as they hoist back-to-back district crowns.
"It's exciting first and foremost that we've won two district championships in a row and four in a row over Fort Walton," Beasley said. "They're getting better and they did some good things against us. But I'm just excited for our guys. It's tough to get up every week and obviously this is a big game for us."
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Beasley inherited a winless team that lost 35-28 to the Vikings during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Ever since, the Big Green have won 28-6, 48-0, 41-0 in Bobby Clayton's first year at The Fort and now 49-13.
And the Big Green did it by running the ball and creating turnovers. Von Keller rushed for two touchdowns, while Carter Marracco, J'drian Edwards and Tamen Zaketakis each ran for a score for the Big Green, who started the running clock by the early seconds of the third quarter. Edwards' 3-yard plunge pushed the lead to 42-7, ending the night for Choctaw's starters.
Auburn commitment Dante Core added a 40-yard pick-six on his second interception of the night, Tristan Jackson added a pick and Alante Reese forced and recovered a fumble.
"(Defensive coordinator) Terrence Brooks is doing a good job, his whole staff," Beasley said. "I'm extremely proud of what he's doing," Beasley said. Those guys work extremely hard and it's been a good fit.
This marks the fourth straight win for the Big Green, which is set to close the season with another trip to Alabama and a matchup with 6-3 Enterprise. The last time it crossed state lines, Beasley's crew knocked off defending state champ Gulf Shores, 31-7.
Unafraid to travel, every season Choctaw seems to play its best ball entering November. Back-to-back appearances in the region finals affirm that.
"It's the weight room. It what we do in the weight room," Beasley said. "We lift hard every day and we take just one day off a week. Our guys have committed to that and we get stronger. And we manage practice well and try to keep our guys fresh, so it's all those things.
"Hopefully we start peaking at the right time heading into the playoffs."
The Vikings (3-6) look to finish the season on a high note against Okaloosa County rival Crestview. Bobby Clayton is now 8-11 at Fort Walton after inheriting a program coming off back-to-back winless campaigns.
Niceville 43, Milton 3
The Eagles improved to 8-1 behind three touchdown passes from Kane Lafortune to Robert Stith, two touchdowns from Jon Bocchino and a Timberland Smith score.
Lafortune, who entered the night completing 61 percent of his passes for 734 yards, now has thrown for seven touchdowns on the year, five of which have gone to Stith. Bocchino overtakes Johnny Lewis for the team lead with 12 touchdowns overall.
Now the Eagles will have a chance to get healthy for the regular-season finale at Navarre (3-6) Friday. They currently sit atop the Region 1-5A FHSAA poll and will have to wait until Tuesday to see if their cushion holds against No. 2 Mosley.
Other results
Walton 55, Freeport 6
Pace 35, Navarre 7
Pensacola Catholic 45, South Walton 7
Tate 54, Crestview 30
Booker T. Washington 49, Destin 8