Choctaw punched its ticket to the playoffs Wednesday night, defeating Fort Walton Beach 32-0 to claim the District 1-2A championship at Joe Etheredge Stadium.
- For the Lady Indians, winning districts is the expectation, not the celebration.
“It’s exciting. Districts are great, but it’s another part of our journey to get to state,” Choctaw Head Coach Jim Bay said. “We’ve just got to keep the momentum going. I’m happy for them, but it’s one third of the mission. Next is regional champion, then state champion.”
Choctaw’s opening drive stalled on miscues, but its defense forced a stop and gave the offense another chance. Quarterback Diaris Morales settled in quickly, connecting with Peyton DiBennedetto and KK Hardy on back-to-back completions before scrambling for a first down. Morales then hit DiBennedetto again and found Grey Smith for the opening touchdown to make it 7-0.
Fort Walton Beach answered with a sustained drive of its own. Lady Vikings quarterback Jailyah Bell completed passes to Cameron Corragio, London Carr and Kendall Chapman to move the chains, but the drive ended without points.
- Choctaw capitalized. Morales worked through her progressions, hitting DiBennedetto, Silvy Ewert and Hardy before finding Ewert in the end zone to extend the lead.
The game’s defining moment came on the next Choctaw possession. Morales scrambled for a first down, lateraled to DiBennedetto, who pitched it to Hardy for the touchdown. Hardy then intercepted Bell on Fort Walton’s next drive, setting up a Morales touchdown pass to Kady Folsom before halftime.
The second half belonged to the defenses. Choctaw’s only score came on a Morales strike to Mirian Redondo that sealed the final margin.
With the win, Choctaw locked up the No. 1 seed in Region 1-2A and will host its regional quarterfinal at Joe Etheredge Stadium. The Lady Indians will learn their opponent when the bracket is released Saturday.
Fort Walton Beach needed the district title to keep its playoff hopes alive. With the loss, the Lady Vikings are out of the postseason race.
