Fresh off a breakthrough year that included the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2014 before falling to eventual state champion American Heritage, the Indians are here to stay and look poised for another deep November run.

• “It was a big deal, but last year and every year are different,” Choctaw Head Coach Frank Beasley said. “We’ll keep trying to build our football team and build off the success of last year’s team.”

With that said, here are five storylines surrounding Choctaw heading into the season.

1. Bull’s-eye on the back

As great as playing in the Final Four is, it comes with something big: a bull’s-eye on your back. As a result, the Indians will likely get the best effort from each and every one of their opponents.

But Beasley embraces it.

“When you’re an elite program, it’s not easy. The bull’s-eye is going to be on your back all the time,” Beasley said. “So we just have to function at a high level and make sure everybody’s rolling in the same direction.”

2. A quarterback battle

The engine who led Choctaw’s offense to the Final Four, Tamen Zabetakis, has graduated and is headed to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. Now, a three-horse race ensues to determine the next signal-caller.

IMG Academy transfer Baker Giles, Niceville transfer Isaiah Collins and last year’s JV starter Camden Aden are all in the mix. All three have their own strengths and weaknesses, and they all get along, with Beasley excited to see how the chips fall.

3. The ground game

The real strength of the Indians this year figures to be the ground game. Choctaw has three starting-caliber running backs: last year’s leading rusher Von’Tavious Keller, two-way force Dante Whidbee and Swiss Army knife Carter Marracco, who was a spark plug and always seemed to make the right play at the right time throughout the Final Four run.

But it all begins with good offensive line play — and Choctaw has that. The Indians boast a big, physical and improved unit under the direction of offensive line coach Alton Plott.

“Our offensive line is really big and physical. They’re much stronger this year than they were last year, so we really put a lot of emphasis on offensive line play, and that’s really where the game starts and stops,” Beasley said. “Obviously, Carter Marracco, Von Keller and Dante Whidbee do a great job of getting the ball and making things happen when they do get the ball, and hopefully we can keep them fresh throughout the entire season. It’s going to be fun to be able to coach three elite backs like they have.”

4. Defense is here to stay

A key part of Choctaw’s Final Four run was the defense. Under coordinator Terrence Brooks, the unit gave up just 10.9 points per game and pitched four shutouts.

While the Indians are losing a good chunk of the front seven — including the Alloway brothers, Boston Murray, a stout force at defensive tackle, and linebacker Jabari Weeks — there is plenty waiting in the wings.

Choctaw has developing pass rushers that include TJ Franklin, who as a sophomore already boasts multiple Power 4 offers, Fort Walton Beach transfer Raequon Hawkins and returners DeMonta Williams and Kevin Bravo. The linebacker corps features Niceville transfer Carlos Pupo Butch and Aiden Platt filling the roles that Weeks and Ellis Alloway left behind, with Isaiah Mathews returning.

In the secondary, despite losing Alante Reese and Jordan Figueroa, Beasley views this as the fastest secondary he’s ever had. Amir Reese, Jack Marracco and Crestview transfer CJ Reynolds make up the unit.

“We feel pretty good about where we’re at defensively,” Beasley said. “We have to make sure we develop some depth there, stay healthy, and we feel like we’re going to be all right.”

5. A proving schedule

In Choctaw’s quest for a state championship, Beasley scheduled a demanding slate. While the Indians should enter the season as unquestioned favorites to win their district — which is tougher than it has been in the past two years with the additions of Milton, Booker T. Washington and Escambia, with Fort Walton Beach and Gulf Breeze rounding it out — the non-district schedule is no cakewalk.

In addition to Niceville, Choctaw will travel to Pace and Mosley, both of whom will be competing for Final Four bids. Beasley also scheduled games against two Alabama powers: one at home against Auburn, a defending state semifinalist, and one on the road against defending 7A state champion Thompson.

What to expect from Choctaw this season:

• Continued elite play on the defensive side of the ball.
• A ground game that can cause havoc with three talented running backs.
• Physical play in the trenches.
• Continued offensive success regardless of who wins the quarterback job.
• A team that embraces the bull’s-eye on its back.

Choctaw football schedule:

(* District game | # Area opponent)

• Aug. 14: vs. Bay (Kickoff Classic)
• Aug. 20: at Mosley
• Aug. 28: vs. Auburn (Ala.)
• Sept. 4: at Pace
• Sept. 11: at Escambia*
• Sept. 18: vs. Niceville #
• Sept. 25: at Milton*
• Oct. 2: Bye
• Oct. 9: vs. Fort Walton Beach* #
• Oct. 16: vs. Booker T. Washington*
• Oct. 23: vs. Gulf Breeze*
• Oct. 30: at Thompson (Ala.)