Four Okaloosa County boys soccer teams punched their tickets to the FHSAA playoffs when brackets were released Thursday night: Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Choctaw and Rocky Bayou.
- Here’s a breakdown of each team’s path to a state championship.
Class 6A Region 1: Niceville
The road to the state championship runs through Twin Oaks.
That’s become a familiar refrain in regions involving Niceville, as this marks the third time this decade the Eagles have earned the No. 1 seed. But for as talented as they are, Niceville faces a gauntlet to reach the Final Four.
The Eagles open against South Lake, a matchup they should handle with relative ease. After that, the bracket turns treacherous. A first-round win would set up a Sweet 16 clash with either Tate — the only opponent Niceville didn’t beat by double digits this season, and a team eager for revenge after Wednesday’s district championship loss — or Buchholz, which didn’t suffer a defeat until falling to Bartram Trail on penalty kicks in Tuesday’s district title game.
- Win that, and the Eagles would likely face Bartram Trail or Mandarin, both ranked in the state’s top 10 just behind Niceville.
If any team can navigate such a road, it’s these Eagles. This is arguably Niceville’s most talented squad since its 2020 state championship team, featuring a deep roster anchored by Camrin Pearson, Jackson Fisher and Asher Nelson — and a coach in Wes Nelson with two decades of championship experience.
Class 5A Region 1: Choctaw
With an 8-2-2 record before Christmas break, hosting a playoff game at Joe Etheredge Stadium seemed like a distinct possibility for Choctaw. But a 2-3-1 stretch capped by an early exit at districts against Booker T. Washington means Chris McDaniel’s squad will be road warriors with a brutal draw.
The Indians open at Ponte Vedra, ranked No. 17 nationally. The Sharks feature a stifling defense anchored by Brayden Sandoval, Pascal Rocha and Marcus Warren, plus a two-headed offensive attack in Nick Churchill and Antonio Mahfuz Neto.
Survive that, and Choctaw would likely face Beachside, ranked No. 7 in the country. The Indians’ defensive tandem of Christian Nelson and Bart Davis will have their hands full against an offensive machine led by Davi Noronha and Santiago Suarez.
- Win that, and Arnold — the No. 3 team nationally and defending 5A state champion — likely awaits.
It’s a brutal path. But don’t count out Malloy Hansen, Kameron Kestner, Jamaarie Alcide and company.
Class 4A Region 1: Fort Walton Beach
The Vikings find themselves in familiar territory from a year ago: fresh off a frustrating district title loss but staring at a favorable path to the Final Four.
The key difference? Fort Walton Beach will host every matchup at Steve Riggs Stadium — a welcomed change from last year’s first-round road game.
The Vikings open against Rickards in a rematch of last year’s Elite Eight. A win would likely set up a second-round meeting with Vanguard. The toughest test would come in the Elite Eight against either Bishop Kenny or Wakulla.
- The Vikings clearly have a thirst for revenge against Wakulla after Monday’s upset in the district championship game. The War Eagles pose the biggest threat in Region 1, anchored by an offensive attack led by Dax Dichio and Samuel Bruce.
But if Mario Rodriguez’s squad trusts the process and takes care of business, Christopher Reyes, Liam Ackerman, Wilmar Munoz, Isaac Holbrook and company could celebrate back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Class 1A Region 1: Rocky Bayou
The Knights have a manageable path to Lakeland.
Rocky Bayou opens against Community Christian, a team it has already beaten twice this season — shutting them out both times, most recently in Tuesday’s district championship.
A win would set up a matchup with either Redeemer Christian or Academy of the Lakes, both tough opponents. From there, a date with University Christian would likely await in the Elite Eight — a game the Knights have a legitimate chance to win.
Add it all up, and Rocky Bayou stands a good chance of reaching the Final Four.
